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Hailing from the Wynnefield section of West Philadelphia, Pate and his partner Reez joined forces to create Space High Music, an entity that works its way into all aspects of entertainment, media and style. Up and coming artists, fashion and production are just several of the undertakings of this company which plans to storm the scene.

Most recently, Pate was featured in Marc Ecko’s Complex magazine in a short list of ten of the biggest names to watch out for coming from the Philly hip-hop community. It was our pleasure to speak with Pate and learn about his continuing journey.

For more from Pate, visit: Space High Music

I’d assume my childhood was the same as in other inner city youth across America–chillin’ with the homies, chasing girls, not trying to work, skipping school from time to time, playing ball–all that good stuff, a lot of good memories.

The first CDs I ever bought were actually 3 at the same time in 2001. I bought Philly’s Most Wanted’s “Get down or Lay down”, Carl Thomas’ “Emotional” and Beanie Sigel’s “The Reason.” This was my first time actually purchasing music.

I’m real critical of my own work, so I’m always listening to my own music to see what I can do better. I listen to Drake and Kendrick Lamar a lot. I am a big Rick Ross fan, Meek (Mill), and a lot of 60′s, 70′s & 80′s R&B: The Temptations and Blue Magic…stuff like that.

My partner Reez actually started SpaceHigh. He had the name in place…started out as a production company ’cause he makes beats. We met a little down the line through a mutual friend, and we started to work together. We built a good chemistry, so we put our money together, grabbed all our own equipment, and decided to do things our way instead of paying somebody else to do it. Learned how to do everything in house. Now SpaceHigh is everything. You can’t just put it in a box.

I probably got started how everybody gets started when it comes to rapping–just messing around with it, free-styling off of instrumentals with friends…People felt I was pretty good at it, so I stuck with it.

When I first started, it was a bunch of us–probably 8 or 9–but only a few stuck with it. So here I am.

I know artists that record in the best studios with the best equipment but are garbage, in my opinion, and they have a terrible work ethic.

I think you get noticed by the work you put in and a little bit of luck–being in the right place at the right time–things like that. The market being flooded does make things difficult to be heard because nowadays everybody raps. And I know, personally, I don’t even give a lot of stuff a chance, so I understand it.. You just gotta be relentless and work hard.

I’m influenced by a lot of late 90′s Philly underground hip-hop. I was a big Beanie Sigel and Major Figga fan, I listened to a lot of Wu-tang, Mase, and Jay-z. I do my own thing for the most part, but I find I have bits and pieces of these acts in my style.

There are definitely a lot of guys in the industry that I feel should be way bigger then what they are if we based things off of the music alone. But these days, you have to be the total package. Image is just as important as the music; most times more important.

I definitely think it’s a good sign for independent acts. Young creativity is refreshing, so it’s needed. There are a lot of young acts I like and a lot of older acts I like. I don’t think it’s a passing fad. But who knows?

I choose a topic and just rap about it. Sometimes the beat has a sound like a certain topic should be addressed on that beat. I think, for certain, I put a lot in a verse. Sometimes it may take me a couple days just to write a verse. Sometimes I can write 2 – 3 songs in one day. It just depends on if I’m feeling inspired at the time or not.

As far as performing goes I just try to get on stage and have fun; not really think too much, just do what ever comes naturally. That has been working for me so far.

That article (in Complex) definitely took me by surprise! It’s a great look and I’m thankful to be on it. It’s motivating knowing that people are really actually tuning in and following what’s going on. Since the article I’ve gained a couple more followers on Twitter and I’ve been getting some random emails about features and a lot of producers have been sending me beats. I’m starting to actually feel like a rapper (laughs). I’m not mad at that at all!

There is no back story to my name, it’s just a shortened version of my real name. I never really sat down and tried to come up with a “rap name.” I always thought that was corny–not to knock what anybody else does–just not my thing. If I didn’t go by Pate, I’d probably just go by my full gov’t name.

Currently, I’m working on a Features & Freestyles tape. I haven’t come up with a name yet, but it’s basically something I’m putting out there for people who are just catching on, and people who have been rocking wit me since day 1. It contains all my features I’ve done with other artists, freestyles I’ve done in the last year, and a couple unreleased songs that didn’t make the final TTM2 cut. After that, I’m planning on dropping an EP with a shit-load of visuals and random music in between. I’m just trying to stay busy and keep things rolling.

(You can find more from PATE on his website SpaceHighMusic.com, Download his album “Take off in T-Minus 2″ here, and Follow him on Twitter @SpaceHighPate)

–Interview by Alex Gross–