Today we’d like to introduce you to The Black Boy King.
Hi, Black Boy King, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up all over the USA as my mother was a Civil Rights advocate and worked for the Democratic Party under various senators, congressmen and also helped run Jessie Jackson’s presidential campaign. Most of my experiences growing up was in Las Vegas, NV so that’s where I consider the starting ground. But we stayed in public housing and in the projects in many areas. Growing up in Las Vegas was tough, sometimes we were homeless and also stayed in hotels or out the car, but by the grace of God, we made it work. I lived on Tropicana Ave and hustled up and down dealing with everything from drug addicts, gamblers, hustlers, prostitution, I seen it all in Sin City, but I did what I had to do to survive.
My experience growing up in Las Vegas made me who I am today because I learned about the true gritty, grimy side of the human condition and learned how to survive when all seemed lost. This experience has allowed me to overcome many obstacles, many times in my life almost passing away, almost killed, but I made it out and I’m proud of that. I thank God every day. I put those experiences in my music in lyric form. My music is about my human experience and what I’ve seen and what I continue to experience as well. It’s not to brag, but just being 100% real with who I am and my experiences.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, not at all. I laugh because a lot of people have problems. Sometimes we call them first-world problems. But I done had first-world and third-world problems. You don’t know struggle until you hit rock bottom and you sleeping out of your car, bathing at the gas station, living in an office building, and then have to turn around and be around people who have it all who complain about their problems. There were several times in my life where I’ve been in life-threatening situations. Being held up at knife point, being shot at, ducking and dodging rivals, and then having to deal with the police. But like I said, it has made me who I am today.
I remember I use to walk everywhere up and down Tropicana Ave and used to ride the bus to get where I had to go. Also having a trap house behind where we lived at in the projects and having to hear sub-machine guns ring out randomly. We used to have this police officer named Jack who used to rough everyone up in the neighborhood. He used to shoot first and ask questions later. My mom was a teacher and she wrote books and was always ambitious to get us out of the hood so I had that energy in me. She always put books in our hands and stressed being smart. She was big in the movement and was with the Black Panthers so she put that Black Pride in me. That raised fist. I melded that into street smarts and always kept my eyes open. So, it always felt like that movie “The Man in the Iron Mask” where I was the King living in the dungeon unseen, but eventually, I’d get the throne. That was my motivation. I played football and had an opportunity to leave to go to college and that was the beginning of the transition for me. When football didn’t work out, and many of my friends went back to the block, I honed my skills in the classroom and built networks as that was my only way out. Those networks pay off even until this day. And I continue to seek the network of strong-willed men who are ambitious to better their lives and those around them. It’s an obligation we have as gifted individuals.
I always knew who my real friends were. And we still tight until this day. Rest in peace to my friend John Coleman, who always gonna be with us no matter what. My older brother had to work a job and basically saved our family. So everything I do today, and everything I have done has always been to make up for his sacrifice. If it wasn’t for him, I’d be dead or doing 20 to life in prison. I could’ve went the same route as many folks I knew, being drug addicts, or selling dope, breaking into houses, and doing dirt trying to eat. But God had a bigger plan for me, that I recognize now cause even after many times the devil tried to take me out, I’m still here. So, like I said, I put that emotion and experience into my music, the highs, and the lows. The money, cars, clothes, experiences, and being broke as a joke, knocking at deaths door.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a hip-hop artist, I’m committed to telling my story and the so-called African American story for as long as I can express myself. We have a good time too, I got many songs coming up that are feel-good jams that people can vibe to. But rap is an art, and with art comes heartache and pain, love, sacrifice, and emotion that must be felt at all levels for it to be real. I write, produce and record all my own music, but I also partner with many great producers to create my art. I’ve worked with many producers and love to get that artistic insight in a studio session, those creative juices flowing and being able to take an idea out of our heads and make it a reality. I love and appreciate everyone who has supported my grind up until this point and it’s only going to get better from here. I live in Texas now and I love it. I love Texas. This place is home for me. Las Vegas will always have a place in my heart, but I’m a Texan now and represent Texas the best way I can. You could say that I’m known for making hard-hitting tracks that balance political powder kegs, audacious flossing raps, with honest-to-God inspiration. I try to put racism and my experience right in your face.
