Exclusive Interview

Emerging from the vibrant and often complex landscape of Miami, how has the unique cultural tapestry of the Everglades and the surrounding South Florida region specifically influenced your sound and lyrical content? Deep South Miami, Florida is very hot and humid. There is good and bad elements in everything. The Palm trees, weather conditions, swamps in the Everglades and surrounding ocean water, give it a tropical feel. The Numerous Ethnic backgrounds, foods, and culture, helps you learn about your neighbors and experiences from fellow classmates in school. Their choice of dress, music, and different ways of hustling to get money, and handling of situations on the streets. My family members were always at work. Military background and from France and Haiti. They were "steady eddy" trying to meet the financial responsibilities and expenses of daily life in Miami-Dade county, with groceries, rent and safety. The ingredients in my music from production of the instrumentals, hook/chorus, and energy of the lyrics and vibes share my experiences and created an outlet and remedy to be able to cope through the harsh and rough conditions. You grow up quickly in the metropolitan areas! So much going on 24 hours a day!

Your moniker, "Everglades Boss," evokes a strong sense of place and authority. Can you elaborate on the origins of this name and what it represents to you artistically and personally? I feel I earned the accolade "Everglades Boss" I was a Single Dad raising up my two son's in Naples, Florida in the early 2000's when I moved out of Miami, Florida. Alligator Alley I-75 makes it convenient, only 2 hours away when I got home sick, and needed the 24 hour options provided in Miami. It was stressful at times, trying to raise up kids because their Mom and I were not compatible. We were both inexperienced and trying to grow up one day at a time ourselves, in our 2nd chapters. With our Creator's blessings, I put forth the effort, because my father was there for me, so I had a pattern to follow. I also graduated technical school for HVAC or Air conditioning and worked on numerous projects with Tim Williams Inc., which helped me to really understand and appreciate how we have comfort from the creator of Air conditioning, Mr. Willis Carrier in 1902, up to our year in 2025. That's 123 years of comfort in our homes, businesses, hospitals, courtrooms, schools and recording studios. My first music group "Gruesome Pack" was formed in 1999 in Naples, Florida. Seven talented young lads, all in our 2nd chapters and inexperienced with music creation and life, and the music business but trying to get a message across through our songs. Being taken advantage of by different studios with poor quality mixing and Mastering, poor production of the instrumentals, and jealous competition and bands, The group fell apart around 2003-2004 or so. After a few albums, and performances, and disagreements from everyone having their own responsibilities, kids, priorities, jail trips and other circumstances, We broke up! I enjoyed creating music, and kept it going as a solo artist. Purchasing studio gear, and networking through different music platforms like ReverbNation, Soundcloud, ASCAP music conventions and and regular communication with our creator in prayer, to stay focused, humble and hungry. I was freestyling to different types of genre music and combining recipes from the living legends in the music scene who paved the Way for independent artists. Like KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Wu Tang Clan, Fat Joe and Big Pun, Redman, Pitbull, Trick Daddy Dollars, J.T. Money, Rick Ross, Uncle Luke, Uncle Al DJ's, Master P and the No Limit Soldiers, Eight Ball and MJG, UGK, and Scarface and the Ghetto Boys. A lot of kompa, salsa, reggae and classic rock helped me adapt an unorthodox style.

Miami hip-hop has a rich history, from the early days of 2 Live Crew to the modern trap scene. Where do you see yourself fitting into this lineage, and what elements are you bringing to the Miami sound that differentiate you? Music is constantly changing, especially if you are not scared to broaden your horizons and listen to different genres and music arrangements. I enjoy being creative, writing poetry and working with different producers who are hungry and enjoy working with creative artists. I enjoy the East coast, West coast, Down south and Caribbean vibes, I feel my deep south flavored recipes have mellifluous flow and well seasoned from experience and consistency in the recording studios. I've had the privilege of collaborations and working with different artists and producers from Broward Counties, Collier and Lee Counties, New York, Romania, Russia, and the U.K. The more you practice anything, the better you get.

Beyond the sonic elements, what kind of visual aesthetic or imagery do you feel best complements your music and your connection to Florida? Every place is different, but every one wants to visit Florida, especially Miami for some reason. I have had the privilege of traveling through out our beautiful country. Whether New York, California, Texas, Mexico, Tennessee, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Washington, And Virginia. You can drop me off anywhere in Florida and I will be okay and at home. I was raised in the Deep South, My family is scattered throughout Florida, and everything about our world and survival tips, is living by respect and the golden rule, "Treat people the way you would like to be treated." Growing up in Miami, Florida, helped me to appreciate life, the streets, the attitudes, the cultures, and our neighbors history and roots and feelings. I'm based in the mountains of South Carolina now and visit family in Florida regularly. But I won't move back to Florida. I don't miss the tropical storms and major hurricanes and traffic. I don't miss the crime, drug ridden communities, prostitution, gang/organized crime violence and heat and humidity. But I do miss the numerous cultures and variety of foods, especially the seafood and variety of citrus fruits like tangerines, and grapefruit, avocados, mangos, and papaya. Family attractions like Metro Zoo, Monkey Jungle, Bush Gardens, Disney world, and adult themed lifestyle night clubs for grown folks.

