JaJuan Malachi

Deviating from a good portion of today’s Hip-Hop landscape, UFO Fev prides himself on being a true student of Hip-Hop culture. 

Coming from Thomas Jefferson Houses in East Harlem, Anthony Ortiz, also known as, UFO Fev stands tall on his affinity for raw, uncut lyricism and makes that fully apparent across his sublime discography, which consists of 15 thoroughly crafted EPs. 

Being a direct product of New York’s inner-city streets, Fev’s dedication to the culture is undeniable and he continues to be an underrated, yet invaluable asset to its Hip-Hop community. 

When it comes to his talent, Fev is a top-notch, lyrical marksman with poignant flows and catchy hooks for days. Similar to Benny The Butcher, Joey Bada$$ and Roc Marciano, Fev is upholding the torch of golden-era Hip-Hop and reinvigorating it all in the same breath. 

Having already dropped a well-acclaimed project this year: “Sunsets In The Ghetto,” Fev is looking to bolster his flame with the release of his most recent project: “Blood On The Bills,” all of which is exclusively produced by Canadian producer Finn. 

On September 21st, Fev dropped his lead single: “Wash The Bills,” which has already amassed over 9K views on YouTube. 

In recent time, JaJuan Malachi of The Knockturnal was afforded the opportunity to “break bread” with UFO Fev over at Sweet Chick in Williamsburg. During the excursion, Fev spoke about a number of things including his origins, his relationship with Fat Joe, his passion for Hip-Hop culture, what it means to be a Puerto Rican rapper, what’s currently on his playlist, how he discovered his name and much more. 

Here is how the conversation played out: 

JaJuan: What’s up Fev! 

UFO Fev: What’s good Twin. 

JaJuan: So to kick things off, I wanted to ask: Coming up in East Harlem, who would you say were some of your biggest musical influences growing up? 

UFO Fev: Beanie Siegal, I love Notorious B.I.G., Mase, Cam’Ron 

JaJuan: Juelz Santana?

UFO: Nah, he wasn’t on yet. I’m trying to think about a time when I was young. When I didn’t have too much going on. Hearing the Puff album. P. Diddy and The Family: No Way Out. You know what I’m saying. That was monumental right there. I remember the first time I heard that and then after that comes The Dipset, you know, the 2000s era. By then, I was already also listening to the West Coast guys, The South, you know, BG, Choppa City, The Ghetto. That was like one of my favorite albums. My dad was into freestyle music, so I always had a knowledge of that. As I grew up, I started to like Latin music, Spanish music, and Reggae music. Heavy Reggae music. 

JaJuan: What about like Bachata? 

UFO Fev: That’s later on when I grew up to understand what that was. That used to be like Dembow music back then before Reggaeton got famous and stuff. Bachata was a thing for older folks back then. Like, you got to the parties and you’d hear that. Cleaning the crib, my grandmother would always listen to that kind of stuff. That always turned me off until I got into my teenage years. It was girls. When I started liking girls is when I started listening to more music. Girls always had the music. They always had the CDs and like the headphones and stuff and would put me on. As I grew older twin, my influences started going into Jazz and Reggae Soul Music, you know a lot of funk, R&B, heavy R&B and stuff like that outside of Hip-Hop. 

JaJuan: So like the Jon B’s, the Ginuwine’s

UFO Fev: Ginuwine, Dru Hill

JaJuan: Tyrese

UFO Fev: Tyrese. If we’re staying in the era, we’ve got Keith Sweat. Who else we’ve got, Case at the time. You know Donnell Jones. 

JaJuan: Yeah, yeah! Fire! 

UFO Fev: Yeah, you know that fire! Total! 

JaJuan: Brandy!? 

UFO Fev: Whatttt?! Brandy man! My dad loved Brian McKnight. Brian McKnight was that guy! Brandy was IT though! Brandy had that vibe! That’s a fact. Usher! Can’t forget Usher. I learned how to slide out my sneakers because of Usher. 

JaJuan: I feel that. They were all immaculate vibes fasho. So when did you first believe that making music could translate into a real-life profession? 

UFO Fev: For myself, I always understood it was a profession because I didn’t get paid for it but me being around people in the music industry like my dad and other producers, other artists, just being around them seeing them make money. Like there’s this producer by the name of Develop. He did “Fireman” for Lil’ Wayne and “Rap God” for Eminem. I used to hang out with him. My dad has a lot of friends in the music industry as well like Marc Anthony and stuff. So, I always knew the music industry was a successful place but for me twin, until someone actually paid me once to perform, then I was “oh aight” and began to take it seriously. I guess at that time, the stuff I was taking was good enough. I was thinking “oh aight, someone will let me perform and they’ll pay me.” I didn’t need anything else after that. That was validation! I remember the envelope, the card said thank you! 

JaJuan: Do you have any vivid memories of that moment? 

UFO Fev: Yeah, it was the Knitting Factory downtown. Before it went to Brooklyn, it was originally downtown in the city. There was a manager who had an artist that was running around. J. Cole was running around too but he wasn’t Cole at the time. 

JaJuan: Haha, he was pre-Cole.

UFO Fev: Yeah, pre-Cole. They were doing spot venues and stuff. The manager in that circle. He was a family friend as well. He saw me doing my thing and he asked me to come perform and he paid me and that was the first time I really got love. Like someone paid me, the other artists showed me love. I was like “alright cool, this is something I wanna do.” 

JaJuan: Gotchu! So you spoke about your Dad. Would you mind speaking to your Dad’s influence on your career? 

UFO Fev: Yeah, he was in a group called TKA back in the 80s and 90s even up until like the 00s. They had a “greatest hits” album and stuff. I just understood the business watching him. He went through the ups and downs of  the industry. It was easy to navigate myself and know that I wasn’t invincible and that there were certain things I had to be aware of 

JaJuan: So he put you onto game. 

UFO Fev: Yeah, he put me onto game without putting me onto game. Just watching was the best teacher because when he would vent and when I got old enough and we would talk. He would explain it to me a little better and stuff but I was there. Just the feeling of knowing something was wrong before knowing what’s wrong. I got to see that. And as I grew, I went through that in my own trials and tribulations. You can’t escape it. My Dad is my biggest inspiration in terms of knowing that “an artist doesn’t do business” and that “a businessman is not an artist.” The two are separate. When you’re an artist, you’re an artist. And when it’s time to do business, it’s time to do business. 

JaJuan: It sounds like he had a profound impact for sure. 

UFO Fev: For sure! 

