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The weather is breaking and all we need in life is great music and hot entertainment. The DMV is known for emerging artist. Right now Bobby Barz is on the verge of breaking into the industry. We were able to catch up with him to get the inside exclusives on his music and more. Find out what Bobby Barz had to say below.
How would you describe yourself in a short story.
- I’m from South Central California, Jesse Owens, Western Ave representative. I provide a smooth delivery of conscious to the club. I pride myself on lyrical content and messages that hopefully resonate while still providing the vibe and replay value fans want. I live by my business motto Stay Busy or Stay Broke, which is also a clothing line.
What’s your stage name and how did you come up with it?
- I go by BobbyBarz and I was given that name during a studio session with two brothers of mine FlyyFree and Ray. Ray had queued up a track for Flyy and I to write too, but I instantly started freestyling to it. Ray was like “go record that”, and by the time I was done both Flyy and Ray was like Bobby you got fucking Bars bro. You should stamp that as your name and I did with a z. It’s been cemented ever since.
l What got you into music?
- I’ve been rapping my whole life, from corner battling to just jotting down notes in my composition. Music has always been around my family.
What was life like growing up?
- To sum this is up I’m from South Central California! That alone says enough, but life was not easy. I’m from a single-family home, just my mom, sister and I. My pops was incarcerated five years before I was born and is still serving his life sentence for four counts of first degree murder. My mom struggled taking care of my sister and I, but she made it happen on welfare and section 8. Watching her struggle to provide for us was my motivation every day. We lived right in the hood, our house was shot up frequently, I saw my best friend get shot in the head, and held him until his last breathe left his body. I’ve lived through somethings I would never wish upon an enemy. In summary, life was hard.
Who is your inspiration? What keeps you going to get up daily and put effort into your music career?
- This is probably the easiest question to answer, my family! I literally came from nothing. I had to develop a relationship with my dad through a thick glass window and be the man of the house way earlier than I was supposed to. I vow that my next generation won’t have to deal with that.
What is your creative process like? What is the meaning behind your current single?
- This is subjective on the mindset I’m in at the time. I just recently dropped a single DFUTM which is an anti-rape song. When I wrote it I thought about all the bad decisions men make that sometimes come to bite us in the butt. Them one-night stands with women that are too drunk to consent to sexual intercourse and then regret their decision, and those sick ass predators that use drugs or alcohol as a weapon. As a man it’s our job to keep our Queens safe and I think we can do a better job of that, especially when they are at their most vulnerable moment/under the influence.
What is the name of the current single/ep/album that you are pushing? Do you prefer people to buy it or stream? And why?
- I’m currently pushing Western Ave Stomp which is the first single off of my upcoming album A Summer in LA. The single is set to release 2 July 2022 on all major platforms. I was inspired by my bro TB, he was telling me I didn’t have a signature song to let the world know where I was from. Yes, I’m from Cali, but I don’t sound like a typical Cali artist because of my unique delivery and east coast style punchlines. He said I needed one for the hood and literally 30 minutes later I had one. To be honest that conversation sparked the whole album. The only preference for the song is for to be played everywhere, streamed or bought. The wave, and awareness for the hood is the priority. I’m taking Western worldwide and we are going to shine light on a neighborhood that has been in the dark for too long.
With the industry changing so much, would you stay indie or sign to a label? Why and why not?
- I guess it all depends on the contract. I think I would prefer to sign to a small label first because of the attention they would give to their artist. A smaller label is looking for a return on their investment the same way I am in myself. Where a bigger label can afford to shelf you and keep you forever in their debt. From the outside looking in if you’re not a household name a major label will eat you alive. All I can do is to continue to make good music, learn the business, and build the foundation brick by brick. The right deal will follow if needed, it’s in God’s hands.
Do you feel like the music industry has went down since the pandemic? Why or why not? Where you affected by the pandemic with music or everyday life?
- I guess the pandemic hurt artistry by not allowing performances. A lot of upcoming indie artists missed a good deal of time to sharpening their craft. However, innovation is always on the rise. Some artist developed methods to capitalize on the pandemic. My brother Bzzy OG developed OG Sundays, which was a complete virtual performance. This allowed people to stream you perform live in the venue he reserved. So I guess the answer is yes and no, but it’s up to the person to allow an obstacle to defeat him or develop a new winning strategy.
If you were give a chance to sit down and have a business dinner with a celebrity who would it be and why?
- That’s tough but it would probably be Jay Z. I feel his is the greatest businessman to ever touch the rap game. I truly believe that without his business mindset the world probably wouldn’t have ever heard a Jay Z album, yet alone become one of the greatest to ever touch a mic.
How do you balance everyday life tied into your music career?
- I try to make it all one, my music is just a recap of my daily life. When you listen to the lyrics and not just the beat, you can hear me talk about my family, selling homes (licensed realtor), investments, rental properties etc. I don’t think you should ever exclude one from the other because your music should be a reflection of you.
Tell me about your most memorable moment in your career?
- I was afforded the opportunity to open up for Waka Flocka and it was a sold-out show. The fans were incredible and by the end of my set they were chanting lyrics from my song. That was my confirmation moment, backstage talking to Flocka and him telling me keep pushing because my moment was coming.
What style of music do you prefer to make? Would you ever try a different lane?
- I’m an artist and I’m open to all music to be honest. I’m actually going to drop a R&B EP sometime in August before I drop my album.
Do you have a celebrity crush?
- Eva Mendez
Is there anyone who you would collab with right now?
- Big Krit
Who is the producer and engineer behind your music?
- The engineer behind my music is me, but the producer varies between Flyy, Blizzy, myself, and various other producers.
What are you currently working on and what is next for you?
- Currently building the buzz before I decide to drop a big Cali single featuring The Game, this is a song I don’t want to waste. I have a huge show down at Averett University, followed by the Indie Fest in Atlanta on 2 July. I have a label meeting with Ugly Money that I’m hoping produces something fruitful.
When it comes to fashion, whats your dressing style ?
- I’m Cali all the way on the dressing style
What is your creative process like and who inspired you to make music?
- I owe my inspiration to write music to my cousin Danny Myers who is a house hold name in the URL battle rap industry. I was a little kid when he first talked to me about venting in a composition, and I’ve never stopped since then.
If you could open up for one celebrity who would it be and why?
- Kendrick Lamar for sure. This is because Kendrick fans listen to music to listen and not just for the melodic tunes. I know on that stage I’ll be heard and not just “vibed” to. Plus he is my favorite rapper alive.
Any funny stories or an embarrassing moments you want to share with our readers?
- My first show I was perfoming a song off of my mixtape and I forgot the lyrics midway through the verse. I didn’t have the vocals playing to help me out so I literally had to freestyle on the spot to cover up on forgetting the lyrics. I know a few people caught it because after the show they was like was that a remix verse.
What would you be doing right now if it wasn’t for your music career?
- I really can’t say what I would be doing because music isn’t the only thing I do.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
- Never let the gravity of your situation keep you down. You can all defiy gravity if you apply yourself!
Stay up to date with Bobby Barz here https://linktr.ee/BobbyBarz_muzik