‘A new age lyricist with a flow reminiscent of Cash Money’s original lineup’ – 360 MAGAZINE
“Glock’s don’t have no safety,” the 19- year-old trap rap artist Jacquavius ‘9lokkNine‘ Smith accounts his turbulent rise to stardom off his mixtape Bloodshells Revenge. Earlier this week 360 Magazine‘s Armon Hayes caught up with the Orlando native in New York at the offices of Universal Music. A visit due for the release of his debut Mind of Destruction.
Just wrapped the video for YNW Melly’s “223s” which 9lokkNine is featured. Currently charting number 38 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
Arriving on the 8th Floor of the Cash Money conference room with Buffalo Wild Wings in tow, the young buck speaks about his life back home with entourage. “They look up to me, I keep them boys with me.” Aware of his influence, he constantly exposes them to new cities and possibilities. For some, having never left Orlando, 9lokkNine asserts, “People I use to look up to, look up to me now.“
Since he’s been newly inked to Cash Money, 9lokkNine has had his greatest accomplishment, becoming a father.
His top musical influences include the following: Lil’ Wayne, Kodak Black, ODB, YoungBoy and BBG Baby Joe.
He aspires to collaborate with Ariana Grande.
Exploding as a phenomenon in the streets, throughout the culture, and online, rising Orlando rapper 9lokkNine unleashes his new 16-track mixtape Mind of Destruction today on Cash Money Records. The mixtape features collaborations with heavy-hitters such as Rich The Kid, Lil Durk, Asian Doll, RugRat OD and more.
Listen to Mind of Destruction: HERE
To celebrate the arrival of Mind of Destruction, 9lokkNine is planning to release a video for the song “Letter To The System.” Driven by his inimitable flow, punchy delivery, and a hard-hitting hook, the track pops off over production from Yung Tango with an energetic plea aimed right at the system. “In My Ways” featuring Lil Durk builds towards another guttural chant between verses from both MCs as the beat from KC and JR Internet Money sizzles. Produced by JayGrillaBeats, the single “Trap Do” featuring Rich The Kid skitters through creeping 808s as 9lokkkNine’s voice slides from bulletproof flows into a warbling chorus just before Rich The Kid dips in with a fiery cameo of his own. Check out the full track-listing below.
9lokkNine has been making headlines as the feature on multi-platinum star YNW Melly “223s.” The single recently surpassed 37 million Spotify streams, 10 million YouTube views. 9lokkNine currently averages 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify as well with 18K followers on the platform.
Inspired by Lil Wayne, 9lokkNine turned up on independent projects such as Loyalty Kill Love and Bloodshells Revenge. With his signature style he began to garner tens of millions of YouTube views, pick up 118K Soundcloud followers and 184K YouTube subscribers, and widespread critical acclaim from XXL, No Jumper, Noisey, and more. Pitchfork named “Front Door” among “The 5 Best New Rap Songs” and The FADER touted “Blatt” on “The 10 Best New Rap Songs Right Now.”
9lokkNine is undoubtedly blowing up. Enter his Mind of Destruction now and be on the lookout for more.
Mind of Destruction Track List:
1. Memory Lane
2. Letter To The System
3. In My Ways feat.Lil Durk
4. Pop My Shit feat. RugRat OD
5. Trap Do feat.Rich the Kid
6. No Name feat. Woop & KT
7. Back Off
8. Never Know
9. Extortion
10. Bloodhound
11. Fire Right There feat. Asian Doll
12. Slick Shit
13. Bleed Like Me
14. Timeless feat.Bangout & RugRat OD
15. Don’t Play
16. Run On Sentence
*Photo by Armon Hayes
