13Neo Perspective on PLACID

I go by 13Neo. I am a recording artist, record producer and independent record label owner.

I got started making beats at the age of 16 when I discovered the process behind producers like Metro Boomin', Timbaland, Kanye West, J Dilla, the Alchemist, and more. I was intrigued, so I downloaded Logic on my Mac and just started experimenting. The fascination never ended, and here I am 8 years later.

I decided to start writing and rapping 4 years ago when I was interning as an engineer in NYC. I got that funny feeling again watching artists come in to record and walk out with rough, yet finished songs ready for release. I thought to myself, "Hey, I've been into creative writing since I was 12 years old, and I've gotten pretty good at talking s*** as I've grown up. Why not?" So, I started writing, producing, recording and mixing my own songs in my bedroom, and I haven't really stopped since.

What started off as a curiosity turned into a hobby, and then my chosen profession. Today, I own my label entity, Crouched Beast Records, and am finally launching my career as a recording artist. My debut singles, "PLACID" and "CIRCUIT" are now streaming on all platforms.

My overarching goal is to inspire boundless creative expression in others and to encourage them to be their true authentic selves. 

I want them to feel unrestricted, like they are in space where no part of themselves has to hide or be afraid. We live in a world with so many rules and confinements, a lot for good reason. That doesn't mean that we don't have parts of ourselves that we wish we could express freely, especially the parts that are repressed. I try to take the listener on a psychic journey with every song that I create.

I think what's going to separate me is my unwillingness to conform, and my willingness to make the art that I want to make. Period. Not because " it's what sells" or because "it's the latest TikTok trend." Sure, marketing and all of the business related aspect play a huge part in success and getting heard, but I think that daring and refreshing art is what prevents an artist from becoming just another number. 

I've worked probably every job you can think of. I come from a middle-class blue collar family, so I've had to earn everything. From fast-food, to retail, automotive, landscaping...You name it, I've probably done it. Ultimately, these jobs started becoming means to an end in order to fund my musical journey. I quickly learned that the 9-5 life was not for me.

I'd say it's a balance of being an observer and a creator. Being observant enough to notice things that others may not, being curious enough to look where others won't. Being creative enough to make things through that lens, and struggling terribly to articulate it in a way that makes sense to others.

I think the job of an artists is to be an emotional, even spiritual guide to people on their own life journey. Art has a way of reaching people in times when they need it most, speaking to them in a way the no one or nothing else can.

Mainly things that are personal to my own life. Overcoming hardships, relationships, dealing with enemies in life, internal struggles, stuff like that. And also a bunch about the kind of prosperous life I want to manifest in spite of those things. I try to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality, as I think any great artist should.

Specifically with hip-hop, my earliest memory was listening to "California Love" by 2Pac in the car with my Dad and my brother on a late night. I'll never forget it. My brother and I requested it over and over again, we must have listened to it 10 times on repeat that night.

Hip-hop, most definitely. From the drums, to the lyrics, everything is hip-hop about this.

There's definitely an element of a get-back in this track. To me it feels like the start of something after going though the ringer, which is pretty accurate. I went through a long period of serious setbacks with a lot of losses, including people that were close to me. Being my debut single, I had to make a statement. I'm not here to play.

I think as I've gotten better at what I do, I've just gotten better at articulating the landscape I'm trying to portray. Better at immersing the listener in the energy I'm putting out. My sound is always changing and evolving, though I typically gravitate towards darker, more hellish sounds. I'm always reaching for new sounds, experimenting with new melodies, flows, just constantly trying new things. The main difference has probably been in my pen, I just think it's gotten a lot better.

I'd want to see Elvis and be aroud to see the impact he was having on that generation. He revolutionized. Must have been something to behold.