JaJuan: So what have you been listening to recently? I know we spoke about it a little bit inside. 

UFO Fev: Aside from myself and the projects I’ve been creating, Freddie Gibbs. We spoke about that. I got .38 Spesh on my joint. A little Ari Lennox, Black Thought, Danger Mouse, amazing project. Illmatic. Always listening to Illmatic. A little bit of Tribe. You know, Midnight Marauders. I always like to go back and forth from new to older and stuff like that. 

JaJuan: You like to get a little taste of everything. 

UFO Fev: Everything! Depending on the drive because I’m a heavy driver. I’m always getting in the car, so I like to. If I’m not home, I’m tryna just sit in the car and turn up the speakers. Give it that little car test.  I’m always listening to music. It’s a big part of my days. 

JaJuan: Dope! So tell us about the origins of your name? ‘

UFO Fev: UFO Fev! The UFO!I got that as I matured.  It’s like knowledge of self. The way I was rhyming! The cadence! My flow. Everything was different, especially for a Latino. That’s where the UFO comes from and the “Fev” part, I got from Black Rob, may God rest his soul. Black Rob titled me “Fev.” He heard I was rhyming one day, I had bumped into him. We were passing one another, talking and like a movie, I turned around and he was like “I heard you’re rhyming out here.” He was like, “I heard you got a little fever?” I was like good lookin’ Rob! That’s how I got the name. It kind of just stuck. 

JaJuan: Wow! That sounds hella nostalgic! So I know you and Fat Joe have close ties! How’d y’all first link up? 

UFO Fev: I met my big brother Fat Joe through Dre of “Cool & Dre.” He’s the one who introduced us and linked us up. After hearing my music, he introduced my music to Joe and then Dre found me and he told me he wanted to meet me but also that he wanted to introduce me to Joe first. From there I met Joe and we’ve been together ever since. He’s been a mentor. I’ve been riding with him. He took me overseas a bunch of times, shows, we’ve got records together. Like you said, everything organic. I rock with him. 

JaJuan: That’s fire! What’s some guidance that he’s provided for you, in terms of how to navigate your career a little better? 

UFO Fev: A lot of patience! He’s taught me a lot of patience when it comes to the industry. Give people the benefit of the doubt! Don’t be so arrogant and expect everyone to jump. I’ve learned that with him. Just watching him I’ve learned that, just seeing how he works with people. Always smiling, always cordial! But mostly twin, I’ve also learned how to just be a loving person because he conducts himself on love! He doesn’t radiate any negativity. He likes to stay positive and allow his blessings to get to him. Verbally, he says so many things. You know, he talks. He loves to tell stories. There’s so many gems that I have with him that I learned. Just to be a better family man and to be happy with what I’ve got and to not worry about anything else. 

JaJuan: It sounds like he’s had a profound impact for sure. 

UFO Fev: That’s a fact! Just watching him be successful. If there’s things he has to deal with as a man, then I have no reason to complain. I have no reason to complain about the stuff I have to do. He’s well off but he still has to do a lot. Parents, lady, kids, industry. Like, he’s still active. 

JaJuan: So being a rapper of Puerto Rican descent, do you ever feel underestimated? And how do you combat that? 

UFO Fev: Absolutely! I usually write some more. Don’t get so hard on myself. But absolutely, I do feel underestimated sometimes but that’s just moments. I’m only human. That usually comes from social media and stuff. You know, when I see things going on but if I don’t delve into that realm, I’ll be alright. I’ll be good. People salute me for what I do and that’s all I need. Plus we get paid for it, so there’s really no reason to complain but like I said twin, if I dive into that realm and I see others highlights, then yeah I start feeling some type of way. Try and stay out of our own way sometimes. 

JaJuan: Haha, I feel you. It’s not even worth it. 

UFO Fev: Don’t hate on yourself. Don’t let them see you sweat

JaJuan: So what is the inspiration behind the concept of your latest single: “Wash The Bills”? Where’d that even stem from? 

UFO Fev: To zero it in, it just comes from. The rhyme was just like braggadocious rhyme. It fit around the project but the concept was a person having a lot of money that they can’t spend. Metaphorically, “Wash The Bills,” you use a laundromat, put your money in soap. Realistically, you have to find ways to spend the money. You can’t just sit on it. It doesn’t work like that. There’s another record on the project called “Taxman.” It kind of plays into the same realm but it comes from the perspective of Uncle Sam. I rap from the perspective of actually being like “what is taxation?” 

JaJuan: That’s hella intriguing. It sounds like a very refreshing perspective.

UFO Fev: It’s not as deep as it sounds. You know, it’s dope. Still fly shit though. 

JaJuan: Dope! I’m boutta be on the lookout for that. 

UFO Fev: It’s about to be on “Blood On The Bills” 

JaJuan: How many tracks do you have lined up for that? 

UFO Fev: There’s ten joints on the project. All produced by Finn. He is a Jamaican born producer by way of Canada. He might be Canadian born. Um, he’s a good brother from Toronto. He’s part of a click called BBM. Gold Era is the label. We’ve got some vinyl coming out. Vinyl’s available at GoldEramusic.com. Go purchase that. And the merch is available as well. Well produced by Finn, front to back. It’s hard! If you listen to any of my projects, you expect a good cohesive body of work and that’s what it is for sure. 

JaJuan: It’s funny that you mentioned Finn because I meant to ask about Finn. How’d y’all team up? 

UFO Fev: I was recording with Terminology and Statik Selektah. There was someone who reached out via DM on his behalf that told me that he was interested in hollering at me. I replied and was like “sure man, link us up” and sent a batch right away. I started working on them. I started diving more into his catalog and I got to learn more about him and how he works and that made me look forward to actually getting it done. He’s a dope producer. He has stuff out that’s already dope with other artists. Not just in Hip-Hop but in the Jamaican and Hip-Hop category as well. I can’t wait to do another one. I can’t wait to get to Canada too! 

JaJuan: Gotchu! Are there any artists that you’d like to collaborate with that you haven’t yet? 

UFO Fev: Absolutely! I usually like to just allow it to happen but you know, Anderson .Paak, would love to rap with Pusha T, Freddie Gibbs. I’d love to work with a lot of R&B artists. I’d love to work with all the legends if I can. Would definitely love to collaborate. 

JaJuan: So how has being a father impacted your grind? Would you say it’s made you more hungry? 

UFO Fev: It’s definitely made me more hungry. It’s made me more of an introvert too. I stay out of the way. I come outside when plentiful and when needed. And just stay focused and stay on the grind and stay away from politics, more or less. That’s what it does. 

