Since starting to write at the age of 16, Portland Oregon rapper Joshua Hatkins hasn’t stopped, carving a lane all of his own. Hatkins’ sound is one of his very own – completely unique it hits a spot somewhere between hardcore hip hop and Top 40 pop. His talent for blending influences from various genres, cultures and time periods sets him apart and ensures he is someone that needs to be heard.
Joshua Hatkins dropped several remixes of popular songs over the summer which were well received, including Chance The Rapper’s ‘No Problems’, and Justin Bieber’s, ‘Company’. These led up to the release of his track, ‘Time To Waste’, from his upcoming mixtape, ‘Pop Boy Rap’. ‘Time To Waste’, which showcases his laid back flow, tells the story of his dealings with a girl who is fighting for his attention.
The song features a really catchy chorus, and the video was shot in his hometown of Portland. Joshua filmed the video with limited funds, and spent two weeks commuting across Portland looking for the best locations to shoot. He called in his cousin to do hair and makeup, and did his own styling, personally buying all the major wardrobe items. It’s a testimony to the American dream, where anyone can get there if they put their mind to it and their back behind it.
Joshua is featured throughout the video with two dancing women, starting in front of a store, then moving to a dojo (a nice homage to the countdown in Japanese throughout the song) and a playground. Hatkins’ rapping is effortless and relaxed, and in his own words, he has “a flair for the dramatic and an ear obsessed with melody”. All this, combined with his drive to succeed, makes Joshua Hatkins one of the most promising young rappers of this year.
Check out Joshua online on his Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, and YouTube. ‘Time To Waste’ is available to download from iTunes, and streaming online on Apple Music, Tidal, and Spotify.
