It’s evident that Capo Goody is no novice when it comes to epitomizing the ‘Take Risk And Prosper’ mantra many street enthusiast tend to personify within the context of their artistry.
The difference with Capo Goody is that he doesn’t glorify stagnancy nor does he embrace complacency – he instead uses the lessons learned from a past riddled with uncertainty to take a forward-thinking stance on being a tool of inspiration for many.
“I’m not your average artist, I look at things way different than most. When I’m in the studio I make sure my tracks are relatable to everyone. I have fans from different backgrounds, so in choosing my track list I made sure I had tracks for my thugs, my ladies and youngins growing up to ensure they do better.”
With being in a position of influence it’s of great importance to be cognizant of your impact and how a message can be perceived.
It’s a relatively rare occurrence to find someone that is willing to use their truth as a means to convey universal growth.
Capo Goody’s emergence in music is best summarized through descriptive nuances and a hustler’s jargon that only the real can relate to. In this interview we had the opportunity to tap into Capo’s backstory, inspiration and future endeavors.
What inspired the name Capo Goody?
At first my name when I was a youngin was C-Gutta but in 2012 I had to grow up and be more serious about it so my bro told me to do Capo Goody which is a play on Al Capone “Scarface” the gangster/businessman and all around boss.
How did your upbringing in Knoxville, TN influence your overall sound as an artist?
Pretty much like in my city it’s a small city but it’s a big city because everyone is from all over. You got people from DC, NYC, Texas, Cali and Ohio, so you get different cultures of music and listening to them I created my own sound.
Growing up in Knoxville was truly a struggle. I came from a single parent household, no male role model to look up to and no money to take care of my family. With my brother in jail doing a bid I turned to the streets at 11. I felt I had to be the man of the house since my brother was gone.
By the time my brother got released from prison I was 18 going into prison to do my bid. From my pain and life struggles, I put it all in my music.
What I rap about isn’t made up, it’s what I really experienced.
If I could give someone a little bit of hope that they can come out like it did then I served my purpose.
A lot of musicians tend to have a ‘why factor’ or reasoning behind their creative inspiration – With that in mind, what inspires your creativity as an artist?
I feel like what makes me stand out from other people is that I try not to get caught up in what’s popular and create my own vibe and sound.
Most rappers rap about things that are trending, when I rap I’m telling you what I experienced.
This is real life for me – I’ve dodged bullets before, watched homies die in front of me and did a bid.
You get it raw and uncut from me – I’m cut from a different cloth.
Are there any notable talents in the industry that you wish to work with?
A few of them – Future, Gotti, cause he from TN. I already did something with Money Bag Yo.
I would also like to work with Gucci Mane, Drake and Lil Durk.
A lot of people slept on Lil Durk, he has been in the industry for a min but now is considered mainstream.
I also want to work with any up incoming artist in the industry.
What has been one of the most challenging aspects of your life so far?
I feel like music has been a challenge.
I’ve been doing it for a while and I feel like I have one foot in the door and one out.
I’m hungry so I continue to push my music.
I’ve been in this game for a min and I feel like I still haven’t gotten where I want to be but you got to put the footwork in, so I continue to grind and put the work in and I know I got next!
Talk to me about your latest single ‘Paranoid’- what was that creative process like and what inspired the title?
What inspired the title pretty much was me being in the streets and watching people lose they life and be tricked out of they freedom.
With me seeing that it made me paranoid.
In the streets you can’t trust anyone but your gun, so you walk around paranoid and on high alert.
During this time I loss a lot of friends to the streets, so I wanted my fans to see what really goes on in these streets.
I’ve been told you have an upcoming album in the works – has a title for the project surfaced yet and how do you dictate which songs make the cut for the project?
The album is coming very soon. The title is ‘The Wait Is Over’, I choose this title because my fans have been waiting for a long time for me to drop my album and I owe them this project.
We have a lot of hot collabs on this album. I got Zay, my man Don Lee and Kipp Hilson just to name a few.
I promise you this album is about to change the game.
If you could best summarize your style of artistry in 3 words, what would they be and why?
I would say analytical, resilient and optimistic.
I’m not your average artist, I look at things way different than most. When I’m in the studio I make sure my tracks are relatable to everyone.
I have fans from different backgrounds, so in choosing my track list I made sure I had tracks for my thugs, my ladies and youngins growing up to ensure they do better. Like I said earlier, I’ve been in this game for a long time and I have no plans of giving up.
My mom told me before she passed to take my music serious because I have a gift that the world needs to hear.
I know I’m up next, the world deserves to hear what I got on my mind.
How do you feel about the current state of music – Is it progressing or slowly declining?
It’s like an up and down side to it, everyone is unique in their own way.
Music definitely has changed from 20 years ago, people clique jump so the genre is ever changing. I got music that’s just different I’m not clique jumping.
My music has a meaning behind it. I know one day I will be put in a situation where I have to jump on the current wave and at that point I can make that decision to do it or not. That’s why I’m independent so I don’t have to be a
yes man or shelve my album due to the label.
What can we expect to see from Capo Goody in the future?
I want to launch my own clothing line.
A restaurant because I love to cook and eat.
If God sees fit, movies too.
Forreal, whatever God blesses me with I’m open. I’ve made it out of my situation and I want to make my mamma proud.
