A candid conversation about country roots, raw emotion, and teaming up with Zonami
In a bold genre shift, Michigan native 906Hammy is stepping outside the boundaries of hip-hop with his latest project, “Summertime in Northern Michigan”, dropping tomorrow at 6AM. Presented by 1100 Recordz, this 5-track release blends country and rock with hip-hop roots, exploring themes of young love, addiction, and personal growth.
Three tracks also feature Zonami, an 18-year-old Wisconsin artist who’s quickly making waves of his own. We sat down with 906Hammy to dive into the making of the project, the inspiration behind it, and what it means to be an artist from the northern Midwest redefining genre lines.
This project is a noticeable departure from your usual rap-heavy sound. What inspired the country/rock direction?
I’ve always had country in me — I mean, I’m from Northern Michigan. This project gave me the space to really let that side out. I took a lot of inspiration from bands like Treaty Oak Revival and Ole 60. I wanted to talk about real things: love, addiction, pulling yourself out of dark places. I actually recorded most of this project late at night or early in the morning, usually intoxicated, which brought out a lot of raw emotion in the vocals.
Let’s talk about Zonami — how did that collaboration come about?
Man, the energy between me and Zonami is just real. Every time we link, ideas just pour out like rain. It was natural to bring him into this project. He didn’t just feature — he did a lot of the mixing, some beat work, and even sampling. When I was recording, I realized a few tracks were missing something — and that something was him. Super talented kid. The world’s gonna know his name soon, I’m telling you.
You’re proud of your roots. What’s it like being a country-raised white rapper from Northern Michigan?
It’s cool but weird at the same time, to be honest. Sometimes I was in a town with 20,000 people, other times I was way out in the woods on 48 acres in what we call “SOS zones.” This project really let me show the world who I am at the core. I’ve dealt with a lot — love, heartbreak, addiction — and I think it comes through in every track.
As for hip-hop? That started back in 8th grade when a classmate was dropping tracks on SoundCloud. I’d been freestyling since I was 14 in my buddy’s basement, just high and vibing, and people kept telling me to take it seriously. So we made a song — and I never stopped.
You’ve toured a lot for someone who’s not even old enough to drink. What’s that experience been like?
Insane. My favorite part of this whole music journey is touring and meeting the people who support me. They’ve literally changed my life. I’ve done four tours already, and every single one of them felt like something out of a dream.
Which track on “Summertime in Northern Michigan” means the most to you — and why?
Definitely the opening track, “Wanted.” It’s catchy, and everyone who got a sneak peek has been obsessed with it. I think this whole project is something people will really relate to — whether they’re dealing with heartbreak, addiction, mental health struggles, or they just wanna kick back and drink to a good song.
Being from Michigan, who do you feel influenced you more — Kid Rock or Eminem?
Grew up on both, no question. But Eminem definitely hits different for me. I still remember the first song I ever memorized — “Smack That” with Akon. And don’t get me started on 8 Mile — I could literally reenact that whole movie.
906Hammy’s “Summertime in Northern Michigan” isn’t just a sonic shift — it’s a bold statement from an artist embracing every part of himself, unafraid to evolve. Whether you’re here for the heartfelt lyrics or the genre-blending experimentation, this project promises something real.
distrokid.com/hyperfollow/906hammy