The difference is that what I’m rapping about are things I’ve lived and continue to live. If I rap about flying to an island or being treated to first-class treatment, it’s cause it’s true. And the same goes for the more serious subjects I reflect on. It all happened, as happy or as sad as the lyrical content might be. But I also make my own style and my own lane. I don’t try to sound like any rapper or musician. I’m me.
That’s what separates me from many artists. I don’t follow trends. If everybody getting tattoos, I got none. If everyone is rocking a beard, I am clean-shaven. If everyone is rapping like a rapper on the radio or TV, I’m doing my own thing trying to make my own sound because it’s my own life. The spirit comes directly from me and my soul. I’m most proud of how far and wide my music has been exposed. I’ve had songs on FM radio, online radio, and have been heard in over 100 countries. It’s an amazing feeling knowing someone in India, China, Russia, or England has heard me. It’s crazy to think about. A cat from Tropicana Ave who used to wash his clothes in the bathtub cause he didn’t have enough coins for the laundry is being heard in Brazil. When you sit back and think about it, it’s humbling. I thank everyone so much for making my dreams come true.
My life has taken me all over the world and I’ve seen how big it really is and I’m excited to see what fanbases I can build in completely different countries and how they can also relate to my life and experiences. I get messages all the time from people who say I’m an inspiration. That’s God’s work. And my faith is unmatched. As Jesus said, faith of a mustard seed can move mountains. I can feel the mountains beginning to move.
Check out my latest single ‘Eat It Up’ produced by me and Synesthetic Nation, and also my track ‘Don’t Push Me ft. Curt Flo’. produced by Wendigo, out now on Spotify and all other streaming platforms. Follow me on Instagram and be on the lookout for more music coming soon!
What matters most to you? Why?
God matters to me the most, followed by my family. Those are the two most important things in my life. When I look back on my life and all my experiences, God has shown me the worst, the absolute worst, things that will bring tears to your eyes, but he has also shown me the best. He has clothed me in the finest garments, allowed me to taste the finest foods, travel to beautiful locations, and drive the finest cars. I’m indebted to the Almighty, supreme God in immeasurable ways. Through his son Jesus Christ, who I have ultimate faith in, I no longer have any spirit of fear. And that separates me from many people. I looked death right in the face, knowing that Christ is behind me, and I’m ready for anything that happens. My family has always been there. My mom, so righteous in her behavior, never sacrificed her principles for a quick gain. She always found a way to make it work. So much wisdom she passed down to me about life. And till this day is the most positive person I know. My brother stepping up to the plate and saving our family, that’s real love. I’m very blessed to be born into this body, into this family, in this time. I appreciate every second I’m alive.
Outside of that, my closest friends are important to me and they know who they are. They understand me. Nothing is ever fake. When I was down, they always had a meal, they never judged or clowned cause I had nothing. They seen me do dirt and get caught up but never judged me but always offered help. When I was in the hospital, they prayed over me. And we living good now. Everybody is eating good.
In terms of music, I’m proud to have started a record label, Kingdom House Records, and being an independent artist that isn’t tied down to a label. I’m not locked into a contract where I can’t be myself, where I am controlled. I get to do what I want to do. I get to record any song at any time; however, I want. Even though it’s tough being an independent artist because I don’t have this big machine with lots of money backing me, putting my music everywhere to get exposure, I have to do everything from the dirt. But that’s the story of my life. I’d rather have 1,000 real fans who really understand me, than a million fans who could care less about me. That’s how real it is for independent artists in today’s environment. We do it all. We write, record, produce and market the music out of our own pockets. It’s real grassroots. Since we live in the era of clout chasing, people don’t understand how much of a grind it is.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blackboyking.com
- Instagram: @blackboykingofficial
