RESPECT. Interview: Derriyoun Anthony Browning Better Known as Savii Cross Talks About First Discovering Hip-Hop and His Latest Single "Fake Flexin"

Derriyoun Anthony Browning better known by his stage name Savii Cross is a rising musician, rapper, songwriter, sound engineer, and actor out of the Inland Empire. Born in Inglewood, Ca raised in Ontario, Ca & Eastvale, Ca. He attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Eastvale, Ca his Freshmen and Sophomore year, then later transferred to Colony High School to finish off his Junior and Senior year, graduating 2012. He was always musically influenced growing up.

He would always freestyle during lunch with his friends and basketball team mates. But it didn’t end there! Savii Cross first found his success in the music industry back in 2014 releasing his first hit single “Bounce” along with “I Mean It” feat Los Angeles-based artist “OHNO” he sparked a lot of eyes such as DJ VIP. Later on that year Savii Cross was given the opportunity to play a roll as an extra in a short film titled “No Longer There”.

From there Savii Cross was linked with an A&R from Atlantic Records, given the opportunity to record live sessions in their home studios. Now we’re here in 2020 and Savii Cross is still moving independently, investing nothing but money, blood, sweat, and tears into himself. After the release of his hit single “Fake Flexin”.

He recently linked and signed with Nashville, Tennessee artist 6Tusk who has been featured on many reputable networks.
He has worked with artists who have accumulated millions of views, such as King Los, $tupid Young, MBNel, YGTut, and more. Savii Cross followed with his second hit single “Whistle While You Twerk” releasing under independent label “37k The Label”.

RESPECT.: Who are your musical influences?
Savii Cross: I can be honest and say I’m influenced by the struggle! I went through a lot growing up as a kid and I was always the quiet one, never wanted to talk about my problems. But as I got older I found a way to express how I’m either feeling in that moment or the things I felt in the past through my music. And people just started to listen because they were either going through it or it was just real.

RESPECT.: How’d you first discover hip-hop?
Savii Cross: Just being around my uncle Erick, he was a producer back in the day and worked with many artist that’s still in the game til this day. He always had me around music or was putting me on game to all the old school hits.

RESPECT.: Who are your Top 5 artist from the West?
Savii Cross: I listen to a lot of artist out the west, but right now my top 5 would have to be Roddy Ricch, Mozzy, Tru Carr, Rucci, Rj,

RESPECT: Who are your Top 5 favorite producers from the West?
Savii Cross: Dj Mustard, Ron Ron, FB Productions, Papa, Bruce24k

RESPECT.: You released your first single in 2014, how has the music and the connections changed since then?
Savii Cross: I came in the game and hopped into my own lane. Mixing my southern roots with my Cali swag and i feel it made it harder for people not to pay attention to me. And with us having the tools such as instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. A lot more doors and opportunities opened up for me.

RESPECT.: You released “Fake Flexin” do you feel like it’s been a lot of that going on lately? How should the game be played?
Savii Cross: Yes it most definitely has. I’m not going to say I’ve never used a friends nice car for a video, but people now a days are getting out of hand.

RESPECT.: What’s the most valuable advice you got in the industry?
Savii Cross: The most valuable advice I’ve gotten in this industry is no matter what happens or who does you dirty, always remain humble. Humbleness will get you way further in this game then money would.

RESPECT.: Anyone you’d like to work with soon?
Savii Cross: I’d like to work with AZChike. He has his own unique style and I feel like our voices would be dope on the same beat

RESPECT.: What’s next for you in your career and where do you want to go?
Savii Cross: Im looking to jump back into the acting world, I’m currently working on a short film of my own. I don’t want to be labeled as just a artist, I want to have my hands dipped in everything.

RESPECT.: What does RESPECT. mean to you?
Savii Cross: Like they always say “You don’t got to like me but your going to respect me” and vice versa. I feel like it’s just a mutual thing.

Stream and listen to “Fake Flexin’” below and stay focused and stay connected with Savii here.