17-year-old rapper Justin Rarri breaks down his latest single,”In The Beginning” and upcoming project.
Bronx born rapper Justin Rarri has been cultivating his sound and recording music since the age of 14. After moving to PA with his mother, Rarri was introduced to his now longtime collaborator/producer SumYungHai and the rest is history. At only 17 years old, Justin Rarri has accumulated millions of views and streams and sings with a raw honesty that allows him to be vulnerable to his fans. “My perspective on love is f***** up,” says Rarri when we discuss how his latest single “In The Beginning” tackles the subject of fake love. He continues to say, “nine times out of ten, before you get that hate from somebody, it truly comes from admiration and love,” words that demonstrate his wisdom beyond his years. For someone so young, the maturity and insightfulness that Rarri displays while creating a sound that fans can enjoy is unmatched. After signing with Interscope Records last year, Rarri has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. Check out what else Rarri had to say about his upcoming music in our full interview below.
The Knockturnal: Can you tell us about your newest single: “In The Beginning?” One bar that stands out to me is “I’m traumatized from all this love.” To me the song is about fake love, but how would describe it in your own words?
Justin Rarri: That bar right there – that’s really about – cause with this rap shit nine times out of ten, before you get that hate from somebody, it truly comes from admiration and love and that’s what I was feeling at the time. When I see love it makes me think – that’s what I was tryna say, my perspective on love is fucked up, just fake love and all that.
The Knockturnal: You and, “In The Beginning” producer, SumYungHai have been cooking up heat can you talk about how you two met?
Justin Rarri: That’s family right there. When I moved out to PA my mom introduced us. I lived in the Bronx most of my life and Manhattan too, but I moved out to PA 3 years ago. I’m 17 now, I started recording music when I was 14, that’s when me and my producer really got close. They saw the potential in me so everything grew from there. After my mom connected us we just worked, we just clicked, the chemistry was there, and since 14, my producers been fucking with my sound heavy.
The Knockturnal: What draws you to a beat or a producer?
Justin Rarri: I’m real picky, trust me there’s producers- I know they annoyed with me because I’ve heard a thousand of their beats and still haven’t said yes. Me and my producers we do shit from scratch. On this new project coming out, you’re gonna hear a lot of beats from my producers, but I had my hands in it. I even did the Spanish sample. I’m really heavy on producing. That’s not my main thing, but I got a really good ear for that, I gotta pay attention to that.
The Knockturnal: That’s awesome that you get to have that type of relationship with your producer where you can collaborate on the sound
Justin Rarri: Thank God, not a lot of people have the shit.
The Knockturnal: Can you tell us more about this upcoming project?
Justin Rarri: Yeah it’s called Youngins In Charge, I gave it that title because in real life I really control what I do. Everything music is under me. I got a team, but I’m really in charge. Basically I put that title on there to make a statement. It’s 12 songs I think, but it’s pretty packed though It’s gonna go from deep songs to lit songs, but with this project, I definitely made sure it’s way better than the last one. I made sure that each songs hits even if it’s a deep song or even if it’s a hype song, just something everybody can relate to. My producer all over that shit. I’m definitely going to have fire features on there.
The Knockturnal: Anyone you can name at this time?
Justin Rarri: I got some shit with Stunna 4 Vegas that shit goes stupid. I’m picky with my features too. To me it’s all about your music and if we compliment each other on the track.
The Knockturnal: Any visuals on the way?
Justin Rarri: I’m gonna shoot the next song coming out called “2 Seater,” definitely going to turn up for that one.
The Knockturnal: Has quarantine affected your ability to create content or posed any challenges for you?
Justin Rarri: Really just that, traveling and shooting videos, but besides that, I’ve been in my studio every day working.
