Hip-hop artist Eddie Barnz became an artist because he grew up listening to the music. When he was younger he listened to national artists such as BDP, Big Daddy Kane, NWA and Kool G. Rap. The first time he heard the anthem called “Self Destruction” by East Coast hip-hop artists, he knew that he wanted to do music and rap.

EDDIE BARNZ

A friend of his named Meekal from 1998 gave him the Eddie Barnz name. This is from the man named Nicky Barnes in Harlem. Meekal and Eddie were watching a documentary on Nicky Barnes and the rest was history. He switched the “es” from Barnes to a “z” to keep from being sued in case he ever made it big.

When asked what hip-hop means to him, Barnz said, “Hip-hop is a culture, style, swagg, feelings, stories and a movement.”

When he thinks of hip-hop it reminds him of “break dancing, rap battles, artists telling stories of their neighborhood and how they grew up and what they saw in the neighborhood,” he said.

Barnz is originally from the Hill District.

“Growing up in the Hill District was good because I grew up around others who are strong in the music industry today such as Mel-Man who is now with Aftermath Records,” Barnz said.

The music Barnz produces is real music. He doesn’t rap about things he hasn’t done.

“I rap about people turning on you and friends and family dying ’cause that’s what I have really been through,” said Barnz.

Last year the single, “Purple Hearts,” was one of the strongest songs in Pittsburgh. It was about friends and family dying and people who are broke. It’s also about females who settled for abusive boyfriends—Barnz saw all of these things going on. His music is mainstream, but he said he can make dance music, party music and real music because he is not a one-sided person.

“I do hip-hop music for the love of it. I feel like I can be Jadakiss or Gillie and just be loved in Pittsburgh and other neighborhoods. I do not have to ever blow up to the world. I just want everyone to know that Eddie Barnz is real and that I made real good music. If that happens, then I’m good. I am also in this game for the long haul to get other young rappers minds right and teach them something. I may also do some movies in the near future,” explained Barnz.

Barnz has worked with AB Liva from the national hip-hop group called the Clipse and both artists have recorded together. They also hung out together and found out they both were very real people. Barnz also has love for B.G. and the Chopper City Boyz because they showed him love all the way from New Orleans when they didn’t have to do so. D-Block, the group composed of Jadakiss, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Pubs and Vinny Idol, is another hip-hop group Barnz has love for, along with Killa Army and the Wu-Tang crew.

“I got a song with Stevie B. from the Burghtown group called “Meltdown Love.” This is the song that put me on Pittsburgh. It was played on WAMO, Pitt Radio and it was played in Texas, St. Louis, New York City, Philadelphia, Australia, Switzerland and other places thanks to Stevie B. I would like to do a song with Nova, who is a good friend and a very smart person. The H.E. Boyz from Duquesne, F-Block in Wilkinsburg, Nina Ross, Hellrazah, F-Mob and a few others are artists I would like to perform with as well,” said Barnz.

Barnz has an upcoming album called “The Street Bible” which drops in June. It features AB Liva, Choppa City Boyz, Denny Live, Stevie B, Quay from Duquesne and the album is produced by Buck 50. He had three singles, “Meltdown Love,” “Purple Hearts” and “Welcome to Pistolvania,” which were played on the radio and now he is going to put his new club single on WAMO called “Getting Gwop.” That’s positioned to be the hottest club song of the summer. He will also have a video for “Getting Gwop.”

Barnz says, “I just make good music and I’m one of the realest artist in the ‘Burgh. At the end of the day, I’m a good dad, true friend and one of the best lyricists out, POINT BLANK.”