The latest game-changer in Dallas' obsession with hip-hop dance crazes is area rapper Brandon Hampton, aka B-Hamp, whose ridiculously popular song, “Do the Ricky Bobby,” has been burning up the airwaves in recent weeks on 97.9 The Beat, K104 and even Kiss FM, and is currently listed at No. 78 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The song even earned a write-up in last week's issue of Entertainment Weekly.
And, yes, that's a pretty big deal for an area rapper, let alone an indie.
So how'd he get here, to this point? When his former group Texas Made disbanded in 2006, Hampton decided to keep his rap dreams alive by working on a concept for a dance song that could put him on the map. And while watching Talladega Nights, one evening, the idea for the Ricky Bobby dance was born. (The video on how to do the dance after the jump.)
And with the recent success of the songs, B-Hamp's gig schedule is arguably a regional tour—he's got something popping off just about every day. Last night, he was at Carson's; tonight, Purgatory; tomorrow, Bryan College Station and the K104 Harambee Festival where he'll share the spotlight with other hood stars like Lil' Will, Big Tuck and Fat Bastard.
Talk about a whirlwind success.
The cool thing is that he hasn't let it go to his head—even with grown-ups, kids, babies and our “suburban homies” doing the Ricky Bobby. Check out our Q&A with the man himself after the jump.
It looks like you came onto the scene with a dance at the right time. How long was this in the works before the rest of us caught on? It didn't take long. As soon as I put the song out, people was feeling it. So I guess you would say it was an overnight blessing.
How did you first get people to start taking notice (YouTube, MySpace, or something else)? Word of mouth and Myspace and YouTube--and shout out to all my fans that help me get where I am.
There are a lot of hungry rappers out there who are dying to get some airplay. What can they learn from you so they can get on the radio? Stay humble and grind 'cause there is never an ending.
A lot of artists are almost cursed by the success of a really popular song. What will your second single be? I have a lot of hot tracks done, but the label hasn't choose what track they want to do yet.
You have a gig almost every day. How do you stay focused and maintain the energy you need to keep that kind of pace? Without a gig, I get distracted. I get my energy from my fans.
What do you want the public to know about B-Hamp—on top of being that dude with the hot song? I'm the same Brandon that I was four months ago. It's just more people know me now. But I'm not just into music--I have other likes: clothes and cars and shoes and acting.
What do you feel has changed in the Dallas music landscape that's allowed for so much support for homegrown talent, lately? DFW has always been hot, but now you got more people coming together instead of everyone on they own.
What other area artists are you working with? Tum Tum, Tekniq, Lil Won, Trap Squad, G-spot and many more.
Have you gotten any attention from the majors yet? Yea, but I'm not allowed to speak on that.
When should we look for the album? Around late December or early January. But you can hit that iTunes and amazonmp3.com for "The Ricky Bobby," And don't forget to request it on K104, 97.9, and 106.1 Kiss FM. --Quia Querisma
