Renagade – “Hard Times”
After spending almost the first decade of his adulthood incarcerated, Walter Taylor aka Renagade has returned with more skills and a deeper understanding of himself. Born Sept 4th, 1985 in Minneapolis, MN he spent most of his childhood growing up around the twin cities area. Renagade discovered his love for rapping around the age 8-9 when his uncle had brought him and his brother to valley fair. There in a recording booth, Renagade did his first rap to a beat “I got the power” by Snap. That is when he realized his talent and seen where he wanted to be later in life.
A few years later he and his family relocated to Atlanta GA where he became friends with lil Zane. This is when his passion for music grew much deeper. After only residing in ATL for two years, his family moved back to Minnesota this time settling down in Duluth. Such a small place it was Duluth seemed to help his talent shine. At the age 15, Renagade started getting in the studio more and more than hosting on the local nightly radio station 91.3 kuws with Dj Jmac. It wasn’t until a horrible tragedy in July 2003 that landed Renagade behind bars. Facing felony murder armed robbery he was sentenced 10 years in prison with 6 years’ probation. He used his imprisonment to his advantage by reading materials and writing often to expand his mind. You see he had much more “free” time then most to focus on his desire for music.
After ten long years and hundreds of songs he was released back into the world early July 2013. Even though he wanted to get right back on his grind he instead took some time adapt and enjoy his freedom. Jan 31st 2014 he performed one of newest songs completed upon release “dey hatin” feat. Mac Streets at the twins bar. This was just the right come back he needed! When asked what inspired him to do music his response was “his life, so that he could express himself through lyrics”. After his first performance he began opening for artists like Lazy Bone, Lil Flip, Bop Boyz and Bone Crusher. In June 2014 his hit single “I’m the Man” was released onto Uncle J ENT Welcome to the family album that went public. Renagade collaborated with The Rejects featuring in their hit song “Parker” also appearing in their video that aired on YouTube in July 2014.
I asked him “what drives your ambition” He answered, “my struggle and the things I been threw in life. I just want the world to hear what I got to say and I won’t stop until my mission is complete. I will never stop writing music because I will always have something going on in life whether it’s good or bad”. So with that said stay tuned in because a minor setback is always a major come back.
