Whitney Peyton: She Could Be The New Face of Rap

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Whitney Peyton: A rapper with a career in grown

Interview conducted on April 06, 2018

Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Whitney Peyton looked up to artists who had emerged from the area such as Will Smith, Eve, and Pink (singer). Whitney started writing poetry and became influenced to pursue a music career after seeing music videos starring Missy Elliott, Eminem, and No Doubt. She signed to Tragic Hero Records in 2017.

Unratedmagazine: Let’s talk about your up bring. Who influences you and why?

Whitney Peyton: I’m influenced by a lot of genres and acts! In my very early years I found myself inspired by pop punk artists like Sum 41, Avril Lavigne, The Offspring, and No Doubt in the sense that I wanted to perform like them and have that quirkiness and attitude. When it came to actual style I was into rap/RnB acts like: Missy Elliott, Eve, Destiny’s Child, Will Smith, TLC, and Eminem. One of the main reasons I love those artists is because they had amazing music videos and I’ve always been into visuals as much as the actual sound! Nowadays I find myself listening to a lot of underground and independent acts.

You were in a Netflix Original Series entitled Voodoo Church. You can find parts of it on YouTube.

Whitney Peyton

What happen to it?

People don’t realize how many movies, tv shows, music videos, etc. get shot and never make it to air. I was cast as such a bit part in the show (I was only set to appear in one episode as a punk in a fight scene), so I don’t have all the inside information on what happened unfortunately. The entertainment industry has many pros and cons, one of the cons being you can put time and effort into something, but that doesn’t it’ll make the cut.

You have stayed at the #1 spot on the Hip Hop Charts on Reverbnation.com in Philly. How have you been able to do that?

I’m fortunate to have a fan base that really keeps up with me, so I stay very steady in growth and numbers! Some artists are only hot if they have a hit song at the time then fall if they can’t keep up with it. I may not have as many followers as these super notable acts, but my fans are consistent and stick with me, which I really appreciate.

Why have you chosen to become the face of Philadelphia’s Unlitter Us Campaign? For those who don’t know about it, it was telling the stories of the real Philadelphians that work hard every day to clean and improve their neighborhoods.

Several years ago, a casting director in Philly called me because he saw on my resume I was a songwriter/rapper and asked if I could really last minute come in to audition for a spoken word commercial about keeping the city clean. I didn’t know what to expect and had very little time to prepare, but I came up with a short minute-long PSA. I really thought I bombed my audition as I didn’t go into it very confident, but they called me the next day to let me know I landed the spot alongside 4 other Philly Natives/Spoken Word Artists. We all appeared in billboard ads and commercials that aired in PA on BET, MTV, NBC, etc.

To show your versatility as an artist, you took part in writing and recording on an Anti-Bullying album geared toward Children. The album gained immediate recognition winning a Grammy Award for “Best Children’s Album” at the 54th annual Grammy Awards as well as a Nappa Honors Award, and Parent’s Choice Gold Award from the Parent’s Choice Foundation. How was it to win a Grammy? Were you surprise that you were even up for the award? And did you go to the Grammys?

The album itself really won the Grammy, but I was certainly lucky to be one of the writers and vocalists on it! I was originally opposed to working on a children’s album as I don’t generally target young kids with my music. I’d say my demographic is people in their 20’s, so it was really different for me. I ended up agreeing as the album would benefit an anti-bullying charity and I enjoy being challenged to do something I wouldn’t normally do! I did attend the Grammy’s and “Ok, Go” was the group that announced the category and win…It’s something I’ll always be proud of being a part of!

You are headlining a tour this year. How did you decide on who will be your support act on your tour?

I knew I needed supporting acts that would match my energy and vibe! Double You and 5280 Mystic ended up being great choices because they have great stage presence, songs, and are amazing to work with.

I saw you on tour with toured with Fronzilla (of Atilla) in Chicago at the subterranean upstairs.

Whitney Peyton at Subterranean

How was that show? Do you remember anything about the show?

I’ve done thousands of performances so it’s tough to remember them individually, but I do remember the tour itself being dope! It was my first-time meeting Fronz, Palisades, and Davey Suicide and they are all great people. I’ve seen Fronz many times since then and it’s cool to see each other’s progress.

You recorded vocals for a spoken-word charity album entitled “Action Moves People United” it was officially released on Sept 21, 2016. The album hit the Top-10 Billboard chart for Compilation Albums. How was it to be in the Top-10?

I will always be proud of the charity work and compilation albums like that do well!

How would you explain your live performance?

ENERGY ENERGY ENERGY

If someone was listening to you for the first time, what 3 videos or songs would you tell them to look/listen to and why?

“Don’t Lie To Me”, “That’s on You” and “Woopty Woo Woo rock Version” because the songs themselves are so different from each other that it really gives you a sense of my music as a whole and the range!

Any guilty pleasures your fans would be surprise you listen to?

Aqua.. don’t tell anybody.

What is on your phone for music now?

Hopsin, Machine Gun Kelly, Tech N9ne, Post Malone, The Weeknd, and more.

Anything in closing you would like to say?

I’m dropping a new song biweekly on Spotify and iTunes from now until summer where they will all be available on hard copy! The title of the album and info on the release date will be announced soon, but until then if the fans want to devour a full record be sure to investigate my “FIRECRACKER: PYRO EDITION” that has 21 tracks! Much love, see you on the road!

Thanks again!

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