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Rackz1k is a Charlotte-based rapper originally from Albemarle, NC who started making music in 2018 to speak for people in his community who weren’t being heard. He’s currently pushing “You Can” and “My Bread” off his debut mixtape “I Got It Out The Mud.” In this conversation he breaks down where the name came from, what authenticity looks like in the booth, and why he believes writing from the heart is “the magic sauce that keep the flavor around forever.”
1. ‘Rackz1k’ — break that down for us. Where did that name come from and what does it mean to you?
Rackz I got the name being in a strip club with a lot of money on me I love money and the song YC – Racks on Racks was playing the 1k I got from Kodak Black more of the Florida vibe because I’m a 1000 with people.
2. You grew up in Albemarle, NC and eventually made the move to Charlotte. How did coming up in a smaller city like Albemarle shape the music you make?
Being born in Albemarle we carry a lot of talent but none of us officially paved the way some done features with mainstream artist but been born in Albemarle I must say pushed me to go harder and keep making real music that people go thru because in my eyes being authentic is the key.
3. You describe your sound in one word — ‘authentic.’ What does authenticity actually look like in practice when you’re recording?
When I record I don’t try to sound like everybody else I have my own sound and the music I make is what I been thru or what I’m going thru so I feel no one can take that away from me when I’m being myself.
4. You said you started making music in 2018 to be the voice for the unheard. What moment or situation pushed you to finally step up and do it?
Always being told I can’t do something was my fuel to go harder and chase my dream I was always around the right people but everyone else wanted to get signed but me I wanted to stay independent so I invested in myself because I realized the only thing that was holding me back was me.
5. Talk to us about ‘I Got It Out The Mud’ — your first mixtape. What does that title mean to you personally?
The title I would say represents exactly what it is I ain’t ask for help I put everything from the heart on that tape coming from nothing now I got a little something.
6. ‘You Can’ and ‘My Bread’ are the two records you’re pushing right now. Walk us through those tracks — what are you saying on them?
“You Can” is a track full of ambition and inspiration being told you’ll amount to something and proving people wrong that’s what that song is about “My Bread” is a motivational song when you ain’t worried about the haters or nobody you just focused on getting your paper by any means and staying out the way.
7. You describe your music as inspirational and motivational for people who didn’t have much growing up. How do you make sure that message actually hits when you’re writing a song?
I make sure that’s my main focus breaking everything down step by step and keeping it real it’s hard not to feel real when you real no matter how much fake stuff out here real always stands out.
8. One of your biggest performances was at Bowman Senior High School in Anson County for your aunt. What was that experience like and what did it tell you about your connection to your community?
It was great I got to b an infront of people that didn’t know me but immediately gravitated to my song once I started performing my performance was seen on numerous social medias and I believe it showed people my inspiration for what I do.
9. You say your songs are timeless — that they’ll be here until the end of time. How do you actually approach writing a record so it holds up years from now?
I just flow with my heart I feel like when I write music and it’s coming from the heart that’s the magic sauce that keep the flavor around forever people feel that.
10. What’s next for Rackz1k after this mixtape, and where should people follow you to keep up?
Right now I’m working on a mixtape with my bro/business partner ItsMalik we have a upcoming mixtape coming out FaceOff Nc Vs Indiana which features me and ItsMalik artist from Nc with me and artist from Indiana with him bringing a variety of sound I think it’s going bring a different song to the music game where also relaunching our brand which was established in 2020 Money Addicts Enterprise with merchandise and aiming to start doing short films and films you can follow me on Instagram @ R.a.c.k.z.1.k and click on my linktree link for all my apps.
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