Barney Bones
Photo Credit: Jasmine Perry
Barney Bones is one of the most refreshingly unique artists to enter the music scene in the last few years. The rapper has already seen much success since his debut, but it’s clear by his songs that there is no ceiling to his work. In 2018, he released “Nostalgia,” which was a lyrically impressive first song that gave audiences a taste of what was to come. Since then, he’s released 5 singles of his own, amassing hundreds of thousands of streams on multiple platforms. However, he hit his first big break in 2019, when he was featured on 88rising’s “Calculator” and “Hopscotch” from their newest album, Head in the Clouds II. The album which now has millions of streams on Spotify alone was not just a hit—it was a promise that Barney was destined for the bigger and better. We had the chance to talk to Barney Bones about his career, the inspiration behind his latest work, and more! Read our full Q&A with the artist below.
Let’s get started by talking a little bit about yourself. How did you get started making music?
There are tiers to my music journey, y’know? When I was young, I always tethered my experiences, whether good or bad to music. Like, if my uncles were fighting in the front yard, I’d remember Tha Eastsidaz was playing in the cars passing by, or if I was getting picked up from elementary school, my mother would pull up, windows rolled up, slapping Sade at full volume -- The way I’ve interacted with music has kind of always been an emotional experience. But…
I say that to say, music has always been organic, just out of my love for the shit, but…it took a while for me to take it seriously, y’know? I was actually going to LMU for screenwriting when my bro August 08 approached me to seriously pursue songwriting. Which I kind of was wary about ‘cause I didn’t think I could write pop.
I ended up doing it and was able to work on hella records for hella people. But in that, I also realized that there is a story that I could be telling, that hasn’t been told, which is my own.
You made your Spotify debut in 2018 with “Nostalgia.” What is the biggest thing in your life that has changed since?
I would have to say, courage. Which is something the music industry is hell-bent on taking away from you. Releasing “Nostalgia” was the moment that I realized, I could just upload a song and go. I didn’t need a room of suits or an A&R who could only describe things as lit, fire, or dope to co-sign me — I could just do it myself. So, I release songs with my own creative direction and ideas in place without compromise, because it goes back to having a story to tell. And lemme tell you, that shit takes couraagggggeee, boy.
What inspires you to make music? Has the pandemic affected this process at all?
I feel like I make music out of habit. It’s embedded in me to create new things, ya feel me? I have never been the kind of person that had to have things a certain way to create, that’s some OCD diva shit. If I have the equipment, then I’m gonna create out of need.
Tell us one thing that is essential to every Barney Bones track.
The Truth.
“Hit A Lick” has a noticeably different vibe to it, as do your other songs that were released in 2020. Was this a change that happened naturally?
The world was on fire in 2020.
I made “Hit A Lick” after running into one of my homies after the BLM protest on Rodeo in Beverly Hills. That day was hectic, ‘cause niggas I knew from back in the day we’re trying break-in the Gucci Store and other homies were looting other parts of LA and putting it all over the gram. It made me realize that I wanted to make a song that felt like those moments — Dark & Aggressive.
I feel like it’s selfish for an artist to not make music that feels like the times. Whether it’s from their own personal experiences or people around them. It’s just some things, I can’t ignore.
In 2019, you were a feature on 88rising’s Head In The Clouds II. What was it like working with AUGUST 08 and the rest of their team?
Sean hit me and was like, “We gonna put Calculator on HITC II.” I think Brian played it for him, which was cool. And I think “Hopscotch” happened because it was a crowd favorite at all the shows.
As far as chemistry goes, I’ve known August and Channel since high school, so our flow is organic. We just create.
Like with Warm Grits, Channel made the beat in like 15 minutes. I wrote the song on my laptop and laid it right away. I listened to it over and over for like a couple of months and realized that I needed another texture on the second verse, so I pulled up on the homie and had him lay a verse.
What is one thing that you would tell your younger self?
I would tell my younger self:
Don’t be so naive.
The only way to know things is to know things.
Writing from your heart is what will make you happier than any $$$$ in the world.
Who are you teaming up with for a dream collaboration?
I would love to collaborate with Duke Deuce. His energy on records is unmatched. I feel like we could make something crazy together. He has this song called, “BHZ” that is the rawest shit ever.
Who do you owe your biggest thanks to?
God. I wouldn’t be here without him.
If you could have one superpower, which would it be and why?
If I had a superpower, I'd be “Gaslight Man.” My superpower would be to give niggas the courage to do shit they ain’t got no business doing, but… the music industry has enough of those, so maybe not.
What can we expect from Barney Bones in 2021?
More music and other shit, ‘cause I’m not a one trick pony.
Photo Credit: Jasmine Perry