Growing up in Hayward, Hunnid has not had it easy. After losing his family home during his teenage years and being forced to live out of a motel room with his brother and parents, he’s been determined to do whatever it takes to see success. From hustling drugs to robbing & stealing, he’s taken penitentiary chances from a young age to make sure that he and his family were straight, which got him the nickname Hunnid Bandz but eventually ended with him getting locked up for 3 years. Although the time he had to serve was a setback, it wasn’t wasted – it inspired his new album Pray For Me, and gave him the drive to pursue music as a career.
We got a chance to catch up with Hunnid to discuss his new work, the upbringing that inspired it, what we can expect next. Check it out below, and listen to Pray For Me on all platforms here. (Promoted)
Thizzler: Where are you from? How was your upbringing?
Hunnid: I was born and raised in Hayward. Growing up, I came from nothing. At 16 years old, my family lost the house we lived in. My mom was doing drugs and had missed too many payments. My parents, my brother and I then moved into a Motel 6 in Hayward.
For two years, the four of us lived out of this 2-bedroom hotel room. I actually went back to the exact same hotel room to film the music video for “My Message”, which talks about how my brother and I have grown apart.
T: How did you begin making music?
H: I needed a way to express myself. Throughout my teens, I expressed myself by robbing, stealing, jumping people, and selling dope. I only knew how to express myself through negative outlets until I found music. Through music I used music as a positive outlet to help myself move forward, as well as other who might be going through the same things.
T: How did you get your rap name?
H: Everyone called me Hunnid Bandz because I made $100,000 at a very young age. As I got older it shortened down to Hunnid. It also stuck because I am a very direct person. Anyone who knows me will tell you, I always keep it Hunnid. There are times where I may say the truth harshly or it may not be to my best benefit, but keeping it Hunnid is what I’ve always been known for.
T: How would describe your musical style?
H: I’m proud to be from the Bay Area, but musically I pride myself on having a sound that isn’t restricted to being popular in only one area. I feel that I have a mainstream trap style.
I don’t rap just to rap. Everything I rap about is based on an experience, story, or phase of my life that I went through. And that’s what helps me connect with people, because even if we don’t share the same experiences, you can connect with emotions that come from my life story.
T: Tell me about the new album Pray For Me. What inspired the album and title?
H: Pray For Me is my debut album. I was incarcerated for 3 years. While I was locked up I kept saying to myself, “when I get out, my goal is to become one of the best musicians, not only out the Bay, but overall.” I dreamed consistently of making this album. My incarceration pushed me to make the project.
When everything is taken away from you, it definitely makes you reflect on what is or should have been important to you. When I was incarcerated I would talk to my friends and family on the phone and they would all tell me they would “pray for me”. That was a turning point in my life and that’s why I focused my debut album around it.
T: What message do you want fans to walk away with?
H: I came home from prison to only $200, 3 pairs of white jeans, and 4 pairs of jeans to my name. I’ve been out for 2 years and now I own 2 cars, I’ve bought a house, and have bought all the things I dreamed of having since I was young. I am on top and I ain’t leaving. I want others to know that no matter what your circumstances, as long as you are dedicated, your work ethic will pay off and get you to where you dream to be.
T: What’s next for Hunnid?
H: I’m currently half way through my next project, titled Forgive Me For I Have Sinned. My work ethic is like no other. I believe work ethic will always beat out talent . And what I have on my side is that I have work ethic alongside talent. People always work hard to achieve certain goals. I have always believed that achievement isn’t the difficult part, but having to maintain what you’ve achieved is the hardest part. I’m not working just to achieve success, but to maintain it.
Check out everything from Hunnid right here on Thizzler. You can follow Hunnid on Instagram at @hunnid_aka_askyobitxh.
