Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the story behind it?
it’s about wanting something with a guy and being upfront and confident about it. i’ve seen many songs where men write about women like this so it should be okay for me to be forward and honest about the same topics in my songs too. it’s about breaking boundaries and gender stereotypes. if i want something i’ll go get it.
What first got you into music?
i’ve never not been into music, i went to my first gig when i was 4 to see James Blunt and I always wanted to be like him. then i used to watch Hannah Montana and that kinda influenced me and i started writing songs at like 7 years old after watching that show, it just stuck and i’ve carried on with it since. I knew from the age of 7 that i wanted to be a singer.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
right now i love Chase Atlantic. they’ve really influenced my sound and they’re growing quite a bit at the moment. also Carlie Hanson, i saw her live when she supported Yungblud and i think she’s great.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
My biggest challenge is accepting that there will be times where I feel like i’m the worst artist in the world. I set myself really high expectations as a perfectionist which is sometimes overwhelming so it’s hard for me to realise that songs take a lot of time to perfect, they don’t always come easily like i wish they would and this shouldn’t make me feel like less of an artist.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
id tell my younger self to focus on what i love the most and don’t let comments from small minded people affect me. i faced a lot of “oh really? you wanna be a singer? try something more realistic” from teachers and peers – the people who are meant to support me. i’m glad i didn’t listen and i’m glad my parents were always supportive.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
I don’t really have any fans at the moment haha it feels weird calling anyone who likes my music a ‘fan’. but obviously like any other artist i wanna thank them for supporting me and I want them to know that i’m grateful that they can relate to my music and tell me that in confidence.
Tell us a few things about your new EP. What is the story behind it?
My first drop in a while. I lost my connection with a woman that was very important to me. We don’t talk much these days, but I think about her everyday. This was my way to express that.
Which song of the EP reflects you the most?
Personally I think intermission. Its my favorite song on that project for sure. I just love the chords and theres a real bounce to it. It just feels very free and light.
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
I think so, but i also believe that the definition of underground has changed. Especially with people being able to upload to DSPs on their own. I live in New York and I can say theres a bunch of talented people around here that would be considered “undergound” but have thousands of fans around the world.
What would be your dream performance venue?
MSG baby. I live not too far from the Barclays Center. Its a really dope venue and Im a Brooklyn Native, but nothing will beat playing at the Mecca. I saw Drake there, I saw Kendrick there, J.Cole, Travis Scott. To be able to play there would be a dream.
You are not afraid to saturate your soung. What is your creative process like?
Usually, I have to have a beat that is so good I can think lyrics on the spot. I always start with the chorus that is the most important thing for me to start on. I proceed to freestyle on the beat until I get the flow I like. Then I mix the vocals add effects then master the track for it to be published.
What is the story behind your name?
I’ve had many artist names, but I wanted a name that stood out. I’ve always felt like the outcast with everything I did so I thought of the name barely human. It represents never being able to fit into society so I felt “barely human”. The 6 in front of the name has to do with my birthday and numerology. It also just looks like a b so it fits in with the name.
Favourite album of the past decade?
Nasty by Rico Nasty has to be one of my favorite albums. I remember listening to every song on that album daily.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced so far being an artist is definitely being able to love my music even if people don’t. Being a small artist for some reason attracts many people to hate on you for no reason.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Not going to lie I haven’t watched any movies during quarantine.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I got suspended from school for smoking in the parking lot haha.
How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
Since I produce my own beats and mix master my own songs, I’m involved in the whole process of creating a song. I start with messing around with samples or just play around on my midi keyboard or my guitar until I have a cool idea that’s worth adding layers on top of and turning into a beat. I then hop on my mic and try coming up with cool melodies or flows for the hook. If I am able to come up with a cool hook idea on the beat, I keep evolving the song, if not I just sell that beat. But if the hook is good then the rest of the song is pretty straightforward and easy. I just get on the mic and freestyle on the beat till I can cut up cool enough parts for my verses. I then decide if the song needs a feature or not. But that’s mainly it. That’s my creation process with trap music, I just try to have as much fun with it as I can which is what I believe this genre is meant for.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
When it comes to my rap songs, I’m mostly just freestyling and don’t put too much thought into what I’m saying and focus more on my flow and melodies (like pretty much every mainstream trap artist). As I said I like to have fun with it so I don’t think I could point out a specific lyric of mine that I’m proud of. However, if you do listen to some of my non rap songs, there’s a lot more lyrically rich content in them. Kind of ironic right?
