9UAPITO, “digitrap”
Felix Guapo, known by his stage name ‘9uapito’, is an underground artist, musician, and entrepreneur based in Charlotte, North Carolina. His latest music release, ‘#digitrap’, is a 24-track digital trap project, filled to the brim with hot verses and digital new-age instrumentals. Released on all platforms on September 18th, 2024, #digitrap’s cyber-style synth beats set the tone for a technological and modern take on the hyperpop styles of the early 2020s.
In an exclusive interview with RSO Underground, 9uapito dives into the visions of his latest project, saying “#digitrap is just an expansion on the trap sound but with a more 2024 sound. More digital with stutter effects, boosting the bass, pitching my songs, speeding up and slowing down, and the production style influenced by producers like Zaytoven, Mexikodro, and video game osts (original soundtracks).”
Born and raised in South Carolina before moving up North to the growing creative hub of Charlotte, NC, 9uapito describes the local scene and music landscape as, “Cool. It's mostly rock, alternative, country, and metal music here.”
He went on to describe the contrast between living in each area; “Charlotte isn’t country… it's a lot of city people and transplants; it's southern for sure, but in a tasteful way. South Carolina, on the other hand, is VERY country and VERY southern. I definitely have southern mannerisms and an accent, but I’m not country; those are two different things.”
9uapito adds, “We’ve got an underground rap scene that's been building up since 2017. TRAAAAP.”
“TRAAAAP” stands as the signature ‘tag’ for 9uapito, representing both the record label he founded and his lifestyle motto, "Tryna Reach A Paradise". Coincidentally mirroring the core genre of his latest project, the artist explains that the name #digitrap simultaneously stands for “digital trap”, along with the acronym, “doin it, gettin it, tryna reach a paradise.”
“Tryna Reach a Paradise LLC” is a company providing DJ hosting, playlisting, and promotional services, alongside being the primary distributor for 9uapito’s all-platform releases.
Beginning with his debut single “444 (Wendy’s)” from October 8th, 2021, back when the label was officially named “T.R.A.P. E.N.T.”, 9uapito and TRAP have been intertwined and evolving together from the beginning. ‘Tryna Reach A Paradise’ is ultimately classified as a community and brand built around Hip Hop Culture, Fashion, and Music.
9uapito speaks on his inspirations behind creating his music and the 'Tryna Reach a Paradise' brand, explaining that “I got into the industry a couple years ago because I love music, and I wanted to make the music I wanted to hear. I still make music that I won't put out for a few months, but I'll steady bump it on the daily.” He proclaims, “Life is my inspiration because I live how I rap and I rap about how I live.”
Surrounded and inspired by a supportive network and community, 9uapito thanks them by saying, “Shoutout to all my homies and family. Yall inspire me to keep going.” However, he shared a story when a so-called “friend” was making fun of a song in the studio while recording.
Despite the initial negativity, that song went on to become “8th Gen Civic”, which was remixed by the iconic DJ Ess into the "8th Gen Civic #isismix", a pitched-up and high-paced #jerk anthem now standing as one of 9uapito’s most streamed and successful single releases of all time.
“I remember when I had someone who I thought was my friend come into the studio, and whole time, he was laughing at my song. He thought the song was terrible, but that song came to be 8th gen civic, one of my most streamed songs to this day. Watch your circle, and if yall aint clicking, just do yourself a favor and find some new friends.”
In an exclusive interview with RSO Underground, 9uapito shared that fans can often find his unreleased music on SoundCloud before full releases, and he concludes by giving his message to the world, saying “You gotta try and reach a paradise; whatever you want to do, you gotta reach out and grab it, and if you truly love something, then you won’t quit on it or let someone else tell you what you should and shouldn’t do. #digitrap.”
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