Chris Flow is here to prove you can make it out of anywhere, especially when the odds are against you. Hailing from the dangerous part of New Orleans, the rising star loves music down to the core, ready to inspire and make an impact in the rap game. Here to tell his story in the best way possible, Chris is a multi-talented visionary who prides himself in being a leader.
In describing himself, Chris states that sometimes I’m too kind with my heart, but I try to protect it as much as I can. Pretty down-to-earth but most of all, I can say that I’m real.”
With the release of his newest single titled “4am,” which matches his Instagram handle “4nthemorning,” Chris is excited as ever to be dropping new music for his growing fanbase.
Having toured with everyone from Fetty Wap to Dej Loaf to Boosie, the independent recording artist continues to shine in multiple areas of his life. In addition to being a father, he has his own marketing company titled Digital Bluprint and teamed up with fashion brand Staple Pigeon for various shoots.
AllHipHop: How was it growing up in the dangerous part of New Orleans?
Chris Flow: Growing up around shootouts in my city and coming home to bullet holes in the house. Being around it so much I started to become numb to it all.
AllHipHop: How did you get out that bubble?
Chris Flow: I started off with drawing and painting a lot. Me appreciating art, I started writing music. I fell in love with spending time perfecting my craft on my own. You would hear younger kids having ghostwriters. I’m writing my own material at a very young age and it sounds like somebody wrote it for me. I love music, that’s my outlet.
AllHipHop: Biggest influences coming up?
Chris Flow: My mom taught me how to be very strong. She was a single mother working 2 jobs, that inspired me to work hard.
AllHipHop: When did you realize you could do music for a living?
I really put my all into it. Me being a strong writer, I always thought there’s other things I could do like writing for other artists. I wanted to meet new people and come up with new ideas, I knew that’d take me somewhere.
AllHipHop: New single “4am” with Atlanta producer Priority Beats, bring us back to that recording session?
Chris Flow: I recorded that at the home studio, real trapped out. We have the MacBook, ProTools, all the expensive plug-ins the big studios have. Being at home chillin’ I’m smoked out of course, just vibing. I recorded like 12 songs that night.
AllHipHop: What usually goes down at 4am?
Chris Flow: Everything. Some people say sleep at 4am. [laughs] For me, I always thought of it as a good time to get on my grind. When I’m in the studio, I’m recording at 4am from sunup to sundown. In New Orleans we still party at 4am.
AllHipHop: What’s one thing you want fans to get from the record?
Chris Flow: Taking my determination on waking up at 4am and applying that to yourself, whatever you want to do. It don’t have to be a negative thing, it can be a positive thing. It could be you doing whatever you want to do. If you’re after something, you’re up early getting it.
AllHipHop: What’s the reality of the independent grind?
Chris Flow: The reality is you need self-marketing. Without that, nobody would know the type of message you’re trying to put out. That’s the most important thing about being independent alongside having your business together.
AllHipHop: Talk about your marketing company Digital Bluprint and how that helps others.
Chris Flow: From me being my own marketer and taking things that record labels were doing, we’re doing it ourselves. It really transitioned into streaming, you don’t really need a label for much. Me being dedicated to marketing myself, I started my own marketing company. I decided to use the same technique I put towards myself for others. No matter what they’re doing, if you’re in the music industry or have your own business. It developed into something that I realized a lot of people needed: self-marketing.
AllHipHop: Who’s in your Top 5?
Chris Flow: #1 is Tupac, #2 is Jay Z, I got a crazy Top 5, we got some GOATS. #3 is Lil Wayne, #4 is Soulja Slim from my hometown and #5 is Dipset. Since me and Wayne from the same city I definitely give him #3. I’ve witnessed him do things that I’ve never seen anybody else do.
AllHipHop: Like what?
Chris Flow: Just being self-motivated. At a young age, being around so many temptations and still spitting out consistent bars. If we’re talking about some street grinding and street marketing/promotion, Cam, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana were always on the front line.
AllHipHop: What’s your favorite Tupac song?
Chris Flow: Everybody gon’ say “Hit ‘Em Up,” I’m a real Hip Hop fan and that was a big record. One of the hardest songs that I ever heard, so much rawness to it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CElMPTBB95z/
AllHipHop: How was that conversation with Juelz Santana?
Chris Flow: We talked, I hit him up on Instagram. I said “bro, I see what you’re doing.” He’s putting a studio together. I said “ I see you’re back home, congratulations.” I never wanna see anyone down like that. It’s a good time to be home with family right now, with everything going on. Talking to Juelz was dope. Hopefully we can put some music together soon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGJEg52Brwi/
AllHipHop: What is your love for guns? I seen your Instagram.
Chris Flow: [laughs] That’s me being from New Orleans “ya heard me”. That’s my love for guns, being around it so much, it’s more of a protection thing. That’s how I look at it. When I was younger, I remember being with my dad by one of his friends. I found a gun under the sofa. I remember pulling the trigger. I was about 4 years old, the bullet went to the ceiling and missed my head by inches. I wouldn’t even be here right now. That was real… my dad’s like “keep this between me and you.” [laughs] It was real crazy.
AllHipHop: 3 things that you need in a studio?
Chris Flow: Definitely inspiration as far as my close friends around. Definitely some exotic weed ya dig. Sometimes I have a few girls with me in there. Whenever I’m recording it’s a great vibe.
AllHipHop: Talk about your love for fashion and working with Staple Pigeon.
Chris Flow: I’ve always been nice with fashion, And I always have the latest drip. From Jordans to Gucci, all the old brands like the stuff everybody’s wearing today. When I was on my tour doing shows, I hit up Staple Pigeon. They respected my grind so we had that conversation, they set me up with a couple of photo shoots in New Orleans. We have a good relationship right now. In the near future I’ll be dropping my clothing line and more merch.
AllHipHop: Goals for yourself as an artist right now in your career?
Chris Flow: Just keep dropping new material. Right now, I’m spending more time with family. I lost my grandmother due to breast cancer not too long ago. So I have a lot of mixed emotions. But I’m staying focused because I know everyday she is looking down on me.
AllHipHop: What can we expect next music-wise?
Chris Flow: I’m working on some new music with Ka$h Ku$h. I’m dropping creative s### all year. Some of my music industry friends will be joining me on my new projects. So just keep listening and enjoy the new music.
AllHipHop: Anything else that you want to let us know?
Chris Flow: Enjoy life, enjoy living. Be original and be yourself. Never become the follower, always be the one that people want to follow.