Most artists would like to be known for their songs that top the charts and their title awards in the music industry, but for rising star Squalla, being able to authentically connect and translate his life story with his fans through music is a whole different level.
Papa Gueye, mostly known as Squalla, is a solo artist currently managed by Oscar Roberts, CEO of JV Inc. and a member of the collective called Fresh Lxrds. He was originally from the southwest side of Houston, Texas, where he began his journey as an aspiring artist. He released his first project single, “Anxiety,” which gained popularity across the city. Because of the said project, Squalla had an opportunity to be featured by the Houston Press and Hip Hop Weekly.
As Squalla started making this scene in the industry, he then challenged himself to take the opportunities waiting for him and moved to Los Angeles, California, where he has resided for about three years now. With the new location he is in, he feels like he has “found a sound that merges the two worlds which are so distant (Texas and California) but so closely tied in many ways.”
Squalla eventually got collaborations with legendary artists like Devin the Dude and King Los. People would even compare Squalla with the industry’s big names like Ludacris because of his skills and talent for a humorous rap style. This career progress has manifested in Squalla’s release of his two new singles entitled “Look at Me” and “Floating,” which have gained almost half a million streams. Further, Squalla produced and put out his freshest song on the platform called “Robert Horry,” a song featuring Houston legend Lil Keke.
Squalla starts to take the stage by storm with his new wave of music that spits bars of witty lyrics and punchlines with a southern bounce. As a hardworking artist and a family-oriented man, he stays in the studio every night until sunrise to give his hundred percent in polishing his craft and translating stories into music with wordplay.
“The goal was always bigger than me and my music. I want to help people change their lives and set their families up for generations ahead. I know it takes a lot to be able to provide such things for others,” says Squalla. More than his goal of performing unforgettable live performances, he wants to let his music unravel his growth and success story with his fans. Squalla’s greatest dream is to connect with his fans, whom he recognizes as people who have been ceaselessly supporting him in building up his name in the music industry.
Further, Squalla aspires to become an inspiration and even a mentor for the new kids on the block to come out and take opportunities in the music industry to produce the sound of their passion. He has always wanted to build his empire and to be able to tour around the globe to spread his music and entertainment someday.
Squalla got this inspiration from artists like 50 Cent, Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, and moguls like Diddy, Birdman, Master P, J. Prince, and others. But more than these big names in the music industry, Squalla aims to provide music that bops and excites you to go out and dance to release the electrifying energy and create songs that can get you caught in the wave of chill and nostalgia.
Get to know Squalla’s vibe by checking his Instagram, where he also promotes his clothing line, Eightynine90, which he envisions to have a storefront managed with his brother and business partner, MC Breezy.