Just two years ago, he was Craig Palm: health insurance salesman. But now, he’s Na Palm and he’s taking the country by storm — from college to college and club to club. Coming off his newfound fame from his first album, ‘Dirty Girls Like Dirty Beats,’ opening for Sam Adams’ college tour, and playing packed clubs in his hometown of Chicago, Na Palm is back again — this time on a headlining tour — which will bring him to the University’s own Canopy Club. You’ve probably already listened to his music, or have at least heard of it, but here’s what he had to say about it.

When did you first get into the music business and start getting serious about rapping?

I was in a frat in ISU and randomly (started). I was just being clever and rapping — like freestyle. I could rap for like a half hour at a time, in a room full of people. And everyone was like, ‘Dude that’s crazy! We’ve never heard that kind of shit before’. I never really took it seriously at first.

My brother was like ‘Dude you sound really dope. Let’s get you a microphone and a producer.’ So long story short: I made a few tracks. He was bartending in the city at the time and had a ton of connections with GMs at a ton of big clubs. We drew a hundred-person crowd, which was pretty dope for my first time — I did like two songs. They threw me up on this bar and from there it kind of like spiraled.

It was a still a good year and a half when I was doing random shows here and there. I started taking it serious like a year ago. But a year and a half before that, Mike and I were just pushing free mix tapes out of our backpacks and just promoting our shows in the city. I guess I started really taking it seriously — like full time quit my job and met a real producer in a real studio — like a year ago. Things are really moving fast this year.

How did you balance work and your musical pursuits?

(Work) wasn’t really going well at all because I party a lot obviously. I had to be at my job at like 8 a.m. and I was going out like three or four times a week. So that didn’t happen for me. I guess it was like just meant to be.

I never knew this was it though. I mean, I was never musical growing up or anything. So it’s kind of cool, like I’m not burnt out and I don’t feel any pressure on me. This is like my calling and I just took a while to realize that. I’m going to be doing this for the rest of my life; I know that for sure.

How did your family react to your music?

They thought I was a joke. I think it was one Thanksgiving; me and my brother had come home, and I was telling them about some of my songs — and some of them weren’t very PG — and they’re like ‘alright yeah, whatever.’ Like, they thought it was a joke. Then, I told them I quit my job … my mom was kind of nervous but my dad was like ‘fuck it, do what you love.’ When it came around though, they were proud of me.

So what would you say was your biggest obstacle?

The biggest obstacle was like getting the right songs and the right producers. Not to sound cocky, but I’ve never questioned myself. I always knew I had a talent, but I mean — I’m a humble dude. I wouldn’t be here without my team, you know what I’m saying? It’s more than just me. Like my producer now handles most of the funding to get me in the studio, and my best friend and brother, Mike, are my managers.

So I guess the biggest obstacle was really trying to get a good team together. But other than that, I’m not worried about being a white rapper or anything. There are so many coming out these days, like you just got to have that ‘it’ factor, the staying power, and those big songs that we definitely got on this next project for sure.

What is your ‘it’ factor?

I think it’s a lot of things, besides your sound. Like, you have got to live it; you know what I’m saying? I live it, and I love it. And it’s not just partying. Like, I have breakup songs and songs about struggle and losing people in my life and stuff. And you have got to be able to perform that live, which I take great pride in. You got to have that ‘it’ factor live. You got to have that voice about you, and the wordplay — your song does matter.

How would you describe your sound?

We got that electronic thing nowadays, and some of us favor house music. Like the Black Eyed Peas or whatever, but I don’t really think anyone out there is really doing what I’m doing. It’s kind of a like LMFAO, if you will, but they’re not really rappers; they’re more like a producer duo. And I’m definitely not Eminem or anything like I don’t do that gangster stuff. So I guess I just stay true to myself and my own sound.

What kind of music did you grow up listening to?

