It’s only been… three full months since Tampa rapper Stoney Hoop filled us in on his latest full-length, Mixed Sheep, but we’re happy to finally write about how highlights like “Southerngangstaplaya” and “Stay Down” make us wanna celebrate Tampa and also learn how to meditate and grow the way Hoop has since the pandemic unfolded.
“I’m with the rest of the world just kind of waiting for things to get back to normal, taking it day by day,” Hoop told CL. “I’ve started to meditate, been writing some new music as well. Learning new things and unlearning old ways that don’t help me anymore. That sort of stuff. It’s a difficult process, but it’s something I’m constantly working on.”
Watch a new video for “Stay Down” and read our May Q&A below. Listen to the album via stoneyhoop.com.
So many artists are pushing their album release dates back—why are you choosing to go with it now?
Honestly, it just felt right at this time. I had already been planning and working on Mixed Sheep and we finished up recording right before the world flipped over. It was more of a personal goal I was holding myself to than anything else. It feels like the world needs things like music to get through this right now.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is this your second full-length in a year? Why so prolific? What should listeners be tuned to as far as your evolution?
Yessir! My last one was Voices back in November. It’s six months later and we’re back at it. I truly appreciate that prolific comment, that’s a great word. I think
I’m just obsessed with this game and growing and evolving—I pride myself in my work ethic. Everything has just been lining up with my team. To anybody who listens to my music on the regular, first off, thank you so much. Please keep supporting independent hip-hop, independent artists. In terms of expectations, you can always expect honesty in my art and in what I do, even when it’s not easy to digest. You can always expect growth too, I’m always trying to push forward.
On the cover art, you have that classic San Diego Super Bowl sweater going. It reminds me of John Lynch, Derrick Brooks, Dexter Jackson, Brad Johnson, Mike Alstott—could you talk about the fashion choice?
Warren Sapp, Ronde Barber, and Simeon Rice man! That was a great moment in time haha, that was the best. It was a time of innocence in my personal life and one of the moments I remember being so light. On the cover of Voices I’m actually wearing the Bucs Super Bowl t-shirt. So my homie Danny, knowing I'm a diehard Bucs fan, gifted me the Super Bowl sweater to go with it. When we did the cover for Mixed Sheep the sweater just made the most sense to me. Almost like a symbol of continuity on this path I find myself walking.
How are you doing in the pandemic? Are you out of work? How's it affected you creatively?
I’ve actually grown, in my opinion. I’m with the rest of the world just kind of waiting for things to get back to normal, taking it day by day. I’ve started to meditate, been writing some new music as well. Learning new things and unlearning old ways that don’t help me anymore. That sort of stuff. It’s a difficult process, but it’s something I’m constantly working on.
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This article appears in Aug 13-19, 2020.