John Stamps
John Stamps is part of Ghost Gun Summer and got the audience jumping every time it was his turn to rap a verse in the Hi-Fi. Stamps is also featured on Sirius Blvck’s most popular song, “Bill Murray.”
Stamps has taken the Indianapolis hip-hop scene by storm and become one of Indianapolis’ most popular rappers in only three years. More than a few fans at Chreece were walking around in shirts that read: “Who The Fuck Is John Stamps.”
Stamps has three solo albums out. His latest is 2014’s “Naked Lunch.” Stamps is currently on a southern tour with Ghost Gun Summer.
We caught up with Stamps as he was setting up his “Who The Fuck Are John Stamps” shirts before Chreece started. Stamps speaks about what’s holding Indianapolis hip-hop back and what the artists can do to progress it.
Which part of Indianapolis are you from?
East side.
When did you start rapping?
Started taking it seriously in 2012, but I started in high school. I met Sirius Blvck in high school, [and] we used to do shows together at the ES Jungle. I hadn’t heard from him for like a year or two, and then he hit me up for Ghost Town Collective. That’s when I started taking it seriously, when people who I thought were good thought I was good.
What’s it been like setting up for Chreece?
All that goes out to Oreo. We’ve done every little thing we can to help him, but Oreo and John Rogers are the people who are to thank.
What do you want people to walk away with?
I just like the whole idea that it merges all the hip-hop scenes. I think that after this a lot more people will blend out and network. A lot of artists are going to meet people they have always wanted to meet, but they were playing on the opposite side of the city. Everyone will get to talk with each other and get to know each other. I think it’ll be great for everyone to know just how many of us there are and just how much talent there is. Tomorrow people are going to be like, “Damn, we’ve got something going on.” No doubt that the Indianapolis hip-hop scene will be at 110 percent.
What made you get into hip hop?
I used to like poetry when I was a kid. I would always write poems. I always liked hip-hop. I think it’s because my mom never wanted me to listen to it growing up.
What’s your take on the entirety of Indianapolis hip-hop?
We are separated right now. People don’t invited other artists to their shows because they’ve never met them or had a chance to get to know them. So I think after today we will see a lot more people working together.
What’s holding Indianapolis back?
A lot of people in Indianapolis don’t realize how quality of a scene Indianapolis has, so people tend to look outward for their hip-hop. They’re looking at Chicago for the next big person or looking elsewhere. While in Chicago, they’re like, “Who is this guy? OK, let’s keep supporting him until he is way up here.” We get a lot of that, because a lot of people in Indy just don’t know. So this will be a step in the right direction for that to change.
Iyamjohnstamps.com
Twitter: @iyamjohnstamps, Instagram: @iyamjohnstamps
Upcoming shows: September 12, Lafayette, IN at The Spot Tavern with Ghost Gun Summer
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