Check out our interview with Hott LockedN.
Hailing from the same neighborhood as his mentor 2 Chainz, Hott LockedN almost lost his life to the streets of Old National College Park, Georgia before signing with The Real University. After a serious “gunshot wound to the neck,” Hott used the 30 day stint at the hospital to write raps and harness his craft. Hott’s life changed instantly when he blindly agreed to hop on a plane with, current roster-mate, Sleepy Rose after one phone call with T.R.U. A&R. While in Los Angeles Hott recorded 13 tracks with 2 Chainz and signed to his label, The Real University.
“In three days, we did thirteen records…this kid got shot and came back, he has a story to tell. We’re bringing that energy in a way where he can make some money and build a life. He deserves it,” said 2 Chainz regarding Hott’s talent. Both artists want to showcase and uplift their hometown of Southside Atlanta.“Coming from College Park, people don’t believe you have a future…I want to show everybody it’s possible for you to do whatever you believe in” says Hott about his journey. 2 Chainz grew up with Hott’s father and uncle and believes that showcasing Southside Atlanta talent such as Hott is a necessity for his career.
Most recently Hott was featured on The Real University’s compilation album No Face No Case, along with label mates Skooly, Sleepy Rose, Worl and founder 2 Chainz. The 15-track album includes features from NLE Choppa, Quavo, Quando Rondo and more. Find out what Hott had to say about his first time meeting 2 Chainz and shooting T.R.U.’s collaborative video for “Jefe Sh*t.”
The Knockturnal: How long have you been signed with The Real University and what’s the experience been like?
Hott LockedN: I’ve been signed to T.R.U (The Real University) for about a minute now, probably a little bit under a year, nine, ten months. And I fu*k with it, coming from where I come from we don’t have sh*t. It’s a blessing fo me, a dream come true.
The Knockturnal: Can you talk about the first time you met 2 Chainz and your relationship with him?
Hott LockedN: He flew me out to LA – see I been seen him on The Nat [Old National College Park, Georgia], I’m from the Old National where he from, so I been seen him. I used to go to football practice and pull up to his studio, he used to have a studio in the Old National back when he was Playaz Circle and Titty Boi and sh*t. I used to go to football practice and used to see him, but I ain’t never [speak to him], you feel me. Now that I’m signed, this sh*t crazy as hell, but the first time I actually interacted with him he flew me and Sleepy Rose out to California and when he signed us he flew us out to his house. The A&R for T.R.U. is like his best friend and that’s my cousin. He been knowing of me, he used to run with my daddy.
The Knockturnal: How old were you when you wrote your first rap or did your first freestyle?
Hott LockedN: Young as hell! I was probably nine or ten years old. I used to write raps and sh*t at my house and put them on the ceiling so my mamma can see them, but I ain’t never think I’d make it this far with it, I was just doing it like every other kid that wants to be a rapper.
The Knockturnal: What was the turning point or the moment you seriously decided to pursue rapping as a career?
Hott LockedN: Just seeing people’s reactions from it and actually seeing folks fu*king with it. That sh*t hard, dropping your first song, you don’t know if people are gonna fu*k with it or not. Just seeing the reaction from folks made me want to keep doing it.
The Knockturnal: Can you talk about shooting the video for “Jefe Sh*t?” It looked like a lot of fun.
Hott LockedN: We shot that video out here! Flew from Atlanta, came out here. Me personally I wasn’t feeling it at first. I don’t know what I was mad about that day, I wasn’t feeling it. I was ready to get that sh*t over with, but when it came out that motherf**ker was hard. I fu*k with the video, that sh*t hard.
The Knockturnal: What are you currently working on?
Hott LockedN: I’m finna drop a mixtape and after that mixtape, I’m gonna drop an album, the mixtape called Crack ain’t it and after that, an album called Poor Little Rich Ni***.
The Knockturnal: What’s been the best part of the last year, from getting signed and so forth?
Hott LockedN: Sh*t this was the best year of my life, from traveling to god damn touring and doing shows, all this sh*t new to me. Everything new to me, every bit and piece of it new to me, interviews, everything. I didn’t picture myself doing none of this. My family didn’t picture me doing none of this.
The Knocturnal: How has family reacted to your success?
Hott LockedN: Mamadukes tryna get a new house, she tryna get a new car type sh*t. I gotta keep working to make sure everybody straight and everybody good.
The Knockturnal: Was your family always supportive of you?
Hott LockedN: Thing is my momma didn’t even know I was rapping. When I finally told her that I started rapping, my birthday had come up and I had just turned 18. I told her I was tryna shoot a video and I needed some money to pay this video man, and she was like, ‘you ain’t finna pay no video man, you’re finna smoke that up with your friends” and I told her I was shooting a video. I go shoot the video and that’s the video that got me noticed.
The Knockturnal: What was the name of the video?
Hott LockedN: “Plott’N”