From Poetry to Hip-Hop: The Evolution of Fame

In the heart of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a young artist began his journey not with beats and rhymes, but with handwritten poems slipped into school lockers. Today, Fame has evolved from that earnest eighth-grader into a distinctive voice in Miami's growing hip-hop scene, bringing a fresh perspective that emphasizes positivity and wellness while staying true to the storytelling traditions that first drew him to the art form.

"I started writing poems to get girls," Fame recalls with a laugh, describing his earliest forays into creative writing during his middle school years. But what began as teenage romantic gestures would lay the foundation for a deeper artistic pursuit. His early exposure to performance came through an unexpected channel – stage plays, which his mother enrolled him in starting from fifth grade. This theatrical background would later prove invaluable, giving him the confidence and presence needed for live performances.

The musical influences in Fame's life run deep through his family tree. His grandfather, a truck driver by trade, was a soul musician who played guitar and sang, often freestyling lyrics over his own compositions. The musical legacy continued through Fame's mother and aunts, who formed their own singing group in their youth, moments captured in family home videos that Fame would later draw inspiration from.

But it was the legendary rapper Nas who would ultimately shape Fame's artistic direction. "Nas was a storyteller," Fame explains, highlighting how the Queens rapper's detailed narratives and poetic wordplay resonated with his own artistic sensibilities. As a young fan, Fame would stand on his bed, using a remote control as a makeshift microphone, meticulously memorizing and performing Nas's lyrics until he knew them by heart. This deep study of one of hip-hop's greatest poets would significantly influence his own approach to songwriting.

In a surprising twist, Fame also credits an unexpected source of inspiration: the Ninja Turtles rap album from the late '90s. His favorite character was Michelangelo, the fun-loving turtle whose personality seems reflected in Fame's own positive approach to music-making. Four years ago, Fame made the move from New York to Florida, finding that the change of scenery brought unexpected advantages. While the sprawling layout of Florida presented a stark contrast to New York's concentrated energy, Fame discovered that being less "easily accessible" actually worked in his favor. "I got a lot more love down here than when I was in the city," he reflects. His approach was methodical – connecting with studio artists, researching venues, and gradually building his presence in the local scene.

What sets Fame apart in today's hip-hop landscape is his commitment to creating what he calls "feel-good music" with substance. "Music is the soundtrack to our lives," he explains, describing his goal to create songs that serve different moments in people's daily routines – from morning motivation to evening relaxation. But beyond just creating pleasant sounds, Fame ensures each track carries a meaningful message.

This philosophy is perhaps best exemplified in his standout track "Smoothie Please," created during the pandemic while living in Staten Island. The song, born from his daily habit of making nutritious smoothies, became an unexpected hit that merged health consciousness with hip-hop culture. The music video, shot in a Black-owned smoothie shop in Brooklyn, included Fame purchasing and distributing 100 smoothies to community members – a gesture that perfectly encapsulates his approach to combining entertainment with positive action.

Another significant work in Fame's catalog is "6/4" (SIXFO), part of his "California" project created as a tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle. The track showcases Fame's versatility, adopting West Coast styles reminiscent of Master P, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube, while maintaining his distinctive New York roots. The video features a lowrider in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood, creating a unique East Coast-West Coast fusion.