JaJuan: Hmm, I feel that. So what do you have lined up for the rest of the year? 

UFO Fev: Uh, “Blood On The Bills” is next and I look to do some shows coming up. Some more videos. Some more merch and more albums. I don’t know if I’m going to take some time off or if I’m going to drop consistently. 

JaJuan: I’m looking forward to that. So before we wrap it up, is there anything else you’d like to say before we wrap it up? 

UFO Fev: Yeah, follow me on all socials: @ufofev. Much love!

JaJuan: Appreciate you! 

To Keep Up With UFO Fev, Check Him Out On Instagram

Photos Courtesy Of @sinematic.studios

Hailing from Tallahassee, Florida, Real Boston Richey is well on his way to becoming a household name among today’s elite “trap” milieu. 

Originally known as Jalen Foster, Real Boston Richey discovered his lyrical acumen and affinity for musical production a little less than a year ago. 12 months later, Richey is one of the most electrifying newcomers to come out of Florida in the last decade. 

Having a unique command of Florida colloquialism coupled with pithy bars over high-velocity, Michigan-style instrumentation, Real Boston Richey has been able to distinguish himself with exquisite flare. 

Garnering genuine love and appreciation from his “trap” predecessors, some of which include Future, Lil’ Durk and Lil’ Baby, Real Boston Richey is on an undeniable path to superstardom. 

Being the first artist to rise out of Tallahassee since T-Pain back in 05’, Real Boston Richey is the epitome of a hometown hero as he often pays homage to his southern roots. 

With a natural knack for going viral, two of his breakout singles have already skyrocketed in popularity on YouTube: “Bullseye 2” (ft. Future) with 2.8M views, “Keep Dissing 2” (ft. Lil’ Durk) with 13M views, and “Everybody” with 4M views. 

In late August, Real Boston Richey dropped his debut mixtape: “Public Housing ” through Open Shift Distribution. Encompassing 17 tracks, the project has already been met with blissful reception. 

Recently, JaJuan Malachi of The Knockturnal was fortunate enough to link up with Real Boston Richey at Audiomack Studios in NYC to discuss his motivation to pursue a career in music, his producers, his initial vision behind “Public Housing” and more. 

Here’s how the conversation played out: 

JaJuan: So when did you discover your love for Hip-Hop music? 

Real: S**t, honestly bro. One thing about me is that I’ve always loved music. I always love music. If you were to call me, I’d probably be listening to R&B music. I listen to Keyshia Cole, Fantasia. Like old music. Like Tevin Campbell. Like, I probably listen to that more than Hip-Hop. I love music. I’ve always loved music. I just never knew that I could rap until recently. 

JaJuan: Being from Tallahassee, Florida, who are some of the artists that have most influenced your sound? 

Real: I wouldn’t really say that anyone from Tallahassee influenced my sound cause’ it’s on a different wave but I have some artists who have influenced my drive, who have influenced my ambition. Boy, we could do whatever we wanna do. It’s all about putting in the work. 

JaJuan: So what motivated you to pursue music full-time? When did you find that you really had the talent for it? 

Real: Really, my cousin. His name Slug. He was a rapper. My cousin was making music. Like, he ain’t no rapper. He made music, you know what I’m saying. He passed away in 2015 but like, we always used to tell him “like damn cuz, we’ve gotta go to the next level with the music.” He always used to tell us, like ya’ll need to do music. Like in my city, we’ve always been poppin ‘. We’ve always been the younger dudes who stayed trendy with the clothes, cars. Like, we’ve always been top-tier hustlers, you feel me? Like, my cousin used to always be like, y’all the young n***s, y’all got the swag. I wanna follow and y’all boys lead.” After he really passed away, I went to jail for a couple years and came back out but actually, my sister’s baby daddy was best friends with my cousin that died. I got cool with him even more, so he always used to be like “I be in the studio until 3, 4 in the morning! Boy, pull up, just let me see if you can record.” He used to be like “Imma help your voice. Imma help you.” One day, it was like 3 in the morning and I was like “f**k that,” I’m finna pull up on his ass. So I really just pulled up one day and we made a song. My first song was called “Big YIC.” I was like, it’s aightttt. It was just some s**t to do but everybody was liking it. After that, he went to calling me every night and I actually just started going there every night and my fourth song I ever made was “Bullseye.” I put bout four or five bars on it and I didn’t like it. Me and my brother came to the studio like a week later and everyone at the studio was like “boy, what the f**k.” That was really one of my first songs that made me realize “like, I really have a shot at this s**t. Like, I can really rap ya feel me?” 

JaJuan: Yeah, that joint go crazy too! So tell us about the origins of your name? That’s something we’ve gotta know. 

Real: Yeah, I really got my name Real Boston Richey from, you ever heard of Boston George? 

JaJuan: Nah.

Real: Boston George was actually a white dude. He would traffic marijuana and s**t like that. He was from this movie…..

*everyone contemplating on what the name of the movie was* 

Real: Damn. I can’t remember the name of the movie but I just liked him so much, I really just named myself Boston Richey type s**t but I just wanted to keep Richey. Like some fancy s**t to it. It became an IG name. That’s just where it really came from. I just went to the rapping and that shit really stuck. 

JaJuan: Hm, I feel that. So being a relative newcomer in the game? How does it feel to be embraced by heavy hitters like Kodak, Future, Lil’ Durk? 

Real: Shit, it’s really like. It really feels good because being an up and coming artist. I’m speaking for myself and other people I know, you be wanting to be recognized by people who you listen to and people who you really know “like, the greatness.” You really want to be recognized by people like that. Being able to be in contact with people like Durk, Future, Baby, anybody like that. It just really gives you more ambition “like damn, he’s f**king with me.” That makes me realize why I gotta go harder. When I get up there, I’m gonna show love to another up and coming artist. With me, it just gives me fuel to the flame. If dem boys f**king with me, I can get support from damn near anybody. They hear my music and all I have to do is keep working. Like, them doors gon’ open forreal. 

JaJuan: Word, I feel that. So for my next question: What is some of the best advice you’ve received thus far? 

Real: Man, it might sound simple but as of right now, the best advice I’d done received was from Future. One thing he always preaches, something that he is big on is: “stay in the studio recording.” He’s big on music, like he won’t tell you to miss a show but he is big on “staying in the studio recording,” he’s big on recording and staying consistent. Like man, don’t do nothing else. Just worry about making the music. Man, long as you make the music. Every door you need to be open, gon’ be made open through making music. You just gotta make music. And he said that as long as you stay consistent with recording, shit you actually get better. I watch myself get better by making song by song. You feel me, it becomes easier to record and you just start knowing what you look like and knowing your own flavors in rapping. So, that would be the  best piece of advice I’ve received. It’s all about him staying consistent and making the music because a lot of people don’t have the music. 

