As many local fans are aware, Florida has one of the most overlooked Hip Hop circuits, not only in the region, but the entire country. While it can be tough for local creatives to break out from the scene, Citrus Rap makes strides to continue to uplift the Floridians who are on their way up. Said creatives, seen all over CitrusRap, can be found making moves statewide— some even venturing out of state. Still there are several unanswered questions for these rising stars, so we went ahead and formulated a questionnaire to clear the air. This is a new interview series we call “Florida’s Natural,” so that fans can gain insight on the individuals who we believe have the juice.
List your current Alias(es):
Nick León. Sometimes go by nø exit.
Where do you reside; what’s your hometown?
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Why do you make beats?
I like creating something from nothing.
Who do you look up to?
Any virtuoso musician.
How old are you now and how old were you when you first released your music on the internet?
I’m 22, I put my first music on the net at like 13 (when I rapped).
What 3 albums of 3 different genres shaped you as an artist?
Doggystyle – Snoop Dogg, The Campfire Headphase – Boards of Canada, Oracular Spectacular– MGMT.
What do you consistently bring into all of your production that captivates ears?
I like to think I bring different textures/sounds that you might not hear in everyday, average music.
How do you portray your personality in your music?
It makes sense but doesn’t make sense at the same time, and it’s spaced out.
Do you care about social media?
Twitter is tight (sometimes).
Is it ever difficult to express yourself?
Always.
What song describes your current mood?
“She Don’t Need To Know” – Yung Jake
When can people expect your next release/placement?
I have beats on upcoming Denzel Curry, Robb Bank$, and executive produced the new Underachievers album Evermore. Solo stuff is on the way as well.
Pouya is having one hell of a 2015, making the type of moves to prove that he should be taken seriously as a professional rapper. In fact, he is more professional than a lot of rappers, in that he’s doing national tours and raking in hundreds of thousands of views and listens, all without a manager. The Buffet Boys internal support is real, and that makes a difference. While many of his bangers can be attributed to in-house personnel like Don Krez and Mikey The Magician, Pouya has managed to outsource well too. His latest solo offering, “Energy,” brings in some bass-heavy, thumping, electronic production from previous collaborator Getter, the San Jose producer who reps Skrillex‘s OWSLA. Catch Pouyaget buck in Tampa at Takeoff x Landing Festival this weekend, or look out for him on the road beast coastin’ it with The Underachievers, Kirk Knight, and Bodega Bamz. How does he do it? Numbers don’t lie, and neither does pure honesty. Shoutout to Fat Nick.
PRODUCER(s): Father, Nick Leon & Zander LATEST MIXTAPE:No Tresspassing | Download UPCOMING RELEASE: Year Of The Savage RELEASE DATE: TBA
As 2phone preps to hit the road on a northwestern quest to TakeOff x Landing Festival, he lets loose a new banger entitled “Pressure.” Teased previously from a fan video of Robb in Dallas, the new single reaps production assistance from Broward virtuosos Nick Leon and Zander, as well as Atlanta’s own Awful Records founder Father. Catch Robb Bank$ all the way live at TxL this weekend in Tampa, look out for YOTS, and make sure to stay lit on the snap: @doublephone.
Danny Dee is a Palm Beach County beatsmith who has been at it since before he could legally drive a car. Collaborating with local greats like J NICS, Denzel Curry, Prez P, Phil Sebastien, Glok, Croosh, Sean Buck, Lil Champ FWAY, Phresh James, and just about everyone in between, Danny is one of the most seasoned local producers out. Beyond the local spectrum, he has some notable placements, from Isaiah Rashad (of TDE) to OPM’s Warm Brew—and more to come of course. If that signature “Dandy” tag doesn’t sound familiar, you have definitely been sleeping. Get to know the young phenom in our Florida’s Natural interview series, as well as in this new original beat mix he curated just for CitrusRap. How nice of him? Give your ears some aural therapy and tune in.
