Cork rap rock artist Rex Acrum has teamed up with Syano for their new song, LOTTO BOY. We asked Rex the BIG questions . . .
This video contains strong language
According to Rex, LOTTO BOY is a about the types of thoughts you would feel if you found success over night and also the assumptions that come from being an artist in rural Ireland such as success being lucky."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Well firstly, I am a rap rock musician from Cork, I absolutely love pushing the boundaries of music production so to be an artist at a time where it's possible to really tear down the walls between rap, rock and everything in between is incredibly exciting. Second thing about myself, I’m a dachshund dad! I have two sausage dogs named Slinky and Stretch who absolutely do my head in, but they are great company in the studio and the couch. The third and most interesting fact about myself is that my elbow is double jointed and can bend backwards!
How would you describe your music?
A heavy and powerful wall of sound that’s made from fusing bouncy and technical hip-hop sounds with the intensity and energy of a rock/metal record. All my lyrics are written with the sole purpose of converting negativity and mental struggles into something positive, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a fan of rap music or a fan of rock music, I make music for you to move with and escape to.
Who are your musical inspirations?
On the rock side of my sound, my biggest influence has to be Scotland’s Biffy Clyro. I’m currently working on my second album and it’s fair to say that the influence from Biffy Clyro is becoming more and more prevalent in the rhythm, zest and sheer power of the guitar riffs and drums. On the other hand, for me the hip-hop side of things is all about keeping it real and having fun while being yourself, so I think my biggest inspiration in that regard is Tyler, The Creator.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
None other than Biffy Clyro in 3Arena back in 2016! They came out and released this giant wall of distorted sounds that blew the whole audience away. I just remember being in awe of how powerful of a force music could be.
What was the first record you ever bought?
This is an interesting one, I bought my first album on a hand me down iPod when I was about eight years old. That album was none other than The END by The Black Eyed Peas. Sometimes I wonder if I ever would have gotten into hip hop and electronic music if I wasn’t such a massive Black Eyed Peas fan at that young age.
What’s your favourite song right now?
This honestly changes daily, what I listen to directly influences what I create myself, so I curate my playlists around the project that I’m currently working on. Since I’m now rolling out a collaborative single called LOTTO BOY with Alternative Hip-Hop artist Syano, one of my favourite songs right now is Punk Tactics by Joey Valence and Brae. The way that those guys have brought back record scratches and drum breaks in a modern sound that hasn’t been heard much since the Beastie Boys is really inspiring to me.
Favourite lyric of all time?
I don’t know if I can narrow it down to one line but the song that comes to mind for me is Until It Breaks by Linkin Park. Mike Shinoda’s flow on that is so technical and powerful. It never gets old for me, and I even freestyle it sometimes when performing live.
"This is something for your people on the block to blackout and rock to, give you what you need like papa, who shot ya, Separate the weak from the obsolete, you’re meek, I creep hard on impostors, And switch styles on the dime, quick-witted y'all quit tripping, I don't have time for your crying, I grind tough, sucka, make your mind up. Are you in the firing squad or are you in the line-up?"
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is a rotten question, only one song? Lost In The Echo by Linkin Park is a track that’s so diverse that it never gets old.
Where can people find your music/more information?
The best place to find all my stuff is at www.rexarcum.com or just search for "Rex Arcum" wherever you listen to music! There’s an incredible community growing around me and my music so come say hi @rexarcum on Instagram, TikTok or Twitter.