JaJuan: After shooting your video for “Bullseye 2,” it was reported that you gave out clothes and shoes to the community and provided a moving message about gun violence/ How important is giving back to you? 

Real: S**t bruh, I feel like giving back, that’s real important because s**t like, I know how it feels to actually grow up. I know one thing though. My momma and daddy always made sure we had what we need. I just feel like I know how it is to go without. Giving back is a necessity to me, like if you got it to spare. Not only if you got it to spare, I feel like it’s only right that you spread the love. I don’t even give back for the blessing. Like, motherf**kers be like “Imma give because my blessing is coming in.” Nah, I don’t even give because of that. I don’t even be thinking like that, I give because I have it and I know I can help in a certain way. There’s people out here that actually need help. I ain’t finna be around here. Man, I got Future in the projects, I got all this money on me but I ain’t helping nobody. Like, that’s a bad look. I’m showing this people this money and I’m showing these people what this money can do. Like, as long as you have your head set on straight, I’m like “hey,” give it back. I ain’t just coming to the projects with this money and all this jewelry. With Future and all these rappers, like I’m just here for the video. Nah, I’m actually active out here, picking up food trucks just to come feed all the kids. Everybody going to Foot Locker, buying all shoes, buying all sizes, all clothes. Whatever, whatever. Aye! Like, I’m really out here with all these people going through the shit. Ya feel me, like those same projects I stayed in didn’t have nothing. I’ve watched other n***s get money and never do nothing for nobody. You don’t need somebody to come in the projects and ask for anything. You know their kids need shoes. S**t, I just want the kids to know that you can get what you want just as long as you work for it in a positive way. I just wanna be able to relate with them. Some of the stuff they’re going through, I’m still going through even as a rapper. 

JaJuan: A lot of your beats and instrumentation go crazy. That was one thing that really stood out to me about your work aside from the sheer talent but who are some of the producers that you’ve worked with? 

Real: Shid, I work with DY Krazy, DDOT Freezing, Jay Bird, 1040, somebody named HEEM, HEEM actually my engineer but he makes beats too. When it comes to picking my producers, I like to stick with the up-and-coming producers, so as I glow up, we can glow up together and establish our own relationship. That’s how I get it. My best song on the tape was their beats. Dem my top producers forreal forreal. 

JaJuan: Have any notable producers reached out to you? 

Real: Oh word, I’m tripping. I’m glad you brought that up to: Doeboy. You ever heard of Doeboy?

JaJuan: Oh yeah, word! 

Real: Doeboy another one. I think he did the majority of my tape. He did about four or five songs. I don’t know how the f**k I forgot about Doeboy. He give me all my turnt songs. My energy songs. When I be ready to pop my s**t, I hit him up and tell him I need a 10-pack. He gon’ cook it up and send it. As far as s**t talking goes, I give Doeboy the crown for that. 

JaJuan: What was your initial vision behind your recent mixtape: “Public Housing”? Do you feel like you’ve executed on it? 

Real: Yeah, yeah most def. I feel like I executed on it but I feel like I’m just, just getting started. Right now, I just feel like with me being up-and-coming and everything happening so, so fast. My life is really in a blur right now. I know I executed but on my next project, I know I still have a lot more work to put in. I know for my next project, I’m gonna go 50 times harder, ya feel me? Like I didn’t really push it how I wanted to but I know for my next tape. I put a lot into it, I put my all into this first tape. These songs were through the months that I went through things. Some of these songs hit different for me because these are like “real life” songs. 

JaJuan: How long was the process? 

Real: S**t, it was the whole year. The whole 10 months. 

JaJuan: Damn! That was a quick turn around. For my final question, What do you have in store for the rest of the year? 

Real: Shit, my plan really for the rest of the year is to keep making music. As I keep making music, I wanna knock out six, seven, eight more videos before my tape. I’m different from a lot of rappers. I sell myself. I pop my s**t, ya feel me? That’s on my to-go-list. That’s my job, ya feel me? Bro, I need to go buy some ice or buy some cars, get fresh and take pictures on the gram. That’s my job, ya feel me? I put that before rapping, ya feel me? That’s what makes it more appealing to people but I can dress. I’m a hustler. I’m a natural s**t popper. That’s my thang! So it’s that and then it’s music, ya feel me? I know a lot of people out here who have A1 music but they don’t have no follow up with their lifestyle. Motherf**ker don’t wanna just look at anybody. You can motivate someone based on how you live. “I want a car like that, I want a house like that. I want my career to take off like that.” People wanna be motivated, ya feel me? I came from nothing, so a lot of people like to see the s**t I do. They can see I was just with them a year ago in the projects doing this or doing that. Now, I look at where he at. That gives a lot of people the fuel they need to keep going. One thing I learned is that all you have to do is be able to see it. If you see it, you can get it. That’s just how life is. A lot of motherf**kers don’t think like that. Once I visualize it, I know I can get it. I just know it’s something I can get. It could be a Bugatti. I just know I can get it. 

To keep up with Real Boston Richey, follow him on Instagram 

Photo Cred: Rafael Javier (@javysphotography) x Open Shift Distribution

By virtue of jumping into an impromptu, on-the-whim cypher with his friends back in 2017, Harvey Galan, more widely known as, Anonymous H received a sign from God that he possessed natural talent for spitting rhymes. 

“I ain’t gon front bro, you should prolly make a song. Like that actually didn’t sound bad like,” said Peter, a friend of his from his alma mater, The Collegiate Institute of Math and Science.

“My brother had a bunch of microphones in his room. I remember going in there and finding this little USB microphone,” said Galan. From there, Galan took heed to his friend’s advice and decided to try his hand at crafting a full-length track.

“I found some type of program online and I was like, you know what, let me try and give this a shot,” said Galan. Sheer curiosity is what led to him unlocking a novel passion: making his own music. 

“I remember loving that shit. Like the song I made was wack but I was like wow, I actually made a song.” Shortly after, Galan became enamored by the thrill and process of cultivating his own tracks from scratch. “I remember catching myself making a song like literally everyday.” Despite not having any formal training at first, the now thoroughly seasoned crooner and rapper knew in his spirit that he was headed in the right direction. 

