Meet upcoming rapper Davion Prater, a junior communications major from Mansura, La. Prater dropped his mixtape, “Legacy”, this year and can be found at DatPiff.com for download.

Q: When did you start rapping?

A: Since I was about 10. I started taking it more seriously when I got to high school.

Q: How are you juggling both school and your rapping career?

A: It’s hard. The more I focus on school the further away I get with my music. So, on my breaks I focus on the music.

Q: Is rapping just a hobby or do you plan on making a career out of it?

A: I would really like to become a rapper, but school is the back-up plan. I’m not stupid. If this doesn’t work out, at least I have a degree to fall back on.

Q: How would you describe your genre of music?

A: I would say it’s everyday music. I’m not street. I’m not the hood. I’m from the country. Everyone can relate to it.

Q: Who are your major musical influences?

A: Outkast of course. I’m a huge Kanye fan. Jay-Z, Wu-Tang and Nas.

Q: What do you think about the music on the radio today?

A: I’m not a huge fan of the music on the radio. Some of it is cool. You need your club music, but you need a balance. We still need that everyday music.

Q: What’s your lyrical message?

A: I just want people to be themselves. Just be you. You should just want to be you. We should be pushing that message more.