For nearly three decades, Ruff Ryders has represented more than just a record label. Founded by siblings Joaquin “Waah” Dean, Darrin “Dee” Dean and Chivon Dean, the imprint became one of the defining brands at the turn of the millennium. It was all fueled by the unmistakable production of Swizz Beatz, Dame Grease and the larger-than-life presence of artists like DMX, The LOX, Eve, Drag-On and later Cassidy. Ruff Ryders built its reputation on authenticity, hunger and street credibility. It all was forged through heat, becoming boost rap needed as the Golden Era came to an end.
That same spirit has found a new home in Philadelphia.
FakeFree KP, the latest signee on Double R, has spent years carving out his own lane. The Southwest Philadelphia lyricist built a loyal following through relentless consistency, viral storytelling records and a reputation that eventually lead him to this moment. His path hasn’t been conventional. College, incarceration, the streets and self-discovery are chapters in a book he continues to write.
Meeting him at WonWorld Studios, it’s immediately clear KP isn’t interested in recreating the past and no, he’s not the new DMX. AllHipHop’s Slops sat down with FakeFree KP to discuss his Ruff Ryders deal, why people keep comparing him to DMX, the current state of Philly rap, and why he believes in unity over ego.
AllHipHop: Congratulations on signing with Ruff Ryders. How did this whole thing come together?
FakeFree KP: It really started at the Bars on I-95 brunch. Before any of this happened, I already had a relationship with Scar Lip. We always had mutual respect as artists. I did her “This Is New York” challenge and won it, so we’d already built that connection.
She had some Ruff Ryders people with her that day. My manager started talking to one of the A&Rs, and the first thing he said was, “We already know who KP is.”
Once he said that, my manager’s brain started working. He was like, “Well…what would it look like if we came over here?”
That turned into conversations, but the meetings were taking forever to happen. Once I knew they were interested, I started using my own relationships. I reached out to people connected to Ruff Ryders, got introduced directly to Waah Dean, sent him some music, and he called me almost immediately.
He said, “Come down to Yonkers.”
That meeting turned into a studio session. The studio session turned into more meetings. The more I kept showing up, the more everything started coming together until eventually it turned into a contract.
Now we’re here.
AllHipHop: A lot of people only know the success they’re seeing now. Tell everybody about the journey that got you here.
FakeFree KP: I’m just a Southwest Philadelphia dude. I’m the youngest of five. I grew up with both my parents, but where I’m from it’s also a lot of treachery. I’ve always rapped. The difference is I wasn’t always consistent with it. I was in college while I was still involved in the streets. Then I got arrested for beating up a cop. After that came lawyer fees, parole, everything that comes with that life. I ended up going back to school and graduating. When I finished, I had a decision to make. I could try to get a regular job, but I never kept one for more than a year. That just wasn’t me.
Or…
I could finally give rap a real shot. I chose rap. That was 2017. Six or eight months later, I dropped “Mindset Before Murder” and it went viral. That record changed everything because people connected with the storytelling. Ever since then we’ve just been grinding. People always try to put me in one box, but I’m a well-rounded individual. I’ve been in the streets. I’ve been in school. I’ve lived both lives.
I’m one man with two realities. That’s what makes me different.
AllHipHop: Philadelphia has always been known as a city full of elite lyricists. How do you see the landscape today?
FakeFree KP: Philly got a lot of lanes now. The drill scene kind of faded because a lot of people got indicted or got killed. It’s still there, but it ain’t dominating like before. Now you’ve got the dance records. You’ve got melodic artists. You’ve got the drill artists that are still moving. Then you’ve got what Philly has always been known for…The spitters.
The people standing on the corner really giving you bars. That’s where I fit. When people hear me, they might hear some aggression, but everything I do has a message. I fall more into that State Property, Beanie Sigel, Meek Mill, Gillie, Dutch & S#### lane. Just the 2026 version.
AllHipHop: One thing people immediately noticed was your use of a classic Ruff Ryders sample. Was that intentional?
FakeFree KP: Absolutely. I consciously chose that. But I would’ve never put it out if it didn’t still sound like me. I wanted people to hear somebody honoring what that music represented instead of copying it. There’s a difference.
AllHipHop: Of course, once people heard it, the DMX comparisons started immediately.
FakeFree KP: They’ve been comparing me to DMX since “Mindset Before Murder.” That was back in 2018. I’ve never compared myself to DMX. I’m not trying to replace DMX. There will never be another DMX. Ever. What I’m trying to bring back is that feeling. That energy, that frequency. When people hear me, they remember how Hip-Hop used to make them feel. That’s a compliment, but I’m still being me.
AllHipHop: Does that ever feel like pressure? You’re joining a label whose history includes some of the greatest artists ever.
FakeFree KP: Everybody keeps saying I got big shoes to fill. I don’t feel pressure. I’m built for this. I know what I bring to the table. I ain’t trying to fill nobody else’s shoes. I’m standing in mine. As long as I stay creative, innovative and genuine, everything else is going to take care of itself.
AllHipHop: Are you building toward a full project?
FakeFree KP: Eventually. Right now we’re focused on the summer, the singles and keeping the energy high. Some of these records people hear over the summer will probably end up on the project, but right now we’re just making sure every release lands.
AllHipHop: Beyond your own career, it seems like you’re trying to build something bigger.
FakeFree KP: Definitely. Go on my Instagram or YouTube and you’ll see artists like Infamous Prime, Ranch Shaw and Shoes. I’m trying to bring real talent together. This ain’t just about me. Yeah, I’m the face of it. But I’m also here to help bring in a whole new generation. That’s important to me.
AllHipHop: So how do you feel about the current state of Hip-Hop?
FakeFree KP: I feel like they need me. (Laughs.) Seriously though… I bring rawness.
I bring storytelling. I bring Philly from a different perspective. More importantly, I bring unity. I’m not no gatekeeping type of dude. If somebody got talent, I want to help them. I want to push the culture forward. That’s what this is really about. Right now it’s too many people that pop up today and disappear tomorrow.
I’m trying to stand the test of time.
AllHipHop: You mentioned unity. Is that really possible in Philadelphia?
FakeFree KP: Yeah. It’s possible. You just need somebody that’s respected. Philly will burn you out. It’ll make people stop wanting to help other people. But somebody has to break that cycle. That’s the only way the curse gets broken.
AllHipHop: It almost sounds like you’re thinking beyond music.
FakeFree KP: I am. Music is the vehicle. But I’m thinking about legacy. Community, opening doors, real opportunities. I’m trying to leave something behind that’s bigger than records.
AllHipHop: “What It Be” has already picked up serious momentum.
FakeFree KP: It’s moving. The video’s already over 100,000 views in about three weeks. Monthly listeners keep going up. The response has been crazy. We shot it all through Harlem. Around Rucker Park, the Apollo, Manhattan. The energy been crazy.
AllHipHop: What’s next?
FakeFree KP: We still deciding. I got a lot of records ready. But people can probably expect the “Letter To My Brothers” remix. That’s me, Amir Ali, Ranch Shaw and the late LGP Qua. Rest in peace to Qua. That’s coming with a high-quality visual.
AllHipHop: Before we wrap up, who’s your Top Five Philadelphia rappers still living?
FakeFree KP: Beanie Sigel.
Black Thought.
Meek Mill.
Young Chris.
Eve.
That’s my five.
AllHipHop: Last thing. Tell everybody where they can find you.
FakeFree KP: Search FakeFree KP everywhere. “What It Be” is out now on every streaming platform. Search FakeFree KP on all social media. We’re outside all summer.
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