The Gulf Coast has raised some of the most prolific artists of our day, and the sound of young Rez Burna embraces influences of the region's bounce, jazz, soul and hip hop that shaped the Louisiana-born, Mississippi-raised lyricist.
With the fiery single "Supercali" featuring Waka Flocka Flame picking up speed in the South, and his second full-length mixtape High Rezolution now available, Rez Burna is positioning himself in the best way possible.
Music was an integral force in the Rez Burna's childhood years. His father purchased equipment so Rez could create his own music, and he began developing his craft under the stage name Young Perez. His close friend Inga Banga, at that time known as Inga C, introduced the young songwriter to the art of punchlines, and gave him the alias Rez Burna. Rez met and collaborated with many underground artist along the way, such as Inga Banga, Lil' Redd, and Young Mega among others.
Rez feels that his humble beginnings and culturally rich surroundings have played a huge role in building his artistry.
"I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and its reputation precedes itself," explains Rez. "I grew up in a small town called Gautier, Mississippi, and it isn't easy to describe. You see and feel the harsh realities of racism, yet everywhere you look there's a bi-racial couple walking around. That's the type of thing that has made me open minded, but not oblivious to the world around me. You can hear it in my music. Even when I take a stance on a subject, I'm still willing and making an attempt to understand the other sides. I try hard not be contradictory."
Eventually Rez met Joe22, and his budding career started to show promise. Joe introduced Rez to YoungStar JR, co-owner of Family Ties Entertainment, and Rez worked closely with Family Ties for quite some time. He collaborated with former F.T.E. artist Tha Joker on the widely successful "I'm N Here (Remix)", and again on "Superstar Status" with super producer Big Fruit (Cadillac Don & J-Money's "Inside PB, Outside Jelly" & Bobby Valentino's "Beep").
Through his experience with Family Ties, Rez retained some valuable business and life lessons.
"I learned that what we do is a business – it's not about talent," Rez Burna asserts. "Yeah, talent has a lot to do with your longevity in the game, but that's not what it's about. Family Ties taught me that it's about the money; what's feasible and what isn't. Everyone is trying to figure out if you're worth investing their money and effort into. I was also taught that you should always have a team. When I started building my own crew, everything began to move a lot better. I felt free to create."
Rez has been working hard on creating his own lane. He released his debut mixtape Burnapocalypse in September of 2010. He followed with the powerful single "Supercali" featuring Waka Flocka Flame, and is only getting better with each new song he writes. Rez's ability to write memorable hooks is evident from the first listen to any of his songs, and he aspires to write for pop and R&B artists.
"The artist that I've looked up to the most has to be Lil Wayne by far. I've heard a lot of people mention how they grew up on 2Pac or Biggie, but I grew up on the Hot Boys and Big Tymers, and No Limit Records. It's one of my dreams to one day work with Lil Wayne, B.G., Juvenile and Mannie Fresh. I have a lot of respect for Webbie as well. I see myself writing hooks or R&B songs. I don't believe in writing "raps" for a "rapper" though. It's disrespectful to the craft in my eyes."
In the end, it's Rez Burna's respect for the power of music that pushes him to create every day. It's bigger than Hip Hop, and Rez knows that this is his destiny.
"I want the world to see me as an artist, and not a rapper," says Rez Burna. "More than anything, I want everyone to consider me the best to ever do it. I remember in 2004, Wayne said he was "the best rapper alive, since the best rapper retired". Well, I don't care who's retired and who's not, because I am the best rapper alive. Look at me as the person that's going to change the world in a positive way. I want to be the perfect blend between Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. This is bigger than music to me. I'm here to make a change!"