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
Having grown up on primarily rock music, I got into rap and hip-hop really late. I really caught on to the wave as it made it to the mainstream so I naturally enjoy the modern wave of rappers. I really liked XXXtentacion’s music, Tory Lanez has been making some fire tracks. In terms of lyrics I see no one coming close to Kendrick and I guess my favorite producer would be D.A. Got That Dope.
Trap music came to rule the world, but at the moment the genre feels stagnant. What does the future hold for hip hop in general?
Trap music is just so simple and catchy that it has the ability to hook your average music listener very easily and with all the iconic artists that brought this genre up and brought forth the whole culture behind it, the genre was bound to take over the world. Once I got into it I started experimenting with the genre and tried to make it my own and that’s what I think is lacking currently. All these rappers have found a formula and stick to it to the point where every song sounds pretty much the same and if they don’t experiment and innovate their sound, they’re gonna fall off! Which could lead to either of the two things; hip hop dying out of the pop culture with the artists or a new wave of rappers with a fresh sound will evolve hip hop and make it bigger than it is even now. Which is I constantly prioritize experimenting with my music.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I mostly play with my dog, go hiking or kick it with my homies. Nothing too crazy haha but then again, I spend so much of my time just working on my music.
You’d give up making music for…
I don’t think I’d give up making music for anything. Although I have and will give up everything to keep making music.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the story behind it?
Prada is one of my favorite tracks I have ever done and it was a bit of an accident. Cube, one of my music buddies, sent me this four bar loop and I just looped it and sang some lines over it before going to sleep. I had just started seeing this girl and it was the most excited I had been about getting to know someone new in a while so I wrote about how I would act if i had everything in the world to give to her. I woke up after and then realized that I absolutely loved it. I then sent it over to Landon and he immediately said he wanted to put a verse on it and it was all so simple and straightforward that it was hilarious.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
One of my favorite lyrics that I’ve written is pretty simple. It’s from a demo I released last year called glitter and I simply said “i should’ve warned you not to lay up with me, everything that I touch bleeds”. I perfectly described how i was feeling and it sticks with me.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
At the top of that list are Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, and Anderson Paak. I also am so incredibly inspired by artists like mac ayers and tom misch.
Prada’s groove is splendid. Tell us a song with a groove you wish you had composed yourself.
Whats the use by mac miller will forever be a song i look to when I’m trying to find something smooth and groovy. It is honestly the pinacle of simple and tasteful.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
This song in particular I love to imagine people listening to with the homies while they are cooking out and enjoying life.
You blend vocals with electronics in a very interesting way. What comes first in your music? Lyrics or music? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
The electronic part of the vocals was a lot of fun- it’s mostly me singing through a guitar wave pedal. The first time I tried it out, drummer Guy Paz turned the dial on the pedal while I improvised background vocals over some of the songs. Andrew Forman added on some reverb and sounds during his mixing process. As for my writing process, I think everything stems from improvisation. For most of the songs on this album, lyrics and music grew simultaneously. I draw from journal entries for inspiration- try to let the song just happen. “All We Can Do” and “Pancit” were co-written with Guy Paz. On “Pancit” he set up the “overseas family” section on guitar and I added the melody/lyrics. “All We Can Do” was an improvised session that grew between us as he played drums and I sang/played guitar.
Which song of the album reflects you the most?
