The Hip-Hop landscape is constantly changing with its trend setters and power shifts. Currently, the South has held sway over a lot of the radio plays in the country with Atlanta at the helm. Ca$h Out is a prime example with his hit, “Cashin’ Out.” But he didn’t stop there. As he preps his debut studio album, Patience, Ca$h Out has his eyes set on longevity in the game and making his name big enough for the international stage. Read our interview below with his thoughts on personal growth and his future work.

I wanna talk about the Atlanta Hip-Hop scene right now. It’s on everyone’s radar. Everyone wants to do features and songs with Atlanta artists. I wanted to get your opinion on how you fit into the whole Atlanta scene.

Aw man, I don’t even really fit in; I stand out. You know, there’s only one Ca$h Out-my situation, my theory of standing out being different, holding my own ‘cause there’s a lot of rappers in Atlanta, feel me? You gotta be able to be totally different.

You don’t wanna limit yourself to that Atlanta sound. You just happen to be from Atlanta. So you see yourself as an international star?

Yeah, yeah. I always wanted to be bigger than that whole mixtape thing. You know, I want to be that Kanye, that Jay. Ca$h Out the entrepreneur, big business man… not just an artist, but growing as a business. As far as rapping, you know, that’s everyday, every second, every hour. I’m getting where I’m going.

But at the same time I can definitely see you showing love to your town with the single that you just put out, “Exclusive”, with B.o.B.

Yeah, man, I wanted to be a part of that B.o.B. world. His fan base supports me and my fan base supports him. It’s a great combination. I know how to break a record when I am on the stage you know. It felt like a record that they already knew. Coming up real fast on an independent level, that is what it’s all about. We always riding on that independent side

Absolutely, and I want to bring up one line that you had in “Exclusive” where you say “Sometimes I forget I made it.” Did you mean that you get caught up in how fast your career has taken off, or are you looking back and thinking “I wish things could have gone a different way”?

Aww man, the first thing you said. It all just came so fast. I have to get back to my senses and sometimes I forget. Like there are some places where I shouldn’t be at any more, some places in the hood, but that is just love, because I am still that same old guy.

Was there a turning point for you where you thought you needed to get serious about the music?

My last trial, the jury had given me another chance, and the judge said she couldn’t see me no more. So my last trial, I was like “Damn, this is a wake up call.” I got to get it together

Gotcha, so moving on to your next album, Patience, for someone who has had so much success right out the gate, and then you name your album “Patience”, I feel like that is a real humble move that a lot of artists wouldn’t make until later in their career. What helped you come to that creative decision and look at the bigger picture? Was it a talk with LA Reid or was it looking at other artists?

Definitely looking at other artists. The label knowing that Ca$h Out was so hot, they were ready to put the album out, and I didn’t think I was big enough. I wanted to do those good numbers when you come out the gate. First week’s numbers was under 50,000, 100,000. I felt like my fan base wasn’t big enough for that at the time. Everybody predicted that, when you see the Drakes comin’ out and making numbers because he put in work with “Best I Ever Had,” like damn near a year’s worth of work! You know, when he dropped the album, he knew he was gonna be Gold in a week, 3 times Platinum by the end of the year. So I feel like there is a lot more work for me to put in and LA Reid said to me patience is a virtue. To get to where we at now it took two years. So even though it would’ve taken longer, two years is a long time. You know you have some people that can’t wait so long and just quit. All it took was patience, hard work, and dedication, which is why Patience is the name of the album.

Yeah, and speaking of your it being your time, one of your biggest hits off of It’s My Time, “Cashin’ Out,” still gets love whenever it’s on the radio. Mad artists just went in and freestyled over it and you picked a few artists to do a remix with. But what were your top two or three verses that you thought did the beat justice?

“Cashin’ Out” is like classic man, you got so many people that say they don’t even really like rap like that, but they like it because I made it a fun song at the end of the day. You know, “I’m Cashin out,” so I think it speaks to everybody. That’s why it can relate to the elder people and the children. They like it because the hook is so easy that a kid can sing it. If you have a good hook and beat, you have an anthem. It’s gonna keep the strip clubs going crazy. It’s gonna keep the clubs going crazy. Aww man, but the top two on the remixes, definitely Jeezy and Akon, man. Akon went ham, hyenas. (laughs) And Jeezy, he just came from a street level, which you know, I always appreciate.

After listening to the track, “Sick and Tired,” I wonder if there’s a point when Ca$h Out will be content. Does such a limit exist?

Aww man, when I get Bill Gates money! I just want to be comfortable enough to take care of my family, you know.

Expect Patience to be available later this year in the summer. When asked if it would be for all the outdoor parties and picnics, Ca$h Out laughed and replied, “Yeah, we gonna turn up man!”

Bryan Hahn (@notupstate)