” When I say “Charge em’ up” it means give em’ that good energy, that good music “
Guap Tarantino is irrefutably forthright and one of Atlanta’s emerging talents that has solidified his position amongst fan-favorite acts.
Tarantino’s willful wordsmith dexterity combined with a fun, yet quick-witted delivery of lyrical jargon that personifies a street gospel aesthetic is nothing short of impressive.
In terms of advocacy, Guap Tarantino is big on “going-green” as referenced best by his most recent offering titled Charge Em Up.
The coveted Freebandz‘ musician served up a 16-track project encompassed with some notable features and standout singles, including his innovative play on dining finesse Churches Peppers featuring Lil Keed.
Guap Tarantino’s unfazed demeanor is one that welcomes adversity by embracing challenge.
He’s like an astute student of the game that’s in possession of the exam study guide and he’s playing for keeps.
Whether it’s his expressive stance taken on delivering an onslaught of picturesque bars that allude to an absorbing lifestyle or his solemn understanding for the art of music, Guap Tarantino doesn’t have it next, he got it now.
Despite being on the road for Future and Meek Mill’s Legendary Nights Tour, we had the opportunity to house a brief dialogue over-the-phone with the Freebandz wunderkind to talk about his emergence in music, most recent release and future endeavors.
How did the name ‘Guap Tarantino’ originate?
From like 14, 15, that’s when my folks started calling me Guap. Like, that was my neighborhood name feel me. It was around 17 when I added Tarantino to it.
Where are you originally from?
I’m from Atlanta, the east side of Atlanta, Zone 6 in Decatur.
What was it like growing up?
I always knew I was gone be something, I just ain’t know what it was gone be. I used to always do music in school.
I was in choir in church, in school plays and stuff like that. I always had the talent I just ain’t know what I’d do.
I ain’t know cause’ I can do everything entertaining.
Talk to me about your latest single ‘Churches Peppers’ featuring Lil Keed. How did the song come about?
It’s a restaurant in Atlanta called Churches Chicken. In the restaurant they got these peppers and, in the hook – Keed said “Shit can get hot, Churches peppers” and then that’s how it came.
Everybody in Atlanta know the peppers they sell in Churches Chicken be hot as hell.
In your most recent project ‘Charge Em Up’ you have some noteworthy collaborations listed, including Lil Wookie, Lil Keed, Lil Duke & Lil Gotit – how do you decide who to feature with?
Duke, Keed and nem, they family and they fit the vibe of the mixtape. Keed and Gotit got me on the last album they just dropped, so you know what I’m saying, I put em’ on mine.
Just wanted to put good vibes out with other artists.
What inspired the title ‘Charge Em Up’ – is there a double meaning behind it, like a metaphor or figure of speech?
Fasho, cause you know I be using that green battery, that emoji.
The green battery could mean so much, but for this case it means charge, as in good energy.
When I say “Charge em’ up” it means give em’ that good energy, that good music.
What is it like to be a part of such a dynamic label like Freebandz?
I don’t look at it like some big difficulty or something because I always grew up around it. Freebandz, that’s my real family.
It’s just really on some everything coming together like how I knew it would be years ago.
Does the family-oriented nature of your affiliation with Freebandz make the relationship all the more easier in a sense?
Nah, cause at the same time I had to work for this shit myself, it wasn’t no handout. It’s a whole bunch of other people in our family that do music and shit but you have to grind and really want this shit.
What do you feel like has been one of the most challenging aspects of music that you’ve experienced throughout your career so far?
The timing and making sure your business side together before dropping your project. You don’t wanna just drop any kind of way.
Recently you just did a special performance alongside Future at Columbia High School in your hometown of Decatur, Georgia – what was that experience like?
Yeah, we popped up there for they pep rally. It was exciting, I felt a good vibe from the kids. Just going back and making them get lit just made me feel better.
I remember when I was a kid in high school wondering who was gone come to my school, and for that to be me now, that shit crazy.
With you already knowing you would be involved in music at a young age, what is it like to be on your first tour opening up for such timeless acts?
It’s a new experience, nothing too overwhelming. I’m really just tryna learn.
I’m taking this time to really learn and get the motion of this tour shit.
What does the remainder of this year have in store for Guap Tarantino?
I’m a keep charging em’ up and just keep dropping. More new music, more good vibes.
Keep going green cause it’s making all the green.
