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Bop (right) and his homie Miguel chill at Midtown Soul. Photo by Leon Laing.

Brian  “Cuzzin Bop” Peterson  has persevered.

He played football and basketball in high school, but he suffered a broken collarbone. His father left when he was nine. His mother fell victim to the streets. Bop did some jail time. Now the Harrisburg-based rhyme spitter is working on three mixtapes simultaneously. He’ll release the first one in mid October. His previous mixtapes are Grindhouse and Swag Flu. 

We caught up with Bop recently at Harrisburg-based stores Styles West and Midtown Soul. The 23-year-old rapper is looking for light-skinned females to appear in his video for “Looking for a Star.” And according to Bop’s manager, T’ Harvey Paperboy, he will be giving away Bop CDs to the first 100 people who show up for the filming of Bop’s mixtape trailer. Filming will take place at Midtown Soul, 908 N. Third St., at 5 p.m. on Sept. 25. 

How long have you been rapping?
I’ve been rapping for six years now.

Who are your favorite local rappers?
I don’t have one really, except P-Troub.

Who are your favorite celebrity rappers?
I’m a Rick Ross and Wale fan.

Aside from Styles West, where else do you shop?
I like to shop wherever clothes are authentic.

National-recording rappers have emerged from Philly and now Pittsburgh. What will it take for Central Pennsylvania rappers to blow up?
The only way Central Pa. can blow up with rap is through unity. It’s too much hating. It’s too many miserable people who don’t want to support one another if it doesn’t involve them. Our success is also dependent on the fan’s support also.

How far would you like to pursue your rap career?
I would like to be a successful rapper with longevity. But being a rapper isn’t the only thing that I want to be known for. I want to have many titles, such as mentor, hero, model, boss, and most importantly—businessman. I want my hands in everything.