Next In Show: Flowjo Stevo

A while back I was doing my thing on Twitter and came across a RT of a Flowjo Stevo track. New music obviously intrigues me, so I approached him and requested we work together. It wasn't long before I got a response from the rapper. It was confirmed. This kid brings the soul of the south with a dash of east and west coast to the table. Don't sleep on Flowjo. Check out the exclusive interview below.

How do you classify your music?

It's definitely a reflection of the many different faces I wear. I'm most known for my fun, wild side, so a lot of my music has that energy. I have a deep voice & I prefer beats that knock, so that formula works perfect for me. But I also have a softer side, being that I was raised in a household of women. So I do allow myself to be vulnerable in some songs & let my true emotions flow. I'm well-rounded, so you never know what's coming next from me. I like it like that.

I saw an interview of you saying you moved around a lot. What were some of the reasons for this? Where did you relocate and where do you call home today?

My family is real separated, there's not much unity, so we've always been unstable because of this, I guess. I was born in Dallas, Texas, & we left for Long Island, New York when I was 2 years old. We lived there til I was about 6 or 7. At that point, me & my siblings spent some time in foster care. I forget how long that stay was, but it wasn't long. It felt like forever though. haha Our grandmother had gained custody of all 4 of us (older brother, 2 younger sisters) & then moved us out to the Highbridge section of The Bronx while my mom was in a drug-rehabilitation program. I lived in Highbridge til the age of 16. I decided to move to San Diego, California with my brother & his dad. I only lasted a little over a year out there because of issues with my brother. So I moved back to Highbridge at age 17. I ended up having issues with my grandmother & my mother at home, so I decided to move out to a room of my own in East Harlem, better known as El Barrio, at the age of 18. We got evicted from that apartment in April of '09, so I was bouncing around from different friends' cribs throughout NYC. Mainly the lower east-side of Manhattan, Harlem & my hometown, Highbridge. By the summer of '09, I was staying with a childhood-friend of mine & his family in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan. However, the rent was unreasonably high, so by summer's end I decided to move in with my brother & his family in the Soundview section of The Bronx. We started to bump heads again, so in October of '09 I moved in with another childhood-friend of mine; back home in Highbridge. He ended up stealing $100 from me, so I moved out in March of 2010. I was renting out another room in the Hamilton Heights section of Harlem, better known as the infamous Sugar Hill. I got behind on the rent & I later lost my job, so I moved back in with my grandmother in Highbridge in the fall of 2010. Issues arose between me & my grandmother again, so by March of 2011 I was relocated to the East New York section of Brooklyn, which is where I reside now. Nonetheless, Highbridge will always be home. Sorry for the lengthy read. I lead a rough life. lol I left out some places I stayed between the age of 2 & 6 because I can't remember exactly where those places were.

Who are you listening to in your iPod now?

I'm bumping Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, Curren$y, A$AP Rocky, Drake, J. Cole, Jay Z, Ab-Soul, Jhene Aiko, N.E.R.D., Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Lyriciss, Nicki Minaj, Mikey Rocks, Courtney Noelle, L.A., Kris Kasanova, Rich Flyer, Phreshy Duzit, Dom O Briggs, The Weeknd, The Dream, Kendrick Lamar, Shawn Chrystopher, Tupac, Biggie Smalls, Trey Songz, Frank Ocean, Marty Mcfly, Neako, Skeme, Dom Kennedy, Chris Brown, Pusha T, Red Cafe, Miguel, Wale, Nipsey Hussle, French Montana, Lupe Fiasco, Kid Ink, The Game, Young Jeezy Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Fabolous, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Nas, The Clipse, T.I., Keri Hilson, Kid Cudi, Ludacris, Rihana, Big KRIT, Casey Veggies, Big Boi, Los, Yelawolf, Square Off, Eminem, Joe Budden, Machine Gun Kelly, Tyga & of course myself. I know that's a long ass list but I really listen to a lot of music, regularly. lol It's my religion. I take it very seriously!

Do you go to school?

Nah. I did a semester & a half at John Jay Community College before I dropped out. It wasn't for me man. Felt like a waste of time.

What is one thing your fans don't know about you that you would like to share with them?

I almost had a kid by two different girls. At different times though. One had a miscarriage of some sort. I forget what went wrong within her system exactly. The other one just didn't end up pregnant. I didn't really trust her, so I forgot what she told me the doctor said to her, but I know I didn't believe it anyways. Even if it was true. I'm definitely not ready for a kid, so I was happy for both of those results.

Do you illegally download music?

lol You trying to get me indicted? But yeaa, I do. I try to support albums that really effect my life in one way or another but money is tight over here. haha NYC is far from cheap!

In what ways do you use social media to market/promote yourself?

I honestly just post links & updates to my Facebook artist page & personal page, twitter, & tumblr. I also have a group on Facebook titled '#TeamFlowjo' where I post links & updates. That's the name I gave to my most dedicated fans. They do a great job supporting me, so I don't have to do much besides put out quality product.

What album do you secretly listen to when no one is around?

I'm open with all the music I like. But music you probably won't hear me bumping in public is the oldies. You know, Prince, Rick James, Teena Marie, Bootsy Collins, Deniece Williams, Stevie Wonders, En Vogue, Boyz II Men. lol Music like that.

What inspires you?

Everyday life. The things I experience, the things other people experience. Seeing people & other artists succeed. The new things artists introduce to the world, such as sounds, flows & what not. Also the movies & select shows I catch on TV. Shoot, even pictures. I find inspiration rather easily.

What advice can you give to the young generation about how to reach there goals?

Surround yourself with those who have common goals, especially if they have bigger goals than you. It is very true when they say your friends are a reflection of you. Don't get caught up in the satisfactions of the moment. Nothing comes without sacrifice. There is always going to be something you have to give up in exchange for something you want. In order to get something you never had you gotta do something you've never done. Still, stay true to what you believe in. It's all about balance. Always think ahead & never lose focus. The best advice I could offer that I feel the younger generation needs is to spend as much time with yourself as possible. But not too much. Enough to figure out who you are as a person & become 110% comfortable with being that person, but constantly work to be a better person each day. Baby steps are better than no steps.

Thanks for your time.

Thank you for taking the time out to acknowledge my brand, my hustle, my grind, & putting me on this platform for others to see. Much love & respect bruh.

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