Baby T Talks About The Island Trip That Inspired His New Album “40” & More
Intro:
Baby T just dropped his new album “40” this weekend, as we’ve also just interviewed him in today’s article about the release. The Michigan-born rapper is currently based in Chicago, but pulls from a wide away of pure Hip-Hop influences. You may even recognize Baby T from his impressive performance history, consisting of shows with veteran acts like Bone Thugs-N-Harmony & the late Nipsey Hussle. We also got the chance to review the album’s lead single, “Things About To Change,” a few weeks ago! Before reading our brief conversation, make sure you check out this new album below.
Me: To start things off, how would you describe your creative process while making your new project “40”?
Baby T: The creative process for this album was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I actually started writing right after I dropped my last project, Prodigal Son, in 2023–2024. Then I hit a creative dry spell for a while, until I took a personal trip to Jamaica in 2025 — what I like to call my “disconnect and reconnect” vacation.
While I was there, the inspiration came back heavy. I ended up writing three songs on the island — Old Soul, Sketch Pad, and Things About to Change. When I got home, I locked in and finished recording the rest of the album in just two weeks. The whole experience was amazing. Jamaica really gave me the reset I needed — so thank you, Jamaica!
Sometimes it takes a fresh new experience to reclaim that creative spark! Did you draw inspiration from any specific artists and/or genres?
The inspiration for this album was pretty simple. Outside of “Things About to Change” (which was inspired by the great KRS-One and his version of the song years ago), I drew a lot from Magic 3 by Nas and Distant Relatives by Nas and Damian Marley. Those three artists and albums became my study guides, my blueprint, and my canvas for how I wanted to approach this project. At the end of the day, it’s pure HIP-HOP!
Awesome! And, how would you describe your current style in your own words?
My style has definitely evolved over the years. The older I get, the more my approach to music changes. I’m no longer focused on chasing hits or making club records just to chase success — now I want to create music that feeds my soul. That’s where my style, “Hip-Hop / Soul,” comes from.
“Hip-Hop / Soul” is pure hip-hop with a touch of soul. That soul influence comes straight from my mother. Growing up, every Saturday morning she’d play music while we cleaned the house, and I fell in love with the sound and the feeling that poured out of those speakers. That’s exactly what I want my music to do — resonate with people the way those songs resonated with me.
What kinds of core themes or messages do you hope listeners take away after a full listen to the album?
With this album, I wanted to tackle all kinds of themes, messages, and concepts. My goal was for listeners to find meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in the music. I want people to walk away from this project feeling inspired — and falling in love with hip-hop all over again. At the end of the day, it’s about expressing your voice and being heard.
And in addition, what was the most challenging part during the creative process?
Balancing my personal work schedule with my artist schedule hasn’t been easy. As a full-time sports mixer, my days are already long and packed with travel. There were times I’d spend 12–13 hours working on a game, then come home and put in another 6 or 7 hours on the album. It’s been exhausting, but worth it. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I need to catch up on some sleep right now!
Where does your stage name originate from? Has it ever changed over time?
This is actually a funny story. My friends and I started getting into music back when Cash Money and the Hot Boys were the biggest thing out. Everybody knew I wanted to make beats, but the truth was — I didn’t know how. So that summer, I locked myself in the house and studied as much as I could. This was during the dial-up internet days, so you can imagine how crazy that was!
At the time, we all thought Baby was the one making the beats — but it turned out it was really Mannie Fresh. Still, the name stuck, and I just added the “T,” which is my middle initial. And that’s how Baby T was born.
Any upcoming releases or plans that you're comfortable sharing with the readers?
There will definitely be a deluxe version of the album coming, and it’ll feature brand-new songs and music videos. I’ve also been nominated for three World Entertainment Awards in 2026, and the album has officially been submitted for GRAMMY consideration. I’m truly excited about the future and everything that’s ahead!
Excellent! And finally, in your own words, why should a new listener check out this new album, “40,” today?
Listen to "40" because you need a reset, listen because you're tired of the norm, listen because you want to remember what REAL MUSIC feels like and sounds like.
Listen because I told you to LOL!
