Raised mostly by his mother in a rough area of Philly, hes been rapping since he was 10 years old, but only in the past few years has he taken it seriously. At first, he didnt receive much support from his family, because they wanted him to focus on school.
I just kept on doing it, man. I didnt really listen, said Privaledge, aka Priv Anderson. Because it was something I just loved to do, and I just always felt like I had a chance.
With the help of a friend, he began recording during college in Arizona, where he became friends with Harden.
After Harden was drafted by the Thunder and developed a bond with Durant, they moved Privaledge to Oklahoma and introduced him to local hip-hop producer C.L. McCoy. Privaledge, who currently lives with Harden and records in the guards home studio, said hes developed tight bonds with both Thunder superstars.
I make music thats fun to listen to, but has a point.
Privaledge
We have a really good relationship, Privaledge said. The thing about working with them is they understand how important it is to grow. They always give me honest opinions, and thats probably the best thing they can do for me.
He said he realizes they carry a certain brand name, and that being able to use that has helped his career develop.
I really hate using their name that much, because I want people to know me for Privaledge, he said. But sometimes you got to do that, until eventually, I can break off and do my own thing.
Since meeting, Privaledge and McCoy have been working together extensively, developing quite a friendship of their own.
Me and Priv, we became real good friends, McCoy said. You know, hanging out in the studio every day, all day, all night, just kind of grinding together.
Both described Privaledges music as out of the ordinary, with much of it combining lyricism with somewhat poppy instrumentals.
I make music thats fun and fun to listen to, but has a point to get across, Privaledge said.
He said the bulk of his writing comes from things he knows and sees, which he believes contributes to his creativity.
Everything I write about is real life, he said. I dont really come up with stuff thats not true.
McCoy spoke highly of Privaledge as a rapper, citing his tenacity especially.
Hes dedicated to this. Hes seri-ous about this industry, and hes showing it right now, McCoy said. His work ethic is crazy right now.
His
first project, Itz a Privaledge, came out early last year. He
mentioned that he wasnt too satisfied with that effort, a mixtape
hosted by Harden and Durant, and believes he has matured as an artist
since.
I
was just making music, and I wasnt really putting a thought process
into it and talking about things that Im really going through to be
able to help other people, he said.
Hes
much more proud of his new project, The Playbook, which became
available for free download last month. He and McCoy toiled on it for
months until they felt it was solid.
Listen to Privaledge for free at his Facebook fan page.
We
wanted to make sure that everything was perfect, so we did a lot of
songs from scratch, McCoy said. I want to say about 90 percent of the
CD, we pretty much created together and made it our own.
He was able to get assistance from more big names, including DJ Skee, Waka Flocka Flame and Kendrick Lamar.
Despite
his sudden move to the Sooner State, Privaledge said he enjoys living
here, and spoke highly of how receptive people have been to him.
The
main thing I like in OKC is the people, he said. Everybody out there
is just nice, man. I guess its like that Southern hospitality. I love
it out there.
Although Oklahoma is not yet known for its hip-hop scene, Privaledge aims to change that.
I see Oklahoma itself getting bigger, so I just feel like the hiphop scene will grow with the state, he said.
McCoy sees big things for Privaledge in the future hopefully, right at the top.
Hes
going to be definitely dynamic. Hes going to be big in this game, he
said. Hes openminded, he loves to work, he listens to people, so hes
going to go far.
Said Privaledge of his own goals for the future, I want to be remembered as someone that made a change in peoples lives."
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