[Black Fortune](https://www.instagram.com/black_fortune/?hl=en) is a rockstar in his own right, and he’s here to put on for the DMV any chance he can. Carving his own lane blending the sounds of hip-hop, R&B, and rock, the rising star is here to defy all boundaries, giving the rest of the world hope that they too achieve their wildest dreams by remaining true to themselves.
The rapper, creator, artist, and musician explains his sound as “unclear, yet very diverse. I rap, I sing, I do whatever depending on what the type of beat it is. I’d describe it as different, extravagant.”
Most recently, Fortune released his highly-anticipated album titled _OSSHMOB_, tapping in local DMV superstars from Wale to Lil Dude to Goonew. The 11-track project taps into Fortune’s vibrant personality as he celebrates the voices his region has given birth to. Hailing from his own humble beginnings in Landover, Maryland, the Warner Records signee aims to bring his community with him as he rises to the top.
_Flaunt_ caught up with Fortune via Zoom to discuss his roots in Maryland, biggest influences, how he got his name, the meaning behind _OSSHMOB_, shooting “Horror Story,” making his momma proud, love for performing, love for fashion, goals, and more!
**How was it growing up in Landover, Maryland?**
It’s like growing up in any different type of poverty situations. I had 11 brothers and sisters, not that big of a house. We had to figure it out, we had to improvise. Didn’t always have what everybody else did so we had to make happen.
**Biggest influences coming up?**
Biggie Smalls. Ol’ Dirty Bastard. DMX. Tupac. Snoop Dogg. Method Man. Wu-Tang Clan. I was listening to all those types of artists.
**At what point did you realize this music thing was forreal?**
I was in the 5th grade, I had to do a project about volcanoes. I had to rap about volcanoes so I started rapping about platatonics, eruptions, all that types of shit. My shit’s hard, so hard they made me rap it for a couple different classes. I said “okay, I could do this thing.” When I got older, when I turned 12, I found out I could sing. I said “I could rap and sing,” I started recording around that time too.
**How did you learn you could sing?**
I was just speak singing. I was singing along and everybody said “n\*gga, that shit good. You gotta keep singing.” Alright bet, let’s get to it.
**What’s the inspiration behind your name?**
Black Fortune stands for a couple different things. I got an uncle that passed away, his name’s Black. My nickname’s always been Black because I’m black as hell. The Fortune part comes from this guy named Tony Fortune from the DMV, he’s a robber. He used to rob the crap game and I used to do the same thing. My father told me that story, so I took Black Fortune from there. Black is also a lot of different things, I can't get into it right now. Those are the basics.
**Debut album _OSSHMOB_ out now, how are you feeling?**
Feeling good. I did something in the city that I hadn’t done before, get a lot of artists together on a project and be on some unity type shit ‘cause the DMV don’t really have too much of that going on right now. I did that shit, put it together. It’s looking real good for the DMV. We’re getting a good response from the DMV. I’m proud of everything that’s going on, can’t complain.
**What’s the meaning behind the title?**
OSSH is my very own thing. OSSH is my lifestyle, my language, my way of living. What I breathe, eat, sleep, OSSH is something I created. The MOB comes from the DMV, we’re mobbing together. There’s a lot of different artists from the DMV, we’re mobbing together like the Wu-Tang Clan. How the Wu-Tang Clan was, it was a lot of different artists that add their own clout. They joined together and made a big group out of it. I made the project on some Wu-Tang Clan shit, a lot of different artists together to make _OSSHMOB._
**How was linking with XanMan on “New Gucci Garment”?**
It was cool. XanMan’s the homie. We don’t live that far from each other, he’s from the same area I’m from. It wasn’t nothing crazy, he’s a regular G just like me.
**Talk about your love for fashion, your drip.**
Oh yeah I get it in. I love fashion. I love dressing, I love putting that shit on. That’s my thing, rapping and dressing is my favorite thing. That runs in my family. My mother and father are good dressers. My father was always the best dressed in high school, my mother’s still fly to this day.
**You got all the DMV artists on “Horror Story,” what did it mean to bring together your people?**
It meant a lot to me because before I was a poppin’ artist in the city, I always wanted to see that. These up and coming artists like Swipey, Big Flock, Lil Dude were coming up at that time when I was coming up, when I was younger. I wanted to see them do it. I said “what’s it gonna take for all these artists to do a song together?” They never did it so shit, when I had the opportunity to be a mogul in my city, fuck it I’ma put it together. And I can put it together because I have all the connects.
