Fendi P: From Corner Boy to Jet Life Luminary

In an interview with Gas and Meana on The No Rap Cap Podcast, Fendi P recounts his journey from foster care to finding his voice in a city that often overlooks its own.

Fendi P, the Jet Life Recordings artist, has a story that resonates with the struggle and triumph of hip hop itself. Born and raised in New Orleans, his path to success wasn't paved with privilege or connections. Instead, it was forged in the streets, in the foster care system, and in the studio, where he honed his skills and found his voice.

Fendi P's story begins in the heart of New Orleans, where he was born and raised. His early life was marked by instability, growing up in foster care and later being adopted. This experience instilled in him a resilience and determination that would shape his approach to music and life.

"It just comes from being outside, you know what I'm saying, just hanging around older guys, seeing what was going on in the hood," Fendi P said. "The way I grew up, you were either going to fall victim to it or you were going to overcome it. You're a product of your environment."

As a youth, Fendi P was known as Corner Boy P, a nickname that reflected his time spent on the streets and the lessons he learned there. He was a young man with a mature demeanor, navigating the challenges of his environment and finding his own way.

Music became an outlet for Fendi P, a way to express himself and connect with others. He was influenced by his brother, who made him rap tapes, and by the raw sounds of artists like Ghetto Twins. These early influences ignited a passion for music that would lead him to pursue a career as a rapper.

"Music is different. It feels different," Fendi P said. "My brother used to make me tapes. The first record that I ever found on my own was Ghetto Twins. Ghetto Twins, yeah. They were the hardest ever."

Fendi P's work ethic was evident from a young age. He worked at a car wash owned by Mousa, who would later become his manager. It was through this connection that he met Fiend, the founder of Jet Life Recordings.

Fiend saw potential in Fendi P and invited him to join the Jet Life family. This opportunity provided Fendi P with a platform to showcase his talent and grow as an artist. He learned the ropes of the music industry, working alongside Fiend and other artists in the studio.

"They said I looked like a rapper, so they put me in," Fendi P said. "I was on the road with Fiend. The way I dressed, they were like, 'Now you look like a rapper.' I'm like, 'Whatever, what you write, I rap it.' But when we got in the studio, he was like, 'Write whatever you want to write.'"

Fendi P's music is a reflection of his life experiences and his observations of the world around him. He raps about the streets, about the struggles and triumphs of his community, and about the importance of authenticity.

In a music industry often obsessed with trends and short-lived fame, Fendi P stands out as a voice of substance. He believes in chasing art over clout or money, a philosophy that has guided his career.

"I always felt like you stay down and you come up and you chase the art, the art is going to take care of you," Fendi P said. "If you chase the clout, you're going to be doing some other stuff. You chase the money doing some other stuff just to get money. If you chase the art, it's going to put you wherever your destiny wants you to be."

This dedication to his craft led him to a significant collaboration with Lil Wayne on the track "With My Left." Fendi P described the experience with a mix of excitement and reflection.

"I thought that was it," Fendi P said of the collaboration. "You can't tell me nothing. That's what I seen, I seen guys get a verse with Wayne and they do what they do. So when I got the record, I got the record so cold. We were on tour, and Mousa was like, 'He's going to get Wayne on the record.'"

The collaboration came together organically, with Fendi P recording the track while on tour and Mousa securing the Lil Wayne feature. Despite the excitement surrounding the track, Fendi P faced challenges getting radio play, highlighting the difficulties independent artists face in breaking through the industry's barriers.

Fendi P's views on the New Orleans music scene are both critical and hopeful. He sees a city with immense talent but a lack of support for local artists. He critiques the prevalence of short-lived trends and the lack of investment in building a sustainable music industry.

"New Orleans, there's too many rappers here. You got to be popping for them to be like it's lit," Fendi P said. "That's our biggest problem in New Orleans."

However, Fendi P also sees potential for change. He believes that the city needs to invest in its artists, providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed. He envisions a New Orleans where music is not just a form of entertainment but a thriving industry that benefits the entire community.

"We need a face. We don't have a radio because the people that were in power didn't step down and let the newer people be the face," Fendi P said. "You got to touch the people. You don't know who you might have saw in that club. You see somebody and you're like, 'Damn, I like that person. Let's bring him to the radio station. Let's give them the guidance.'"

Fendi P's message of authenticity is particularly relevant in today's music landscape. He encourages artists to stay true to themselves, to resist the pressure to conform to trends, and to create music that reflects their unique experiences and perspectives.