Swim: Interview with KingRezo

Swim

Battling for his life in the womb proved to be a miracle within itself. Rezo story is bound to moments of misshaped clarity. Rezo didn't find comfort in family or friends he found it in music. Early success and partying would show him the dark side of his father's past creeping unto him. Obstacle after obstacle Rezo never had time to submerge himself in the art like he always desired. That moment is now! His story, his music, his life, has risen from oceans of guilt and pain to show you, there is no such thing as drowning when your willing to swim. This is the story of KingRezo. ONLY AT #V2

Tell us who is King Rez/Rezo Hendrix?

 King Rez comes from my real name "Torrez"! My fam likes to call me Rez for short. All my friends call me Rezo! I took up the name Hendrix from the late Jimi Hendrix! I'm a big fan of Jimi, not just his music but who he was as a person! I feel a lot of Jimi within me! I use to sit back and read articles on him and I felt as if he was the artist I could relate to the most when it came down to his talents! I remember when I heard (Future) use the term "Hendrix" at the end of a song called "deeper than the ocean".At the time he(Future) wasn't going by "Hendrix" and I recalled saying to my girl "he bet not use that name" sure enough he did. But I still carry the name!

So you grew up in Memphis TN,? How was your childhood?

My childhood was fair. It wasn't the best, it wasn't the worst. My mother was in a long relationship until I was 12. Pretty much after that, she was a single parent raising 4 children. My biological father wasn't there, he and my mom split when she found out she was pregnant. She was only 16 and tried to abort me twice. As far as my dad I can only remember one conversation I had with him. Maybe two but one really stand out.

You can only remember one conversation you had with your biological father. What was it about? 

I was young id say about 5 or 6, He was driving and I was strapped in on the passenger side. Music was playing as I continuously nodded my head, then of a sudden, I asked him "Why are you listening to all this bad music?" Then he said, "It's not bad if its bad then tell me why are you nodding your head?"Then I shrugged my shoulders and said "I dunno" Then he looked at me and said "This is what you're going to do when you grow up" Then I said" Nun Uhh, No I'm Not" Sure enough I did. I never thought of that conversation until after I was grown.

How do you feel knowing your mother tried so many times to abort you during her pregnancy? 

 It makes me sad a little, but after talking to my mother about it I understand. She was 16 and afraid with a strict mother! At the time she was a virgin and got pregnant the first time having sex. When she found out she was pregnant the Dr said it was too late to have an abortion. So they scheduled a date to have a specialized abortion which was in St. Louis. By the time she arrived, the Dr in STL said she was too far along! I take it as a sign I am meant to be here with purpose!

At a young age, you partied a lot and battle alcoholism. Did you ever overcome it? And did it have any long-lasting effects? 

When I was 20 I never got the chance to drink as much I wanted to. I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes from drinking just small amounts daily. I look at it as a sign from GOD stopping me from becoming a heavy drinker! My Biological father was an alcoholic so I believe God took that option away.

When was the first moment you knew you wanted to do hip-hop?

 I was Around 8 or 9. I always loved to rap but that's when I knew I wanted to be a rapper.

Tell us about the nights you and your kids slept in your car from being homeless? 

Those were very hard and cold nights! Those nights weren't even that long ago! A lot of things I and my girl had a lot of personal stuff going on. Let's just say we broke up and she moved outta town. Then I moved with my mom to get back on my feet. She wasn't doing to good so I told her to come back. Then my mama got mad at me and kicked me out. Then we all had to sleep in the car. That kind of fucked me up, but those times are what made me go hard!

So take us through the process of how you came up with the GUTTA LIFE album?

When I and my family was sleeping in our car, I had to come up with a plan to get us out that situation. I had just a lil help but all we really had was each other. I could not focus on music or anything else other than to get us out that hole. The music I was writing at the time was therapeutic for me, I was stressed so I used to record videos of me free-styling in the car while sitting in the park homeless. Of course, I worked and when I got enough money to get a motel for a week I never looked back. I didn't like the way we were living but i didn't sit still. I kept fighting working and hustling. With that every day, I'm writing songs about what I need to do, or how I'm feeling at the moment. I spent a total span of 3 years living like that and when I knew I was leaving that situation I took all those freestyles and made songs which I recorded in a home studio, or should I say a motel studio.