That shit means a lot for me and the DMV, because it’s never really been done before. It’s showing people that we can be together, come together, and have unity. There’s a lot of beef and killing, shit going on in our area. It’s showing motherfucks that you can get busy by any means: protect yourself, protect what’s yours, protect your family. We could all do it together.
**Best memory from the video shoot?**
The best memory happened when everybody was in the studio together, just us. There was no extra people, no extra friends, just the artists in the studio. We’re in there clowning, joking, just doing us. It was a good experience seeing all the different artists. I never seen all of these artists linking with each other like that so seeing all of that come together and all the personalities in one room together was really a cool moment.
**What songs mean the most to you and why?**
“Horror Story” of course means a lot to me. The unity and bringing everybody together, it’s never been done before. That means a lot for me and for the DMV. The song “Sorry Momma” means a lot to me. Talking about growing up, being bad as shit. I know my momma would have wanted me to have a 9 to 5 back in those days, I wasn’t doing it. I was robbing’ people and selling drugs. The lyrics are “Sorry momma I’m a dope boy, I can’t help myself.” I ain’t want no job, I didn’t see myself having no job. I used to rob n\*ggas and make that money, it was fast and easy for me. But now, my mother’s happy in where I’m at right now, with where I’m going.
**What is it you want fans to get from your story?**
No matter where you come from, you could always make different out your situation. I come from a household with a lot of people. 11 brothers and sisters, my daddy wasn’t always there. My mama had to really do it herself. She was a strong mother, she did it all alone for us. I want motherfuckers to know you could do it too. I came from the bottom of the bottom, nobody’s situation is like another situation. Everybody can make it happen, you gotta be willing to do it. Willing to take that long journey.
**How was Rose Fest? I saw you did a backflip into the crowd!**
Oh yeah of course. It was litty. I definitely did my backflip off the stage, performing, going crazy like always. Performing is my extra song suit, it was lit. It was cool to do all that, I enjoyed myself.
**Was that the first concert you did before COVID hit?**
Nah I was performing low key during COVID. \[laughs\] It was the biggest \[show\] I did since COVID.
**3 things you need in the studio?**
My, myself, and I. That’s literally it. I don’t do no drugs, I don’t drink while I’m recording. I like to be in the studio by myself. I don’t like to have people around me. I’m in the studio right now, literally.
**What’s your favorite part of LA?**
I like the culture, they got a cool culture out here. The food is good, tacos on point. The women is fabulous. Their way of life, the gang culture, I like everything about LA. LA’s cool.
**What would you be doing if you weren’t doing music?**
I’d probably still be robbing people or something. I draw too, I used to do murals. I’m real good with the pencil, so maybe murals or fashion. I would’ve made a way for shopping, I probably wouldn’t still be robbing at this age.
**Goals yourself as an artist at this point of your career?**
I want to be the biggest artist that ever came out. Unlike most artists, I can do everything in the book literally. Ain’t no beat I can’t get on. Ain’t no art style I can’t do, perform. Y’all don’t know that yet, we’re gonna make it happen when it makes sense for the people. Y’all will see soon, I want to be the best that ever did it. I will be too.
**Do you have a dream collab?**
Not really. I wouldn’t say a dream collab, but I’d love to work with Lil Wayne. For sure for sure Lil Wayne. I fuck with Thug heavy. Most of the artists are dead or old now, people I’d love to work with.
**What do you like to do for fun?**
When I’m not working, I love to eat. I eat everything. I love to eat snacks, I love candy. I love nature too, I love outside.
**Favorite candy?**
Jolly Ranchers.
**One thing you want fans to get from the project?**
The unity thing for sure. Come together, work with different artists. Don’t be afraid to branch out to go to different areas to link with other people in the neighborhood or in the city. Everybody likes to have their chin up and be like “oh it’s just me, myself, and I.” It ain’t even all about that shit. Step out your comfort zone, go work with other motherfuckers. Build your fanbase. Become a people person, don’t be so stuck into yourself. Go crazy.
**Anything else you want to let us know?**
I got a couple music videos coming out. I got another project coming out really soon, I can’t tell you the name of it. Stay tuned!