As many local fans are aware, Florida has one of the most overlooked Hip Hop circuits, not only in the region, but the entire country. While it can be tough for local creatives to break out from the scene, Citrus Rap makes strides to continue to uplift the Floridians who are on their way up. Said creatives, seen all over CitrusRap, can be found making moves statewide— some even venturing out of state. Still there are several unanswered questions for these rising stars, so we went ahead and formulated a questionnaire to clear the air. This is a new interview series we call “Florida’s Natural,” so that fans can gain insight on the individuals who we believe have the juice.
List your current Alias(es):
DannyDee Beats
Where do you reside; what’s your hometown?
Palm Beach County
Why do you make beats?
Creating music is my strongest creative outlet. I have many, but crafting sounds together to make timeless pieces is my drug of choice. New sounds lead to new experiments and genres. I hate turning on the screen and working on something that sounds like what I did yesterday.
Who do you look up to?
The greats before me, myself and the greats coming ahead.
How old are you now and how old were you when you first released your music on the internet?
Let’s just say my Soundclick had 1+ million views when I was 15. I have plenty vouchers.
What 3 albums of 3 different genres shaped you as an artist?
Isao Tomita’s Greatest Hits, Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt and Brian Bennett’s Voyage.
What do you consistently bring into all of your production that captivates ears?
Different drums every time, and never a sample that you’ve heard before. I know my own sound and luckily it’s one that I can constantly play with and make new sounds.
How do you portray your personality in your music?
Chill out, low key, always vibing.
Do you care about social media?
Keep your day-to-day life details off it and promote a product, or brand. Make you some money.
What song describes your current mood?
The new Jay Rock, “Money Trees Deuce,” has been my jam this past week.
When can people expect your next release/placement?
Ascend into the Universe from Croosh and Sean Buck just dropped. Glok‘s All Sales Final coming soon. New Phil Sebastien. Later this year, a collab EP with me and singer Neopopsicle. Also dabbling into movie scoring. Live beat shows coming soon too. It’s a busy year!
As many local fans are aware, Florida has one of the most overlooked Hip Hop circuits, not only in the region, but the entire country. While it can be tough for local creatives to break out from the scene, Citrus Rap makes strides to continue to uplift the Floridians who are on their way up. Said creatives, seen all over CitrusRap, can be found making moves statewide— some even venturing out of state. Still there are several unanswered questions for these rising stars, so we went ahead and formulated a questionnaire to clear the air. This is a new interview series we call “Florida’s Natural,” so that fans can gain insight on the individuals who we believe have the juice
How old are you now and how old were you when you first released your music on the internet?
I’m 23 now; 21 when I released my first projekt REPARATIONS.
What 3 albums of 3 different genres shaped you as an artist?
100% Ginuwine, The Blueprint, N.E.R.D.
What do you bring to the live stage setting that captivates crowds?
When I perform, I give my all. I hope nothing bak. I just let all emotions take over.
Do you care about social media?
Unfortunately, I hate so5ial media, but that’s basikally the outlet artists need to get their musik or talents out. It’s wak as fuk, though.
Is it ever difficult to express yourself?
I never have a problem expressing myself bekause I don’t give 2 fuks what people think of me. I’ve always been that way. Not saying that’s good, but that’s just me.
What song describes your current mood?
Future “Never Gon Lose” is my kurrent mood.
When can people expect your next big project?
To be honest, I have a projekt already done, entitled KOLORED ONLY, but not releasing it yet. Just fokusing on singles and visuals.
Anything else to add?
I rap wat I live. I dnt live wat I rap. Proclub ent is the only thing I spell with a C. #BOPBOP
As many local fans are aware, Florida has one of the most overlooked Hip Hop circuits, not only in the region, but the entire country. While it can be tough for local creatives to break out from the scene, Citrus Rap makes strides to continue to uplift the Floridians who are on their way up. Said creatives, seen all over CitrusRap, can be found making moves statewide— some even venturing out of state. Still there are several unanswered questions for these rising stars, so we went ahead and formulated a questionnaire to clear the air. This is a new interview series we call “Florida’s Natural,” so that fans can gain insight on the individuals who we believe have the juice
List your current Alias(es):
Eddy Braveaux
Where do you reside; what’s your hometown?
