Westleaf Staff
What's up Leafers? Welcome to the latest edition of On the Rise where we interview upcoming hip hop talent. Today's guest is artist, $piffe. $piffe straight out of Broward County, Florida. $piffe, formerly a D1 athlete, is solidifying himself as a major contender in the music industry. The Broward MC has toured with Nola native Currency and appeared on the same line up as Jim Jones. $piffe's been on our radar for a while so we had to tap in with him! Check out the interview below.
Westleaf Staff: What's up, $piffe? Your sound is dope. When did you start making music?
$piffe: I started making music in middle school, but I didn't fully pursue the craft until after my football days in 2019. I started engineering through pro tools learning all I can through many hours of mixing and mastering tracks for my small label Edjekaded Misfit. After my playing days at Boston College and coaching I decided to take the music seriously and haven't looked back since.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! What city do you represent?
$piffe: Hollywood, Fl a city located in Broward County of South Florida.
Westleaf Staff: Shout out to Broward County. Y'all definitely have some talent. So how did you create your stage name?
$piffe: Well I started out as "Spiffy Evans", a family name passed on to me from my Grandfather on my mom's side. He said as a kid I would always be well dressed, especially my kicks. And that name followed me throughout college playing sports. But then I decided it was time to separate myself from the past.
I changed my stage name to "$piffè" . Reason being, I feel like I am still that young Spiff. Just the pursuit now is money because without it I can't survive or provide. And as a man, I'm worthless, in my opinion, if I can't do those both. I also wanted a name that more so expressed to who I am now. Im no longer the All-American Division I football player. Nor am I anything I used to be so I decided to change my stage name. My next release with YGTUT will be the first release under the new name and the whole team is fired up about.
Spiffy Evans is who I am and forever will be, but $piffè is the artist formally known as Spiffy Evans.
Westleaf Staff: That's a dope name. It's cool to see that it came natural as well. So how did your early life shape your interest in music?
$piffe: I come from a sports background so music was very influential from the weight room to the field. Early on, I'd be remised if I said my brothers didn't help hone my taste in music. I grew up on Goodie Mob, Jeezy, Scarface, 2pac, Mystikal, to name a few. But as I matured, I really gravitated to Kanye. In large part due to his confidence and unique approach to music. He wasn't like what I had come to love. Streets emphasized story telling if I may. Kanye was a star all while being true to whatever self he is during that session. Being from the south I have that influence while going to school in Boston giving me a different appreciation for lyricism and reach.
Westleaf Staff: So who is your biggest Musical influence?
$piffe: My biggest musical influence would have to be Kanye. It takes audacity to be world renowned you know? I look at the guys who break molds and set trends so I will always look to my inner Kanye to defy my plight. But more than him, Hollywood Florida influenced me most. Where I'm from has always been and always will be my biggest influence in life. From sports to music. When I say Hollywood, I'm eluding to my family and all the things that make me $piffè.
Westleaf Staff: Ye is a legend! Next question! What's been the defining moment in your music career thus far?
$piffe: The biggest moment to date was opening up in two cities for Currensy of Jet Life.
The opportunity literally came out of no where and the entire experience kind of gave me the confidence to know that I can perform and captivate larger crowds. Each city had about 900-1200 fans come out to see the main act, without any notice that they would see the next big thing, $piffè. Performing some of my favorite tracks in front of a non biased audience and receiving positive feedback and even landing a paid gig to open for Jim Jones shortly after, it all showed me I belong here. I just had to put in more work to ensure the growth was consistent. Hence where we are now.
Westleaf Staff: Wow! That's super dope. Congrats on those shows! So what makes you a unique artist?
$piffe: I'm unique in so many aspects of my artistry, but to name a few I'd have to say my confidence. Everyone has talent, but few actually believe in theirselves enough to make a career off the talent. I doubt anyone in the world can visualize and obtain as I do. Not only do I set realistic goals for progress, but I also anticipate that the goals are achievable all through planning. Something else that separates me from my peers is the overall resolve to see my dreams into reality. Lack of anything won't stop the overall goal. I've made a lot of poor investments in music that ultimately taught me that it won't be easy and it reiterated something my parents taught me young, "nothing happens overnight". Although I wish it did, I'm in it for the long ride with a strategic plan to achieve it all.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! So what does art mean to you?
$piffe: Art is at the center of self expression. Art is the essence of the inner you that is outwardly displayed to the masses in hopes of helping others cope, relate, or even be inspired. Art is in everything but trying to avoid being vague I'll say that art to me is my voice. Within my art I can attack real issues that plague the world, while also making a catchy vibe for some of my favorite past times. Art means everything to me because without it the world would lose its' luster. Art freed me from myself, you know how the ball players say "Ball is life". I concur with that sentiment just change "ball" for "Art".
Westleaf Staff: True! That's deep! Where do you see your music career going over the next few years?
$piffe: In the next few years, we are planning to reach the goal of a distribution/publishing deal. I've written a ton of tracks so I want to explore song writing more seeing that music is so prevalent and I have an ear for a ton of genres. More directly related to the plan, touring as a headliner and opening act, as well as securing more brand recognition domestically and abroad. If it's God's will we will be well known regionally and breaking into the international market a few years from now.
Westleaf Staff: I wish you much success! Before we go, describe music in three words.
$piffe: Feeling, Experience, and Art.
Follow $piffe:
Instagram:
@edjekadedmisfit
@officialspiffefanpage
Website:
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