From Oneonta, New York, comes an artist who wears every scar like a lyric and every memory like a melody. Flowkey Rises isn’t just another rapper trying to make noise — he’s a storyteller, a survivor, and a soul determined to turn loss into something living.
“I’m just a regular person with gigantic ideas,” he says, “someone with a lot of crazy, strange, scary, wonderful, funny, and heartbreaking stories — and I channel all that into art.” For Flowkey, music has always been therapy first, a way to heal and grow when life gets dark.
Finding His Voice in Grief
The past few years have tested him in ways few can imagine. Losing his best friend Don Mitchell, a gifted lyricist, was the first breaking point — but also the moment Flowkey began to truly find his own voice. “That loss pushed me to start making beats, learning lyrical structure, and using music to process grief,” he recalls.
Then came another blow — the passing of his father. “Taking care of him at home, watching the slow decline, it broke something in me,” he admits. “But it also made me rebuild myself. I had to dig out of depression, the writer’s block, the lack of vision. Music was my way back.”
The Sound of Resilience
Flowkey’s sound is a fusion of everything he’s lived — hip hop with the heart of punk, the aggression of hardcore, the soul of rock, and the rawness of truth. It’s a reflection of his city’s underground energy — a scene where jam sessions and DIY music culture run deep. “Growing up in Oneonta, music was always around me — my brothers, my friends, the college scene. It’s in the air here,” he says.
His artistic chemistry with longtime collaborator Colin “Lil” Bowen is another heartbeat in his journey. “That’s my brother, my best friend, my musical other half,” Flowkey says. “He makes killer beats, drops verses, and understands my vision better than anyone. I love that kid.”
A Year of Rebuilding and Rising
This year, Flowkey has been grinding harder than ever — performing at Foothills, Ofest, Fourth of July, and CANO, often sharing the stage with names he once looked up to, like MCRV and Blister Boo. “Getting to perform with artists I respect — that’s what makes me feel like I’m really doing something,” he says.
He’s also earned radio interviews, magazine features, and local buzz that keeps growing. But ask him what matters most, and his answer is simple: the music.
The Next Chapter: “Pity”
Now, Flowkey is stepping into his next era with a new single, “Pity”, dropping Halloween — October 31st — on all platforms and YouTube, complete with a music video. Produced by Simon LaGuerry and featuring live drum tracks from Mr. Gibson, “Pity” dives deep into themes of authenticity, loss, and the fake empathy people often show instead of real compassion.
“This song reflects how I’ve been feeling internally,” Flowkey says. “It’s about fake love and how the world gives pity instead of real help or change.” Sonically, “Pity” hits heavier than his past work — a dark, high-energy mix of hardcore metal, rap, rock, and punk, marking a bold shift in his evolution.
But that doesn’t mean he’s abandoning his roots. “I’m still gonna put out old-school hip hop, boom bap, lighter jazzy stuff — even new-age vibes,” he says. “Next year and the next few months, I want to drop a lot more music. I’ve got surprise SoundCloud leaks and a video for ‘Kathook’ coming soon.”
Full Speed Ahead
Flowkey Rises is exactly what his name promises — rising. “I see myself going full speed ahead — more shows, more collaborations, and eventually putting together a full band for Flowkey,” he says. “Every track I make, I want the quality, the emotion, the sound — all of it — to grow.”
Because for Flowkey, it’s never been about fame. It’s about connection — showing people that even through loss, there’s a way to create something lasting, something that helps you breathe again.
“I’ve gained so much after losing so much,” he says quietly. “If my music helps someone else do the same — that’s everything.”
Upcoming:
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🎃 “Pity” — Single & Music Video
Drops October 31st on all platforms + YouTube
Produced by Simon LaGuerry, featuring Mr. Gibson on drums
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🎥 “Kathook” Video — Coming Soon
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💥 Surprise SoundCloud leaks on the way