Growing up in Brooklyn, do you have any formative memories of listening to rap music?

SALIMATA: Very few, I remember a lot of 50 in my house growing up. We loved his videos, me, my brother, and my mom. I remember my mom was listening to a lot of Lil Wayne when most moms were bumping R&B ‘cause she was going through a break up and didnt wanna hear any love songs. I was maybe like 9 or 10. I was like wtf Lil Wayne is FIREEE, but I never really listened to what he was saying at the time. Then another time in middle school, my friend's step dad was dropping me home and “They Reminisce Over You” came on and it was the first time a rap song made me really feel something.

You’ve done some touring in Europe. What is the best part and worst part about touring overseas?

The best part is finding out you have supporters overseas, it could be a place you never heard of in your fucking life. But somebody out there bumpin’ your shit. Internet crazy. You never know who from where is listening, or for how long. Some people tell me they love my SoundCloud shit and that means a lot to me. The worst part is the food. THEY NEED SOME ADOBO, SALT N PEPPER, THROW A LIL MAGI IN THERE SHITTT. Call me ignant but I just be wanting to hit up the African spots to save myself the trouble. That's one good thing ‘bout overseas, you bound to find some African food.

Tell us about the video for “Sweetthang.”

Well it's really a song dedicated to me and my homies! So I'm so glad I was able to have some of them in it. We're all just chilling at the office for real. It was super sweet and simple. I was in New York for my Baby’s All Right show, and Nicky held it down! We dead recorded it right before I performed. It was all inspired by old Meek Mill and Nicki Minaj freestyle videos. I love my family that I have grown to be a part of over the years. I love how we are all blossoming in our careers. I'm so proud to be surrounded by so many talented people, my teachers, my coaches, my family. And bottom line is you gone have to understand we not one to fuck with.

SALIMATA - Sweetthang

Now Playing

Playing Next

SALIMATA - Sweetthang