Blizzy Ballard
Memphis, Tennessee, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Blizzy Ballard has been a music lover his entire life.
In addition to rapping, the Memphian has also studied music. On his latest mixtape, The Mix Experiment, Blizzy Ballard talks about his life experiences and his struggles.
On the first track, “Bluff City Classic”, Blizzy talks about the history of Memphis rap and the problems facing the city: “This that 94-95 Memphis flow/Easy money pimping hoes/Homeboy, you must be blind/Ni**as getting dough here long as the food stamp line”. On “I’m Good”, Blizzy's braggadocio flows over a catchy, midtempo beat: “I’m an animal, monster, a beast with it/You a bi*ch ni**a Monistat yeast with it”.
“November 6”, named after Blizzy’s birthday, finds Blizzy talking about his father’s absence: “My pops stuck around, but 6 years later/He left me looking for him like Luke and Darth Vader”. The sexy “Tip of My Tongue" samples Art of Noise’s “Moments in Love”: “She stick her back out, I hope I struck a nerve/ Our interactions be like action like the verb”. On “This Plane” is a very motivational song that finds Blizzy talking about his dreams and aspirations: “I’m on some higher learning, on some higher earning/All that bullsh*t exactly what I’m not concerned with”.
The Mix Experiment is a diverse collection of great songs from one of the most well-rounded artists in Memphis, and Blizzy is a worthy new voice in the Memphis hip hop game.
- LivefromMemphis.com
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Songwriter, student, and fledging pianist are a few of the titles claimed by artist Blizzy Ballard. A Memphis, TN native, Blizzy has maintained a close relationship with music since the early age of 9 years old. "I rememeber buying CD's, listening to albums from beginning to finish, and being able to pick the second and third singles; from then on, I knew I would only find happiness in music."
Discovering his own talent was inevitable as he began to study hip hop, the culture, and why words coupled with beats touched so many people. Coming from a city with a rich musical background, the people that Blizzy credits for his influence may be surprising. "Of course the Illmatic's and the Reasonable Doubt's of the world made an impact on me. But my not-so cliche influences include people like Spike Lee, Malcolm X, and Donny Hathaway. I've always been amazed by stories of triumph over adversity and how those stories shaped the lives of those who tell them and those who hear them."
Overcoming his own setbacks were critical in forming his music; coming from a broken home, witnessing the abuse of his mother, gang affiliation, and being falsely accused of a crime are just a portion of the real life experiences that seep through Blizzy's lyrics. The vulnerability and honesty in his songs compliment a flow that is boastful yet humbling. Asked of his mission as an artist, Blizzy says "Anybody can rap. I'm studying music because I want to be a musician. Musicians take you along on ups and downs, the highs and lows. I'm not afraid to be me, and I want that to be shown as I put together songs. I'm unique, but at the same time I'm just like the people who listen to me. All in all, I want to last." Gearing up for the release of his mixtape "The Mix Experiment", the music, people, and fashion that helped cultivate Blizzy Ballard is now ready for the world.
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