Meet Rampage Wood | Rapper/ Artist/ Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rampage Wood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rampage, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my own business out of necessity. Like many artists, I had high hopes that someone or some label would come save me from my situation and foot the bill on making my dreams come true. Time and experience later proved that this was something I would have to do on my own. From production, visuals, merchandise, and even distribution, me and the team eventually acquired all the necessary skills and knowledge for vertical integration. I’ve always had a clear vision of what I want and how I want to execute, so creating a business and plan to make that happen wasn’t hard once I accepted the reality of my situation. Coming out of Arkansas, everything is pretty much “do it yourself”.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think the biggest difference between me and other artists is my approach to music. My whole life i’ve been a studio artist, working in pretty much any medium (pencil, ink, acrylic, oil, etc.). I didn’t start rapping until I was in college majoring in graphic design with a minor in art history. That being said, I approach my music like many of the visual artists I’ve studied. I feel my music can be put into black or blue periods like Picasso’s work. I create in moods, and just like a studio artist, I conduct studies on certain moods until the vibe has changed. When I make music, outside of what the song sounds like, my biggest concern is “how will observers receive this visually? What imagery can I create to enhance the experience so that it penetrates deeper than just the sound of music.” I want them to see the colors I saw when I was creating. Feel the things that I felt. Just like drawing or painting, getting to where I am now musically took a lot of repetition. I think the countless hours of drawing, painting, and sculpting over the years helped when it came spending hours writing, recording, or looking for beats. It became second nature to me. I’m in love with the process of creation. If you are in love with the work, you’ll put in 10,000+ hours before you realize it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
You’re asking Rampage Wood, the Nature Boy, so you know I’m coming with some outdoor vibes, but the first stop is definitely going to be Berner’s by GoodDay Farms. After we stock up on a weeks worth of zaza flavors, we have to hit Wings Takeout. They’re famous for their lemon pepper wet wings, but I like the honey mustard gold, country fried of course. After a meal like that, we have to hit Pinnacle or the Big Dam Bridge to walk the wings off and become one with nature. Since we’re in Arkansas, I’m definitely taking the homie to the country to shoot some guns, maybe do some fishing while we’re at it. My radio boys, Christian The Comedian and DJ P Smooth, are always throwing events at the top spots in Little Rock, so we have to check them out. We’d probably close out out by hitting Artez’s Day Party LR.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I definitely have to give a shoutout to my wife, Stymetra. She’s always been my biggest supporter from day one, but now she acts as COO of the Rampage Wood brand. Can’t leave out my manager, SkyWalker The Manager. Just like Stymetra, he’s been there from the beginning. We were actually a rap duo, believe it or not, but just like the seasons, things change. He now manages my situation along with a few celebrity acts as well.

Website: rampagewood.com

Instagram: rampagewood

Twitter: rampagewood

Facebook: Rampage Wood

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_rdxSFAD6sHCnkCXJcbKow

Image Credits
-q the photographer -dr. epic/ Artez