Within the heartbeat of Salina’s music scene, one name resonates with unwavering versatility and boundless passion: Cash Hollistah. To call him a mere hip-hop artist would be to overlook the depth of his commitment. He’s a catalyst for change, a testament to the transformative power of music and giving. Cash Hollistah stands as a shining example of what it means to invest in the future. A beacon of hope in the community, he extends his hand not just in music but in service. Through initiatives like The Cash Hollistah Scholarship, he illuminates pathways for the next generation, empowering them to reach for the stars. His presence isn’t just felt in the studio or on stage; it’s felt in the hearts of those he touches with his generosity. This week we turn our spotlight on the one, the only, Cash Hollistah.
“Was part of a singing group with my family, kind of a “Black Gospel Patridge Family” type deal. After I broke off and started into hip-hop at 9, I’ve been performing since then. So over 30 years. Geesh, that’s a long time! “
7eight5: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Cash Hollistah: I’m a rapper, poet, DJ, arts educator, occasional speaker, and community activist from Salina, KS. I’m on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. Life-long Kansan, advocate for music, musicians, and artists here in the Sunflower State. More than that, I’m a father to three of the dopest young women in the world.
7eight5: How would you describe your sound? What kind of music do you play?
Cash Hollistah: HIp-Hop. Lyric-driven hip-hop with a faith-bent. What I usually tell people is if Jay-Z and Royce da 5’9” were at a Bible Study with Kirk Franklin, you get Cash Hollistah. (laughs)
7eight5: How long have you been performing?
Cash Hollistah: Since I was 6. Was part of a singing group with my family, kind of a “Black Gospel Patridge Family” type deal. After I broke off and started into hip-hop at 9, I’ve been performing since then. So over 30 years. Geesh, that’s a long time! My goodness. (laughs)
7eight5: Who were influences growing up, and what impact has that made on your music?
Cash Hollistah: Well, my family would be a major influence. My father is a bassist, My mother sang, I also play drums, my sister sings and plays piano, guitar, and drums, and my younger brother sings and plays drums. My family on my Mom’s side was heavily involved in gospel music, and I previously mentioned the family singing group, so yeah, definitely my family. As far as the hip-hop side, I’d say East Coast hip-hop shaped me. Particularly Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Mos Def….other lyricists like Royce (da 5’9”), Phonte of Little Brother, yeah. The amalgamation of all of those styles and influences has shaped the music I make today.
7eight5: Do you remember your first show? What was that like?
Cash Hollistah: If you’re asking about my first show where I did my first rap, that was a 3rd-grade talent show at my school (which I won). If you’re asking about my first show as an aspiring artist, I don’t really remember. I imagine it was at a church somewhere.
7eight5: What do you do outside of music?
Cash Hollistah: I DJ quite a bit, mostly for the (Arena Football League team) Salina Liberty. I teach specialty “Poetry in Hip-Hop” classes to high schools and colleges around the state. I’m on the board of directors for the Kansas Music Hall of Fame and produce their Induction Ceremony (including the upcoming ceremony on April 20th). I’ve curated a quarterly R&B party for my city, called R&B VIBES. I also do video and audio editing and produce commercials for local and regional businesses. So basically, I don’t do much. (smiles)
7eight5: When is the next R&B Vibes party?
Cash Hollistah: R&B VIBES will be on April 27th at The Venue in Salina. If you’re a lover of R&B and Soul Music, it’s one of those parties that you’re gonna have make the trip, book a hotel room and come on thru! We call it an intergenerational celebration, because you’ll see 70’s babies, mixed in with 80’s & 90’s babies, with the 2000’s babies and they’re ALL jammin’ and singing their hearts out! You can get tickets on the website, thisisanrnbvibe.com.
7eight5: To you, why are music and the arts important to the community?
Cash Hollistah: They’re important because it fosters and encourages creativity. Specifically for kids, having music and art in schools improves academic performance and overall attitude. Art and music breed innovation, thinking outside the box, which spills into other facets and skills.
7eight5: You take on a large role in the Salina community. Tell us about your philanthropic and community work.
Cash Hollistah: So the Cash Hollistah Scholarship was started by my good friend Tammy Jarvis (owner of Ad Astra Books & Coffeehouse in Salina) in 2017. We’ve been able to give almost $10,000 to 8 different kids in the central Kansas area. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior in Central Kansas who shows merit in the field of community enrichment, as well as poetry, music, or visual art. We’ll be announcing the 2024 scholarship winner here soon.
As far as “notable” things? I guess the other notable thing would be doing a community day in the a park on the north end of my hometown, called Daddy Bud Day. That was named after my grandfather, John “Daddy Bud” Curtis, Sr., who did a free cookout for the north side of town at a Black neighborhood swimming pool back when it was somewhat segregated. Late 60’s, early 70’s. Free hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks, all that. And the majority of that, he paid out of his own pocket. He died in 1971 of a heart attack and my Dad and other family members kept it going for a couple more years before it stopped. Last year, I brought it back after not having it for almost 50 years. And it was a great success! So we’re bringing that back, and we’re trying to rename the park Curtis Park, after my grandfather, and my dad.
If a track grabs me, then I’ll form the concept and write. Rarely have I started writing before a track. Some of the poems I’ve written have been turned into verses, but yeah definitely the music first.
7eight5: Do you play original songs or covers?
Cash Hollistah: Majority original. Might throw in some covers if I’m doing shows with my drummer or with my full band, just to spice things up.
7eight5: Tell us about your full band. Who all is involved in that?
Cash Hollistah: So it depends. (laughs) If I’m with my 3-piece outfit, then it’s DJ Bearfoot and August Phlieger. If it’s my full-full band, then it’s usually musicians/singers from the Junction City area. Friends for 20+ years. It’s rare when I get to bring the entire crew out, but when we do, it’s a fun time every time.
7eight5: What comes for you first, the lyrics or the music? Or is it 50/50?
Cash Hollistah: The music. If a track grabs me, then I’ll form the concept and write. Rarely have I started writing before a track. Some of the poems I’ve written have been turned into verses, but yeah definitely the music first.
7eight5: How active are you in performing these days?
Cash Hollistah: These days? Not as much as I’d like, unfortunately. I feel the downside to the other activities that I’ve been blessed to do as a result of music is that I don’t get to DO music. Like, either creating or performing. I’ve been doing mostly festivals, as that’s been best conducive to my schedule. I’m looking to get real active this summer and fall, though. So if there’s a show that anyone reading this feels I need to be a part of, hit me up!
7eight5: What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned since you started playing live?
Cash Hollistah: 2 things for me: 1) To watch recordings of yourself. As cringe as you might feel. That definitely will help you see things you wouldn’t even think of: are you cuffing the mic, if you’re standing still too long at one spot, did you remember your cues, etc. 2) if you’re a rapper, don’t rap over your vocals. Leave the hook and your adlibs in there, and whatever cues you need, cool. But if people are paying money to hear you, they should probably hear YOU, not the version of you they can just hear on Spotify or YouTube.
7eight5: How can people get a hold of you?
Cash Hollistah: cashhollistah.com. From there, it’ll take you to all the music spots and socials that I’m on. It’s pretty much all @cashhollistah everything everywhere across the social media landscape.
Cash will be hosting his next R&B Vibes on April 27th, next be hitting the stage with a Live Mixtape set at this years Smoky Hill River Festival on Sunday, June 16th, and in Wichita at the Elsewhere Fest and Conference, Saturday, June 22nd. Also, check out the Salina Liberty April 28th, with the first game airing on the NFL Network!
