The relationship between the media and hip-hop artists is a fickle one. It’s hard to picture a rapper perusing the venue and chitchatting with the media post interview. It takes a lot of humility to do so. And Charlotte, North Carolina rapper Deniro Farrar exemplifies that level of humility.
Farrar made his way to America’s Finest City on Sept. 27 as part of his Bow Down tour, and he shut down Porter’s Pub with a raucous set.
Farrar always knew he wanted to be well known. Growing up he was an avid basketball player and hip-hop fan. He always wanted to be somebody that everyone knew, Farar said. He finally got that opportunity in 2010 when he was discovered outside a club in his hometown.
“I was rapping outside a club, I met these guys who owned a record company in my city, “ Farrar said. “They heard me freestyle, told me I was a star and gave me the opportunity to put me in a video.”
From that point on it was all uphill for Farrar. This year he earned a nomination for XXL Magazine’s Freshman Top 10 list. Although he didn’t make the final list, Farrar pushes on creating music that connects to his fans on a deeper level than most.
Farrar’s lyrics are deep and emotionally moving, which is an aspect of hip-hop that seems lost in today’s contemporary genre. He speaks from the heart and it allows listeners to get a glance at what life was like for Farrar growing up in Charlotte.
“I don’t glorify vanity,” Farrar said. “I just rap about everyday stuff.”
The deep and emotional lyrics connect Farrar to his dedicated following. He is the self-proclaimed “Leader of Cult Rap,” which is a movement he created to describe his connection to his fans. What sets this movement apart is Farrar’s dedication, which is refreshing compared to some other movements in hip-hop that show vain interaction between artists and their fans.
“The whole Cult Rap movement is based off an organic following and fan base,” Farrar said. “You know, it’s people who genuinely f— with the music.”
Farrar, like most rappers, has his eyes on achieving success. He attributes his success thus far to his Cult Rap following.
“It’s not up to me, if it was I would already be there,” Farrar said. “It’s up to the people.”
With the Bow Down tour winding down at the end of the month, Farrar looks to take his music across the pond to new countries and continents. Trying to tap into the European market is one of his main goals right now, Farrar said.
In addition to taking his talents overseas, Farrar is looking to release an LP and EP. Both should be filled with more deep songs with emotive lyrics that will make any new listener a follower of the Cult Rap movement.
