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Writer's pictureRachel Abela

King Gamble Challenges Expectations In "What You Thought"



Hip-hop artist King Gamble teams up with Ism to deliver a hard-hitting new single, "What You Thought," setting the stage for their upcoming album, HNB2.


King Gamble is quickly making a name for himself in the cut-throat hip-hop scene, gaining attention with his debut mixtape and now stepping up his game with all-original tracks. His music blends confidence with catchy hooks, appealing to both old-school hip-hop heads and new fans of the genre.


His newest single, "What You Thought," is a straight-up banger. If you're new to the artist, consider it a powerful introduction to King Gamble's evolving sound. The track showcases his impeccable flow and conceptual bars that set high expectations for the forthcoming HNB2 album.


From the moment "What You Thought" kicks off, listeners are hit with a hypnotic beat that's impossible to ignore. King Gamble's flow is smooth yet assertive, delivering lines that ooze confidence and ambition. The production strikes a perfect balance between modern hip-hop sensibilities and classic boom-bap influences that keep us locked in for the ride.


King Gamble's bars hold nothing back, and we can say the same for Ism. Both artists use "What You Thought" as a platform to address haters and showcase their evolving journeys. The hook is catchy and repetitive in the best way, practically daring listeners not to nod along. It's clear that King Gamble isn't just making music—he's making a statement about his place in the hip-hop landscape.


Challenge your expectations with King Gamble's new single, "What You Thought," now available on all major streaming platforms.





Welcome to Buzz, King Gamble, and ISM! We're loving the confidence and vibes in "What You Thought." What inspired you guys to create this bold banger? 


ISM- First and Foremost, thank you for having us. It’s been a long time coming for the both of us and once we heard the record, we immediately both had the idea to make a record about coming back and coming back with an impact. King Gamble spazzed on the record, so I had to get my flow on to keep up with him. That’s my brother right there. 


Gamble- Once we heard the melody for the first few seconds, we knew we had something special in the works. It speaks volumes as we did take a small hiatus dealing with life, so coming back, this is the perfect song to capture our mindset and intentions. 


How does "What You Thought" set the tone for your upcoming album HNB2?


Gamble- It sets the tone dramatically! Showcasing our talents beyond just rapping as we are complete music artists.


ISM- The hypnotic melody from the beginning of the record is meant to grab your attention and keep you captivated from beginning to end, and that’s the feel that we have for the entire project. From rapping, singing melodies & testing different sounds, we feel incredible about the project. 


Your collaboration with ISM seems to bring out the best in both of you. How did this partnership come about?


ISM- King Gamble and I met in 2014 at a showcase (that he was headlining) & I did my thing - to where we clicked, and not only a partnership but a great friendship has come from it to this day. Timeless music has always been our mantra, and we push one another to improve artistically. 


Gamble- We literally watched each other grow from kids to grown men. So, the chemistry is unmatched, and as you can see and hear, it comes through without a shadow of a doubt. It’s something that just works once our creative minds collaborate. 


The production of "What You Thought" is fire. Can you tell us about the production process and what sort of vibe ya’ll wanted for the track?


Gamble- man…. He sent me over the beat, and he was like we definitely have to do this and have you on the hook. We traded maybe two voice memos, and the hook was done. 

We got in the studio and wrote the verses at the moment, and the final product was amazing. 


ISM- Sid, the producer, is a good friend of mine from the Baltimore area who has not only produced “What You Thought” but also other records of mine from previous projects. I sent the beat over to Gamble, and within minutes, we had the hook and the concept. 


What was your main goal with "What You Thought?" What did you want to get across to listeners?


ISM- We’ve been passionate about music all our lives, and it’s been a dream of ours, not only since we’ve met but since teens, to achieve greatness in the industry - whether independent or signed. Life happens to all of us - from working (I was in Charlotte from 2019 to early this year), so we weren’t going to our main studio to learn about the blessing of fatherhood for me. That should not stop anyone from chasing their dreams, so the main goal was to send a message that no matter how much time passed, King Gamble and I can connect and make an incredible record and an amazing project that we can’t wait for y’all to hear. So many incredible artists have come out, and now that we’re older as well, it’s a message to state that we can always come back and vibe out with anybody. “What You Thought” is a statement record, and we want everyone to enjoy what’s to come. Thank you. 


Gamble- How am I supposed to follow that? Lol. I just want the masses to tap into the music. We make incredibly amazing music, and this single is truly showcasing that. 

As creatives, we all get to a point where we feel like it’s never good enough. We’re living proof that if you have a passion for something…. whatever it is in life. Do it. Love and live with no regrets. We appreciate y’all for this interview. Thank you. 


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