Billyracxx, rising rapper and creative from Houston, sat down with Respect My Region for an exclusive interview. With a busy 2020 already in play after the successful release of a five-track EP titled, Butterflies, Pt. 1 he looks to keep his momentum rolling with the release of Butterflies, Pt. 2, which will arrive May 1st.
We connected with Billyracxx to talk about how things have been going since the release of Butterflies, Pt.1, what he’s got in store for the new music and what life has been like as a rising Houston artist and creative.
Exclusive Billyracxx Interview
*This interview was edited for clarity*
As far as quarantine goes – what have you been doing to stay busy?
Pretty much everything that I usually do, just not traveling. People are locked down obviously and I’ve been taking it seriously as well, but I’m still going to the studio. It’s just been my girl, manager, and me in there so we’ve been working and creating videos.
I also just got done with Butterflies, Pt. 1 before quarantine started so just trying to push all the content we created and had lined up.
To the fans that are just hearing about you for the first time – can you explain where you got the name from?
My last name is Billy and we added the Racxx because people always told me I moved differently. Racxx was added to define that I’m not regular and haven’t been regular in a minute. Plus it sounded cool.
How are things going since you dropped Butterflies, Pt. 1?
It’s hard to tell, but it’s going well. There have already been way more media responses and way more responses from the fans. I haven’t done any in-person press since we released it and originally had a ton of opportunities lined up during this time like performing at SXSW and flying out to LA to work with other artists so honestly, with the Coronavirus things have changed, but it is what it is. It’s hard to gauge things, but I know that Butterflies is some of the best music I’ve released so far.
When could we expect to get Butterflies, Pt. 2?
May 1st.
What did you try to accomplish with the Butterflies series?
For me, I use the word “turning the corner…” I’ve been deep in the industry for a while now, so I feel that it’s time to take things worldwide and to a new level now. This year I’ve felt like it’s time for me to get out and target that fan base and do what I can to try and blow things out of the water. It would mean a lot if I could reach the next level and I believe this evolution of my sound will take me there.
A lot of people refer to you as a “rapper and creative” – do you prefer hearing both or prefer hearing it one way or another? How do you typically look at it, or does it even matter?
It doesn’t matter. I’m me and I’m going to be whatever I am. If people see that I’m a creative and can perceive that, that’s cool. At the end of the day, I am creative and some people might mess with my music, while other people might mess my visuals more than my music. Some people might even just love me, my brand, and my image.
Check out Billyracxx – “Butterfly” (Official Music Video)
Where do you typically find your inspiration for new music from?
My inspiration typically comes from within, but before I was an artist myself I looked up to Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Erykah Badu, Andre 3000, Busta Rhymes and Lady Gaga to name a few.
What are your thoughts on mainstream hip-hop and rap right now?
I don’t really have an opinion of it, but whatever direction it goes I can respect it. I’m always going to be a fan of hip-hop.
I think the mainstream is a little controlled to some degree by different things so I just take it in strides. I just support everybody and embrace everything and look up to certain people and their success.
How has everything been going in Houston? Can you touch on what it’s been like building out there?
I moved to Houston from Florida when I was 14 so, everything was really big, and I didn’t know anyone, but now people know who Billyracxx is. Houston has its pros and cons, and I appreciate it, but I’m trailblazing so things are a little different than the typical Houston come up.
Is there anything you would like to tell passionate music listeners in the Seattle area that are just hearing about Billyracxx for the first time?
Embrace this because this is a whole new wave. A lot of fans take pride in finding something different and new. Plus I’m going to be a superstar so this is a good time to grab something real and that is whole. What I’m saying in my music is also relatable on all levels and it doesn’t matter who you are and where you’re from.
I’m pushing a be-yourself agenda, but not in a corny way, just a cool wave and I’m that cool guy telling you to be yourself. I want to connect with the kids that feel like they can’t relate to anybody and have them embrace that feeling because that’s what makes them cool. It would be awesome to have people listen to my music while they embrace that lifestyle.
Stream Billyracxx – Butterflies, Pt. 1
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