Doc Breezus is a hip hop artist and producer from Eugene. Doc Breezus cites a number of influential rappers and producers, including Kanye West, Travis Scott, Eminem, Drake, and Metro Boomin. During his first semester of college, Doc Breezus began producing beats with FL Studio as a hobby. Eventually, he began publishing beats and two instrumental pieces on Soundcloud under the name Eccentric. During his first two years of artistic discovery, Doc Breezus dabbled with a variety of musical styles, including modern Hip Hop, R&B, EDM, and lo-fi Hip Hop. With the exclusive release of Motion Picture on Soundcloud in early November 2018, Doc Breezus (then known as Eccentric) attempted rapping for the first time. Since then, he has served as both a producer and an artist, and he has collaborated with other Eugene-based artists, including CGK and Mr. Hippster. He changed his name to Doc Breezus when he began releasing a new beat every day for 30 days in May, followed by the release of a new single. Doc Breezus still aspires to live up to his prior title by distinguishing himself from his musical colleagues through his varied production, shrewd lyrics, and determined work ethic. Check out his EP โDoktoberfestโ and the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
DOC BREEZUS: Iโm from Eugene, Oregon, and I got into playing music very early in my life which eventually led to me pursuing it as an adult.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
DOC BREEZUS: I taught myself how to use FL Studio and make beats by watching youtube tutorials from Internet Money and Based Gutta just to name a few people. Like I said, I got into playing music earlier on. I played trombone from 6th-11th grade in my school bands, and I also took guitar lessons on and off for a while. Iโm currently learning the piano!
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name โDOC BREEZUSโ?
DOC BREEZUS: To be honest, I probably give a different answer to the first question every time haha, but I grew up listening to different genres including rap as well as country, pop and basically whatever was on the radio. Doc Breezus is a portmaneau (or whatever you call it) of Doc Brown (from Back To The Future) and Yeezus. It was originally gonna be an alter ego. My old name was Eccentric.
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?
DOC BREEZUS: Experimental for sure. Iโd say I want my lyricism to resonate with people more than anything like yeah I can produce and make beautiful melodies but I really want to make people think even if Iโm rapping about anything haha.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as HIP-HOP?
DOC BREEZUS:
Eminem was one of my first exposures to hip hop and rap, so I would study his rhymes when I was an adolescent. I got into trap music later on from listening to Travis Scott, Young Thug, and Future. In fact, โBirds in the Trap Sing McKnightโ inspired me to start producing, but I always take influence from different directions.
6. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ 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?
DOC BREEZUS:
I understand that music has always been a way to express oneโs views (especially hip hop), but personally I feel like if I made a song about politics or social issues that I would just be profiting from these things as a white rapper. Iโm pretty spiritual though, and Iโve referenced the number 555 in some of my earlier work.
7. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
DOC BREEZUS:
I sold my first beat exclusively last June. That showed me that I really can make it.
8. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
DOC BREEZUS:
People are gonna talk bad about you until the day you die and even longer than that. Iโve had people say right to me that I should just quit, but you just gotta be nonchalant about it in my opinion.
9. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
DOC BREEZUS: I have yet to play my first show so definitely the latter.
10. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
DOC BREEZUS: Two things can be true at once. I heard a song about addiction one time, but I thought it was about a toxic relationship.
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