An Appalachian Rapper Signed To Yelawolf’s Label

Regardless of the menacing moniker, versatile “entice grass” rapper Cowboy Killer hasn’t truly killed any cowboys—or anybody, for that matter. He’s too busy murdering the mic. Hopping on Zoom, his eclectic fashion stands out instantly; he’s just a little bit nation, just a little bit Hip-Hop and a complete lotta character, 

Born in Appalachia, Cowboy Killer (actual identify (Paul Mifsud) spent his childhood residing on a farm with a single mom, who raised horses, pigs, cattle, goats, pheasants and rabbits—not precisely a Hip-Hop haven. However effervescent beneath the floor was an innate curiosity in music, particularly ‘90s and early 2000s rap. 

“I used to be only a nation boy residing in the course of the woods, listening to 50 Cent, Eminem, DMX and Biggie,” he tells AllHipHop. “I form of noticed hip-hop as a father determine ultimately. Within the early days, I didn’t have any collaborators, so I simply created music as a result of I used to be simply curious tips on how to even get on a document, so I purchased a mic and just a little interface.” 

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However at 17 years previous, Cowboy Killer was shipped off to Asheville, North Carolina after inevitable teenage apathy set in.

“There have been a number of household points and abuse at residence,” he explains. “I used to be simply coping with a number of stuff. We had a really damaged household dynamic and since my mom was elevating us on her personal, she was actually struggling. She’s an important lady, however she couldn’t deal with me or work out tips on how to hold me from staying out of hassle in school.” 

By this time, Cowboy Killer had stopped going to his lessons, though he did in the end graduate from highschool in North Carolina. There, he constructed a studio, began recording extra and met extra like-minded individuals. However as soon as he returned to Appalachia, he fell into previous patterns and was confronted with a choice. 

“My homies had been like, ‘Look, man, in the event you wanna take this critical, we’re taking place to Orlando and in the event you wanna include us, include us.’ And so I did and spent 5 years there, simply grinding.” 

Discovering work as an engineer, Cowboy Killer had the possibility to work with a number of burgeoning Florida artists, together with Ski Masks the Droop God, Nameless Killer and Very Uncommon All Stars. However behind the scenes, Cowboy Killer was making materials on his personal and as soon as he began enjoying it for individuals, he was shortly dubbed “Him McGraw,” a reference to nation star Tim McGraw. Armed with the boldness he wanted, he uploaded his debut solo album to SoundCloud and was off to the proverbial races. 

In 2020, with pandemic in full swing, Cowboy Killer landed his first placement on Lupe Fiasco and producer Kaelin Ellis’ EP HOUSE that includes the late Virgil Abloh. 

“It’s technically Virgil’s final collaboration,” he says. “All people’s thought of a house is completely different. That was the primary time that I’d gotten a significant placement and in the course of the pandemic. It was bizarre as a result of everybody was form of sitting nonetheless, whereas we regarded like we’re going up.” 

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Round that point, Ellis took a visit to New Mexico and was so impressed with Albuquerque’s deep-rooted tradition, he inspired Cowboy Killer to go to. He was imagined to be there for 3 days—but it surely changed into two weeks. As soon as again in Florida, he made a spontaneous determination to pack up his beat up Honda Civic and return to the Southwest. 

“I received again to Florida and was simply in a foul spot,” he remembers. “So I took the $150 I had, received in my automotive and drove all the way in which to New Mexico. I didn’t even know if I used to be gonna make it, however l discovered a method.”

Usually described because the “Wild Wild West,” Albuquerque, or Burque because the locals name it, is a sprawling desert oasis with massive metropolis issues however a thriving Hip-Hop neighborhood that really represents all components of the tradition—from b-boys and b-girls to graffiti writers, DJs and MCs. Outsiders generally have a troublesome time settling in however not Cowboy Killer. 

“They embraced me with open arms as a result of they knew, ‘Hey, this man’s the reality,’” he says. “I ended up constructing a studio, hustling and getting my cash up. I received an workplace downtown proper on Central Avenue. I used to be actually constructing the neighborhood, like ‘let’s community, let’s join and let’s deliver the Hip-Hop neighborhood collectively.’”

Cowboy Killer flourished in New Mexico for 2 years earlier than relocating to Nashville. However he seems to be again on his time there with fondness, saying, “New Mexico, to me, is the place my profession actually took off. It was the coaching grounds for positive. That’s the place I constructed my confidence. It’s the place I discovered tips on how to document. It’s the place I discovered tips on how to collaborate and tips on how to take care of annoying conditions the place there’s weapons, medication and girls within the studio and you bought to take care of it.” 

Three years later, Cowboy Killer simply dropped his first collaboration with Yelawolf and is signed to Wolf’s label, Slumerican.

“Bob Barker,” produced by Yelawolf’s longtime inventive companions DJ Klever and WLPWR, the observe is accompanied by a golf-themed video boasting a cameo from Bam Margera (for the uninitiated, Yelawolf is as a lot an unwell skater as he’s a gifted rapper). “FRFR,” produced by Contemporary Ayr Jelly Roll’s DJ Chill, serves as Cowboy’s first official Slumerican launch.

It’s a small style of what Cowboy Killer has cookin’—but it surely by no means would’ve occurred with out his stint in North Carolina. 

“I went to rehab and graduated highschool in North Carolina,” he explains. “I met a person named Warren and once I moved to Nashville after New Mexico, I ended up linking again with him as a result of he had moved right here. We had been sitting within the automotive—it was a wet day and we’d simply gotten some Japanese meals—and he was telling me he knew [Wolf’s manager] Edward Crowe.

“They met up a pair days later and took a visit right down to Kentucky. He performed my Lengthy Dwell Cowboy album entrance to again. He known as me and was like, ‘Let’s arrange a gathering.’ That assembly changed into me ultimately signing with him as my supervisor. Sooner or later he known as me and was like, ‘Hey, I performed this tune for Wolf. He needs to go to studio proper now.’”

In a nutshell, that’s how Yelawolf works. When given the choice, he’ll usually select to go to the studio.

“He’s a workhorse,” Cowboy Killer says. “We had been simply kindred spirits proper then and there. I noticed a lot of my future in him. I admire Wolf for what he’s achieved for me; taking me on a nationwide tour, placing me on a stage on the Harley-Davidson store in entrance of hundreds of individuals for the primary time […] Like, I’m from the nation, for actual. However I do know Hip-Hop saved my life.”

Regardless of the future holds, Cowboy Killer has solely begun to write down his subsequent chapter—we’re simply fortunate to be alongside for the trip. His newest album, Lure Grass, could be discovered under.