I actually grew up listening to some hip-hop. But I liked all kinds of music. I’m a huge fan of Keith Richards, like I have a tattoo on my forearm that’s a Rolling Stones quote: “Nothing happens quite when you think it’s supposed to or when you want it to, but when it does, you’ve got to roll with it.” It’s from his book I was reading. I was just really inspired by it. I actually got the tattoo two days after I read it. I had just lost my grandma, I had broken up with my girlfriend recently, and then I realized I’m blessed to have this recording career. The quote just embodied everything. Like no matter what happens, you just have to roll with it. Act like tomorrow’s a bigger day than yesterday. So it definitely means a lot to me.

Anyway, I grew up listening to all of that typical Snoop Dogg, and Dre, and Jay-Z, and all of that stuff, but I never really was a hip-hop head or anything like that. I grew into more like Jim Morrison and the Doors and all that. I just like all kinds of music.

What would you say were your main influences or inspiration?

You know, I always answer this question — and I mean no harm by it — but I really don’t have one. Like, my boss says I have a high music IQ. I really don’t listen to a lot of music. Like, I don’t work out with an iPod. I’m always so wrapped up in catching up on my own beats and stuff. I listen to the radio but I don’t know who really influenced me.

Obviously, Eminem is like an inspiration because it shows that a white rapper did it. And I really love Kanye West and the chance that he takes with music. I think he’s a ground breaking artist and there’s no one like him out there.

Also, the Chicago music scene was an inspiration. That’s what really got me into music, because they’re known for like electronic house music — like an underground vibe. That’s really what made me want to bring a rap element into that. If hadn’t moved to Chicago, I wouldn’t be doing this.

How would you say your music is received?

Just because of my content — like it doesn’t exactly draw the haters —I have very little people who leave bad comments on blogs and shit. I think it’s because my music is really positive feel-good music, so there’s no need for any of that.

I immediately took off in Chicago, which is what kept me going. I’m packing clubs and colleges. But I’m taking it step by step, so it’s been great. I’m so excited to be on the road again. The reception’s been amazing — that’s what keeps me going.

How is touring, being on the road and performing for different crowds?

It’s actually draining. Last September with Sam Adams was the first opportunity I had to go on tour on a national level. I think we went to like 30 cities with insane crowds and insane vibes. I was the opener for him, so the shows coming up are like part of my first headlining tour.

I actually like the college crowds better though — the kids are crazier, whereas the Chicago club scene is not as rowdy — but I grew up in the clubs so I love the clubs too.

What is your most and least favorite part about touring?

Least favorite part of touring would be the jetlag and the travel, because typically, if it’s routed correctly, you’re driving a lot. I mean, you got like an eight hour ride, you got to go to sound check right after, and you got to get a nap in, and you’re up till 3 in the morning partying.

But my favorite part is just performing. Like if I could do thirty cities in thirty days and we could make it on time, I would do that. Oh and the girls — all the girls.

What would you say is your favorite song of yours?

On the last project, I’d say my favorite was Go Go Girl — that’s the one that got played on MTV’s episode of The Hills. It’s still being redone, like we’re putting new strings on it like the cello and violin. It’s just a great dance track.

Can you tell me more about your new project?

We’ve been working on it since like January. It’s called Electronic Chronic. The reason we named it that is because it’s an obvious fuse of electronic and hip-hop. Dre’s ‘The Chronic’ was an inspiration. It’s kind of an homage to him.

It shows my music has changed; like it has gone electronic but I definitely got my hip-hop, dance and pop tracks in there, so it’s going to be crazy. I got two multi-platinum producers on it like Nitti, who’s a huge producer out of Atlanta, and a producer out of Miami who has worked with Lil Wayne, Drake and Rick Ross.

It’s just on a whole another level all around. Like my song writing has gotten a lot better. Our song selections have got a more focused sound. Everything’s just bigger: the hooks are bigger, the beats are bigger … this is the year to breakout: 2011.

When do you plan on releasing the album?

I was supposed to drop it at the end of March, but we’re still working on it and I’m going to be in Miami for this huge electronic festival. So now we’re hoping end of April — that’s a tentative date. At least, while the kids are still in school. It’s going to be a free release as well, following the Mike Posner model.

On Friday, April 1st, Na Palm will be playing at the Canopy Club as a part of his first headlining tour. Promising a good time, he said: “I’m going to take the house down. Might even wear some orange goddamn it.”