“It wasn’t until like my six or seventh song, that I started to build confidence. I had sent my boy Tristan one of my songs and he was like, ‘I listen to this everyday,’” he said. After becoming aware of his impact, he reached the epiphany that maybe he could develop a legitimate career out of being a musician. “I think that interaction did it for me where I was like yo, people might actually like my stuff,” said Galan

Now with five years in the game, Anonymous H is adamant about trusting the process and being an inspiration to others around him. Through committing to the beat of his own heart, staying true to himself, remaining consistent and harboring complete faith in all the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make his sound unique, he has been able to carve his own lane from the ground-up. 

Growing up in an ultra-loving, two-parent Dominican, devoutly Christian household, Galan was surrounded by a robust mix of sounds at any given time: bachata, merengue, ‘70s pop, salsa, and gospel. Ironically enough, hip-hop wasn’t the most prevalent.

“Coming up in a strict Catholic household, my parents didn’t really care for hip-hop too much,” said Galan. 

The prospect of creating “secular” hip-hop music was a bit of a moral dilemma for the Bronx rapper early on in his trajectory. 

However, after immersing himself further in freestyle rap, making his first EP and using social media as a tool to promote himself, he realized just how tangible a career in rap could be for him. The reception was beyond anything he could have imagined. 

“Before dropping music, I started doing car freestyles at the time. From then, it really was like the type of traction I was getting that made me believe. Like, I threw it on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and they all did really good on each platform. I was like you know what, let me see if I can really try and make a living off this shit, said Galan.

It was a mixture of the reception he received on both the Car Freestyles, as well as, on his First EP: “You and The Devil are Not That Different,” that truly made the prospect of a career in music apparent. 

Since the emergence of his career, Galan has been keen on optimizing the power of social media to bolster the visibility of his music since day one, which has been a major portion of his come-up. 

“The strategy that I’ve found the most success with is making meme-ish, kind of stuff putting it on different people’s platforms, different influencers telling them to go to your page. I’m not a big fan of the advertising on Instagram too much. I try not to touch that too much because I feel like it messes up the algorithm.” 

With over 23,000 followers on Instagram and zero assistance from the expert-level marketing teams that labels provide, Anonymous H has puzzled together an effective formula that works for him. 

Hailing from Freeman St. in The Bronx, NY, Anonymous H strives to keep all of his content rooted in relatable, real-life subject matter with unabashed candor. “I used to steal all your percocets, you probably needed it way more than me,” says Anonymous as he laments the cancer-induced death of his late brother Junior on his 2019 track entitled “When My Brother Died, This Beat Helped Me Fall Asleep.” 

While some of his sonic landscape does glance into tropes of vulnerability and melancholic gloom illustrated within his discography” I Don’t Want To Kill Myself and Signs,” he still has a major penchant a diverse array of tracks: intimate love songs, poignant, introspective tracks and of course, the turn-up. 

Influenced by some of his predecessors among the sphere of grungy, alternative rap, including Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt, Anonymous H is a shapeshifter with an adept ability to jump from one style to the next in seamless fashion. His acumen is vast and far from one-dimensional. Some ways one might describe it are eclectic, fluid and malleable. 

Sometimes his inclination leads him to being a heartfelt, sentimental crooner over a lo-fi track and other times, he is spitting rapid fire over hi-tempo, alternative trap-rap production. Admittedly, he confesses that the process is a bit whimsical and oftentimes contingent on what the people want to hear. 

“I love singing melodic songs but whether it’s from fans or supporters in general, they love the rapping stuff. It’s what works for me the most,” he said.

One essential pillar to H’s artistry is that he doesn’t take himself too seriously. His passion and fervor are always active throughout his creative process but he makes having fun a priority just as much as producing high-quality music. 

“One of my favorite things to do on top of that is sometimes we’ll [his camp]  travel, bring the studio with us, legit get a hotel room, experience the city, come back, make music,” he said. 

Anonymous H is only concerned with playing for keeps. Currently, he’s “in talks” with some major record labels and evaluating his options — the margin between reality and his dreams is getting smaller day by day. 

“I wanna be big enough to affect other people’s lives, whether it’s signing other artists. Being big enough to sign other artists. Just affecting lives. That’s what I want for my brand, he said.  

To keep up with Anonymous H, check him out on Instagram. 

Over the last year, Marcus “Swami Sound” Harley has found himself at the forefront of a newfound sonic soundscape within contemporary house music: NYC Garage. 

Existing as a tasteful offspring to the genre of U.K. Garage, NYC Garage is a newfound rendition with its own unique set of traits and idiosyncrasies. 

Despite not being anywhere near the apex of his musical journey, he has already been dubbed the “Father of NYC Garage.” While this level of acclaim might astound some, Swami Sound is honored but still very much fixated on expansion and unlocking the next level of where the genre can go. 

With a very niche, cult-like following bubbling on SoundCloud, actively undergoing a multi-city tour and releasing new music relatively often, Swami Sound is working towards cementing his imprint on the world of Garage music with verve, excitement and a fresh paradigm. 

Fully indebted to his craft, Swami Sound is in a mode of consistent creation as he has already dropped over 15 tracks within the past year alone. Some of his most notable works include “kelela – waiting (swami’s NYC garage), Two-Step Verification vol.7 (TGS x Hula Open Mic), and frank ocean – cayendo (swami’s NYC garage mix), which can all be found on his SoundCloud.  

Before launching his second leg of touring and releasing his latest single: “Back In The Day (Soulecta Dub),” Swami Sound was able to chop it up with JaJuan Malachi of The Knockturnal about life, musical inspirations, goals and the NYC Garage Movement as a whole. 

Here is how the conversation played out: 

JaJuan: For those who aren’t yet familiar with Swami Sound, tell us about your background and where you come from? 

Swami: Word yeah, I go by Swami Sound. I’m from the Bronx, NY. I’m 24 years old. And yeah, I started making music around the time that I began college and throughout my artistic musical journey, I’ve purveyed different spaces and different communities especially within the Bronx at my early onset as a DJ, as well as, a musical community where I studied. I studied at NYU and I graduated in 2019. Since graduating, I’ve explored different realms of my musicianship through electronic music and as of late, I’ve been having a foray into house music and through that foray, I have explored U.K. Garage and Two-Step and I’ve started to cultivate my own rendition of it. I’ve been dawned the Father of NYC Garage. 

JaJuan: So how’d you develop your penchant for Garage music and when did you discover that there was an opportunity for you to carve your own niche in NYC? 

