American faith-driven rapper Steven Malcolm is riding high following the release of his ‘All Is True’ EP. He tells VIPER all about his favourite mixtape of all time…

What’s your favourite mixtape ever?

My favourite mixtape ever would be Lil Wayne’s ‘Dedication 3’!! I don’t think there will ever be another mixtape as great as this one.

Why is it so significant to you?

It’s significant to me because I think it is the pinnacle of rapping. Lil Wayne coined himself as the greatest rapper alive in this era, and he proved it with the consistency of mixtapes and punchlines and bars!!!! Literally moulded my high school life [laughs].

Were there any artists or producers that you discovered through this tape?

DJ Drama, 2 Chainz and that’s about it.

Where exactly were you when you heard the mixtape for the first time?

I was playing basketball at the YMCA [laughs], crazy that I can remember that.

Did it come into your life at a significant time?

It didn’t come into my life at a significant time but I would say high school years are very significant in anyone’s life. It helps mould them mentally and physically.

How did the mixtape cover make you feel?

Inspired, it’s very artistic. It’s a sketch like cartoon picture, I actually repainted it on a canvas my senior year in high school  [laughs].

Describe the mixtape in three words?

Best Rapper Alive.

What song is your personal favourite?

‘Upgrade You’!!! He remixed Beyoncé’s record and every single bar is amazing.

If you could put a price on this mixtape, how much would you pay?

It’s priceless.

Did you have a physical copy?

Nah jus a DatPiff download [laughs]. 

No? Which is your favourite that you have a physical copy of?

The first physical CD I ever bought was Lil Wayne’s ‘Block Is Hot’.