How do you like your studio sessions? Loud, Quiet, Smoking, Women? 

Whats the perfect vibe for you

I don't care how the studio session goes as long as we do what we came to do. Which is drop music, I like to turn up in the studio but a lot of niggas cant turn up and stay focus long enough to drop they verse, I HATE that, I always deliver, Smoking, loud bumping music with women can be a distraction to some. Although when I'm alone I like it quiet with absolutely NO women. I'll meditate with a blunt but that's it. I know the vibe I'm looking for and if I'm focused on getting something done then I don't need any distractions. I take my work very passionately. 

You started to sell drugs, and hustle when times got really tough? Any moments you regret? 

 Yea it's some moments I regret! Looking at it, if I had to do the same thing all over again yea I would! Only cause I knew I wasn't doing it for the wrong reason. I wasn't showing off money, buying fresh clothes or shoes! I was trying pay the motel, and all I sold was weed. Nothing else really cause it's too risky with weed alone. Then also the weed was really for us to smoke. I just sold it to my girl, I acted as if we were buying it from somebody else. Then when she saw the money she like where did you get that?? That part I don't regret, but what I do regret is my children seeing me fold under pressure. It's to the point where this is the only way I can feed them for the night. I cant let my kids be in a position for them to have to hustle just to make it!You shouldn't have to hustle to make it! Hustling should be safe and all for profit. Cause when you depend on a hustle, You win Big...sometimes! You lose Big Most times!

Tell us about the time a local label rivalry turned into something more. 

 My 10th-grade year in high school I had a group a made up called "Steam Hot". It started off pretty much me and a couple of my friends from the hood. At the time though I was the only one dropping music. I used my desktop at home with sound recorder, Burnt them on a CD and brought it back to school! I passed out CD's to the whole school at Oakhaven! some people didn't like it but for the most part, it raved through the whole school. It caused a lot of attention and we started beefing with former alliances who would be known as "Still Hungry". Although we went back and forth at each other it was in all good competition. We all walked away friends in the end because the love for our hood was that strong.

As simple as this may sound. Why do you make music?

I Never really had the opportunity to focus on making music as an upcoming artist, When people see me they pretty much know I do music. I always did music but I never tried to pursue it. Simply because of it too sensitive about music, Music IS THERAPY for me!! Music is Like a narcotic drug, I'm addicted! I listen to music to get away like a safe haven. I never thought to waste my talents for the untrained mind. This generation is too washed up and I get goosebumps thinking how they would abuse, misuse, mistreat, misunderstand, my sound!

 For the people who haven't listened to your music before describe to them your style. And what you hope to deliver. 

 I wouldn't say that I have a specific sound. This is where I like to compare myself to Jimi with his Guitar. However, I'm feeling when I deliver on a track is my real actual time mood. For the most part, I always want to give a clean fresh delivery, but also gotta be Jiggy, FRESH, dope, hip all that! I Hope to deliver New Flavor in ya ear!

What so far has been your favorite "moment" while being a rapper. And what something you hope to accomplish before your career is over. 

I haven't had one Yet, other than my 10th grade year in high school. I was in a freestyle battle before I knew it I looked up and the whole school was around the table we were rapping at. They surrounded us like a fight had broken loose!

Any shout outs, Projects, sites. Where can the people of Viralvoice find KingRez?

Shouts out to Everybody that really stuck beside me cause that's really what kept me going strong!! Team Genetix, Team Top Dolla, Team Murk Beats, Team Crowned Royals Music!

Shout out to all them Guys!!! I'm Still working on alot of Projects so if you want to find me online just Google me, Rezo Hendrix, Follow me on IG @rezohendrix. 

New Upcoming Projects Gutta Life Vol.1 On DatPiff!!! Free Download Now

Gutta Life Vol.2: (Out the Trenches) Coming This Fall

Rezolution: The Album coming soon