Exclusive Interview: Meet – Topdown – One Of Tennessee’s Youngest In The Game Representing Strong

Caleb N. Rudd | Topdown | 19 | Nashville, Tennessee

Q.) What is your stage name/stage name?

A.) “My government is Caleb Rudd, but my artist name is ‘Topdown’.“

Q.) Where are you located?

A.) “Currently.., I am located in Nashville, TN. Antioch specifically.“

Q.) What is the meaning behind your name?

A.) “So ‘Topdown’ (always spelt as one word) itself is an oxymoron. As in it’s a word that contradicts itself. And really as a whole, that’s what Topdown represents and embodies, contradiction. I’ve always described it/myself as both the observer and the observed. It’s actually a funny story before I had a stage name and first started playing with the ideas of how I wanted to go about it all, that name was an idea for a character that I wanted to do for a project, but as time grew it became so much more. And I realized that so much of what it could be was beyond perfect and ever since that’s what I’ve gone by for music.“

Q.) What got you into music?

A.) “Music as long as I can remember music has always been a part of my essence. As a little kid, I used to always sing and replay songs over and over. I (from what I can remember) have always fixated on sounds and music to me speaks on a level that I am honestly surprised we even can comprehend. I’d been exposed to music throughout most periods classical-contemporary. And in middle school, I had started teaching myself piano on this electric keyboard that was in the house no one ever used. And through years of slowly teaching myself through ear and youtube tutorials, I began messing around and making my small pieces. And from there it all kinda perpetually just developed and flourished.“

Q.) What type of music do you make?

A.) “So that’s actually a tricky question, I am still kinda figuring that all out. If I had to put it into layman’s terms: I make a myriad of different evolving styles of rap/alternative hip-hop with elements of jazz, classical, and rock. The surface description is this thing of mixing the conscious (if that’s what it’s labeled) and the hype. Lyrics are the main part, but I too understand you can write the most profound thing in the world, but if it doesn’t draw you in sonically you’ll dismiss it, so it’s about that equal balance of making music you want to listen to but staying true to me and I believe that niche’ should exist. I don’t expect everyone on the planet to enjoy it, and it’s not background music, the stuff radios, the grammys, etc love to pedestal. It’s real. I guess that’s truly the best way to describe it.“

Q.) How long have you been doing music?

A.) “In the serious manner as I am now, since September of 2022. But I started really playing around with rap/hip hop in October of 2021. But back then a lot of it was still trying to figure the basic building blocks of ‘Topdown’.“

Q.) What are you making music for?

A.) “I mean I feel there could be a myriad of answers to that question. As much as I want to say it’s to make something to relate to people, or put out the greatest writing/music I can, etc. I make music for myself really at the core of it. It’s my therapy and the truest way to express myself, my thoughts, my world. It never has been about money, fame, any of that. Now I would be a liar to say those aren’t welcome and a dream goal to add on, but honestly even if I was the last person on the planet, I would still make music. That’s how important it is to me.“

Q.) What’s driving you?

A.) “Perfectionism. Now I’ve been trying to not be as hard on myself. Music is not a test, I understand that, but I do believe in perfecting things to your own standard. I believe in improving by what you value most in that time, rather it be vocals, lyrics, production, all and above. I suppose I want to make something that lasts. Especially nowadays, music/art is a consumable. To be taken in and then moved on to the next. Even sometimes I find myself guilty and give into it. It’s like when you watch/listen to something and you think “it was good, it’s mid, or I don’t like it,” and then you just move on. We live where you can live off pumping out works to varying quality, and while I understand the mindset of the “grind” I think the worst thing a piece of work can be is mediocre, passionless. Even things that are god awful usually have an intent of passion. Art should move you, make you feel something, anything. So what drives me is to always make work that has passion and care for itself, to not fade in with the endless pits of content and mediocrity. And partly that comes with wanting to surpass your idols. I believe there is always a part of an artist that wants to outdo those that inspired him.“

Q.) Who are your biggest supporters?

