Following is an interview with local Buffalo rapper/producer Eternal Boy Yeezy (EBY). EBY is co-founder of the Eternal Boyz, an international rap group comprised of rappers from Buffalo, Fort Wayne Indiana, Australia, Houston, and St. Louis, as well as Eternal Bluntgang, a project which includes fellow Buffalo rappers LPM and A-$taxx of Bluntgang, and Nyquil Boyz, an EBY project with producer/rapper Dahm San. EBY recently “dropped” his debut project “Eternal Flame”.
With only a year in the business, how did you ramp up on all of this so quickly, making the connections that you did?
I started off writing lyrics in January 2014 on this website called RapPad.co. It really started off as a joke and I never thought anything would come out of it. I then started recording some of my raps in May 2014. It took a while, but I realized I was actually pretty good at making music and mixing audio. This website was also the birth of the Eternal Boyz, a group that I co-founded with Mckoo and Celsos (rappers from Fort Wayne Indiana). It grew from there, especially when Really Raheem (from Houston TX) and Dahm San (from Australia, originally from Arizona) came on board with the Eternal Boyz. In terms of local connections I was friends with A$taxx (who was on Baskin Robbins) from high school and then he introduced me to LPM who I’ve made a ton of music with. In terms of getting an internet following I’ve tried to put out high quality music regularly.
How did you first go down the rap road? Were you already in the business?
It was a very spur the moment thing. I just kinda started recording music and messing around. I’ve been interested in music for a very long time, just never took it too seriously until last summer.
Who helped you to get to where you are so quickly?
I really feel that everything I’ve accomplished I’ve done it on my own. Nobody taught me how to write a rap song/lyrics, nobody taught me how to mix and master my own vocals and make beats. I just learned thru experimentation. I’ve never stepped foot in a professional studio. Everything I record is at my house using a PS3 mic and FL Studio (describing my setup as a struggle studio might be giving it too much credit). I can’t say I had no help though, the Eternal Boyz were always ready to give feedback on my work, but I still feel like I’m out here on my own.
What was your inspiration?
My inspiration for making music is as a hobby, an escape and a chance to express my creativity. I’ve always been a creative person, but I never felt I fully expressed myself until I dropped this mixtape.
Have you always been a fan of the rap genre?
My relationship with rap music goes back to 2003 when I first heard the Outkast album “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”. I really got into rap in high school though. My love for the genre really took off when I heard albums like Illmatic, Doggystyle, The Chronic
Who were some of the artists that inspired you?
Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Biggie, Pac, Jay Z, Kanye, Outkast. As for newer artists Father, Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar. Outside of rap Bob Marley is a huge influence.
Are you playing live locally?
So far I haven’t performed a live show but I’ve performed for friends at bonfires and I think we will see Eternal Boy Yeezy rocking the Buffalo scene soon. I feel like this is the next step now that I have a full length project under my belt.
What’s next for EBY?
I’m hoping to see Eternal Flame get some recognition on some level at least enough to make some more connections.
At some point I will be dropping a collaboration album with LPM called Eternal Bluntgang as well as a project with Dahm San called Nyquil Boyz.
I’m really working on upgrading my entire sound – lyrics and flow, I’m still learning the ropes of beatmaking with FL Studio, and I will be buying a new mic for my next project.
I’m looking to expand my subject matter and continue to grow as an artist.
Definitely trying to collaborate with more local artists as well.
I’m also going to be a senior in college this year so I have some options moving forward.
Music videos should be coming soon.
I haven’t started working on my follow up to Eternal Flame, but the goal is for it to be an entirely self produced project.