FTF Insane’s story is one that advocates on a “family first” mentality.
His emergence in music is something indicative of defying adversity by way of persevering through life’s unprecedented hardships.
Whether it’s life’s experiences or visions of grandeur that inspire, motivate his pursuit of betterment for not only himself but also his family, Insane has developed a sound understanding of accountability and what comes with it.
After releasing a slew of singles and most recently his own rendition to Moneybagg Yo’s “Dior” record featuring Gunna, Insane is now gearing up for the next installment in his musical catalog.
We had the opportunity to catch up with the promising musician to talk about his backstory, inspirations and forthcoming work.
Q: What inspired the name FTF Insane?
A: The name FTF came about a bunch of dudes from Fayetteville, North Carolina. We put things together and released our first song called “Brothers”. The first song we ever dropped on YouTube, our first video.
We ended up going our separate ways, I ended up go upstate and that’s where I met my manager.
Basically, it (FTF) means Feed The Family.
Any way we can feed the family, that’s what we want to be involved with.
Q: How long have you been making music?
A: I’ve been making music since I was 16 years old.
Q: What was it like growing up?
A: I’m from Goldsboro, North Carolina but I started making music in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Growing up in Goldsboro, I was young, I ain’t really have no guidance like that, except for my mother at that time.
I was all over the place, reckless.
Stuff I should’ve been listening to back then I didn’t. It’s like now, when I lost my mother, I was on my own. I ain’t have nobody to show me.
I was out here doing bad, but doing good at the same time. I got a son; I take care of him myself. Even though I don’t see him every day, I take care of him every day. Far as being there as a father, cause’ I didn’t have that coming up.
I want to do something with my music that inspires other kids, other people that experienced what I did coming up.
I want to feed the family.
I learned a lot in Fayetteville. That’s why I rep Fayetteville so hard, because I learned how to live my life out there. It made me smarter, to look at everything in a broader aspect.
Q: What inspires your creativity?
A: Things I’ve been through, things I’ve seen. My heart, the things I feel.
If you’re not a real artist you wouldn’t understand. It’s stuff you have to go through to be a real artist.
People have to feel your music in order to know what you have been through.
Even if my music is not about me, it’s about something that has to do with life. Things that people should learn from.
Q: Walk me through the creative process of your forthcoming single “Way Up”
A: I was in the studio writing; I heard a beat that set me off and I got to thinking. I’m telling niggas we going way up.
When you going way up you got to get your cake up.
It’s a lot of artists thinking they just gone drop a video on YouTube and get a million views overnight. Really, you got to put that bag behind the music.
That’s basically what I’m talking about in the song, we going way up with this music shit. I had to branch off and put some money behind this music to get where I’m at.
Once I sat down and got in touch with the right people, everything legit now.
Q: Talk to me about some of the challenges you’ve experienced throughout your career
A: When I first started, I wasn’t there at all. As I elevated over time, life changed me.
Music actually changed my life though.
Experiencing the ups and downs really made my music more meaningful.
Q: What does the remainder of 2019 have store for you?
A: I just want people to get more involved with the music, the movement. I actually just got some great news.
We got Bigga Rankin hosting the single I’m about to release, “Way Up”, dropping September 13th, Friday the 13th .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7huqAoloG9o
