Coming up under Kanye West, Hit-Boy routinely works with one of Hip-Hop’s ultimate dues-payers. That “Spaceship” mentality has traveled with Kanye for a decade, nearly eight years after he began shopping beats under D-Dot.

The Los Angeles native Hit-Boy, who like ‘Ye, also raps, has a similar complex. And why not? Presumably in the digital era, standing out is challenge enough, while getting compensated for your art is even another hurdle. On “Grindin’ My Whole Life,” Hit explains that this grind isn’t new by any means, with a Trap-inspired beat, and aggressive vocal delivery. It’s inspirational, without being cute or kind. Given some of his placements and now his won fledgling HS87 imprint, do you think Hit-Boy is poised for the long-haul?

Can you hear the aesthetic similarities to H.B. and K.W.? How do you feel about using curb-serving as a metaphor for shopping musical product, in 2014?

Related: Hit-Boy Compares Himself To The Early Years Of Iron Mike Tyson In Vaulted Song (Audio)