The term "weird" can have so many connotations. You can call someone weird who prefers to eat the same meal at the same time every single day or for a kid who talks to dead people. Weird's a many-faceted thing.
"I used to try to invent stuff when I was younger," said specter-looking hip-hop artist Hopsin. "I used to catch frogs. I used to go ghost hunting. I would always be out skateboarding, be building ramps in the backyard. I was always drawing. I was always into something."
The rapper's trademark white contacts are then an appropriate look for a man who was an active child with a phantom obsessed youth.
The 27-year-old California native Marcus Hopson, known to fans as Hopsin, is just the same creative minded Marcus his family has known his own life. The same guy who works in the style of the early days of Eminem, Busta Rhymes, and Missy Elliot.
His brand of rap is as equally "weird" in terms of what the industry produces readily and often. Instead of projecting an image of wealth, drugs, and promiscuity, he would rather call rap fans idiots for thinking they live a life they do not because their favorite rapper makes them believe so.
As a matter of fact, Hopsin refuses to drink or do any drugs, giving credit to his relationship with God and studying the Bible daily. "I'm not here to represent the ways of the flesh," said the rapper. "The ways human beings are used to acting. I'm here to represent realness.
A few months ago Hopsin, released the video for "Ill Mind Of Hopsin 5." It has since accumulated over 13 million views on YouTube and the song has been praised not only for its lyricism, but for providing a reality check and focus on self-awareness.
The aftermath? Messages and tweets from fans thanking the rapper for helping them overcome obstacles in their lives, said Hopsin.
"People say that it really changed their life," said Hopsin. "Like, they never heard anybody break it down that way, and it's so true. It felt like I was calling them out, but it was a necessary call out."
And calling out others on their actions has been a trait the rapper has not shied away from since the releases of "Kill Her" and "Sag My Pants." The latter is a song that pointing out the flaws in the messages received by fans and mentioning rappers such as Rick Ross and Drake, two responsible for the phrase "YOLO" (You Only Live Once), popular with young listeners.
Hopsin admits the term does sound cool, but it offers people an excuse to be a part of activities that are anything but that.
"Another reason to give everybody a reason to do something stupid and create something they can regret five or ten years down the road," said Hopsin. "'Why did I do that? Why did I YOLO that hard and go to the club that night and get that girl pregnant? Why didn't I use a condom?'"
The rapper was given more opportunities for calling out as he and label mates, Dizzy Wright and SwizZz, travel with the Funk Volume 2012, and passed through Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale last month. Shortly after that show, Hopsin was arrested in Orlando and charged with disorderly conduct. The rapper was taken in and booked at 12:33 am according to Orange County Clerk of Courts. But it wasn't your typical arrest, turns out the rapper wasn't actually doing anything wrong. He was breaking up a fight.
Fans can expect his album Knock Maddness to be released next year and Hopsin says a possible collaboration with Yelawolf may come about. And hey, if the rap environment doesn't improve, Hopsin may have a backup plan.
"I want to live out in the woods, in the forest or something, be Tarzan," said Hopsin. "I don't want to be around all these sex and drugs. I want to be around pureness."
But who would want to live like that? That would be weird.
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