Today’s featured artist is Paxton Papi – We have never been so honored to feature an aspiring artist. He is one of the few members of the Hip-Hop community that choose to use their voice to lead the youth in a positive direction. With his Anti Drug message about living a positive lifestyle we are proud to support his endeavors and also enjoy his talent. Check out this exclusive interview and be sure to keep an eye out for more collaborations between NHH and Paxton Papi.
What is your background? tell us where you grew up and some information about your upbringing/experiences as a youth:
I’m a 21 yr old College Student I was born and raised in Pacoima Calif 20 minutes away from Hollywood 40 minutes away from downtown Los Angeles at an early age i was exposed to a wide variety of music and Sports playing football for SYFL the west LA Raiders for 3 years owned by the infamous Snoop Dogg and because my father owned and operated a recording studio Worldwide ent working with a lot of artists that’s known today I had the opportunity to home my rhyming skills at a young age . at 8 yrs old, my brother mr Bo and me lil T-bone formed a group called THE YOUNG BILLIONAIRES featured on video games like True Crimes Streets Of LA and a few Movie Soundtracks. But my Mother always stressed the Importance of an Education so my music career was put on hold and i pursued my education also excelling in Football which gained me a full Scholarship playing Football for HARDING UNIVERSITY in Searcy Arkansas where i now attend but also never abandoning my love for Music/Hip Hop Culture.
At what moment did you know that music was part of your life and what feelings did you have towards making an active impact with your music?
Music to me is like having a Girlfriend whom you first fell in Love with and Sports was the Other girl i Cheated with also falling in Love with…lol get it. So because the promise and stability of the second Love i pursued her first.but with the Current state of Hip Hop i feel like She Needs me even more than ever kids are dieing everyday being lied to and tricked into thinking that you have to sell drugs or do drugs in order to be successful in hip hop nowadays i feel like hip hop is suffering from spiritual paralysis, so it’s important to me to used my talent and God GIven ability to shed light where there’s so much Darkness ,being a Youth who understands the obstacles that today’s At- Risk Youth Faces Now is the Time for me and Others to Speak out to our Current Generation .If Not Now THen when? IF Not me then who? These are some of the Questions that i ask myself. So my Father Ceo T, William sr and I Created (H.H.A.A.D) Hip Hop Artists Against Drugs. Our mission is to-fold – Prevention and Intervention. We believe future adult problems can be avoided if time and caring are invested in our children today. Our mission towards prevention starts with investing in today’s youth – to let them experience positive growth-promoting environments; to encourage them to set goals; and to launch them on a path of successful goal attainment.Our primary focus is on children and youth, ages 8 to 18. Those who others may label “hard-to-reach.” The beauty of hip hop is that it was created, perpetuated and is now celebrated by the hard-to-reach. H.H.A.A.D creates positive alternatives to drug abuse for both adults and children as well as linkages and resources that provide visions of hope. We send the message that the world is filled with reachable goals and “You are NOT forgotten.” Our motto is: “My dreams are meant to be, but it’s up to me!
What artists inspired/influences you and if you could collaborate with any artist (alive or passed) who would it be and why? Kendrick Lamar, J Cole ,Aliyah because not only are they talented and think outside the box not to mention creative and delivers a positive message but still allow you to grove and have fun.
What do you think about the current state of hip hop/mainstream music?
I love the doors that have open up as a result but i do feel like it’s not very much creativity being focus on, more of follow what’s popular it’s a lacks true Substance.
Currently, what projects do you have in the works that you are most excited about?
My Ep that’s being released later this year titled Lindas Son. also working on a Documentary with my father called (Hip Hop Culture The Message & The Media ) The focus of this Documentary is to give parents the knowledge and communication skills they need to create a healthy family environment. The importance of being a skilled parent has never been greater. While scientific research points to the vital role parents can play in preventing high risk behaviors among teens, the consistent feedback we receive from parents is they need help understanding what to say and how to say it. The goals of the study are to: 1) improve our understanding of the various types of risk-related messages urban kids are exposed to within their environment; 2) gain insight into the role hip hop music and other forms of media plays in how kids encountered risk-related messages; and 3) understand the impact these messages have on attitudes towards and decisions to participate in high risk behaviors.The focus of this study is giving parents the knowledge and communication skills they need to create a healthy family environment. The importance of being a skilled parent has never been greater. While scientific research points to the vital role parents can play in preventing high risk behaviors among teens, the consistent feedback we receive from parents is they need help understanding what to say and how to say it. The goals of the study are to: 1) improve our understanding of the various types of risk-related messages urban kids are exposed to within their environment; 2) gain insight into the role hip hop music and other forms of media plays in how kids encountered risk-related messages; and 3) understand the impact these messages have on attitudes towards and decisions to participate in high risk behaviors.
What are your short term career goals within the next 6-10 months?
I would like to expand my fan bases also make a positive impact.
What are your long term career goals within the next 2-5 years?
To become a Household name respected for my creativity and willingness to take a stances for what i believe in.
If you had one song out of the catalogue you have created to show a person what song would it be and why?
I would have to say my Ep Titled Track( LINDAS SON) which is a response to how i feel about my Mother who has been there for me also to every Other Mother who has Sacrifice so much for their children in order for them to succeed in life.
To the person who had never heard of you what is it about your music and story that you would tell them to entice them to be a supporter?
I represent the Hard To reach the voice of today’s Youth on a mission to change the Mindset of today’s Generation, come watch me work!
If your music could be described in five words what would those five words be?
HIP-HOP ARTIST AGAINST DRUGS.
What do you bring to the game that is unique and different?
My Anti Drug message also you can go to School and be successful and not compromise who you are as a person.the ability to swim amongst Sharks.
To the aspiring artist who is considering a career as a musician what lessons or advice would you give them to inspire them or to uplift them in the journey?
Put God first be patient home your skills don’t be a product of your environment instead influence your environment by staying positive and un afraid to go against the grain.
What are your social media profiles and where can people purchase/download your music?
https://www.instagram.com/paxtonpapi/
https://www.twitter.com/realpaxtonpapi1
https://www.facebook.com/HHAAD.INC
www.hhaad.org coming soon !
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR01sAYDcPfP7F1j0otU-HA
What are your final words you would like to say to people that you have left out?
Support Paxton Papi & my Drug free Youth Movement,Don’t complain about today’s issues unless you’re willing to support positive solutions to the problems.