Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Mays-Barbosa.
Aaron, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started making music and taking it seriously about five years ago in the hometown I grew up in; Clairemont, San Diego. It seems like it has been a short while but its been half a decade trying to make a name for myself and solidify my style as a Hip-Hop & Rap Artist. Me & the homies I grew up with came together after high school and we messed around with the idea of starting a hardcore rock band where I learned how to play guitar and started mentally grasping music structure and how to go about making songs. Shortly thereafter, we fell into the realm of hip hop… more on that boom bap tip. Heavily influenced from Capital Steez and Pro Era as well as Slum Village, MF Doom, Wolf Gang and a bunch of artists. We always rapped, any chance we got, and still do. Freestyling all day n night, getting faded and still freestyling while homies passed out in the whip, the couch, or the floor.
Once we started figuring out how to record ourselves, what gear to buy, and how to use them, we started the whole closet studio thing you know? Then we were like, “aye! This is it, we soundin hot right now, the world needa hear this!”, after time looking back like bro… we sounded horribly rough. Which is the best part about it, we have learned and leveled up so much since, just cannot forget where we came from, and how far we have come. We are a collective of artists called Disciples of the Canyon, and I’m just one piece to the puzzle. I also recently shortened my artist’s name. I still love this name and will forever reference it and keep it close to me, I just needed to make a professional move for marketing purposes and branding. I use to go by, “Occipital Flowz”, and now just go by, “Flxwz”.
Currently, during the year 2020 where we are fighting a global pandemic and global racism, not being able to socialize or have any shows… it has been hard for everyone. One of my latest releases was with my friend and producer Tre Castro, we worked on songs of protest and asked the community to engage and help us write some songs. It was a beautiful experience and one of the hardest things to do. We pieced multiple people’s lyrics they sent into instrumentals we produced and made a two-song project called, “Duality” (out now everywhere). One track symbolizes the peaceful protest, and the other symbolizes the frustration and anger from police brutality and systemic racism. I set the royalties up where 100% goes to NAACP and Color of Change to help end injustice. Now I am facing another endeavor, releasing my first album. I just finished the mastering session with Manny Frezko of Black Wav Studios and I am feeling good about it. It was produced/recorded mainly by Tre Castro, with instrumental placements from me, Jay Blapz, & Fonzo Beats. Release dates are still TBD.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been extremely tough. If it wasn’t hard, everyone could do it. This journey has been so fulfilling yet so frustrating because there is no telling how long it will take to reach your goal. Some never do, or some get a big break five years, ten years, twenty years later. The way the music industry right now is changing by the second & unfortunately, it is not about the music anymore. Its everything around the music, at least for the mainstream. However, I have faith in my music and those around me that we have something to show and say to the world. Ultimately, I do this for myself as selfish as that may seem so that I can give back to those in need later. Someone once told me that you gotta save yourself before you can save anyone else.
So, how can I help my community and those around me if I cannot help myself first? Selfish at first to those who do not understand this, but selfless if you think about it. I just hope that people find inspiration, joy, and excitement on the way when they listen to my music. My family, friends, and fans are definitely the fuel for my creation.. they give me support like crazy. I hope to gain support everyday as I will need the most help I can get to reach the point of success. Also, to you, the reader… thank you for taking the time in reading this, it does mean a lot.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
I think I am still under the radar and need to work harder, but currently known for my style of music and music videos. I can say I am most proud of my authenticity and my abilities as a person/artist. I can play the role of Creative Director, songwriter, visionary, vocalist, producer, and influencer. I am still learning and will forever be learning in these aspects. One thing I can say that might separate me from others is my persistence and that I have not/will not give up on music.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment I have had in my career was about a year ago, I had a video premiere show/party at the Members Only Lounge in San Diego. It was for my music video, ‘Grand Slam’ directed by one of best videographers in the game, Eric Stephenson. We had the place packed with family, friends, and creatives from all around the city. Only me and a few others have seen the finished video, and all those that were a part of it I kept it hidden as a surprise on the premiere date. So many people were involved and when it came time to reveal, we gathered everyone around the projector and pressed play. I gazed across the room seeing people’s reactions and just soaked up that moment when no one was talking or on their phones, just consumed in the film. I was so amazed about how many people came out and the support I just felt overwhelmed with pride. That night I will never forget and it is the proudest moments I have ever had in my music career.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fanlink.to/Flxwz
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/o.flxwz/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/oflxwz_
Image Credit:
Header Photo by Adrian Gutierrez, Photos by Maxine Alo
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