All these songs felt very real to myself in the moment when I was writing them. “Mud Wood Stone” was one piece I had to stick with and mold until it felt right to the meaning, so I guess it’s extra personal. It speaks to creative openness-and connecting womanhood to the generations of women before. “Cycle” was one that sprouted in a quick couple of hours- the drums were prominent in my head- so it’s particularly special to me too. And “Pancit”! Because it’s inspired by my mom’s story- growing up in the Philippines.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
I am inspired by so many ! Guy Paz’s innovation and energy on the drums. Andrew Forman’s mixing and special sounds. Nick Hakim and his mentorship. Solange! Kate Bush the queen. Ever innovative Betty Carter. Of course Bjork. Brooklyn muses like Xenia Rubinos, Noia, Annique Monet, Alyssa Mcdoom, Judette Elliston, Louisa Rosi…..so many… Milton Nacimento!
What would you change in the music industry?
Oy. I work. And then spend it to work on these projects. It’s hard. So something to make it easier?
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Mermaids with Cher, Winona Ryder, and Christina Ricci. 💙
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I wasn’t “in” trouble too much but I’ve had to “deal with” a good amount of troubles. That’s a little vague because these things are difficult to talk about.
Tell us a few things about your new song “Napsacks & Kickbacks”. What is the main idea behind it?
It’s a nostalgic track sort of reminiscing about care-free high school-ish days hanging and partying with friends but within that it’s talking a bit about how I got into rapping and what inspired me to get into it and then start taking it seriously. I thought of the line: “What the deally, just got to the Chat, it’s chilly,” which pretty much set everything up from there. Line’s of course a reference to AZ’s opening line on Phone Tap, a rapper I mention as one of my biggest influences alongside Nas in the last verse.
What is the main topic of your lyrics?
It’s just reflecting type of stuff really but also fun. The first verse is just setting the tone and talking about getting back to Chatham, the hometown, hanging with the old crew you always hung with and getting back into the zone you were in when you were younger, before the reality of life hit you and you suddenly couldn’t slog beers til 4am and do shit you used to do anymore. It sets up the other 2 verses. The second verse starts off by me talking about how they “done doubted this, etc.” because that was definitely the case. The time period I’m talking about, when I discovered rap and first got into it, I didn’t really have a niche like people I hung with did so I was kind of aimless and my self-esteem wasn’t the highest and I could often come off as painfully timid. So I was defined as that by a lot of people and written off as some sort of hapless, feeble person that probably wouldn’t do anything and that was going to me. Not to say I’m dwelling in the past at this point, but I think one of the underlying reasons I often rhyme the way I do and go as hard as I do is the chip on my shoulder that inevitably comes from all of that. I think other artists could probably relate to that.
The verse then transitions into talking about becoming the artist and how that has made me more certain of myself and what not. Third verse is basically summing it all up and saying that rap is what I want to do and forget all the BS, this is what I should be doing.
Your music has an old school vibe. Are you into today’s Hip Hop? Or do you prefer to listen to old classics?
I mean, when it comes down to it, I gotta say I prefer the classics. They’re what got me to fall in love with hip-hop in the first place, what I studied when I decided to really get into rap, and what I go back to the most when I want to get inspired to write something. But that’s not to say I just dismiss everything out now. I love Griselda, Freddie Gibbs, Pro Era, Earl Sweatshirt, and this new artist on Shady, Grip, is also great. A lot of other artists as well as who are doing dope stuff that stick to the fundamentals of good lyricism and flow and can bring it to a modern audience. I’ll even rock to some Denzel Curry or Bryson Tiller when in the mood. But the thing about the classics in the late ‘80s and ‘90s that makes them so good is that they came out in a time when your place in hip-hop was determined or measured by how dope you were, not all the other bullshit that labels and executives seem to emphasize now. All that shit was secondary. So you had to keep your sword sharp because there was so much competition. The level of competition there was back then is still missing a bit. You see evidence of that coming back now which is great but there’s a lot of bullshit to overcome if you want to be an artist sticking to that essence.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Oh man, great question. This one topic could take hours. It represents a very significant cultural achievement for the Black community, which they should always have pride in. It went from Kool Herc’s parties in the Bronx to being dismissed as a fad or “ignorant gangster ghetto music” by an ignorant establishment, to being the most prominent genre and culture at the moment. It’s consistently proved everyone wrong since it started and continues to, I think. It also emphasizes competitive creativity more than most other genres, since it’s usually more based on individual effort and style and setting yourself a part. It’s unique in that way, as you’re always pitting your style against someone else’s and trying to push boundaries with how you flow or use words to stand out as the best. What it has symbolized for me and many others as well is building one’s individual identity and solidifying it. Not to sound hokey, but it’s been a passion of mine, a dream, and a hobby or whatever you want to call it since I love the artform and enjoy creating it. But it’s also been an outlet for people like me who otherwise probably wouldn’t have one and a big part of my personal development. It added a jolt to my confidence that wasn’t there and probably never would have developed had it not been for rapping. So it’s for a while now been the one area where I’m completely sure of myself. And I’ve noticed that sort of confidence has eventually found its way into other areas of life, too.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Probably when I was told “just put yourself out there and go do it. You have the talent now.” Simple, but helpful.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Probably when I hosted a party at my parent’s house where some property was damaged. Not sure I’ve seen the old man that hot before.
