Certified Fresh: RENEGADE EL REY Is Outworking Your Favorite Rapper - Page 4

HHW: You do happen to have a “job” though. Tell us about that.

Renegade: I am the studio manager at Stankonia Studios right now. That was nothing but God right there. When I was down in Orlando at Full Sail, I was still selling my mixtapes, but I knew that I was going to be graduating soon. I knew that I wanted to be in Atlanta, so my girlfriend faxed over my resume to all of the studio in Atlanta. No less than 30 minutes later, I got a phone call from Stankonia. They asked if I was in Atlanta but I told them I was still in school. They said just call them when I’m ready. I wound up calling them for months, just updating them on what I was doing. I could tell that I was getting on their nerves, but I did that on purpose.

When I did graduate, I drove straight to Atlanta to days later. I didn’t have a crib there or anything. Within an hour of being in the city, Stankonia called and asked me if I was in town. I told them yes and I went straight there. I started off as an intern, but worked my way up to where I’m at now.

HHW: How has that helped your rap career so far.

Renegade: Because of my connection with Big Boi I was able to go out on the Shoes For Running tour with him a couple of years ago, so being down with him has helped. But other than that, I’ve made sure to around and build my own relationships. That’s how I’ve been able to perform at a lot of spots around Atlanta like the A3C Festival, Playlist Party and at the Converse Rubber Tracks show.