Open Space: Wiki | Mass Appeal

Why does Wiki rap? "I do it because I love to do this shit," the renowned New York MC explained during a recent visit to MASS APPEAL HQ. "But I also do it because it's all I know how to do. Straight up." Expounding on what he describes as a "real need" to rap, Wiki admits that "if I didn't do this, I don't know what the fuck I would do... That's lucky as fuck!"
Six years after emerging as the cornerstone of New York's Sporting Life clique, Wiki released his acclaimed yet still under-rated debut album 'No Mountains in Manhattan.' The title is drawn from the 1973 Martin Scorsese film 'Mean Streets.' Wiki wrote the phrase down years ago after watching the film (which was released 20 years before his birth) on an airplane. In the scene where Harvey Keitel's mobster character Charlie Cappa explains to his girlfriend Teresa Ronchelli that he likes the mountains, she replies that "There's no mountains in Manhattan."
"Once I heard that, I was like, whoah," Wiki recalls. "That shit's hard! I'd never seen no shit where they go deeper into that." Wiki's choice of title reflects the fact that the album is both his love letter to the city and also a deeply personal work.
"Any story that takes place in the city, any movie you see that's filmed in the city, the city's important," Wiki remarks. "The city plays a role in the movie, or else they wouldn't shoot it there. I feel like that's why [this album is] so New York…. When I make music I think about people in New York. It's not that I want to have all these New York references, but I want it to speak to them. I want them to be able to relate to that."
Adding to the album's essential New York-ness is Ghostface Killah's guest verse on the track "Made For This," a tremendous point of pride for Wiki. "Having Ghost on the record and shit, that was like a dream come true," he explains. "Wu was such a big influence on me. As long as I get some shit with Wu, I'm good. I don't give a fuck." He also counts Dipset as a major influence. "A lot of people don't hear it cause my voice," says Wiki. "I be using so many Cam flows and all types of Dipset flows." He says the Harlem crew made a strong impression on him because of their authenticity. "Juelz and Jimmy and Cam-they were brothers. That was real. That's why I fuck with that," he says. "This is from Harlem, these kids came up together. That authenticity and that realness is always what comes across in hip hop. It's not, 'Oh this is fabricated.' At all."
Check out our latest episode of Open Space and you may say the same about Wiki.
Subscribe to Mass Appeal here:
goo.gl/LqG3wZ
-------------Mass Appeal-------------
Website: massappeal.com
Twitter: / massappeal
Instagram: / massappeal
Facebook: / massappeal
What started as a humble graffiti 'zine in 1996 would soon grow to be one of the most trusted outlets for youth-spawned urban culture. Today, Mass Appeal is a media collective led by authentic voices and inspired minds. We are a platform for radical creatives who are transforming culture.

[@xylemtube]

RATKING NEVER LOSIN HYPE

[@guerillawhite3083]

they kinda did tho

[@nokiamobileusofficial]

Why are y’all so worried about his teeth.

[@madvillain20091]

No Mountains In Manhattan was a fire ass album from beginning to end.

[@massappeal]

big shout out to wiki for coming thru to the office... what's everyones favorite track off "no mountains in manhattan?"

[@wruwithtilde]

nutcrackers, made for this, chinatown swing, mayor are all faves

[@MalikCM]

Nutcrackers

[@buhbuhraydudley22]

NMIM/Leppy Coqui

[@Smitty101y]

Pretty Bull

[@blvkopvl5979]

Jalo

[@HipHopBeatSource]

That Droog x Wiki project was dope.

[@MegaStansfield]

New York hip hop is where timberlands and adult-palm sized rats go to cypher about ridesharing and pizza

[@cstarcrusher]

wiki is fire af, and if you haven't heard of his group secret circle with ugly mane and antwon y'all need to peep 🔥

[@predwards8941]

I like wiki a lot. Him and Da$h are some of my favorite younger artists from the jersey and NYC area

[@changedmynamemodsrhappynow7443]

Wiki is so underrated.

[@rookietrucker5114]

Nobody underrates him. Those who know, know

[@skruzelusie2618]

Shout to #MassAppeal for always coming thru for True Heads. Gules_FD #JooklynZuYawk

[@osirisosiris4955]

WIKI is such a dope MC...love this fools material

[@CanYouS33]

Where’s that new Ratking though...

[@thexmahdi47xpnw70]

Herson Alfaro ratking hasn’t been a thing for a minute wiki been going solo maybe later on we get some content from em together

[@SjAragon33]

One of the greatest out

[@rileybruner3151]

Rufio Spenz real recognize real

[@JordanGordon-Naish]

Oh shhh it's Wiki doo!

[@CarlosHernandez-rl2wg]

Great interview for a great artist

[@therenaissance415]

Him and Asap Nast on a track would be nice!

[@nahalominier7498]

The Renaissance facts why no one ever thought of that 🤔

[@roenalaurice]

Wiki is dope

[@wav.yliving]

LEGEND

[@jenniferj.5209]

He Reminds me of Roach from Next Friday🤣

[@deadlotuses]

PASTOR PAT UNFUCKWITHABLE

[@realgeekmonster5758]

Wiki is the best yo like fuck a jay crutch or a 69 he deserves way more coverage he’s too fucking underrated

[@paingalore4l922]

Crackhead beer 😭 s/o wiki tho💫

[@STEVEWONDA1976]

Not as crackhead as Natty Ice or Natty Daddy, but I hear ya.

[@Max-zh5ou]

This dude is always drinking

[@dylanh1438]

Coors banquet ain’t crackhead beer... try a fuckin 30 rack of hamms or boxer my guy

[@GoldenPuppy1O1]

WIKIIII

[@RTDon]

Knew Yourke

[@website3000]

Gaten matarazzo in 20 years

[@hendrix7571]

The fuckinn man

[@shadowaccount]

Is he still livin wit his moms?

[@RealTrachta]

I think he was living with his girl

[@Nomorehats]

S.o 348

[@jaybyze]

Wik a real one.

[@craigmetke]

good draft

[@sardinejuice3866]

👌🔥 ayyyy

[@mattblank8041]

dope interview

[@tweakingandgeekinoff5044]

AYYYEE WIK!

[@blakewilson480]

A king

[@isaiahmoseley5503]

Bout time

[@francisfrougfrogs9307]

Crazzzy!!

[@lordkuso2710]

Finally

[@wetnewports]

yerrrr

[@gens0kyo]

Huh

[@manuellopes6845]

i dont get it, wiki is not broke like he used to be, why doesnt he get is teeth fixed, no disrespect tho

[@theman7088]

Manuel lopes issa a look. I wouldn't wit it but its def. A signature look. Mf know who that dude is when he pulls up. No doubt

[@Dave....]

Manuel lopes His gf is bad af with a fat ass. I don't think it really matters lol.

[@manuellopes6845]

Dave hahaha ok

[@manuellopes6845]

ok that's reasonable

[@Dave....]

Manuel lopes yeah I think he's just super comfortable with himself and females take notice of that.

[@harryallen7543]

Wiki need to get his teeth fixed.

[@blvkopvl5979]

he got em punched out, probably just doesn't want to fuck with fake teeth.

[@blakewilson480]

NOOOO its iconic

[@wmcroy3306]

Harry Allen You gonna pay for his shit to get fix dumbass