Swami: The first Garage song that I heard was “On My Mind” by Preditah and Jorja Smith. I was working with an older schoolmate on their new album and one of the track’s on that album was supposed to be a two-step Garage song. I wasn’t super familiar with it. In a way in order for me to become a better producer and for me to produce that song a lot better. They sort of offered a little bit of an intimate study through a playlist. They were like “hey, here is a list of garage songs that I like a lot that you can listen to to get a feel for this production belt.” Through that playlist, you know I listened to all the songs and was like damn, these are all fire. I certainly took all the songs and started making my first mixes through that first playlist and also that song I produced. I started to get better at not only producing garage music but listening to it and finding different artists by way of that I was very familiar with the legacy of house music through my friend GUM and then I started relating to it more by playing more with GUM and DazeGxd. The more that I got new gigs, the more I studied. There was always an assignment. I was like “let me look, let me find songs that I can relate to.” So for Garage music, I was able to find songs that did multiple things for me personally. Like, they filled an emotional hole but also an energy that I’m looking for. Like, something that could be melancholic or cool or calm but has a beat that’s high enough in tempo to where I’m going, so I can feel emotionally charged. One of my favorite songs is called “Summer of Love” by Lonyo. It kind of has a melancholy kind of feel to it but it’s like a summer song. Sonically, it does that emotion thing but it also gives me energy. 

JaJuan: When did you discover that there was an opportunity for you to carve your own niche in NYC? 

Swami: In terms of finding an opportunity to carve my own lane, it happened copacetic. Like, I was producing a lot more and what it did for me, like those two qualities: the emotion but energy wise made it very easy for me to create my own music in that lane. For a while I was trying to explore myself artistically, I didn’t necessarily know what the perfect thing was. Like, is it melancholic or emotional? I didn’t know what speed I wanted it to be at. And if I wanted to do dance music, I didn’t know how to authentically do that. By finding that niche for myself, I was able to produce it and offer it as this thing. Like, “hey, I found this thing that was perfect for me.” It wasn’t a matter of being opportunistic. I was just like “yo, there’s this genre that’s so fire. That I know how to make and I can name it.” That was like the biggest part. 

JaJuan: Do you have any vivid recollection of that “aha,” eureka moment where you were like “oh, s**t, I have something here.” 

Swami: Yo, the aha moment was in September or October when Tony G tweeted like NTS should make a radio show called “Two-Step Verification” and like, I immediately responded to this tweet and was like “yo, I’m taking this idea” and then I made my first mix.” And then that’s when the Aha was like “I like this a lot and I have so much energy for it.” And then when I was exploring all these songs. I’m understanding rhythms. I know how to make it and I’ve practiced songwriting long enough to get this across. The aha moment was really like when I made “Hope It Stays.” That was really when I was like “yo, this is a great beat.” Then when I sent it to JOON, he sent me those vocals back and I was like “this is it.” This is exactly what I’m going to focus on right now. It was very simple. I didn’t have to overthink it. And then I was like “yo, I need this out next week.” It had been a long time since I released music, so for me to feel ready to show something meant a lot because I’m a perfectionist. I be on my virgo shit like crazy! I’m like “yo, I need this right, I need this perfect.” I’m a big perfectionist when it comes to music. But like for an idea to come together in such a small amount of time signifies that “this is really it.” It’s not about how I can make this sound at its best but literally like “this is the perfect idea,” this is the perfect time, here it is.” And those opportunities show themselves. 

JaJuan: Well I commend you for answering the call! The world is a better place because of it. So going back to what you stated earlier about being dubbed “The Father of NYC Garage” by SoundCloud, given such rarified acclaim, do you feel a sense of additional pressure to execute and perform at a high level now? 

Swami: Yeah, like. 

JaJuan: Like, you feel like there’s very small margin for error and you can’t afford to disappoint at all? 

Swami: Honestly that happens. That was so random. It was just so random. 

*mutual laughter* 

Swami: I was like, “I mean know that’s right but like this is it.” “N***as just don’t throw that shit around like that. They don’t just call n***as that out of nowhere. Like, that meant something and I had only put out two songs. Like only two of those kinds of songs but I was also supporting them with playlists. I was doing mixes. Like after that, once that occurred, I was like “everything that I’m doing is apart of the plan.” As far as disappointment goes, I have no room for disappointment. I don’t really experience imposter syndrome. That was affirming that this is exactly it. Like, when I was like this is the perfect time, perfect opportunity. I don’t know if it was the perfect timing but that put the battery in my back to keep doing it at the pace that I intended to. It just gave it more of a name. It gave me a name. But then what occurred is that I started getting more naysayers. People that were trying to argue that I wasn’t necessarily respecting Garage music or the onset of house music or the early pioneers. Or that there was outright neglect present of the evolution of music or the transatlantic exchange that can occur. The time. How time moves with music and how I’ve been responding to it. So for them to call me “the father of NYC Garage,” a lot of people are neglecting the fact that. I’m pronouncing it as NYC Garage.  Not Paradise garage. Nothing like that. This is the next level of two-step for somebody from the East Coast. For a n***a from the Bronx. Like I’m from the Bronx. N***a, this is the reason why music is like this right now. Like this is exactly how it’s supposed to be. They can argue it all they want. One, my s**t is not trash. Two, that’s pretentious. I don’t mean to sound pretentious but like yo, I know what I’m doing. I’m respecting the legacy. I do my research all the time. Like, I’m not the one to argue with and I get a lot of people in my DMs tryna tell me like what it is. I’m like, it’s just music. I’m not the one that tweeted that. 

JaJuan: You just embraced it pretty much. 

Swami: I embraced it. 

JaJuan: So I’m curious to know: How do you combat the vitriol? Because it seems like there has been a lot of clout and attention that has stemmed from this newfound place you’re currently in? Like how do you maintain mental focus? 

Swami: Yo, yeah I was on social media for a minute just buggin’ out but then the MixMag article dropped and then that’s when I realized, I don’t have to do anything. Then I did the Dublab Mix, and then I did the Henry Street Settlement Mix. Like, literally the way that I combat the vitriol is by continuously working. They could still come from me and stuff like that. This is almost in a way like saying cosigns but not really because these people are cosigning it just off rip without me begging for it. I’m not begging for anything. I’m doing exactly what I planned on doing from the get go. Y’all are just blatantly, the vitriol is just the vitriol. That’s just a part of it. And actually, that’s exactly what should be happening because if no one is doing that then is what I’m really doing impactful. And then also, I’m engaging in that vitriol with respect and also like education and acknowledging that I’m also on a journey of figuring out how to do this the best way but also learn in the best way, so it helps me sort of like think critically about my own music. Because if people are still going to question me at the end of the day, then that means that I’m not necessarily demonstrating the amount of respect that’s necessary. 