A.) “I really have a lot of great friends, family and supporters and I hate to leave any out but honestly three people from the very beginning have contributed so much to my growth. First is the one who really pushed me into doing rap. My best friend Aiden. He saw something in me that I didn’t and pushed me out of my shell and my head and got me to try something that I feel beyond in love with. Second is another close childhood friend Corbin. I would always send him ideas I had and ask for his thoughts, and he was always there to just listen to me,and so much of my life I was never able to really open up, I figured maybe no one could care, but Corbin everyday gave me that reassurance he was alway there. And finally is my cousin Brooklyn. She more than anyone gives me confidence in who I am. She is just one of the nicest, realest people you’ll ever find. I was myself around her and I never fear judgment, or worry I’ll be shunned. Honestly I love her to death and I will alway consider her my greatest fan. Those are the main three if I had to be candid.“

Q.) Do you want a record deal,a distribution deal, or none?

A.) “Yes and no. On one hand I am aware of how predatory the music industry can be. Especially the rap scene. But too, I don’t know or really care about the business side of this to be independent. I understand that comes with that to be successful and independent, especially nowadays. So yes, I would like to be signed, but I understand the rarity of a record label that prioritizes the art side of it, when this is a business. Sadly, music is a product nowadays and so are you as a person in the music industry’s eyes.“

Q.) What is it like to work with you?

A.) “My biggest thing with working with me is and I really can’t emphasize and stress it enough, but you’ve got to be 100%. For me music is everything. Each song no matter what there is passion behind it, a connection. And if you’re not serious about that connection, or you treat music like a product then I just can’t work with you. That’s my core rule.“

Q.) Who are some features/artists you want to get/work with?

A.) “Ok, so off the top of my head to get them out of the way, Chris Patrick, Saba, Jid, Tierra Whack, YGTUT, Terrell Hines, Westside Boogie, Vince Staples, Isaiah Rashad (Tennessee, gotta represent), Method Man, Tylerthe Creator, Alexandre Desplat, Travis Scott, Lalah Hathaway, ChildishGambino, Anderson PaakDenzel Curry, Joey Badass, J,Cole. Now my biggest feature or really just any collaboration would be Kendrick, without a doubt.“

Q.) If you could work with any dead artist who would it be?

A.) “Ok so I’ve always said if I could go back in time I want to work with Marvin Gaye, Prodigy, or Mozart. Those are my peak three. And if you could throw them in when they were together, The Eagles.“

Q.) Is there anybody else you want to shout out for any reason?

A.) “Yeah, shout out to KidXKold, JamesWier, Dino, EgoSlave, Colt Baker, At Most Fears, Mama/Mood Open Mic, and Dr. SPLL. These people are fellow artists who have really meant a lot to me, shout out to all of them.“

Q.) What are you currently working on?

A.) “Right now I am working on a conceptual Ep I have been putting together. Along with another future, project and some side projects. So kind of a lot, but I love it honestly. So many amazing things are coming this year, I’m very excited.“

Q.) What is your latest release?

A.) “My latest release is my single, “Hughe’s Haze”. There is also a music video that I just released for it, filmed and edited by Ego Slave. Beyond proud of

both of those.“

Q.) What is your next release?

A.) “My next release is a double drop of two singles, one titled, “But it’s Love” and the other one has yet to be decided, but I will say it’s in collaboration with another artist. That will be here soon, early March.“

Q.) What is your favorite album?

A.) “Honestly, sonically it has to be Untitled Unmastered. There is something just so special about it, but I could go on for hours about it.“

Q.) Strongest asset?

A.) “Writing. I started writing in highschool. I had since middle school been interested in philosophy, psychology, etc. But I had never really been able to put my thoughts out in a way that felt me. That was until I came across a poem titled, “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelly. It changed my life. From then I started writing poetry, for about three years until I transitioned into what I am doing now. I don’t know if it’s from talent, skill, both, or whatever, but as much as I believe in humbling oneself, my writing is very strong and honestly I do think and notice a lot goes over people’s heads.“

Q.) Is there any last thing you want to say?

A) “Yeah.., so I’m going to be blunt about it all, I know I am almost really nobody right now when it comes to the music scene. And I don’t fit in really with the trending ect, but I just want to say that I’m at times taken over by music. All I strive for at the end of it all is to create something you can live with. Something you can play whenever you’re sad, happy,angry, going through something. And if that sounds appealing and you want to stick around to see where it goes, I hope you do and I promise I will alway be putting my best and realest self. Thank you to everyone out there that supports me, my family, friends, fans, even haters and naysayers. I love you all truly and thank you for everything. It’s a long road, but I’m beyond grateful to have you all alongside me. Topdown forever, spread the sound.“