Rising artist Rio Westside is fresh off the release off his latest project ‘The Life of 1s and 0s’ and each track offers something uniquely different to the table. Describing his sound as futuristic and “trance-like,” every song on the 11-track project reflects a different theme. There’s a gem for everyone listening, however.
It’s easy to see where Rio Westside gets his greatness from as he takes inspiration from the best of the best. Some of his musical influences include: The Weeknd, Kaytranada, Earl Sweatshirt, Dom Kennedy, and more.
“This project is about consistency and progression while exploring themes of heartbreak, love, triumph, simulation and handling a hectic and stressful lifestyle of an independent artist,” Rio Westside tells RemixdMag.
Rio Westside takes audiences on a journey throughout the musical masterpiece. His talent speaks for his self and his storytelling conveys a message that listeners can hear through his wordplay.
In an interview with Remixd Magazine, Rio Westside expands on some of these topics. Get to know him below and learn about where his passion for creating music comes from.
What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
I’m from Oakland California, lived throughout the East Bay and I’m based out of LA now.
What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?
My artist name is Rio Westside and my real name is Mario G.
Got my artist name while in college at SF State. There are a lot of Mario’s in SF and because I was black, they called me Rio. Westside was added on due to my family affiliation with the Bay to LA. So I always represented California.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
Futuristic, trance-like sounds with emphasis on melodies and lyricism with Bay Area pride.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
Music has built a safe, therapeutic and creative space for me. What inspires me is great melodies and great lyrics.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
The Weeknd, Lil Wayne, Kaytranada , Earl Sweatshirt, Kendrick Lamar, Dom Kennedy, Don Toliver, MF Doom and Madlib.
Tell us the name of the project you are currently promoting? What inspired this project?
The Life of 1s and 0s is a project that I am promoting. It is inspired by the first project TL1&0’s the Pre Reqs(2019). It is the sequel to that project where I use my engineering/math background to describe the emotions of a young black man trying to make it in the industry and progress through life.
Date that this project dropped or is set to drop?
1/10/2023 so It’s been out for almost two months. The Life of 1s and 0s so I dropped it on 1/10.
What is this project about in your own words?
This project is about consistency and progression while exploring themes of heartbreak, love, triumph, simulation and handling a hectic and stressful lifestyle of an independent artist. I mix and master, as I am an audio/Aerospace engineer (NASA) so I fund most of my own shows, marketing and everything else. Gives a perspective from the Bay Area that we don’t just kill and harm people in our raps.
This project mixes intellectualism with ratchetness while sounding futuristic at the same time.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.
This year will promote the Vertigo 1 and 2 collaboration projects released. Myself along with artist/actor Cello Miles and Producer King Hazel will promote our projects and we have a show in SF April 28th, at the El Rio venue! My goal is expanding my shows to ATL, NY and other platforms.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from this project?
I hope fans take away the point that being educated is just as enticing as being a gangster. In fact, people live longer when they attain knowledge and have an upward projection in their lives. 0 represents the stagnation of life, 1 represents the transformation of life, and we are constantly in both modes throughout our lives.
Where can we follow you on social media? Include links.
Follow me everywhere @rio_westside on instagram, twitter and tiktok!
https://www.instagram.com/rio_westside/?hl=en
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