Introducing… Hannibal King

New York producer Hannibal King has a new project set to drop tomorrow, Eating Cornbread on the Millenium Falcon. Obviously inspired by the movie, Star Wars, the free EP features emcees from the likes of Donny Goines, El Prez, Jabee, Brown Bag AllStars, Cambatta, Nero, K. Sparks and others. We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Hannibal King to talk about his music and inspirations. Get to know Hannibal after the cut…

Where You Reppin:

I’m born and raised in New York City. Locally though, I’m from Southside Jamaica Queens.

Introduce Yourself:

I go by a lot of different names but most people know me by Hannibal, as it’s my real name which most people really don’t know. I produce hip hop music true to its roots and just enjoy the art of it all. I started producing around 17 and I’m 20 now which gives a little timeline of where I’m at in my life. I live for love and I love music which is why I produce how I produce. I grew up listening to the soul music my parents constantly played in the house which was a huge influence on how I produce. Ain’t nothing like the classics.

Current projects we should be looking out for:

I’ve got a FREE EP called “Eating Cornbread on the Millenium Falcon” coming out on August 18th with illroots.com and GroupFly Clothing. The EP features Donny Goines, El Prez, Jabee, Brown Bag AllStars, Cambatta, Nero, K. Sparks, and a ton of other folks; it’s really just good hip hop music. Also look out for my brother Jabee’s mixtape “Must Be Nice” with Mick Boogie + Illroots/2dopeboyz/Pressplayshow which just dropped on Aug 12th [download] and our EP coming in the near future “Tastes Like Candy”.  Major production on both joints.

Previous work that we should know about:

You can catch me most recently on OnCue’s remix project w/ Mick Boogie and Terry Urban “Cueyfornication” [download] and Jabee’s album “Blood is the New Black” available on Itunes/Amazon. I also have a good number of remixes, mixtapes and mashups flying around the internet.

Main musical inspirations:

I get a lot of my inspiration from cats like Dilla, Madlib, Kanye, Premo, Large Pro, RZA, Q-Tip, etc. I listen to some of these cats and honestly it makes me want to work 10x harder because they are that talented. Growing up I heard nothing but bullshit radio rap so when I got old enough to dig deep I came up with A Tribe Called Quest, Slum Village, Group Home, Black Star…that kind of soulful rap makes me proud to be a hip hop head.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song would that be?

I’d most likely go with my cut off Jabee’s recent album, “Thin Line” feat. Jumakae [download]. Up to that point I had really placed outside of mixtapes/blends/remixes and Jabee came along and gave me work. It’s funny sometimes because we talk about our producer/rapper relationship and he gives me a lot of props but I don’t think he knows how much he did for me music wise. He went through a lot of wack beats to find some good ones back then. Hopefully now he doesn’t have to dig so deep for a beat!

Why should the readers and fans give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?

I make music from the heart. That’s the honest truth…I don’t like phony music or rappers who lie in their rhymes. I think truthful music, gangster, commercial, conscious whatever, comes out the best when its from the heart. A lot of people label me a backpacker but I’m just being who I am. I love working with all types of rappers, I don’t care what you rap about as long as it’s real and truthful. Plus, it’s good!

What’s next for you?

I got this EP coming out w/ Jabee quite soon, and I have also been working close with Mike Milan on his upcoming projects. Mike has a few projects in the work which people should get excited for. I have another project coming out late 2009 which so far is untitled. Besides that just look out for any Hanni Fresh mixes/blends/mashups and anything you see produced by me!

Desert Island Hip Hop: If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?

Tough one! I’m stuck between 3 joints…Midnight Marauders, Black Star, and Below the Heavens. Ultimately though I think I’d have to go with Black Star…one of the most well rounded albums in hip hop history. Every cut on there is a gem in my opinion.

Any shout outs or last words?

Much love to my brother PDA who does all my artwork and photography. He is one of the best in the game so go get your picture taken! All the blogs for always supporting me and anyone and everyone who has ever copped my work! Aug 18th, Eating Cornbread on the Millenium Falcon….IT’S FREE so go download the single now!

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