Greatness on His Own Terms: How the Georgia Rapper Turned Doubt Into Drive and Built His Own Lane

In a world where conformity can be a shortcut to visibility, Greatness is doing the opposite—staying rooted, self-made, and entirely authentic. Hailing from Georgia and shaped by the sounds of hip-hop that echoed through public housing, Greatness is more than just a rapper; he’s a storyteller, a strategist, and a builder.

After a six-year hiatus, his return with Thiz Iz Not A Drill reminded fans—and doubters—exactly why he's one to watch. In this exclusive interview, Greatness opens up about his creative process, independence, the pressures of staying real, and what’s next beyond music.

Q: Tell us the story behind your journey into music—what moment made you realize this is what you were born to do?

Greatness: My journey into music started at a very young age. I listened and listened, and then I started to study my favorite artists—their style, cadences, and the stories they would tell. That’s what pulled me in.

Q: How has your environment or upbringing shaped your voice as an artist?

Greatness: Hip-hop was all around me. Growing up in public housing, I would see some of the same things my favorite artists talked about in their music. That connection felt real.

Q: What themes or messages are central to your music, and why do they matter to you?

Greatness: Just have fun and do what you were born to do. Don’t try to fit into what society thinks you should be. If you want something, go for it. Don’t take no for an answer just because they think it won’t work. I’m living proof—it’s quiet now from the people who doubted me a year ago. And I love it.

Q: How do you balance staying true to your roots while evolving your sound?

Greatness: Just being myself. I don’t want to sound like anyone else. I’m honestly a loner, and I want people to know when it’s me on a track.

Q: What’s your creative workflow like—from concept to final track?

Greatness: I stockpile instrumentation all year round. I’ll stay up all night after handling business just writing or even recording, simply because I love creating art.

Q: How do you approach vulnerability or real-life experiences in your writing?

Greatness: I try to keep those things separate, but real-life experiences definitely help make better storytelling records.

Q: Do you view yourself more as a storyteller, a lyricist, or a performer—or a mix of all three?

Greatness: A mixture, really. It depends on what story the beat is telling me while I’m listening. I feel like I’m just the vessel to get the story out vocally.

Q: What song or project challenged you the most creatively or emotionally?

Greatness: Thiz Iz Not A Drill—because it was my first project in six years. I didn’t know how people would receive it.

Q: Who do you make music for—and how do you want them to feel when they hear your work?

Greatness: It depends on the direction of the project. Each one will sound completely different from the last. Take C2MT: Deluxe—it’s heavily jazz-infused. I want listeners to feel that shift.

Q: What role does discipline play in your development as an artist, especially outside the spotlight?

Greatness: You’ve got to work hard for what you want, even if it makes you uncomfortable. There’ve been plenty of nights I wanted to sleep, but I had to finish a record or make a meeting. That’s what it takes.

Q: How do you stay inspired during creative droughts or personal setbacks?

Greatness: I use it as motivation. As weird as it sounds, I feed off it—it gives me something to prove.

Q: What are your thoughts on the current state of hip-hop culture—what excites or concerns you most?

Greatness: I love where it’s at. Artists are embracing independence a lot more. Get your money—forget the rest.

Q: How do you approach branding and visual identity—cover art, videos, stage presence, etc.?

Greatness: It all depends on the project. Right now, it’s about the rose and how people can destroy something that beautiful. That’s the visual theme.

Q: Collaboration can elevate an artist—what do you look for when choosing who to work with?

Greatness: Drive. I need the artist to want to actually get a point across. That’s what matters.

Q: How important is independence to you in this industry—and where do you stand on signing with a label?

Greatness: It’s very important. These days, the goal isn’t to get a major deal. Labels won’t sign you until you’ve built a fanbase—and by then, what do you need them for? You’ve already done most of the work.

Q: What’s a major misconception people often have about you or your music?

Greatness: That it’ll sound southern or like trap just because I’m from Georgia. But actually, I want a global sound.

Q: Outside of music, what drives or inspires you creatively—film, books, art, life?

Greatness: Family and life experience. Where I’m from is small—there’s not much inspiration except the drive to get out. It’s tough for artists because there’s not a lot of support, so you have to go outside and network with people you’ve never met.

Q: What legacy do you want to leave behind—not just as a rapper, but as a person?

Greatness: That I did it. I actually did something with my life. Where I’m from, people rarely make it out—especially in music.

Q: If you could speak to your younger self just starting out, what would you say?

Greatness: Do that sh*t.

Q: What’s next for you—what should the world be paying attention to right now?

Greatness: The books. I probably won’t release more music until next year. Right now, I’m focused on business—building the brand and locking in some business partnerships.

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