By Noe Gutierrez
Stevieraps is a recording artist from Indio, California. He is affiliated with some of the desert’s elite hip hop artists; Lootenant, AL RO$$I, Dozzi Doz, D. Ayo, Buck Roogah & Ghost Mafia to name a few. He has performed his rhythmic-hip-hop-poetry at Sol Sports Restaurant in Coachella, Schmidy’s Tavern and The Hood Bar & Pizza in Palm Desert. Moreover, Stevieraps is 21 year-old Stephen Joseph Gutierrez. Gutierrez can likewise be found on the California State University San Bernardino Palm Desert campus steadfastly earning his degree in Psychology. A 2015 graduate of College of the Desert, Gutierrez is homegrown, mapping out his future and not letting up. Coachella Valley Weekly spoke with Gutierrez about his development as an artist & upcoming performance with TOO $HORT, Mistah F.A.B. & Death Merchants at the Date Shed at 50725 Monroe Street Indio, CA on Friday, 12/2/16 at 9 p.m. Pre-sale tickets for $25 are available on-line at ticketfly.com & dateshedmusic.com.
CVW: What inspired you to start rapping?
Stevieraps: “I was inspired by listening to how rap artists could use punch lines to make simple lyrics come to life and mean more than what they really do. I paid attention to what rap artists said because it intrigued me and made me wonder what it really meant.”
CVW: Name some of your musical influences and why.
Stevieraps: “Some musical influences to me were rap artists like Tupac, Biggie, Mobb Deep, Nas, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg because those are the musicians I grew up listening. Fabolous would have to be the rap artist who inspired me the most because of the way he always had a lyric that popped out in every song.”
CVW: Name some of your non-musical/life influences and why.
Stevieraps: “My non-musical and life influence would have to be my mother Valerie Gutierrez. My mother always kept me motivated to keep on rapping and has helped me come this far. Without her I would not be where I am today. She has driven me even when I gave up on myself.”
CVW: You’ve collaborated with many other rap artists and vocalists. What do you enjoy about creating music with others?
Stevieraps: “I enjoy bouncing ideas off of one another and having so much creative energy in one room. This is what I enjoy most about creating music with others.”
CVW: You record and produce a majority of your music. What are the benefits? What are the pitfalls?
Stevieraps: “The benefits of recording and producing my own music is not having to pay for studio time and getting to play with my voice when fixing it up. The pitfall of recording and producing my own music is working with my voice because I am so use to it.”
CVW: You started performing live at an early age. What have you learned about displaying your talents on stage and what would you share with someone who may have reservations about performing in front of an audience?
Stevieraps: “I have learned that when you are on stage you need to interact with the crowd, make the whole stage your platform and give it all you got. People who have reservations about performing have to get over the fear of doing it because when you perform in front of people you bring the song to life.”
CVW: What has been your favorite music moment thus far?
Stevieraps: “My favorite music moments thus far would have to be getting on the bill with TOO $HORT because this is a big moment for me to show everyone what I really have.”
CVW: Who would be your dream collaborator?
Stevieraps: “Fabolous would be my dream collaborator because he is who inspired me to start making music.”
CVW: What can music fans expect from you on 12/2/16 opening for TOO $HORT?
Stevieraps: “Music fans can expect new music at the TOO $HORT performance on the 2nd of December. It will be music you can dance to!”
Listen to Stevieraps at soundcloud.com/stevieraps760
