Urban Pulse Magazine

Chris Mohead has never been one to fit neatly into a box. Rapper, filmmaker, talk show host, and multi-award-winning creative, he’s been steadily carving out his own lane while inspiring those who cross paths with his art. With his latest album The Kickback making waves and his performances drawing consistent energy in Columbia, SC, Chris is proving that authenticity and persistence will always cut through the noise. In this interview, he opens up about his journey, challenges, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

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When did you first realize rap was more than just a hobby for you, and what was the moment that made you say, “This is it”?

I’m not sure exactly what that moment was honestly. I’ve always felt a deeper connection to music. Maybe it was my first time seeing an OutKast video. I’ve always known this is who I was. I’ve always been creative. I loved rapping, writing films, and cooking for most of my life. Rapping was just the most accessible, with the most opportunities.

When you’re writing, do you start with the beat, the lyrics, or a feeling you want to capture?

It really depends on the song. Sometimes lyrics come to me and I look for the beat to match, but sometimes I get a beat that just inspires me to write. Pretty much all my ideas come when I’m up working and moving around. I’ve written whole songs at work on a sales floor or outside after a morning run. I don’t typically enjoy writing in studio. I feel trapped, I gotta move around.

Which artists or life experiences have shaped your style the most, and how can listeners hear that influence in your music?

OutKast, Ye, T.I., Isaiah Rashad, P Funk, Bootsy Collins, Childish Gambino, Nirvana, Erykah Badu, Frank Ocean—too many to count. Every song has 100 different influences. If I did my job right you shouldn’t be able to pinpoint one specific artist I’m imitating. For instance; most of the beats on my album The Kickback were chosen to feel like they came off ATLiens. To me they sound like a spaceship floating through a southern swamp late at night. My flow on songs like “On Earth” and “So Well,” I was trying to flow like Big Boi. The hook for “Jungle Juice” was directly inspired by Pretty Ricky. One day I’ll do a whole album breakdown.

But also my life in general inspires my music. Part of my childhood was spent on military bases, then moving to a predominately Black middle school in Columbia, SC. I have a unique perspective on the Black experience. I’ve always felt like an outsider, but in my music that gives me an advantage.

If someone had never heard your music before, which one track should they start with, and why?

Start with “I Got (ADD Flows)” under the name Rob.Savage on all streaming platforms. That song shows off a good chunk of what you get from me creatively. Mental health issues, drug and alcohol use, girl problems, reminiscing on the past, and also just top-tier lyricism, production, a catchy hook, and a message if you’re paying attention. It’s one of my best songs.

What’s the hardest obstacle you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

The hardest obstacle is myself. I am an overthinker to a fault. And I do a lot—from writing, recording myself, producing, making the cover art. I’m very hands-on and can spend days stuck on the tiniest details because I want it to be perfect. And honestly it has led to crippling anxiety. The way I’ve overcome that is to just step away for a day or two and come back with a fresh perspective. 9 times out of 10 when I come back, I realize it was already perfect.

You’ve probably lived through moments your fans don’t know about—what’s one personal story behind a song that changed how you see life or music?

A quick story about my song “Vanilla Sky Freestyle”: Back in 2013 my college roommate showed me the movie Vanilla Sky while we were smoked out eating pizza rolls. The movie gave me chills. As soon as it was over, I watched the opening scene like 3 more times and made a whole beat from the opening song. Fast forward to 2024, I rediscovered that beat while sitting on the toilet at work (sorry TMI). It brought me back to my younger self, a more fearless creative version of me. I wrote the whole first verse right there in that bathroom in 10 minutes then went back to work. The rest of the song I just freestyled off top.

What that showed me is great music is timeless, inspiration can come from anywhere, and when inspiration strikes you gotta get it out.

How do you feel about the current state of hip hop, and where do you see yourself fitting into it?

I have a love-hate relationship. I love the fact that music is so accessible and there is something out here for everyone. I love the fact that so many OG rappers are killing the game right now. I hate the fact that there’s not many young rappers taking over. I want to see somebody under 25 take over again. Mainstream hip hop has always been the Black experience told through the eyes of the youth. I wanna know what the kids think about the state of the world. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a lot of the music coming from the rappers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. But I hate that these kids don’t have a voice to speak for them right now.

And as far as me fitting into the current state, I don’t see it at all. I feel as I’ve always felt; I’m outside paving my own path.

What’s the most misunderstood thing about you as an artist or person, and how does your music set the record straight?

I think the most misunderstood thing about me is just how to categorize my style. I’ve been called a lyricist and socially conscious by some and a ghetto misogynist by others. I think if you listen to my music you get a full portrait of a Black man navigating life as best he can. You can’t put me in a box unless the box is labeled “Quality Hip Hop.” Period.

When people talk about you years from now, what do you want them to say about your impact on the culture?

I want to hear people say I inspired them. I want to see huge artists from my city say “I started creating because of Chris Mohead.” I want my music to help people get through their tough times and I want people in 2050 to hear my stuff and say “this coulda came out today.”

What’s coming up next that fans should be excited about—whether it’s music, performances, or collaborations?

Right now we pushing the new album The Kickback available everywhere, music videos in the works. We’re doing shows every week at My House Restaurant and Bar, 7205 Two Notch Road. And I have something big, something really dope coming in 2026.