Tell us a few things about your new song “Dont Dance”. What is the story behind it?
‘Don’t Dance’ is the first song of my upcoming debut LP ‘Lifelines’ which is set to be released in spring 2022. The song details an evening out wracked with social anxieties and insecurities, yet paradoxically delivered in a feel good, indie funk wrapper.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
In my song ‘Asymmetrical Life’ I was processing the battle with a sudden bout of facial paralysis and its chronic residual effects.
Favourite album of the past year?
Sex & Food by Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
Staying inspired and motivated to create while taking care of the business side of things at the same time.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Try not to stress too much about the numbers and recognition and dedicate your whole energy to creating unique art.
Tell us a few things about your new song “Tryna get some”. What is the story behind it?
Tryna get some is about opening the doors of your soul to someone with whom you share a deep spiritual connection. I wanted the beat to reflect sensuality and the strings to illustrate beauty. I wished to create through this track the journey that it is to fall in love.
For which lyric you are most proud of ?
I think I am always proud at the end of every song I write just because of it coming to life, every lyric I write is just a part of who I am.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
I am simply in love with the whole process, from writing to performing. I take great pleasure in each of these fields because it is deeply linked to creation. Writing is much more of an internal exercise which allows me to express myself through music which is priceless; whereas performing is an outward process which allows me to connect with an audience and improvise on the spot and that is immeasurably special to me.
Your song has a very cool chill groove. Tell us a song with a groove you wish you had composed yourself.
I absolutely Dig minimalistic grooves. I would say that the simplicity but yet fullness of Lady From D’Angelo is the song I wish I would have made myself. The bassline is just divine !
Which book should we read while listening to your music ?
To be perfectly honest, I would not necessarily recommend to read a book while listening to my music but surely to roll a nice joint and relax hahaha
Should we expect an album in the near future?
The answer is yes ! Always expect more music, I can’t stop creating. There is a lot more music coming in the future, I have an EP finished which “Tryna get some” comes from and an album is already in the writing. As long as I’m still here I will always make music.
In Dangerous you blend RnB with Hip Hop elements. Tell us a few things about your creative process
Hip Hop has been the most influential genre to me throughout my life even though I’m also passionate about other genre. When I create melodies and lyrics I create whatever comes natural to me. This track in particular I made the melody/ flow in one take. It just felt right.
What is the main topic of your lyrics?
The lyrics in “Dangerous” actually reflect a situation I’ve been through. In life the relationships we have aren’t always so black and white. They can be complex. So this track illustrates how I have a relationship with a girl that is open because an open relationship is all that I’m willing to accept. Because of this she goes to someone else for what I’m not willing to provide. By doing this she is misleading this other person because at the end of the day she is just chasing a more intimate relationship with me and being unfaithful to him.
Main influences?
My main influences come from a wide range of artists. From Drake, Kanye, & Wayne to Frank Sinatra, Elvis and The Weekend.
What would be your dream performance venue?
I would love to perform at Red Rocks or MSG.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
If it weren’t for music I would probably train to be a pro athlete or pursuit a job in sales. But music is what I’m most passionate about.
One last thing we should know about you?
I want to make a big impact in the music scene. For me I’m going to keep making music no matter what the outcome is. I have a lot of new music coming out in the near future.
HipHop Paranoia 