

Today we’d like to introduce you to B11ce.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Though it may seem irrelevant initially, I want to share that I just finished a gig where the promoter told me she loved when I rapped in spanish. I have never rapped in spanish (yet?). As of late, I tend to conflate what I assume is “my culture” (3rd or 4th generation Mexican-American/Hispanic/
My quest is to extract my own nectar out of this very technical craft. To see who I am unfold from my own creations. A quest that involves fixing a snare drum for hours, or smushing images across Photoshop to my heart’s content. Really, I am like many millennial artists with a computer at hand: I make music videos, design merchandise, create websites, and produce music with software that may or may not be cracked (still, sponsor me Ableton!). My main M.O. though, is to make some rhythms & melodies that would shake my (flat) ass on the dance-floor. Music for the bouncing booty, busy mind, and sappy, ever-thirsty heart.
Before setting off to LA, I grew up on the border of Texas in a city called Brownsville. It is a border town that buds shoulders with Mexico. I participated in the parades and festivals usually by playing the drums (my first, ongoing passion), and causing noise with my father’s DJ equipment. I was lucky enough to come from a family of noise-makers/lovers, so I quickly became accustomed to learning drumset, messing around with sound systems, and watching my uncles get plastered to booming Tejano music at 2 a.m. All this definitely informed my teenage years, which ranged from drumming in punk bands to throwing police-attracting parties filled with bass heavy music.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Los Angeles is definitely a monster of a city. I have almost had to leave a few times due to low moneys and high rent. I am not the best at keeping jobs I don’t like (aka pizza places, juice bars, and jewelry), so there’s that too. Really, the most perpetual struggle has been keeping myself inside to really craft my music.
I am striving to clock in my 10,000 hours for this music stuff, but putting in my time as a solo artist has been a lonely road sometimes. I honestly try to keep faith in the process, in hopes that some nice stuff is cranked out from these long nights. Though the recent isolation has caused a bit of an overheated mind, some nice results keep me believing. I am always going to do it regardless.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
Though my main focus is my musical production, it is also an umbrella for directing my own music videos, creating installations around the sound, and still continuing to throw parties. My mom also runs a silkscreening t-shirt business, so I get to design merch with her.
I am assisted by my crew of homies/producers/rappers/film-
I am currently finalizing two albums that I have been working on for the past three years and will be releasing it under my own label, The Droolers Republic. I wanted to really prove to myself that I can produce, mix, and master my own music, so I am stoked to finally release these jams this year, along with a lot of visuals for it! Stay motherfucking tuneddddddddddddddd (please, if you want).
What were you like growing up?
My parents said I was loud and spoiled. I would just scream and cause a scene all the time, which makes sense with the music/art I am making now. I grew up heavily into percussion. I was in the school drumline and thankfully channeled all my energy into that in middle school & high school.
I had a love of all things club music, internet-scavenging/
At first, I really rejected this stuff. Now I notice it creeping into my current music more and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: b11ce.com
- Phone: 2106832519
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
b11ce/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/b11ce
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/b11ce
- Other: http://AwesomeAwesomeShxt.com/
Image Credit:
Daniel De La Rosa
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.