Representing Reedsburg Wi, Walks the Runner AKA Matthew Walker, hits the Hip-Hop scene with a breath of fresh air in a claustrophobic industry, which allows little room for new material. Walks was able to connect with DJ PAIN 1and landed a placement on his highly anticipated “Painkillerz 2” mixtape hosted by Big Sean and LEP Bogus Boys, with his song “Young Dick Vitale.”
AllHipHop.com: What’s Good Walks The Runner. Give us some background info as to who you are.
Walks The Runner: I’m a Wisconsin Emcee, born in 1988 from Reedsburg, WI. I come from a family of six kids, all of whom which are redheads. Aside from rapping, I also hoop and own a Siberian Husky.
AllHipHop.com: What is the significance of your name?
Walks The Runner: My Emcee name comes from my last name, Walker. All my friends have been calling me “Walks” as a nickname for as long as I can remember. I added “The Runner” for some wordplay. Also, I feel like when I hear a beat I want to “run” all over it.
AllHipHop.com: What is it about you that makes you a cutting edge artist?
Walks The Runner: The thing that makes me cutting edge is my energy, travels, relationship building, online promotion, street promotions, and just being original. I don’t sound like anyone at all. My rhyme schemes, flow, voice, punch lines, are all original. I don’t copy any other rapper’s steez.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFa1Giv4tXw]
AllHipHop.com: What single or project are you currently pushing?
Walks The Runner: I just released my mixtape, “Loquacious Linguist,” In the first week of April. Along with that, I’m pushing my single “Ain’t Tryna Hear It.” (P### by DJ PAIN 1) This will be the lead single off of his upcoming mixtape, “Painkillerz 3.” Also, I was a feature artist on DJ Fusion’s, “Bringing Heat to the Streets volume 13.” Talib Kweli was a part of that project as well. You can read up about me and hear more music at www.clutchink.com
AllHipHop.com: What is your opinion of the current state of the music industry?
Walks The Runner: There is a lot of bad music, but there is a lot of good music as well. Sadly, the radio is so repetitive that so much good music isn’t heard by the masses. It has become more of how a song makes you feel, opposed to bringing a message or just some real artistic type s###. BUT, there is a lot of good music on the rise. I see hip-hop going in a good direction. A lot of New York cats are impressing me.