We caught up with Johnny Richter—former member of the Kottonmouth Kings—on tour to talk about his new solo album FreeKING Out, the inspiration behind it, and what fans can expect from his latest musical chapter. We also dove into some wild moments on the road and his new creative process.
“Freaking Out” – A Fresh Chapter
James 7x: So let’s jump right into it—tell me about your new album, FreeKING Out. Where did the name come from?
Johnny Richter: The name is kind of a play on the last couple of years of my life. It’s layered. Some people will get the deeper meaning, some will just feel the vibe. But it really sums up where I’m at—freaking out on stage, freaking out in the studio, freaking out on life. Just embracing the chaos and having fun with it.
The First Single: Let Me Win
James 7x: The single Let Me Win just dropped. What’s the story behind that track?
Johnny Richter: Let Me Win is the first full song we released online ahead of the album’s drop. It hits a lot of marks emotionally and sonically. The production is tight, the hook is fire—shout out to the girl who sings on it, she killed it. The track represents me stepping back into the spotlight and pushing my solo career forward.
Musical Style: Back to Hip-Hop Roots
James 7x: For fans who haven’t heard it yet, how would you describe the album?
Johnny Richter: It’s five straight hip-hop tracks. Real rap. My last album, Laughing, touched a lot of different vibes—club tracks, stoner anthems, beach vibes, and East Coast influences. But Freaking Out is laser-focused on that West Coast sound. Straight bass and beats, start to finish.
Tour Life, Cop Stops, and Staying Chill
James 7x: So you’re on tour now. How’s it been?
Johnny Richter: Man, this is only the second day, and we’ve already had a run-in with the cops. We got pulled over 7 hours into the drive—before we even made our first stop in Oakland.
James 7x: What happened?
Johnny Richter: I was asleep and got woken up by two CHP officers. Everyone else had already been taken off the bus one by one. They searched the RV, found weed and some pipes, but they were cool. No tickets, no trouble. They just left it all out on the table and told us to enjoy the show. I think they were more focused on big hauls—it’s harvest season.
Broadcasting Live from the Road
James 7x: You’re also broadcasting live on tour, right?
Johnny Richter: Yeah, my DJ, Great Dane, already runs a show on Ustream—Red Alert Radio. We brought the setup on tour: mic, hotspot, the whole deal. So now we’re streaming live from the road. We’ll post alerts through Twitter (@JohnnyRoR), Facebook, Instagram—just follow us and tap in.
Studio vs. Stage
James 7x: Do you prefer being in the studio or on stage?
Johnny Richter: They’re different highs. Playing live—there’s nothing like it. Watching people vibe, meeting fans, traveling—it’s a blessing. But creating in the studio? That’s its own kind of magic. Hearing something that was just in your head come to life—that’s real.
Creative Process & Inspiration
James 7x: Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing?
Johnny Richter: Life. Real stuff. I don’t force anything. I let the beat tell me where the song is going. If I have to overthink it, it’s probably not the right one. I want my music to write itself—it has to feel natural.
Recording at MGS with G Rocka
James 7x: You recorded the album with G Rocka at MGS Studio?
Johnny Richter: Yeah, MGS is in Burbank—owned by DJ Muggs from Cypress Hill. G Rocka is a producer/engineer for Soul Assassins. He gave me all the beats for the record and engineered it. We knocked out something really solid.
Final Thoughts
Freaking Out drops December 17 via Suburban Noize Records, and Johnny Richter is just getting started. Whether you’re tuning in live on the tour stream or catching a show in person, expect raw energy, tight production, and lyrics that hit.
Stay tuned—and don’t forget to follow Johnny on social for tour updates and music drops.
Watch the full video interview below.
Catch Johnny Richter on tour and stream wherever you get your music
Categories: Interviews, Johnny Richter
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