Don Toliver Praises Travis Scott & Cactus Jack: "[We] Uplift Each Other"

BY Erika Marie 3.1K Views
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Don Toliver
Don Toliver cruised by "Sway in the Morning" to talk about his forthcoming album "Heaven or Hell" and what it's been like hustling up the rap career ladder.

He's worked hard to get to where he is, but Don Toliver certainly hasn't reached the goal of where he wants to be. The rapper is an artist to watch on the hip hop scene and recently his acclaimed collaboration with the JackBoys earned him even more recognition. Next, Toliver will be releasing his anticipated project Heaven or Hell that's expected to drop March 13 so he chatted with Sway Calloway about his career.

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Don Toliver revisited those stories from his past as an artist traveling from city to city in an effort to get his music heard by anyone with influence. Toliver revealed that years ago he was even able to slide his CD Sway's way when they happened to have met in Houston. Toliver shared that his main goal was to get his music out and unlike many others, he really didn't think through making millions or stacking his bank account. He just wanted to get away from the street life and be a respected artist.

The rapper also talked about initially knowing Travis Scott by name and reputation but said he didn't officially meet the Astroworld artist until 2017. "I was [nervous]," Toliver admitted. "He was my idol. He's from Houston, all that. It was probably the most nervous I've ever been in my life, to be honest. He was just real. It was just crazy to me. At that point, I was already signed on my own thing, whatever, but I still didn't believe the stuff that I was like, really trying to achieve was happening the way it was happening."

Toliver added that not only does Travis give him advice, but the whole Cactus Jack team keeps each other in check. "We are a collective here to uplift each other," he said. "We all kinda give each other advice, pointers, and Travis for sure is very hands-on when it comes to creative direction. Like, ideas I might have." Check out what else Don Toliver had to say about Heaven or Hell and his come up in the industry below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.