What It Do?Angela Freeman Interview with Indianapolis Rapper Sushi Franko
WHO IS SUSHI FRANKO?
Question: For everybody watching who’s just discovering you, who is Sushi Franko? -Sushi
Answer: Franko is a Black, Queer, Alternative, C*nt here to dominate rap.
Question: Where in Indianapolis are you from, and how did growing up in Naptown shape the artist you are today?
Answer: I grew on the east side of Indianapolis near 10th street. It never really shaped me as an artist.
Question: Where did the name Sushi Franko come from?
Answer - I used to constantly change my instagram name so one day when I was thinking of a name I was trying to dig deep lol. I knew I had raw talent artistically so I was like boom Sushi Franko!!!!
Question: When did you first realize you could really rap?
Answer: I was always coming up with rhymes and poems as a kid. After middle school I started writing raps and my parents would peep and were supportive but with critics lol. I was off and on with it because I was doing so many things artistically & towards the end of highschool I showed my parents a rap I wrote on a Nas beat. They were really impressed this time and both told me I could actually rap.
Question: Who were some of the artists who inspired you when you were coming up?
Answer: Flo Milli, Busta Rhymes, Rico Nasty, ODB, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Tierra Whack and waaaay more!!
“LGBT” FREESTYLE
Question: Your “LGBT” freestyle really showcases your ability as an MC. What inspired you to make that freestyle?
Answer: The beat! That was a Destiny’s Child instrumental I was rapping on. Someone I was friends with put me on to that song years ago and we always talked about doing something on it. So one day I saw a TikTok where people were clowning it and I just knew it was time for me to do what I do best.
Question: When you went into the booth for “LGBT,” did you already know you had something special?
Answer: Yes. That’s a song a was proud of from the moment I finished doing my adlibs.
Question: There are people who hear that freestyle and say, “Sushi Franko can really rap.” How important is it to you that people recognize the bars first?
Answer: Not as important as people make it seem. Bars are important but sonically it has to be good as well. Sometimes a songs takes a couple of listens to catch double entendres & one liners. So maybe quality first bars second lmaooo.
Question:Do you feel like “LGBT” is one of the records that best represents who Sushi Franko is?
Answer: Yes and no it represents apart of who I am right now but the future can always change. However it’s always SUSHI 4 SENATOR
Question: If somebody says you’re one of the best rappers in the Midwest, what does that mean to you—and do you believe you belong in that conversation?
Answer: That actually means a lot to me right now.Firstly because they see through that “gay rapper” label people use to try to ignore the fact that I’m better than a lot of straight rappers. Also because that’s a high compliment considering all the talent in the city alone. The conversation itself is open to interpretation but by my criteria I do believe I belong somewhere in it.
BEING PROUD & BEING YOURSELF
Question: You’re proud to represent the LGBTQ+ community. How important is it for you to be authentic and never hide who you are?
Answer: That’s actually the main message I try to spread. I make it look easy by showing up as confident in my stage performance and my in music however when I’m off stage and out the booth I’m not as confident at all . But I came to realize confidence is fake so I just fake it and live in my truth.
Question: Hip-hop hasn’t always been welcoming to openly LGBTQ+ artists. Have you personally seen the culture become more accepting?
Answer: I’m proud to say I have. Growing in I was blessed to see it happening before my eyes.
Question: Have you ever felt like you had to work twice as hard to get people to focus on your talent instead of your sexuality?
Answer: Of course all the time. However, I like a challenge. I’ve been entertaining since elementary and I’m aware of the power in my pen. So the talent undeniable.
Question: Have you experienced discrimination or disrespect within the music industry because you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community? If so, how did you handle it?
Answer: Again OF COURSE!! As I stated earlier my talent is undeniable. So I’ve seen many men and women eat there words when it came to me. I believe in karma. I’ve always gotten mine and I’ve never saw it skip ANYBODY.
Question: What would you say to a young LGBTQ+ kid in Indianapolis who wants to rap but is afraid people won’t accept them?
Answer: Gurl. Get in the booth
Question: Do you feel a responsibility to represent people who may not have had someone like you to look up to growing up?
Answer: In a way yes. I try to be who I needed to see when growing up so I guess that’s a way to put it.
Questions: What’s one misconception about LGBTQ+ rappers that you would like to destroy?
Answer: We all wanna be “ The Boy Nicki” that’s a stigma I’m not in but hear a lot about .
INDIANAPOLIS HIP-HOP
Question: What does the Indianapolis hip-hop scene need to do to finally break through nationally?
Answer: Stop being so clique-y
Question: Do you think Naptown artists genuinely support each other enough?
Answer: Not genuinely enough. I see the fake love everywhere though.
Question: Who are some Indianapolis artists you respect or would like to collaborate with?
Answer: Obviously the artists I’m closest to like Mynameischaos, Khamarry, Jinx, Xro Sizzer, Gameover Collective. There are some I’m not so close with I respect like Winter Boreius, Ps Maldonna, Kenarva and I love me some G Royalty.
Question: Could Indianapolis become the next major city in hip-hop?
Answer: Absolutely
Question: When you eventually reach that national level, how important will it be to continue representing Indianapolis?
Answer: Because we are so underrated and underrepresented it’s already a big part of the message I spread. Because when I first started recording I didn’t know about the hip hop community here. So even in the underground community I spread awareness that there’s a community in Indy that accepts artists and champions them.
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