Rapper, singer, and manager Carlo Errin resides in Los Angeles. HOLLYWOOD REJECTS INC is an independent record company he founded. Errin co-produces the work of several artists as the company’s current CEO and founder. Errin has since released his first EP, organized and performed at several Los Angeles-area local shows, and founded the band Hollywood Rejects. Taking inspiration from musicians like Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, Andre 3000, and Frank Ocean. Errin considers himself to be a walking musical encyclopedia and incorporates this into his own music, building new worlds with his projects. Tens of thousands of streams have been generated collectively, and his popularity is growing as a result of fans spreading his music on all social media sites.
His most recent album, THE BUTTERFLY BOY, has been in the works for more than a year. It offers listeners a wide variety of styles to choose from and latch onto. Reflection on relationships is the record’s central theme. We can all relate to this because it deals with friendships, family, and other non-romantic relationships in addition to romantic ones. The album is one that will elicit a range of emotions. It seems to have a positive outlook on becoming your own unique individual. To convey this message and create this world, a large number of talented artists from a variety of musical genres collaborated on this album. Check out the album and the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
CARLO ERRIN: I was born in San Diego CA, I’ve lived in LA for 10 years, since moving here I was able to grow as an artist due to all the resources we have here. There’s always someone who does something you may need. When I first started making music I was 9, it used to just be a hobby but in 2019 I formed a group with my friends called Hollywood Rejects Inc.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
CARLO ERRIN: Pretty much everything I’ve learned has been self-taught, there’s been some courses and such that has helped me grow as much as I have thus far.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘CARLO ERRIN’?
CARLO ERRIN: The first ones were Ye, Jay-Z, Andre 3000, Michael Jackson, & more. My mom used to play these artists around the house so I grew up listening to them. As I went on my own musicial journey I found artists like Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean,The Weeknd, BROCKHAMPTON, Aminé, Lauryn Hill, & more to be some of my biggest influences However, I find new influences every other day so many artists truly inspire my work.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
CARLO ERRIN: I want the fact that I am like many of you, I am a music fan I wear influences on my sleeve and look to build connections and worlds for listeners to enjoy. With being a music fan, I listen to a whole lot of music. I change my style so often, I don’t want to be put in one corner of music when I know the capabilities I posses artistically.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?
CARLO ERRIN:
However someone wants to enjoy music is on them I ain’t the one to tell anyone to only do music this way. I’m a fan of vibes and storytelling within music. I love to see how people express themselves with their music taste and creation of art.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
CARLO ERRIN:
Sometimes it’s frustrating as an artist when you put so much work into something only for it to not receive the attention you think it deserves. You want people to be as excited as you are for releases but often you find people just ignoring your work or being disinterested and it is disheartening but it’s something I try to not focus on. I love seeing who is listening, who is coming to the shows, who’s making a Tiktok or sharing the music. When you get the love it’s amazing but I think we all have that search for artistic acceptance.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
CARLO ERRIN:
Usually I have many ideas in my head. Sometimes it’ll just be a song idea, sometimes I have 5 albums made in my mind with different sounds and concepts. Whatever idea brings me the most fun and creative potential is the one I lean into the most. I take a long time with my work and I put every detail into it. When collaborating I have someone in mind for the song then I send a reference of what I want from them.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
CARLO ERRIN: Covid stopped production of everything so for us not getting to work on things we enjoy was very tough. Personally I just got a lot of things going on but learning to accept me for who I am has been the biggest thing.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
CARLO ERRIN: I’ve made two projects with my closest friends, sold out shows, performed at festivals, and so many other things. I’m just lucky to have done some of the things I’ve gotten to do already and do even more cool things.
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