JaJuan: Well in the words of NYC rapper Fabolous, “if you ain’t got no haters, you’re not poppin.” For my next question, how would you describe NYC Garage and what are some sonic facets that distinguish it for other iterations/versions? 

Swami: So like NYC Garage is still in its early forms. I’ve got Daze and GUM sort of like applying themselves to it as well and labeling their forms of Garage music that way. That really helps develop the identity. We’re just like East Coast guys. Like, Americans making this version of two-step that doesn’t specifically sound like future Garage, “outsider” house, or U.K. Garage in general. Like, it has elements in funk, soul, more deep connotations. My version of it or the future that I see for it is actually a connection between drill music: NY drill, Chicago Drill, Grime, U.K. Drill. Kind of like pulling that together sonically and it hasn’t necessarily happened yet. I’m like doing it bit by bit. I’m familiarizing the city with this sound so that one day, I can pull it all together in a way that is authentic. That’s the plan for it: to combine it with contemporary Hip-Hop. Because a lot of those cadences, the tempos. We’ve seen Hip-Hop go at higher tempos now. At this point, A lot of drill music that’s out is hitting 150, it’s hitting 160, it’s hitting Philly Club, Jersey Club. Like, it’s all connected. Drum and Bass and Garage are all connected. It’s all dance music. In a way there will be a perfect time and moment where all those tempos sort of connect with each other. And you’re going to hear it. I’m kind of just giving the blueprint of where it is going to go. The thing is it’s not supposed to have one uniform sound. Anybody can be New York Garage. I just so happen to be the “father” of it. 

JaJuan: So, I guess striving towards this finalized form of it, do you have somewhat of a timeline or is it more so an organic process? 

Swami: Yeah, so organic process. I remember talking to GUM about it and we wanted to get this all done this summer but the issue with that. We kind of shopped that idea since then but the issue with that was we expected for n****s to start biting but we had to let go of that conception. Like, if n****s was biting, that was the point. The point was for n****s to feel like we opened the door to that because that’s what the legacy is but you know it’s been coming in waves. People are inspired by us and that is super important. Like, I want to do this thing where I’m just inspiring producers to embrace dance music. I’m inspiring artists to embrace dance music and that’s what’s happening. For as long as I can do that, I’m excited. I’m not in a rush to complete this final form of it because right now, I’m spoon feeding it slowly. My last remix came out like five months ago. And I just put one out yesterday off a whim. The time is so short. I’m feeling like it’s just gonna happen. If it doesn’t happen, nah there’s no room for thinking it’s not going to happen. It’s going to happen. I expect it to happen soon but I think the most important thing is that it happens slowly. It’s happening slowly. I don’t want to just have one hit. I wanna put out a lot of great things. I want to put out a lot of great mixes/songs. I wanna have good shows. I want a prolonged experience. It’s making me think about Drake dropping. For that week, a lot of people were having deliberations on the state of House music. Like, a lot of those conversations aren’t happening anymore. 

JaJuan: Yeah, they quickly dwindled. 

Swami: They quickly dwindled. That’s not what I want. But the key was that people were also directing people towards us. Like and I’m guessing that’s what it was supposed to do. The last thing I want is to have a “quickly dwindled” conversation. It’s supposed to be a prolonged experience. For as big as we want it to be, it has to happen at a slow and steady pace. 

JaJuan: I feel that. So on another note, how has touring been for you? 

Swami: Touring has been dope! Going to Montreal, it was sick to see another city for a personal experience. Getting out of NY is a blessing. A lot of people want to come to NY and experience it and stuff like that but for a New Yorker to come from where I’m from, a lot of n***s don’t even get that opportunity to go somewhere else just for a little bit to get some money, you know? So to go somewhere else to get some chicken but also just like to experience a city in a different environment to see how other people live and to see where else I could thrive. 

JaJuan: Like the novelty of it is enchanting. 

Swami: Yes, the novelty of it and it never really goes away because I’m from probably the greatest city in the world but I am able to appreciate the small things in other cities. This is a great place. Like Portugal is great because you know the beach is like a 20 min drive away. You can go to the water but then you can go back to the city and check out the hustle and bustle but they’ve got some good eats, you know what I’m saying. Los Angeles is dope because there’s a lot of dope people and they are working out there. And I was grateful to have gone. The LA trip was whimsical in a way but I was like “yo, this is an opportunity I’ve gotta take and there I realized that that’s where my largest fanbase is, where people would say “I’ve been following you and your music for a minute now. I love your music, ah, ah, ah.” Touring has been really wholesome. I’m back in NY for a second but I’m about to go back on tour. 

JaJuan: Wow, well that’s exciting. What’s the next stop for you? 

Swami: Austin! 

JaJuan: Texas?! 

Swami: Yeah, yeah. 

JaJuan: Ahh ok word! That’s lit!

Swami: Yo, I’m with the shits. I need Zaxby’s immediately. 

JaJuan: Haha, Zaxby’s is fire. You’ve gotta try Raising Cane’s as well. 

Swami: Yo, Raising Cane’s! They’ve got that in LA right? 

JaJuan: Oh word!? I wasn’t savvy on that. I think they’re bringing one on 42nd Street as well. Yeah, the eats out there are impeccable but on another note, who would you say are some of your biggest influences? 

Swami: Yo, my biggest influences. Let me look through my library real quick. Yo, MJ Cole, Kelela. The thing is I have a lot of influences, so that’s a really difficult question to answer. Maybe like Sean Brown as well. GUM is a big influence. I can’t deny that. Daze, Larry Levan, and Frankie Knuckles of course, he’s a Bronx Legend. 

JaJuan: Gotcha! For my next question, if you had to choose between producing and DJing, which one would you say you enjoy the most and why ?

Swami: Um, yo! I love DJing because I get to hear blends on the fly. I hear two songs that sound really good together and I always know what songs sound good together. Like, it helps me know that I’m so good at this. Also, it helps me produce better. It helps me find out what direction I wanna take my productions in or like, what I want to strive for at some point. They’ll always be songs to play. I try and take my creative side. I try to treat it with care. There was a point in time where I wasn’t listening enough and that’s why I love DJing because I can always listen. It’s not always about creating but I can still always create a fire blend. 

JaJuan: What are some of your short term goals? 

