From the pool of many talents, meet Washington Heights’ Blues Brovas 9000, the duo composed of Raze and A.R.P. After the release of their video “Blues Brovas“, the two caught fire amongst their cult following. Now they are ready to make it big. Bringing together their forces, these forward thinking minds spare a few minutes to speak on their on-going creative journey. Read up on what they have to say about their careers so far.
For those who are still discovering you guys could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Raze + A.R.P: We’re from Washington Heights, representing a variety of different backgrounds. Ultimately, Washington Heights gets a lot of respect in New York but we feel that we’re the first group in hip-hop representing that area.
How did you guy start off and come up with the name “Blues Brovaz 9000”?
R: It happened by accident, we’re childhood friends. Whenever we started working together, we’d do songs for each other’s projects and people started saying that y’all are so cool, ya’ll are the “Blues Bruvaz”. So one day I walk in the studio and the producer presses play on the beat and his dad starts singing “We’re the Blues Brovaz” and we ran with it.
How long have you been making music for?
P: I’ve been music since I was 14, 1999.
R: I’d say 1997.
What are some of the influences that you could say had an impact on your craft?
R + P: We both grew up in NY so the 90s were a huge influence on us. Wu-Tang, NAS, Biggie, Tupac. A lot of acts from that era, the golden age. But we also draw inspiration from other things, Art, Culture, the city in general.
Do you have any projects in the works?
The Blues Brovaz EP is about to drop in a month or so and we’re both working on Solo albums simultaneously which are expected to come out next year.
Your song “Blues Brovas” was produced by Rusty Mack, How is your relationship with him?
R: Our chemistry is amazing. I went to school with him. I’ve always been amazed by his skill and his ability to work in the studio and I kept telling P that you gotta work with him and he worked with him on time and that was it. As soon as I met him I stopped working with other producers completely.
P: Same. He’s perfect, everything you look for in a producer. Live piano, amazing drums.
What needed to happen in your life in order for you to become a better artist?
P: Work ethic. You have to keep striving.
R: I feel like growing up in Washington Heights, there’s a specific set of circumstances that made us be like this.
I know you guys performed at several venues across NYC. Do you plan to tour in other cities any time soon?
R + P: We want to go on a Tour to or from SXSW from New York. Either we start there or end up here or start here and end up there.
What are your goals for 2015?
R + P: We want to build a brand. Get exposure at the maximum level. Put Washington Heights on the Map.
What’s been the biggest moment thus far in your career?
R + P: The Blues Brovaz thing taking off. The reception has been amazing. The video that debuted on egotripland.com had miss High Times in it so it ended up on High Times. The record’s been playing in Toronto on FM radio, great reception there.
Words of wisdom for up and coming artists like yourself?
R + P: Be original and stick to your guns. A lot of people will tell you that you shouldn’t be doing this or that. Just do what you think is right.
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