After killing the stage at #SOURCE360′s Unsigned Hype competition in Brooklyn, New York two weekends ago, finalist Rahzel Jr was approached by media maven LDN, best known for her work with MTV UK’s The Wrap Up, to do an interview, following his performance of “The Culture.”

Rahzel Jr’s powerful performance prompted Karlie Hustle, formerly of Hot 97, to dub him “a young spitter with intellect,” while the owner of The Source praised “The Culture” as a “massive hit record.”

Wrote LDN:

The SOURCE360 launched its first annual art, film/television, fashion, sports, dance, & digital technology expo September 19-21, cultivating unity within the community through the vessel that is hip hop.  To officially launch its three day extravaganza, SOURCE360 invaded Brooklyn, New York with a slew of festivities such as the Unsigned Hype Music Showcase, Soul + R&B Showcase, Explore BK Block Party, BAM Cafe Music Showcase, & more.

I had exclusive access to Round One of the Unsigned Hype Music Showcase, where 25 artists battled for the opportunity to perform live with Wu-Tang Clan at the Barclays Center.  Artists such as Kris Kasanova, Narubi, Cash Sinatra, Denzil Porter, and Rahzel Jr. each had four minutes to perform for the crowd as well as celebrity judges such as the Grammy award winning producer Mike Zombie & multi-platinum record producer Amadeus.

Only 20 artists advanced to Round Two, which was a cypher.  I had the pleasure of catching up with one of the finalists, Rahzel Jr., a dynamic, unique, & well-poised intellectual prodigy.

Here is what Rahzel Jr.  had to say about the SOURCE360′s Unsigned Hype Showcase, his career, vision, influences, & opinion on the current state of rap/hip-hop, as he shares his desires to “uplift the culture, be an inspiration, and to change the world through music!”

 

*12 artists including Rahzel Jr. Advanced to round 2