From Family Influence to Finding His Own Lane
Music has always been in OSO’s DNA. With an uncle who rapped and produced, he was introduced to the studio life as early as six years old. But even with those early influences, OSO carved his own identity. He started out freestyling at lunch with his friend Luh Spin2X back when SoundCloud was buzzing, and from there, the passion grew naturally.
“I’m trying to pave my own genre,” he says. “That drill sh*t bleeds in a lot, it’s hard to break away from it when that’s what your environment is ‘cause it’s all you know. But it’s a million rappers every day coming the same way. I’m finna show ‘em something we ain’t heard yet.”
A Self-Made Artist in Every Sense
When it comes to sound, OSO keeps it raw and true to himself. “Live instruments? Hn. You might catch me playing around with Logic or ProTools,” he says. For him, artistry isn’t about imitation, it’s about authenticity. “Too many to name when it comes to influences,” he explains. “Soundwise, I try to absorb everything I hear. But when it comes to me as an artist overall, I’m my only influencer. I’m the only person you ever gone meet that can be me.”
Trials, Lessons, and a Second Chance
OSO’s path hasn’t been smooth, but it’s what shaped his drive. “I dropped a 2-song project on my 15th birthday and caught a case 2 weeks later,” he recalls. “Came home, and that sht was doing like 20K a week. I could’ve went all in on this rap sht right then, but I was still 15. Had so much going on outside of music, it wasn’t even the main focus.”
At 16, he got locked up again just two days before an interview with a major platform. This time, he wouldn’t see freedom for three years. But while most would’ve fallen off, OSO stayed plotting. “I spent my whole bid plottin’ out how I’ma work the industry, writing and planning EPs, albums, etc. How did it play out when I came home? We about to find out. Give me a year.”
Milestones and Momentum
One of his proudest moments came when he hit one million streams, a milestone that made the vision feel real. “The day I hit a million streams gave me a glimpse of what’s around the corner,” he says. It was a reminder that all the setbacks and time spent planning were leading somewhere.
And he’s far from finished. OSO teased that fans will be seeing more of him soon, with the R+R movie on the way and live performances stacking up. With more music in motion and momentum building fast, OSO is stepping fully into the spotlight.
What’s Next
You can catch OSO performing live at Spring Urban Fest in Nashville next week. “We outside,” he says confidently. For an artist who’s been through it all, from detention mics to million-stream milestones, it’s only up from here.
Ka$hville might’ve raised him, but OSO is carving out a sound that could redefine how the city’s heard forever.
