Chicago rapper Hardknock is certainly from that school. Born as Deshaun Carpenter, he grew up on the low end in Lawless Gardens. One of five children and raised by a single mother, HardKnock saw a bit of everything growing up. Splitting his time on the East side in the locally known area better known as Pocket Town, he witnessed all kinds of violence and drug use. In spite of his rough upbringing, HardKnock still has a deep love for his city and would never trade Chicago for anything. He is looking to show that there is more to Chicago than the nickname “Chiraq” and some shootings.

 

HardKnock is still a young man, only 25 years old, yet he has been through a lot. Not only is he coming out of 1 year in prison, but he has also had to deal with the deaths of many love ones over the last 5 years including his mother just in the last year. While incarcerated he wrote over 150 songs to express and overcome his hardships. Now staying out of trouble, HardKnock is ready to focus on his music. A lot of his music has been well received and with his affiliation with Boonie Boys and Business Over Pleasure Music Group, HardKnock is primed to blow. He is ready to get it by any means.

 

He started out as a rapper thanks to Jay Z, hints his name, and was inspired by other emcees like Beanie Sigel, Jadakiss, Bump J, Cassidy, and Fabulous, who he feels he is most like. Most of the rappers in Chicago tend to fall in the categories of Bop or Drill, but HardKnock is a versatile MC more focused on lyricism, though still influenced by the streets. He would love to work with his influences along with Future, Drake, Scarface, Timbaland, Mannie Fresh, Dr. Dre, Swizz Beats and hometown native No ID. HardKnock, along with being influenced by the streets, is also shaped by not having a father and dealing with his mother’s addictions. With aspirations to provide a home for his grandmother, invest in the city of Chicago, and follow the advice that she gave him to always move higher in life, HardKnock is bound to be a name you recognize.

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