My blood is as Nigerian as it gets but I was born and raised in Duval County, Jacksonville, FL and I’m still in this bit. May be moving soon though.
Why do you produce/rap?
I make music for my own enjoyment and it’s my form of communication to connect my world to OUR world. My world, or philosophy, thrives on transparency; being yourself no matter the cost, as that it is the key to being at peace within one’s self. With that being said, I make music to try and bring peace to the world and to make each day of life a little bit more worth living. We don’t have much.
Who do you look up to?
Honestly it’s getting harder to look up to people because of how fake the world is becoming. For instance, I used to look up to Kanye West. More than ever once 808’s and Heartbreak came out, then next thing you know, I hear people like King Louie and Travis Scott and others have been writing his raps. That’s not who I thought he was. I still respect his ideas though. I fuck with a good amount of artists too such as Dom Kennedy, Kendrick Lamar, Black Kray and many more for several reasons, but in the most humble, non-green way of saying this that I can, I look up to who I’m becoming.
How old are you now and how old were you when you first released your music on the internet?
I’m actually 22—but I act 12 with a hint of 37. I was 14, and I dropped a song called “Check My Logo” w/ my homeboys, and shit kinda took off. It had kids in class singing it and shit, stats goin up and this fat-old-ass bitch was tryna get us to ink a deal with So So Def. Turns out she was just a flaw-ass compulsive liar. I still want the fade!
What albums shaped you as an artist/producer?
One would definitely have to be 808’s and Heartbreaks, mainly because of that joint “Street Lights” but the album as a whole had such a boldly unique sound, in a world where everybody seeks to wants to be “normal.” The whole Man on the Moon series. Kid Cudi helped me to be comfortable with myself. Lastly, Kush & OJ. It was the definition of cool to me even though I didn’t smoke or anything back then. The vibrations it gave off just from talkin about lil’ shit in cool ways made me feel like the man. “Never Been” still resonates in my heart to this very day.
What do you consistently bring into all of your production that captivates?
I don’t even know anymore because the shit that I make that I think is the coolest and most captivating tends to get the least response. All my throwaways do the best, for whatever reason. I think my drums and percussion are cool though. May have something to do with my Nigerian blood ;)
How do you portray your personality in your music?
I try and do different stuff such as slow downs or stylish intros, anything that basically is unexpected. I feel like once you expect something, the interest and effect of it is weakened. Ask anybody, I’m all about surprises.
Do you care about social media?
Me and social media have a love hate relationship. I love it because it gives us all a means of staying connected and is a platform for me to display my work to the whole world. I hate it because anybody can be whoever they want to be on there, which is much less easy to do in real life. I’ve been catfished before so I feel very strong about people faking identities.
Is it ever difficult to express yourself?
Yeah, but the only situation I can think of is if I’m at a show or anywhere with a whole lot of people and a lot going on and I see a badass lil’ shorty. I always end up waiting for the right, most unforced opportunity to slide but shit never works out. Shoutouts to them DM’s though.
What song describes your current mood?
Lapalux – “Don’t Mean A Thing”
When can people expect your next release/placement?
As many local fans are aware, Florida has one of the most overlooked Hip Hop circuits, not only in the region, but the entire country. While it can be tough for local creatives to break out from the scene, Citrus Rap makes strides to continue to uplift the Floridians who are on their way up. Said creatives, seen all over CitrusRap, can be found making moves statewide— some even venturing out of state. Still there are several unanswered questions for these rising stars, so we went ahead and formulated a questionnaire to clear the air. This is a new interview series we call “Florida’s Natural,” so that fans can gain insight on the individuals who we believe have the juice.
