- Self-titled albums are pivotal albums in an artist’s music career. What made you choose to have it as your debut album?
H: I chose the self-titled route because I felt there was no other way to explain the loosely-based theme of this album. The theme is duality. You’ll come to notice that it’s integral to how I operate. That’s why there’s a side A and a side B to this album. Stark contrasts from one side to the other.
- The two sides bring me back to the cassette days. Explain more the dual sides and how they encompass the album.
H: The best way to describe the album is to think of a night out in the city. The buildup and the party would be considered side A. It’s just high energy and music you’d hear in the club. Then the night shifts, and it’s time to go home. That’s where side B kicks in. Most likely drunk and in your feelings, coming back to face reality after a fun night out. Music you’d listen to on the drive home in the Uber.
- What were your inspirations in creating this album? Describe the creative process.
H: I took a lot of inspiration from Drake’s “Honestly, Nevermind,” Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin Ti.” These albums kind of helped in my beat selection. Naturally, I always take from the PND playbook when it comes to crooning as well.
- What would you like listeners of your album to take from HALFOFYOU?
H: What I’d love is for them to find an interest in Cuban slang and a bit of Cuban culture. I made it a point to use Cuban slang in the album so that people can get familiarized with it. The genre is dominated by Puerto Ricans and Dominicans and I just wanted to stand out and show off my piece of the Caribbean.
- What’s next for you after the release of your debut album?
A: Honestly, the next thing is to drop singles and music videos consistently for a while until I start work on HALFOFYOU 2. That’s all I’m focused on right now, is bringing you all more content! I hope everyone enjoys the album and gives it some spins for a few months!
Reggie Johnson Reviews Halfofyou
An artist’s journey through their musical career is a blessing to witness in any fan’s eyes. You discover their musicality and their versatility in the music released over the years. When they find that “it” factor, the possibilities become endless and leaves us wanting more with every drop of content.
Enter Halfofyou. The Cuban-bred artist from Florida has methodically developed his artistry over the last several years. At first hand, I’ve witnessed the hard work and dedication he has for the craft as he steadily released different styles of music over the course of his music career. After a string of singles and an EP, Halfofyou released his self-titled debut album this October.
One thing that I love about his music is his ability to blend his Cuban roots with today’s Hip-Hop & R&B to create his signature sound. The album’s lead single, “El Cubanito is a perfect example of this with the heavy hitting bass accompanying the instrumental. Halfofyou states the album is divided into two parts: getting ready to go out for a night on the town versus the unwind and departure of heading home from the festivities.
The significance of a debut album for an artist is a special occasion. It solidifies a milestone in their career as they put a step in their journey towards success. Halfofyou’s self-titled album does just that and more giving something for music lovers everywhere to listen to. The incorporation of Drill music, Hip-Hop & R&B with his Cuban style makes a recipe for success as one of the best releases of 2022. You can be the judge by heading over to listen on all music streaming services.
Reggie Johnson is a poet reigning from Cincinnati, Ohio. Starting at the age of nine, Reggie has been writing poetry through their love of music and life experiences. He has 9 books now available on Amazon. You can follow him on Twitter@r_d_johnson and on IG @rdjohnsonwrites.