On Wednesday, December 7, rapper and tattoo artist Hi-Tone made the announcement he had sold out the Constellation Room at the Los Angeles venue, The Observatory, on December 22, a huge milestone for the California native. For the show, he will perform his latest album, No Xanax Needed, in its entirety, which is his most personal project to date. In Part I of the RAPstation interview, Hi-Tone talked about his origins and the new album, but in Part II, he digs beneath the surface to discuss the unbearable pain he was feeling while trapped in addiction and a seemingly endless cycle of depression. He also talks about what he has coming up in the near future and his commitment to hard work.
RAPstation (Kyle Eustice): Were you apprehensive at all sharing your story when it’s so personal?
Hi-Tone: Not at all. I feel the world needed a voice for pain and honesty, especially in the hip-hop culture. I had to find my purpose in the darkest moments of my life and I thank God every day for allowing me to go through that, but help me come out stronger and more influential. There are millions of people out here going through rough times physically and mentally, and it feels good to know they have someone to relate to in that sense. "Never be ashamed to tell your story/people are a fiend for the truth because they don't get it that often.”
What were some of your darker times like? What made you see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Horrible is an understatement. I don't have enemies, but if I did, I wouldn't wish my worst enemy this feeling. It was like I lost my mind overnight. Every good thought turned to a bad thought for three months straight. It felt like this black cloud was constantly over my head, and I would get body shakes for hours at a time, have difficulty breathing all day, and didn’t eat, which lead to a 20 lbs. weight loss. I had suicidal thoughts and was scared of everything. This is what happens when years of stress, overwork, pressure, selfishness, and drug use all come together at the same time. This is also what happens when you take your blessings for granted. There was a couple important things that lead me back to the light. Listen carefully ‘cause if you always keep these in your top priority, you won't ever find yourself where I ended up—your faith, your family, your real friends and your morals.
It seems like your career is going really well. Did you ever imagine you could really do music for a living?
Yes. This may sound cliche, but I always knew I could accomplish whatever I put my mind to. That’s the whole mindstate—hard work will always pay off.
How does it make you feel when a fan tells you how much your music helps them?
Some people go through their whole entire life asking themselves the question of why they are on Earth. And when a fan tells me my music saved their life, it reminds me that I am really living out my purpose. It’s an amazing yet overwhelming feeling.
What does the music you make mean to you on a personal level?
It’s everything because I really put my life on the line. Being vulnerable in my music is one of the most difficult things an artist can do because once that happens, you have officially put yourself on display to be judged.
What’s on the horizon now?
Well, I am continuing to promote NXN. We just got back from our press run in NY and it was amazing. i will be doing my first headlining concert Dec 22 at the Observatory in OC. I'm really excited about it because this isn't going to by a typical rap show this is really going to be an experience. Then top of the year i will be finishing up my next project titled "Price of Admission".
