U.G. Digital Mag: Oh trust, I’m definitely going to say it, but I’ll tell you what bothered me before, and what I still think about til’ this very moment. First off, this is all a dream to me. I literally left a career to launch this magazine. When people say they’re following their dreams, it’s real for me. So when I talk to people, I take this that serious. Number one, I’m always in that respectful place. I’m human. You’re human. We all deserve that respect. In any interview, I have to approach it a certain way because of that. The thing I’ve always hated is how society has made it to be that certain people don’t belong in hip-hop because of their beliefs, or their lifestyle. You’ve broken the rules in that sense, and you’ve taken hip-hop to a new place that many have wanted it to go. It’s a dream for a lot of people. Because of your acceptance of self, there’s that many more people out there who can be themselves, and accept who they are. You put on the face that says what these critics think doesn’t matter. So where do you sit now, given the things that you’ve struggled with in regard to your sexuality?
Kore Stacks: I’ll be completely honest with you. I do what I do, and you see that because a lot of NO’s have come my way because of what I put out there, and what I do. I made them say yes because there were no ifs, ands, or buts. For me, growing up everyone doubted me and said I would never be shit. I fed off that. Everything I do, I feel like I’m doing the impossible. Now, at this point in my life, I really don’t even care. I’m not going to lie; I covered it up for the first year because I didn’t want people to judge me, but then after a while it got boring because I wasn’t being myself. I feel like now, I’m in a much happier place but I want more. Hopefully that answers your question.
U.G. Digital Mag: It does. Like I said, one of the things I admire is you’re being yourself. People will follow because you’re being authentic. There’s been a lot of people in entertainment who are dying for this authenticity.
Kore Stacks: I’m just glad I’m in a situation where I can do my own thing. If staying independent is the way for me to do that, then so be it. I never want to be in a situation where I’m signing my rights away and then I have to pretend to be something I’m not. I mean, I’m already going fucking crazy [laughing].
U.G. Digital Mag: But it’s cool that you mention being independent. I think independence puts you in a winning position. So many people long for that, and you’re in that position where you can just win because of the number of opportunities that are there, How long did it take you to get to that place of acceptance in yourself. It’s one thing for the hip-hop and urban communities to accept you for who you are. How long did it take you to accept yourself?
Kore Stacks: It was probably a year and a half in. I’ve been in this for three years now. That first year or so, I was putting on a front. I was in D.C. doing my thing, and I didn’t have anybody to relate to. I did it in a local-minded way, but then I had to get out of there. I felt like it was nothing there for me. I just moved and took a chance, and it rocked. I will say this about other artists who are different. Continue to be yourself, and people will rock with you for that. All the shit people do to be relevant, you don’t have to do that. All of that setting up, and talking about people, you don’t have to do it. Stay true to who you are and everything will rock.
U.G. Digital Mag: I think it’s great advice. So two years ago, you were dropping the
mixtape. What’s up now? And I know
you have TV going on, and we will
talk about that, but what else is
going on, and what got you
to this point?