Swami: Getting my CDs out there. A n****a like me needs some money. Developing more of a garment identity. Like what kinds of garments I want to make. I want to explore more a visual, cinematic world but that’s hard because I need money, haha. Yeah but sort of just getting the image out there. Like people can subscribe to it in a simpler way than just the music. As of right now, I’m getting people to subscribe to the music but at some point, I’m going to get them to subscribe to the image. It should always be, at its core, about the sound. It’s a little hard to do that with a couple songs out. 

JaJuan: I would imagine so. It seems like a time-intensive process. 

Swami: Yes indeed! 

JaJuan: Everything that you have going on is sort of like a slow burn. 

Swami: Yeah, slow burn! Like and that’s the important thing is that like, I’m not making super viral TikToks every single time. I’m getting TikToks that have like a couple of 1,000 views. That may be a lot but that’s actually a small amount but that’s perfect because then you’re developing a niche. That lets you know that it’s a niche. Like, I’ve seen people on TikTok with videos that blow but then that’ll be the only reason why people f**k with them. They’ll be seeking that one specific sound or that one specific song. But that’s not what I want. I want people to like all of it. That’s why niche is important. That’s what’s most important to me. Like you know what I mean. There was a point in time where I thought I was only going to be identified through the kelela remix but I realized that all I needed to do was make a fire remix. 

JaJuan: So diversify the portfolio pretty much! 

Swami: Diversify the portfolio at a timely basis because you’ve gotta let things live. You’ve gotta let things live. Right now, it’s not about the numbers. It’s not about having 100s of 1000s. Right now, what I’m looking at is 10s of 1000s because that’s perfect. Because you can really tell that this is on the rise. That there’s an opportunity to go beyond that. Trusting the process is soooo important. And I’m really going for that one but if I do get that one, I’ll be grateful. 

JaJuan: Outside of music, what are some of your other creative outlets? 

Swami: Yo, I’m still trying to get into sort of like documenting our travels. Sort of like more clothing. I like Gorpcore a lot. I want to get into the actual application of Gorpcore. Like going out and hiking, kayaking, um yeah. I like to look like I’m doing something. 

JaJuan: Word! So where do you envision yourself in say the next five years? Do you plan on committing to music full-time? 

Swami: Yeah, I’ve already committed to music full-time. But what I want to do within five years is, I need a Grammy for one, two I want to start a music therapy practice. I want to put my degree to work and start a business in music therapy. Yeah, that’s the only plan. 

JaJuan: Tell us about your vision behind your upcoming single: Back In The Day (Soulecta Dub)? And sort of like what your ideation process was behind that? 

Swami: Yeah, so the original version of “Back In The Day” that came out in February, that took about two years to create and that had different forms. It’s final form was when I realized I wanted to make Two-Step Garage music. I wanted to explore myself personally, be able to translate that into lyrics that I wrote for it, and then come together with Camille, getting it to conceptually match my identity as being a Bronx Native, appreciating Spanish music and sort of applying it to that. Like, y’all ain’t never heard Spanish music in Garage music in the way that I applied it. Someone told me that and I told them that I’ve never heard that either. 

JaJuan: So this is pretty groundbreaking? 

Swami: Yo, it’s groundbreaking! It really is. So like the Soulecta Dub. When Soulecta hit me up or when he followed me rather because I’ve been in tune with the UKG scene, that was just a connection that really worked out. Like Soulecta sent me all of his dubs including the ones that he hasn’t put out yet and I was like, these are all fire. I always play some Soulecta when I’m out performing. I hit him up and was like, “yo, do you wanna make a dub of this?” For something that was already Garage, he made it like the U.K. Garage that really signifies the difference, so that when somebody hears it, they’re going to be like “yeah, this is the difference between U.K. and NYC Garage. 

JaJuan: So it really delineates the contrast forreal forreal? 

Swami: Yeah, exactly! And pick which one you prefer between the two. If you pick one, cool but then you have another one and it’s also for the DJs something that’s easy to play, something that feels good. Yeah, the thing about the Soulecta Dub is that it feels a lot better. It feels like more of a Summer hit. The original version explores the depth of my artistry and does what a remix should, which is make it a lot more fun. You get the same message. It brings me back to like, in the early 2000s era those remixes, a lot of people slept on those. Those house remixes that kind of seemed corny for the time. Now, they sound so good because they were ahead of their time. Reviving a song through a remix is so important, like there is much more to it. 

JaJuan: Yeah, the track takes on a new life with the remix if done right. Sometimes, it’ll even surpass the quality or popularity of the original. There are few that come to mind actually right now. 

Swami: The “Confessions” remix. I didn’t even know that Kanye West was on the “Confessions” remix. 

JaJuan: Oh you didn’t know that, haha. 

Swami: Like there is so much there. Like the “ice box” (swami redub), there’s a couple remixes of Cassie’s “Me & U,” there are remixes of Ciara, Janet Jackson. Like there are all these remixes that exist that aren’t cringy that sort of fit into the sonic identity of me but also the memories of so many other people. Like what I’m doing is filling in that memory hole that can lift you up but also bring you back. 

JaJuan: We definitely need that nowadays for sure. So what is some of the best advice you’ve received in your career so far and from whom? 

Swami: From my homie Mars Marvelito. I forgot what he said exactly but the message was that there are people who aren’t going to be hip immediately. I think as long as that continues, it’ll be good. This might not be how it is forever either. I can be the hottest thing right now but at some point, I might not be. But I can’t let up, it’s a marathon. I’m navigating as if I’m not the hottest thing right now. If I am, I am. If I’m not, I’m not. I’d rather not be right now. I’d rather be a little poppin,’ just because I found my fan base. Like, I haven’t even reached like 2,000 listeners. I mean like followers on streaming services and music platforms. I’m not the hottest thing right now. I’m literally just finding my fanbase. I don’t have a hit that’s great yet. As long as it takes, I will continue working towards that. Everything’s going to take time and that’s what excites me the most. 

JaJuan: I’m excited as well. So what are your thoughts on the “dying” record label and would you consider yourself a proponent for more of the independent route? In the event that a record label wanted to back you, is that something you’d be interested in? 

Swami: A N***a like me. I need a f**king challenger. I need a hellcat. I need money. Nah, I’m not joking. However, I’m not leaving money on the table.

*mutual laughter*

JaJuan: I feel that. So what can we expect from Swami Sound for the rest of 2022? 

Swami: More music, more mixes, good shows, fun times, good energy, connection.

All images shot by @cooly.fooly.

To keep up with Swami Sound, check him out on Instagram.