Music is clearly something that has saved Rittz from moments of pain, struggles, or trying experiences that he’s encountered throughout his life. I’m sure when that’s over it will be album time again.” Right now, I have my Top of the Line US Tour starting in October through December this fall, so I’m focused on that at the moment. I’m so grateful for everyone who gives me a listen ‘cause it’s so easy just to skip and skim over an artist these days. “There are so many people who haven’t ever heard of me, so the goal is spreading awareness and keeping the day one fans happy at the same time. “The response and love from the fans was amazing,” he says. With his sights set on expanding his fanbase, he just wrapped up a tour that took him to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

I definitely haven’t reached that point yet.” “If you haven’t peaked successfully then you need to make every new project the one you’re the most proud of until you at least reach a pivotal point of success in your career. “I think my latest release “Top of the Line” is by far my best work and I hope to feel the same about my next project,” he says. It’s his latest work, however, he’s most proud of. Rittz signed to Tech’s label that same year and released his solo debut, The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant in 2013. In 2011, Rittz released his critically acclaimed White Jesus EP and followed up with the White Jesus: Revival. Rittz breakthrough finally came with the release of Yelawolf’s 2010 track, “Box Chevy.” Since then, he has frequently collaborated with Yelawolf, and the pair toured together on the 2012 Slumerican Tour. It was a long bumpy ride to get to that point.” “I signed my contract on my 32nd birthday and finally I felt like I could say I was a real ‘professional’ rapper for a living. “It definitely restored faith,” he admits. When a powerhouse like Tech N9ne invests in an artist, the co-sign alone would be enough to push someone to the next level. My manager and I had been looking at Strange Music, watching their movement and success, so the way the timing worked out was perfect.” “The original plan was to be signed to Wolf’s label Slumerican, but he wasn’t at a point in his career at that time to really start a label up so he looked out for me and wanted to try to put me in the right hands after helping me get my buzz going. “I met Tech through Yelawolf,” he explains. Feeling defeated and deflated, a chance introduction to superstar rapper and founder of Strange Music, Inc., Tech N9ne, reignited a spark within him that had been beginning to fade. In 2003, after winning Battlegrounds on a local radio station, his career hit a rough spot, resulting in a lull in productivity. I think my very first rap name was MC Red, so I’m glad Rittz came to light. “When Shortkut said, ‘What about Rittz?,’ I was like that’s it. “Back in ‘90s, when there was only a few around, you searched for a rap name that said you were a white boy,” he says. At the time, there weren’t too many white rappers in his area, so he wanted a name that would indicate he was, indeed, a white rapper. In high school, his friend Shortkut came up with his stage moniker. My Dad was the main influence of me wanting to be a musician for a living.” “I was always fortunate to be one of the few kids that had a ‘music room’ in my house like 4-track recorders, reel-to-reels, keyboards, guitars, and drum machines. “I grew up looking at photo albums of black and white 8×10 pictures of all the bands he was in and sometimes he’d let me sit in on band practice or setting up at whatever gig he was playing that night,” Rittz recalls. His father made a living playing music for the first nine years of his life and inspired him to walk the same path. Growing up in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Strange Music rapper Rittz (real name Jonathan McCollum) was exposed to a wide variety of music, which really influenced his current musical style.

Rittz new album 2015 date release