Origins of the Name and Musical Journey
Cillabeat is a distinctive name in the hip-hop community, and there's an interesting story behind it. "I was good at coming up with beats in my head," explains Cillabeat. "My English teacher said my writing was very flowing and easy to digest, and I've always liked rapping fast. With all that in mind, I decided that I was killing tracks. I combined 'kill-a-beat' with my name." This creative fusion captures the essence of his musical journey.
Cillabeat's journey into hip-hop began at the age of 13, during a challenging period in his life. "I fell in love with hip-hop when I was 13," he recalls. "I was going through a separation of my family through social services, and I was living with my uncle. I clung to the lyrics and the beats looking for an answer or an escape. Singing and rapping to my favorite artists like Usher, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo gave me an outlet to peace and confidence. When I got tired of singing and rapping, that's when I started writing." It's a testament to the power of music as a source of solace and empowerment.
Beat Creation and Inspirational Artists
Beats are at the core of Cillabeat's musical identity, and his process for creating them is as diverse as his influences. He explains, "There are several ways I make beats, and it all depends on how I feel when I sit down. I have tons of lyrics and tons of beats. I only marry them when I feel like they go together. I could beatbox a beat, but I have to remember the instruments I was thinking and inflections of those instruments. Sometimes I freestyle, but most of the time I'll write because it brings out more of a polished, planned sound."
Influences in music often come from a wide range of sources. For Cillabeat, some notable artists have played a significant role in shaping his musical style and vision. "LOGIC is the number one artist I look up to because his message has always been peace, love, and positivity," he notes. "I just couldn't argue with that. Not to mention he raps fast and almost every song or feature has a good message. J. Cole is another artist I admire. He stays focused on the present moment. Logic looks up to J. Cole and Drake. Noah Shebib (40) is captivating because of his beats. He has NEVER disappointed because he too is focused on music."
Writing Process and Collaborative Wishes
Cillabeat's songwriting process is an intimate and introspective one. "I don't have a lot of things around me so that my mind can't pick up a suggestion from it," he shares. "I like things to come straight from my brain without any influence. I can write about anything I have perspective on, but it doesn't come out quickly if it's not from the heart."
Dreaming of collaborations is a common thread among artists, and Cillabeat is no exception. "If I were able to get on a track with Logic or J. Cole, it would greatly influence my music to stay on the same route and be just as, if not more, influential due to my anger at politics and personal life experiences," he explains. "Getting on a track with another inspirational artist would justify my cause for being influential and support my message, adding me to the family of hip-hop disciples, my second dream destination. First is family."
Social Commentary and Live Performances
Hip-hop has a rich tradition of addressing societal issues, and Cillabeat is part of this tradition. "I take problems I may or may not run into in my life and put them into my hip-hop message so I can visualize a way out for me and for others," he says. His music becomes a platform for self- expression and a means to shed light on important themes.
Live performances bring a unique energy to music, and artists often have memorable moments from these experiences. Cillabeat recalls one such moment with a touch of humor: "I remember messing up a lyric during a long part of the song where I don't sing or rap. I said, 'I'm not supposed to be rapping on this part anyway.' We all laughed."
Evolution of Style and Vision for the Future
Artistic growth and evolution are vital for any artist. For Cillabeat, this evolution extends to his approach towards women in his music. "I have a better understanding of women, so I try not to be disrespectful," he shares. "If that's the way I come off, it's NOT what I meant because even if someone brings this negative energy towards me, I won't reciprocate or kill with kindness. I kill with silence and moving on." His genre-spanning journey also includes explorations into hip-hop, RnB, classical, country, pop, and rave. Future endeavors may see him venturing into UK rap and reggae.
Cillabeat's vision for his hip-hop career is deeply personal and centered around the joy of creating music. "I may not be what everybody is looking for, but I am making music, and it's pretty much what I love to do," he asserts. "So I'll keep doing it until I'm dead, and it doesn't matter if nobody else listens to it. I'm just glad I got to make it. If it does get big and people listen to it, it would make me especially happy because everyone's getting their nutrition by listening to positivity and they can share that energy. I love being healthy because it makes my body happy, which makes it easy for me to be happy. I want that for everyone. Eat good, sleep good, laugh." Cillabeat's passion for music and positivity shines through in his vision for the future, one where his unique sound can uplift and inspire others.
