Baby Herk, a rising independent artist from Detroit, Michigan, is a legacy rapper and creative, taking notes from big players in the independent music scene. With rap in his blood, he’s overcome shyness, anxiety, and an introverted personality to challenge his abilities and build a powerful online presence. In this interview, Baby Herk shares about his start in music, people who have inspired him along the way, and a powerful message for fellow creatives. Read through to the end; you don’t want to miss it.
Baby Herk Shares His Music Roots
Photobombshell: Hi, Baby Herk! You first landed on our radar when I asked for nominations for independent artists you need to hear before 2024. The people showed up and showed out for you! That being said, I am interested in learning more about your career. For the folks who don’t know you or haven’t heard your music yet, where are you from, and how do you describe your sound?
Baby Herk: I am from Detroit, Michigan, and I describe my sound as diverse and impactful. I embrace the culture of Detroit as a person and an artist, but I make music for the whole world.
Rap in His Bloodline
Photobombshell: I love that perspective. Paying respect to your roots while looking with a wide lens is dope. What got you started with making music and rapping?
Baby Herk: I’ve always been into art since I was a kid. Before rap, I drew some of my favorite cartoon characters as a kid and then ventured into writing poetry in middle school. My father is stamped as a Detroit, Michigan Hip Hop/Rap legend, so I grew up around music and rap. My brother raps, too. Those are the only people I’ve looked up to my whole life, so they heavily influenced me getting into rap. It’s literally in the bloodline.
Inspiration for Content Creation
Photobombshell: One thing that makes you stand out is your social media is loaded with freestyles and actual footage of you rapping, making music, and even your car ride thoughts. What inspires or guides your content?
Baby Herk: As a kid, I always craved attention in a positive light from people. I always thought about what fame would be like from getting a glimpse of that through my father and his love for his artistry. Although I was shy, introverted, and had social anxiety, I knew that if I wanted to put myself out there in the world as an artist, I would have to make content. I started getting serious about making content sometime between 2017 and 2018 with freestyle videos. Seeing other artists like LaRussell make content that elevated his career inspired me to become more creative with content and strive to make more.
Characteristics of a Great Artist
Photobombshell: LaRussell is a great example of an independent artist creating his own lane and using content to build a massive audience. That’s a perfect place to draw inspiration from, and I can see that with what you share. As an artist, what is the most important characteristic to have?
Baby Herk: I feel that integrity is important to have. People will love you if you’re doing things for a good cause that can help others. Leadership and pride are other characteristics to have as well.
Experience as Inspiration
Photobombshell: I hear you started your journey as a poet, and you got into that right at the top if this interview, and considering moving back into that space. What inspired this, and what are some of your favorite topics to write about?
Baby Herk: I was a poet before I started rapping. I always loved poetry, but I got more into rapping and making songs. Poetry is a lost art these days, but it’s still a great way to express your life experiences and connect with other people’s experiences. I also feel that poetry is something that’s missing in my artistry, and I want to utilize it with my music.
About “Hood Poetry”
Photobombshell: I saw your performance of “Hood Poetry” on We F.A.M. ATL, and I loved so many aspects, not only of the song but also your performance. Can you share about what inspired that song?
Baby Herk: “Hood Poetry,” honestly, was me being inspired by my thoughts on myself, as a person and giving a brief description of someone who embraced being from the hood poetically. The beat spoke to me, and I let my brain do the rest. Shout out to my guy Derrick Shorter for producing the beat. Big blessings to him and my engineer MandoMixedThis.
Photobombshell: I love that, and for shouting out the team! Respect the producers and engineers! What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
Baby Herk: My career highlight, I would say, was the listening party for me and Young Herk. We released a joint project titled “Sibling Rivalry” on January 19, 2023, and had a listening party the same day as it was released. Not only did we have a listening party, but we both had a rap battle against each other to kick it off. That was very epic. We performed all the songs from the audience, too. The energy I gave that night differed from anything than I had ever experienced. I had broken more out of my shell that night and put on a great experience for everybody who came. The night was unforgettable and classic to me!
Advice for Fellow Independents
Photobombshell: It sounds like if you missed that listening party, you missed a lot! Now that you have a good bit of experience and are building your career and presence, what top piece of advice would you share with independent artists who are just getting started?
Baby Herk: No matter how hard things may get, don’t QUIT! Don’t compare yourself to others, and focus on your path to success 24/7. Your time will come!
Baby Herk’s Plans for 2024
Photobombshell: What can listeners, readers, and fans look forward to from you in 2024?
Baby Herk: I have plenty of music coming. I have a lot going on in my personal life and I had announced in 2023 that I would drop an album in 2024. To be cautious, make sure it’s not rushed, and to be certain the rollout is well along with being able to recoup properly, it’s still in the works. I will be putting out singles, though. Expect more content and music videos. I have a joint EP with my guy Heavyweight 90s that we’ve been cooking, coming this year, so be on the lookout for that. There’s more coming aside from music too, but it’s not finalized, so I won’t say YET! Just stay tuned, y’all.
Listen to Baby Herk
Photobombshell: Baby Herk, thank you so much for taking the time to share about your career with me. I look forward to your coming projects and loved learning about your start. I expect to see some spoken word in the future. What do you want to tell your audience?
Baby Herk: If you haven’t yet, please listen to my single “Hood Poetry” on all digital streaming platforms. Go listen to “Sibling Rivalry” by me and Young Herk. Listen to my first mixtape, “I Feel Like Rapping” (listed under my former rap name, Juan Weezy), and listen to my EP, “2019 Sessions” as well. Thank you to everybody who’s been supporting me from the start & thank you to all the new supporters as well. I love y’all!
Connect with Baby Herk
Listeners and readers looking to connect with Baby Kerk can follow him on Instagram, @babyherk95. Subscribe to his YouTube channel and follow him on Twitter/X at @babyherk95. Most importantly, follow and connect with him on all digital streaming platforms.
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