Interview: Bay Area Rapper CarD Discusses His New Single "Sicker" and "OddsMaker" Album
You grew in the Bay Area, a region of CA home to many legendary artists such as the Hieroglyphics, Too Short, E-40, and more. Who were some influential artists that you looked up to that inspired you to pick up the pen, pad and microphone?
My brother got me into Bay Area rap when I was about 6 years old. I knew multiple Too $hort songs at that age by heart. Of course, this was the more conscious Too $hort and not the more raunchy rapper you hear today.
I didn't really know about any other types of music except rap. Later I got into more complex lyrical rappers and that's when I discovered Hieroglyphics - which is one of my biggest influences and full of my favorite rappers.
My brother actually grew up with Pep Love and was thanked in the CD booklet of his album “Ascension”. So I grew up with Bay rap since day 1 basically and all the eclectic styles this area has to offer and it different made me the rapper I am today.
Congratulations on the release of your dope single/video "Sicker". What was your creative process for its development alongside Connect and Nelly Hype?
"Sicker" was actually one of the few tracks on “OddsMaker” that was recorded a few years ago in Seattle. Actually, the third verse was spit in Cali in 2020.
I knew when I first heard the beat that I had to make this a single in the future and this could showcase my braggadocious lyrics with my trademark punchlines and cocky attitude. It's all in good fun, though, I'm only really a jerk when it comes to rapping and video games.
Speaking of "OddsMaker", what are you most proud of with this project and were there any tracks that you recorded that didn't make the final cut? If so, why not?
I've been rapping for more than 25 years and I am the most proud of “OddsMaker”. I know a lot of artists’ favorite project is their last project, but it's definitely true with me.
I worked hard on these cuts and actually had to cut at least 5 tracks that I really liked but just didn't fit in with the theme I was going for with “OddsMaker”. The good news is I got tons of more material ready to go for future projects (including 'Quarantined Apes' with Connect coming late 2020).
What about Connect's production on "OddsMaker" inspired you and made it easy to write such dope lyrics across all 14 tracks?
Connect and I have known each other since elementary school. I feel like he knows me better than anyone on Earth. That translates to the rap game too where he always seems to have a new beat for me. Granted, his input on this album was limited since I wanted to branch out on my own, but you can still feel the influence he brings. And, honestly, it doesn't take much of a beat to influence me to write dope lyrics!
With the album now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2020?
Connect has a project: 'No Good' being released this summer as well and I am on multiple tracks. We also have our collab album coming out in Fall 2020. But this is the first stepping stone for me as a solo artist where I want to build up a following of people who just love 90's style pure battle rap with a casino-theme fused in. I feel like my next project is going to be much bigger but if it's better is left to be determined.