What are the core messages or themes you aim to convey through your music, and what do you hope listeners take away from hearing your tracks? I create music according to my moods! I share a lot of reality music which sheds light on the consequences of your actions. I have a very potent delivery and hit, like some exotic cannabis! Very different elements and like specific style Instruments and feelings on the production. A lot of street messaged music, survival tips and hustling strategies to stay low key and under the radar to network and meet your financial responsibilities. I entertain a little bit, and learned from listening to the pioneers like Janice Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Stack Bundles, The Beatles, The BeeGees, Barry White, Old Dirty Bastard, DMX, Big Pun, Bankroll Fresh, Soulja Slim, Joe Arroyo, T bone Walker, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, and numerous others. Because their messages and style of music creation caught my ears.

Are there any particular artists, whether local to Miami or from further afield, that you dream of working with in the future? So many to name, but if I had the opportunity, I would definitely enjoy being able to meet and work on some projects with Philadelphia Freeway, Pharrell Williams, The Lox, Dr Dre and Ice Cube, Havoc from Mobb Deep, Rza, Gza and Chef Raekwon and Ghost Face of the Wu Tang clan, Eminem, 50 Cent, Lil Flip, Bun B, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Scarface, Zaytoven, Troy Ave, Cory Gunz, Alchemist, Saigon, Gun Play and Rick Ross, Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juice Man, and any artists and producers who enjoy my style and creations. So we can make Hip-Hop music great again.

Looking back at your journey so far, what has been your most significant challenge as an artist, and how did you overcome it? Every year, unfortunately we have trials and tribulations we all have to endure individually as human beings on planet Earth, until it's our time to die. We don't have a choice, once we come out of the womb. No one can escape it! A lot of death of my loved ones in my family, has taken a toll on me. Especially losing my first born son, who passed away 2 years ago. Savion, he would have been 26 years young this year in 2025. Material things can be replaced, but family members and loved ones are unable to be replaced. I'm a spiritual person, and recognize there is someone higher than all of us, no matter our financial situation, position, race, gender, or health situation. No one is immune or promised tomorrow. So I stay focused with music and able to release my stress and frustration, and sorrow with music creation. I'm constantly working on different projects, whether a new song, searching for a specific sound for the production or a new music video. You have to have a balance for everything. And I enjoy lifting people up, rather than tearing people down. The tongue can cause great fires, especially when you're hurting inside. Misery loves company, and I'm allergic to negative people and negative energy and elements. I like to bring a positive vibe and creativity, and humble attitude which is important in the music scene. Your attitude means your altitude in this world.

As a creative voice from Miami, what are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry, and what advice would you offer to aspiring artists trying to make their mark?I'm not a fan of the crooked ways in the music industry, lack of creativity and everyone sounding the same. I'm an independent artist and enjoy creating music and not being pressured, forced or taken advantage of with my creations. So my advice, stay independent, and be you! We're all different, and move different. People respect originality, they feel you more, and you're able to share who you are with your listeners. Your family, your roots, and your creative personality. Don't stop doing something like music creation if it makes you feel good, and it lifts people up. It's beautiful, and not everyone can create music. We all are blessed with different skills and talents, So their is jealousy and envy. So choose your friends and associates wisely!

What does a typical day look like for you when you're in creative mode, whether it's writing, recording, or planning future projects? I like to go back to the oldies, 60s -90s boogie and old school flavored hits like Jean Knight "Mr. Big Stuff," or Teddy Pendergrass and Ray Charles. Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin and then take it to Das Efx, A Tribe Called Quest, Chub Rock, Shock G and Biz Markie. Nate Dog, Tupac and Biggie Smalls, and then back to Elvis Presley and Zin, System Band, And classical music pieces with no vocals, with piano and wonderful arrangement of the brass sections. It releases the creative writing and poetry by the Everglades Boss.

Beyond music, what are some of your passions or interests that might surprise your fans, and how do these other aspects of your life fuel your artistic expression? I'm a certified residential HVAC Service technician and installer, and run my independent HVAC business with my youngest son who is 24. I enjoy the HVAC trade and have 25 years experience with helping our neighbors stay comfortable in their homes. I enjoy reading the Bible and applying the principles in my life to help me overcome temptation and stumbling blocks. I also enjoy outdoor attractions, hiking trails way up in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northwest Georgia, Cherokee NC, and the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Waterfalls, traveling and site seeing and helping my grandson with the growing stages of life and family time. It's very important and refreshing. This balance, with family time, spiritual time, and my interest in outdoor attractions has helped me make it to my 4th chapter and circulate positive vibes and energy through a negative world and negative elements out of our control. Try it out, it may help you neighbors.

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