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Artist Spotlight: Chris Capture
Born Christopher Elias Hicks, Chris Capture got his start in a high school rap collective in late 2010s North Carolina. Now he is steadily building a name for himself behind soulful beats, skillful rhymes, and pointed messages.
We caught up with Chris Capture to explore the moments that defined their sound — and the vision that drives their next chapter.
Loud Magazine: Who are your biggest musical influences?
Chris Capture: Man, this is a good question that has multiple answers I could give. I must credit the entirety of the 90s(Golden era) Hip-Hop scene, most notably Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie, and Tupac. Although with all purposes to keep things concise, my most prominent influences are Nas, MF DOOM, Kendrick Lamar, Biggie, Tupac, Andre 3000, and ye,s Wu-Tang.
Loud Magazine: What non-musical influences (books, movies, art, etc.) inspire your work?
Chris Capture: As far as non-musical influences, I can damn near say any other form of abstract art can be penciled in as an influence, whether it be the horrific art from my favorite artists, such as Ken Currie, Bryan Charnley, as well as the legendary Jean-Michel Basquiat. In other forms of media, all forms of literature give me inspiration, but as of late, the bizarre and over-exaggerated violence found in comic books and indie movies has been at the forefront as of late.
Loud Magazine: Is there a particular song or album that has significantly influenced your career?
Chris Capture: The answer I am about to give is very cliche for artists within my realm, but I couldn't care less. With that said, the album is “Madvillainy” from MF DOOM and Madlib. I don't think there is much more to be said. “Ready to Die” from Biggie also blew my mind when I first heard it, as well, especially after the closing song “Suicidal Thoughts”; it was an instant favorite for me.
Loud Magazine: How do your personal experiences shape your music?
Chris Capture: My personal trials and tribulations play an important role in my sound due to me taking the same approach in my sound as I take in my life. The same approach that tells me to be direct and not give a damn as to what people think or care about my artistry, due to the fact that most people do not care unless it benefits them in one way or another.
Loud Magazine: Have your influences changed over the years?
Chris Capture: I can faithfully say that my core influences have not changed; they have just expanded beyond my initial scope due to my ever-growing music and life experiences I encounter as I get older. Therefore, immortality is a goal I will achieve; no further questions on that topic.
Loud Magazine: How do you incorporate your cultural background into your music?
Chris Capture: Honestly, as a black man from the southern part of the United States, I feel as if the culture of African American people is naturally ingrained in most of us just due to my belief in our connection to the deep roots laid since our ancestors' time. Although on a more personal note, I believe I include my cultural roots within my music by just writing/creating from the heart, the same heart that I experienced, and wrestled with the same challenges (both positive and negative) that I've dealt with my entire life up to the present day.
Loud Magazine: What role does nature or your environment play in your songwriting?
Chris Capture: Simply the nature of my environment plays the monumental role of giving me inspiration with all of the characteristics within said environment.
Loud Magazine: When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?
Chris Capture: I would say my initial sparks of my musical ambitions came from a mini project given to me from an English teacher in middle school in which we were directed to change the lyrics of a Jay-Z record (Public service announcement) to our own individual liking, and with that school assignment in addition to my general love of music that began my journey.
Loud Magazine: What was the first song you ever wrote, and what inspired it?
Chris Capture: My first ever song was a record title, “Fuck my School,” when I was in 10th grade. I was under heavy J.Cole & Odd Future influence at the time, also I went by the stage name “Concise.” I barely remembered the song, I just knew I wrote it in the back of a Spanish class in which I did not give a flying fuck about at the time(excuse my language).
Loud Magazine: How did you get started in the music industry?
Chris Capture: I got started within the music industry with a high school rap collective titled “Kollective” in which we released one project as well as a few singles under the alias to minor local success. Although now defunct, the six-man group taught me the importance of never giving up on my dreams and ambitions, no matter the obstacles given.
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