An artist steadily carving his own lane through persistence, discipline, and a deeply intentional approach to music, DeCoster reflects on his early beginnings, artistic growth, and the mindset behind building a lasting catalog across multiple cities and influences. In this conversation with ukhiphoptalk.com, he breaks down the process behind his work and what continues to drive him forward.
You’ve been building your catalog for years without chasing quick moments—what originally made you choose that more intentional approach to music?
The more I was excited when hearing the final results of the songs I was working on, the more I wanted to create more music and explore to find out what else I could do with it. That’s why I got so much music out, but no real major traction yet. I always believed that I should just keep creating until that one song hit. From that point, I would have so many other hits already created that it would be easy to scale.
Starting out in a neighborhood rap collective at 14, what did those early experiences teach you about discipline and consistency?
I wanted to be part of the rap group, but I was not selected to be part of it. The interest and passion were still very much alive in me, so I had to push myself to do it from the very start because no one else believed I could do it and be good at it. It all started at home. I was writing lyrics by myself on random instrumentals until one day, while hanging out with 2 of my friends, they started to rap.
I felt the vibe and decided to rap the lyrics that I was writing at home by myself (that was my first time doing it live in front of people). They were amazed at how good it was, congratulated me, spread the word, and that is when I got my recognition as a rapper in the neighborhood. I liked the recognition, but I loved the creation process more; that’s why I just never stopped doing it.
When you look back at your first projects like Hit Factory or Rent Due, what stands out to you most now about your growth?
The quality of my delivery was and is still very much important to me. I always work on the pronunciation of my lyrics so I can make sure that what I’m saying can always be clearly heard. I like to create unique and complex flows, but I have also learned that I have to use simpler cadences sometimes so the regular listeners can easily relate.
Depending on the kind of projects that I want to create, I always make sure that the beats are carefully selected so the sound can be unique and remembered, not only the lyrics. When I was starting, I was just selecting any beats to show that I could do it on any rhythm. Now, I’m trying to create a real impact with carefully crafted songs.
You’ve released over ten projects already—what keeps you motivated to stay that consistent in an industry that moves so fast?
I take it as my gift to the world, my story, and my mark during my presence in this lifetime and I find it amazing that I could listen to songs that were recorded more than 10 years ago and be brought back to the exact place and time when it was done, where I could feel it again.
I like to keep on creating because it allows my mind to stay active on a level that no other activities can keep it on, and I believe that if you believe that you have something unique inside of you, you should do your best to keep it alive, trained, and ready to be shared with the world so that when the world is finally ready for it, you are too.
Your music carries influences like Tupac, Jadakiss, and Black Thought—what lessons from them have shaped how you approach storytelling today?
I have learned how to have a conversation with the music. When I want to create a song on a serious topic or real-life event, I usually only listen to the beat first. I could listen to the beat over and over again for days/weeks before I even write one word about it. When I feel like the beat has talked to me, I talk back and start writing on it.
With your latest release gaining traction, what do you feel is finally clicking for you right now as an artist?
Hearing and seeing that people are starting to write, read, and talk about it makes me feel excited to see that how I’ve always felt about my music is finally starting to be felt by other people. I’m still waiting for that major click, but I understand that it’s all a process.
You’re building between cities like Montreal, New York, Atlanta, and LA—how does that growing reach influence your mindset and future plans?
I find it interesting that I can be in one of those cities and meet people or artists that I’ve met in other cities. It makes me feel like my work, efforts, and money spent are not in vain and that my name and music are being seen and heard in places where they would never have been if I had never travelled there. Through the years, I have noticed a growth in my music network, and this encourages me to keep going to these places where they might be interested in my music.
