Belly Gang Kushington is gearing up for a significant breakthrough in his music career with the release of his debut album, “The Streets Is Yours,” on Friday.
The 34-year-old artist, who is now signed to Atlanta-based label LVRN (Love Renaissance), has spent the last four years building a steady collection of singles that have garnered local attention.
Kushington has received co-signs from prominent figures in the industry, including NBA superstar Kevin Durant, influential rapper Rod Wave, and Killer Mike, the latter of whom featured Kushington on his 2024 album, “Songs for Sinners & Saints.”
Kushington reflects on this journey, stating, “It definitely made me have to be locked in to the point where I can’t even play about nothing.” He credits his son as his primary motivation in pursuing his musical career.
Ahead of his album release, Kushington spoke with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about his background, his new music, and how he fits into Atlanta’s trap music lineage.
With excitement about his debut album, Kushington expressed, “I’m feeling good. It’s been a long time coming — two years putting this together. It’s my first body of work, so I really feel like this gonna show them I’m here to stay for a long time.”
The album title, “The Streets Is Yours,” signifies his ambition to take over both the streets and the music industry.
Kushington also held his album release party at the Trap Music Museum in Atlanta, a venue that holds personal significance for him.
He stated, “That’s kind of what made me who I am in rap. All the artists that’s there inspired me, so it felt great.”
Born into a challenging family situation, Kushington’s childhood was anything but ordinary. “My mama left when I was born. I never knew her at all. My daddy was in the streets and stuff like that, so my aunties and cousins raised me. We were in the hood, but it wasn’t bad. It was ghetto fabulous,” he describes.
Amidst the hardships, he felt love from his family, saying, “The love I lost on (my mom’s) side tripled on the other side.”
One of the standout tracks on the album, “Sorry Mama,” showcases his personal struggles, particularly his relationship with his mother.
The song samples Eminem’s “Cleanin’ out My Closet,” and Kushington explains, “I wanted to have one on there to tell my story, like that part of my story. I love getting on beats that I grew up on.”
As he continues to navigate his journey, Kushington emphasizes the importance of sharing his truth through music.
In the introduction to the album, listeners hear a voice asking, “Are you Black?” This peculiar inclusion originated from a voice memo he discovered while going through his DMs.
Kushington felt that it was essential to share this with his listeners, stating, “My supporters got a part of this album, too. Or whoever they are — haters, supporters. This is me. I embrace the good, bad and ugly.”
Kushington has encountered questions about his race, often online, but notes that such inquiries rarely happen in person due to his demeanor.
He remarked, “I don’t know if it’s my demeanor or what, but I don’t get checked a lot on that in person. Girls tend to ask for sure, but other than that, not really.”
Reflecting on his music creation process, Kushington aims to convey his personal experiences and perspective on street life.
“I would just want to convey what’s going on in the streets for me. It’s just about my life, and my point of view of taking over the streets,” he explained.
Having experienced street life firsthand, Kushington reveals why he decided to transition into music.
“I always wanted to leave that life. When I became an adult, I didn’t really want to do it no more. At that point, it was just like I had a lifestyle to keep up. I had kids to take care of,” he shared.
Kushington’s manager played a pivotal role in his decision to focus on music. “He was just like, ‘Bro, you gotta stop. You can’t do one foot out, one foot in.’ So I just stopped … I feel a lil bit more purposeful in life now,” he reflected.
Many comparisons have been made between Kushington and hip-hop legends like Jeezy and T.I.
He welcomes these comparisons, stating, “I think it’s fair. I think an artist like me is going to always have a lane because hip-hop pretty much follows what the hood does in real life.”
Despite the similarities, Kushington believes his unique sound will set him apart.
“I don’t necessarily think I sound like them. I think it’s just the closest thing people can compare to,” he said.
With a transformative career path ahead of him, Belly Gang Kushington is certainly an artist to watch in 2025 as he embarks on what promises to be an impactful journey in the music industry.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/2025/04/belly-gang-kushington-makes-strong-case-to-be-atlantas-next-trap-star/
