Texas born, New York City based rap artist EB Rebel blurs boundaries with their brash, unapologetic statements and punk rock infused hiphop beats. Their latest EP ‘Play At Your Own Risk’, is out now and they answer a few hard hitting questions for DMC.
Your new EP “Play at Your Own Risk” drops on March 28th! Can you tell us about the creative process behind this project? What themes or messages are you exploring on this EP?
The EP didn’t start as a project, they were individual songs that came about while creating tracks my producer OZ and I thought were interesting. We wanted to create songs that captured the sound we have coined the “Rebel sound.” As I played them back, it made sense to put them together to create the bigger theme. Listen to these songs with caution, the music is intense and may not be for everybody. PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!
Your music blends alternative hip-hop, post-punk, and socially conscious lyrics. How did your background in Texas influence your sound and artistic identity, especially as a queer rapper in New York City?
The bass heavy hip hop songs of Texas definitely influenced the type of production I am drawn to. I grew up listening to an eclectic mix of music, punk rock being one of them, so I’ve never been afraid to blur the lines of genres and sounds. I have always believed in having a message in your music when the moment calls for it.
Your music has been described as high-energy, punk-rock influenced hip-hop. What inspired you to fuse these genres, and how do you maintain that raw energy in your recordings?
I’ve always been somewhat of an “alternative” person, so I think that comes out in the music. A little left of center. The fusion of punk rock and hip hop just feel right, that’s where my best music comes from. The energy comes from my passion I guess, it just a feeling, it’s never really intentional. The energy Rebel has is actually the total opposite of me on the daily, way more intense lol.
You graduated with a bachelor’s in legal studies but decided to skip law school to pursue music. Was there a particular moment when you realised music was your true calling?
Towards the end of my college career, I knew I wasn’t going to continue to law school; I just didn’t have that passion anymore. Then once I graduated, I couldn’t find a job. So I spent my time writing and learning how to produce my own music. As the months passed by, I realized what I was really supposed to be doing with my life.
What do you want people to feel or think when they listen to your music? Is there a certain reaction or message you hope your listeners take away?
I want people to be inspired to be themselves, by seeing how free I am in my music. That’s where the name came from [BE] Rebel. My sound is rebellious, my look is rebellious, I am not afraid to be myself in any room.
With your dynamic mix of punk and hip-hop, do you see yourself pushing boundaries in the genres you work in? What’s next for you in terms of evolving your sound and artistic vision?
I consider myself to be a genreless artist. I’ve done dance music, R&B leaning songs, and a variety of records. My goal is to continue to explore new sounds, new concepts, to continue to blur the lines of music.
Given your background in legal studies and the way you incorporate socially conscious messages into your music, do you see your work as a form of activism? How do you balance your legal education with your creative side?
I definitely view my work as activism. A Lot of artists steer clear of political or social issues, but given my background, that’s not who I am. It’s never anything I give too much thought, what I feel I emote. I believe my legal education has made me more aware of the issues of the world, and the creative side allows me to express my thoughts about them.
EP link:
https://open.spotify.com/album/27KbC9MkUn4qflgCsLsKp9?si=jtIwDNAXTqurmtnKBIg3mg
