Joey Purp

Over the past few years, the color purple has entered the wider hip-hop consciousness as a synonym for lean (cough syrup with codeine, for those not weened on UGK and DJ Screw). As such, it’s also become representative of a sound and mindset, a quick stand-in for the slowed (and occasionally chopped and screwed) sound that originated in Houston and now influences the music of ascendant rappers (A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar) and established stars (Drake) alike.

Once upon a time, the title The Purple Tape referred to the cassette only version of Raekwon’s classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.

Though Joey Purp’s The Purple Tape isn’t exactly a collision of Wu Tang and Texas Tea, it does hint at the sort of stylistic journeys young rappers are undertaking these days, marrying the soupy, bass heavy, atmospheric production that’s all the rage across the interwebs with a variety of styles ranging from classical-rappity rap to near-based freestyle excursions. The result is a cohesive (and compact–only ten songs clocking in at 26 minutes) first statement from yet another promising Chicago artist (and member of the talented SAVEMONEY crew, which features bubbling talents Vic Mensa, Chance the Rapper, and Kami de Chukwu). Stream and download the tape below (be sure to check out highlights “Carlo,” “Susie Cues,” and “Secret Based Freestyle” ft. Kami de Chukwu and Preston San). - Pidgeons and Planes

Joey Purp is part of Chicago’s budding crew called SaveMoney consisting of 2014 XXL Freshmen Chance The Rapper and Vic Mensa, as well as Kami De Chukwu, Tokyo Shawn and Caleb James. Purp is coming up next from the bunch and is ready to take off real soon when his highly anticipated projects drop.
“I am working on two projects. I’m working on the full-length Leather Corduroys album with me [and] Kami de Chukwu are putting together. We just released an EP. That was a slight preview of what we are thinking.”
“I’m still working on my full performance art album. It was originally gonna be titled Eyedrops, but I think I’m gonna name it Performance Art. I guess it would be somewhat be theatrical in the sense, seeing as I have a lot of different influences, I can take it anywhere. I can make some shit like “Irie Trill Vibes,” like some super hard heavy shit, or something like “Don’t Stop” where it is like introverted, boom-bap-based, hip-hop. It is based off lyricism. With the title Performance Art and with the attitude of making performance art and just that energy in general, I want people to know, like, lack of better words, deeper than rap.”
SaveMoney, no gimmicks.
Name: Joey Purp
Age: 20
Hometown: Chicago
I grew up listening to: All types of shit, really. The very first song that I knew all the words to was probably “Triumph” by Wu-Tang. Outside of that, a lot of Sex Pistols and The Casualties and shit like that. Old rock music. A lot of Velvet Underground and Lou Reed. And then of course, the obligatory Dipset and Lil Wayne. My brother was in a punk rock gang. My dad was in a motorcycle gang. I’d always have a rock influence.
Most people don’t know I: My favorite band is Velvet Underground, even though I make rap music. It makes sense if you think about it. It is the exact same wavelength of energy, but it is like a different medium. If I could play an instrument, I probably would make a different type of music.
My style’s been compared to: I don’t know what its been compared to because I don’t really do the comparing. I guess people do say, I don’t know, I am kind of all over the board with it. My early shit was very heavily Curren$y inspired. When I was in grammar school and early high school around 2006 to 2008, I listen to a lot of Curren$y, which was like residual effect from listening to a lot of Wayne when he was signed to Cash Money or whatever. The early shit is super Curren$y influenced and referenced. Since then, I’ve just been re-referencing everything that I like. I guess it could be anything.
My standout records and/or moments to date have been: “Irie Trill Vibes” is going pretty crazy. That’s probably a standout record. Also featured on “Fear And Doubt” on Vic [Mensa]’s tape was pretty cool because it let people know I was really good at this shit. Everything is very important to me, moment to moment. All moments are important to me, so I don’t let them outweigh each other. I shouldn’t put any weight on any part of the seesaw that hasn’t tipped over yet ’cause I am going to weigh myself down and I can’t catapult. I feel like my most important moments have yet to come.
My goal in Hip-Hop is: To really express myself as a person and as an artist. And then to let it segue into other forms of expression through art. And just like leave my footprint as one of the great thinkers, whatever I use as a medium like rap music or like anything.
I’m gonna be the next: I am going to be the first Joey Purp, but I will take the title of the next Warhol! The next Steve Jobs! I am Walt Disney! [Laughs]
To check out more of my music go to: Follow me on Twitter (@JoeyPurps) and SoundCloud.


Read More: The Break Presents: Joey Purp - XXL | http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/the-break/2014/06/the-break-presents-joey-purp/?trackback=tsmclip - XXL

The streetwear hippie.
Neighborhood: West Side

Purp has the whole streetwear hippie thing thing on lock. From the hair to the accessories, he takes many risks and it ends up working well for him. The Save Money affiliate is definitely the stand out member when it comes to style. - Complex magazine