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ON THE RISE
Emerging hip-hop artist, APtheG draws in listeners with his unique rap blend in his latest single, “762.” The Virginia-based hip-hop artist is just getting started but he wants to make sure you hear him loud and clear.
APtheG’s style is a fusion of rap, drill, and hip-hop, with a subtle taste of R&B; his delivery is both authentic and engaging. The rapper’s music is infused with personal experiences that provide a bridge to listeners who have shared similar emotions. No life experience is too small or too large for APtheG, who focuses on both struggles and triumphs.
What’s in a name? For APtheG, his moniker combines two interests—the Greek god of music, Apollo, with The Apollo theatre, renowned as a great performing stage.
When he began rapping, APtheG looked to artists like Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, 50 Cent, and Eminem for inspiration. Through these powerhouse artists, he recognized that music was a medium through which people could tell their stories and connect with others.
APtheG was first drawn to hip hop in elementary school. “I started rapping on the bus,” shares the artist. “But my writing got better around early high school. That’s when I started it as a hobby. I used to listen to YouTube instrumentals with my friends and freestyled in front of the radio.”
After graduating from school, APtheG began to consider a life in the music industry. He began mastering his craft and invested in a home studio. He even focused on the business side of music, learning how to market and distribute his own records. APtheG has come a long way from his elementary school passion. “Now I produce my own music,” he adds.
When it comes to writing music, APtheG turns to premade beats—often from two reliable sources—and listens to a handful before choosing the one that most resonates with him. In the case of “762,” the song was created “by accident” according to the artist. “I was just listening to beats and playing around. It all just came together.”
“762” is APtheG’s most powerful single. It showcases his lyricism while enabling listeners to get lost in the flow. “The single is better vocally and more creative [than previous works],” shares APtheG. “Producing-wise, I’m getting better as time goes.”
This year, APtheG looks forward to getting his name and craft out into the world and making a brand. “I’m laid back as a person. I just want people to know they can check out my music on YouTube and Spotify,” he adds.
In addition to his single, APtheG is looking forward to sharing new singles with listeners. He wants fans to know that it’s important to follow their dreams and be consistent. “Be creative. If you like music and got something you can make a song about, then play around.”
Make sure to stay connected to APtheG on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.
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ON THE RISE
Clinton Brand III – better known as CBIII – is a California-based rapper. His new single, titled “I Won’t Quit,” is a motivational and relatable message for everyone “going through it.”
The track, with a beat by Tunna Beats, has a Blurry Face vibe. It starts with a violin and the soft “ahh”s of featured singer Alex Brinkley. When the beat drops, piano, bass and drums enter along with CBIII’s lyrical meditations on “overthinking, contemplating, and debating” why he “won’t quit.”
As the final line makes clear, the song is a study in contradictory mindsets. There’s the fear of failure – what if I’m not good enough? – and then the contrast of relentlessness as stated in the title.
The lyrics of the song’s final quattrain are especially strong. Beginning with an example of CBIII’s wordplay (phenomenal and astronomical anomaly), the final message is one of inspiration: I’m tired of this, so I’m going to make it better.
This struggle with nagging self-doubt and overthinking makes “I Won’t Quit” very relatable. In the end, CBIII wants listeners to be inspired, to not give in when they find themselves in similar circumstances.
Brand’s inspiration for “I Won’t Quit” was intensely personal. Following the death of his parents at a young age, he was raised by his grandmother and then was placed in foster care. A recent visit found his grandmother’s memory fading; this was painful, considering that she had once been his biggest supporter.
This episode left him feeling abandoned, in a dark place.
He says, “I wrote the song ‘I Won’t Quit’ because at that time I was suicidal. I didn’t have nobody else to turn to because my grandma didn’t really care anymore.”
The vulnerability expressed in the lyrics made CBIII unsure if he wanted to release the song at all. He says, “I actually sat on the song for like five months before even thinking about releasing it because it’s so close to home that I wasn’t even sure if I was going to have the courage to share it.”
Now that the song is out, its vulnerability is its strength. Brand’s struggle is real, and the general contours – missing family support, doubting yourself, knowing you need to persevere – will be familiar to many.
In addition to his personal desire to live up his dream of greatness, Brand has another reason not to give up: his younger brother, who is currently in foster care. Knowing his brother looks up to him, he wants to remind him that giving in to doubt is the easy way out.
Brand says, “I want to encourage him, to show him that if you set your mind to it, bro, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
In the end, CBIII wants listeners to learn from his pain, to ask themselves, “What if I don’t give up?”
Stream “I Won’t Quit” now, wherever you listen to music.
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