Restless Flow: Local artist expresses self through rap

RIO GRANDE CITY -- Roy Bazan, the face behind Crazy Restless, has never been good at sitting still.

The 24-year-old finds beats and rhythms in everything, and his mind is always developing new lyrics.

"I write ideas when they hit me and go back home and the first thing I do is write and record a chorus," the rapper said. "Once I know it sounds great, I slowly take my time with the verses, and that's basically how I have been doing it this time around."

Bazan, who splits his time between Rio Grande City and Edinburg, is currently working on his second album, which the rapper says he's taking at a much slower pace than the first one. His first album was an explosion of thoughts, feelings and experiences set to music.

"My music is very personal, so, over time when you listen to my music, you'll get a sense of what I am going through at that time or where I stand in my journey in this business," he said. "But my music is very versatile and people can expect it to change, especially with my newer music. I am letting my character take over this time, and not making everything too personal so that others can relate more to what I am saying."

Much of Bazan's original music focused on family and his relationship to his family. It has also provided an outlet for the grief of losing his father at a young age and a release from the responsibility of caring for his family.

"When I was 12 years old, my father passed away and I promised to him that I would take care of our family," he said. "I always thought that I would be a famous rapper and would make enough money to be able to help my family out, but, of course, those were the thoughts of a little kid," said the graphic designer.

"As reality sank in, I can proudly say that I am the first in my family to attend college, and now that I am older, even though I am not a famous rapper, it is my passion and my dreams that have continued to bring my family close together. They have given us strong moments, like having my family in my studio joking and laughing. Encouraging and teaching my nephews to sing are the joys that money cannot buy. Now that I finished my first album, I hope I can accomplish my dreams and be able to leave a lasting impression on the younger generation of my family."

As he has spent more time with his music and developed as an artist, Bazan has come to a place of balance in his life. He is looking beyond just his own career and hopes to strengthen the rapping community in the Valley.

"Music is leading me to a position where I can make my own moves and a place where I can help out all of my family and the rest of the RGV artists," he said. "I hope to take my music beyond the Valley and hopefully all over the world. I want to bring events here and make things happen in the RGV."

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Paige Lauren Deiner covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4425.