CRIMEAPPLE, Colombian born and raised in Hackensack, NJ, underground hip-hop’s MVP back in 2017. Since then, he’s released projects with DJ Muggs, Medallo, Big Ghost Ltd, Aguardiente, and DJ Skizz, Wet Dirt. He’s become the interest of major labels but is happy staying independent. We recently caught up with CRIME to talk about identity, influences, and what’s next for the bilingual MC, in anticipation of his new self-titled album dropping next month.
The following interview has been lightly edited.
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What influences you?
CRIMEAPPLE
Everything influences me as vague as that may sound. Life is my most significant influence, as it’s as terrifying as it is mesmerizing.
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What’s the most overrated?
CRIMEAPPLE
I’d say popularity is overrated.
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What’s the most underrated?
CRIMEAPPLE
Time is underrated and under-appreciated. People take it for granted far too often.
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What are you most excited about right now?
CRIMEAPPLE
I’m excited about existing more than anything given the climate of the world today.
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What’s next for you?
CRIMEAPPLE
More music, more growth, and more life, that’s what’s next for me, god willing.
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Bonus: You’re Colombian-born, but grew up in New Jersey. How has hip-hop helped you explore your Colombian and American backgrounds? What’s the essential thing that hip-hop has helped you understand about yourself?
CRIMEAPPLE
Hip-hop is part of my compass, but music, in general, is my compass so I couldn’t necessarily attribute my knowledge of self to one genre of music. All I know for sure is that I’m one of the greatest ever to touch a microphone: Top 89 dead or alive.
