Artist 5ive ft Giant, a play on his height (5’2), may be short in stature, but stands tall with his music and lyrics. Having overcome so many obstacles and barrier in his life, he’s used those life lessons and experiences as a catalyst for his music and lyrics. 5ive got started with his career in Knoxville, TN where rappers weren’t really prominent or thriving, and meeting people that supported his music provided him opportunities to present his music to the masses.
In his own words, 5ive ft Giant shares that “If it ain’t soulful, I ain’t playing with it.” Not only does he rap, he also manages his label, Day 1 Music Group, and has collaborated with prominent names in the industry, and his music has been featured in Half Past Dead, Steven Segal’s film Urban Justice, Paris Hilton’s film Into the Darkness, and Netflix’s The Last Summer.
In his latest and single and music video for “Let’s Dance,” the song is about spending quality time with your significant other, friend, loved one, whoever is special to you. The music video features all of the characters in real-time, participating in the new norm by wearing masks when they go out and “keeping their social gatherings intimate…very intimate.” (Hip Video Promo) 5ive ft Giant had his close friends and family participate in the video, and his wife is the primary inspiration for most of his lyrics and music, as she is his muse. This video is a reminder to stay in sync with your partner, or generate that spark with your significant other.
Can you share with us the origin of your artist name?
5ive ft Giant: Well, 5ive comes from my height being that I’m 5,2 and it became a nickname. Soon I was using it in songs, rhymes school, etc. Being short never was an obstacle for me but actually the opposite I always went harder than my taller peers with a freakish like strength and never quit, lose, or except that I can’t do what I set my mind to, THE GIANT was born.
You hail from Knoxville, TN (I’m from Tennessee too!) and found it difficult to find a similar, supportive niche for rappers like yourself. How did you push through, and what have you learned from it?
5ive ft Giant: I pushed through by knowing that I was meant to do this and going against the grain has always been exercise for me; that’s the GIANT in me. I use my gift to teach, build, and inspire. Enough destruction has come from music, spiritually I’m driven to help put love back into hip-hop. GOD gave this gift & mission so I can’t stop.
Being positive is something that’s constant in your music and lifestyle, and is very important to you. How do you keep your positivity with your music and life during challenging times?
5ive ft Giant: It’s my faith, I really can’t credit my physical or mental abilities. I know that GOD has us all on our own journeys for reasons we might not understand but I trust and believe in His will so I embrace the tough times with the good ones and remain thankful.
You also manage artists on your record label, Day 1 Music Group, along with focusing on your music career. How do you balance both effectively?
5ive ft Giant: Relentless hard work, a lot of focus and prayer, I miss a lot of sleep but I love what I do and managing my time can be difficult so I separate and plan to get goals accomplished. I always felt like an RnB soulful singer inside so switching his projects and back to mine that part feels kinda natural.
“Let’s Dance” is the perfect video made for these “social distancing” times and the pandemic. What was filming the video like for you, and your close friends and family?
5ive ft Giant: A good time and pretty easy besides being in the heat we enjoyed the shoot.
We didn’t really have extras around so it wasn’t hard to stay safe and the kids really liked seeing themselves on a video.
