Get to know Boi Blue for Billboard’s 20 questions as he speaks on becoming an artist full-time, his inspiration to begin his music career and his upcoming projects.
1. Where are you from?
Originally from Columbus, Georgia. I relocated to Atlanta when I was fifteen years old and haven’t looked back since.
2. What inspired you to pursue a music career?
The first time I heard this song by Mase called ‘The Player Way’ it inspired me to write down my first song. I use to read my raps to my friends and they would ask me to “spit” for them and I would always freestyle and make tapes for them to listen to. One of my childhood friends decided to buy me some studio time with his work check because he believed in me so much I couldn’t afford to buy beats so I would write to instrumentals. I made my first jackin for beats cd and that was the beginning for me.
3. What was the name of that cd?
I really don’t remember because it was so long ago, but my friends loved it.
4. If you could describe what you bring to the rap game in one word what would it be?
Authenticity! There’re so many more words, but to sum it up that’s the one.
5. You really haven’t had any major success yet, but your music catalog is very impressive and it has a high level of potential. Does it bother you that you haven’t gained mainstream momentum?
Sure sometimes it’s very frustrating, but it’s something that I love to do. Someone told me that if you’re doing your passion that it will never be a job, so I keep creating. I have fans around the world, I feel motivated every time a person from Hungary or people in places like Sweden write me and say that they enjoy my music. I’m providing a service and that’s my favorite part of putting out music, touching people in different countries, plus I always feel like I’m a song away from the top.
6. So what’s next for Boi Blue?
My new album will be done sometime this year. I’m designing a new clothing line with my friends that will be available in 2023. I’m also doing a lot of features with some of my favorite producers so there will be more music dropping from me very soon.
7. Where do you see yourself in a few years?
At the top of a mountain.
8. What’s the first piece of music that you bought for yourself?
I bought two albums from Sam Goody. Lloyd Banks ‘Hunger For More’ and Pitbull 305 albums. I was elated because I bought those with my first check from Subway.
9. What artists were a major influence growing up?
Biggie, 2pac, OutKast, Jay-Z, Nas and so many more.
10. Who made you realize you could be a full-time artist?
My best friend Toney. I told him that I wanted to pursue this music thing and his response was “try it!” The rest is history.
11. What’s at the top of your professional bucket list?
To be one of the most influential artists, I want to inspire the world with my thoughts and work with other great creatives.
12. How did your hometown/city shape who you are?
It really molded the way that I create my music. I’m really proud to have grown up in the time that I did. My father wasn’t present so I really looked up to a lot of the artists that came before me.
13. What piece of advice would you give to anyone trying to pave their way into the music industry?
I would tell them to keep going! This is the best time to express your creativity because there is a platform for everyone. Yesterday was yesterday and today is a new day that is full of opportunities.
14. How have you grown creatively as an artist from ‘4 tha Luv’ to now your most recent single ‘Let’s Slide’?
I’ve grown so much actually, hip hop is my first love but I put out an alternative EP called “Sayless” in 2021 showing my RnB writing skills. Me and my producer wanted to tap in to a new sound with melodic vibes and it’s getting a great response right now.
15. If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Andre 3000 is my dream collaboration because he’s so versatile like me. I actually had a dream that we did the track already.
16. Favorite city to perform in?
Columbia, SC. The people out there are so soulful and enjoy the essence of traditional music.
17. What’s your earliest memory of wanting to become an artist?
When I was 12 free styling for my friends at school, I seen the way their eyes lit up when I would spit, it really motivated me to keep going.
18. How old were you when you wrote your first song?
My first real song that I recorded to a beat? I was 15. I wrote a song to OutKast ‘Me And You’ instrumental, it’s funny because I recorded myself on my karaoke radio just to hear what it would sound like.
19. What’s the best advice you’ve received in your music career?
The best advice I ever got was to be myself, people gravitate to people who be themselves.
20. What would you title the next chapter of your life?
Thinking Big Is What Got You Here.
