Hushbingo, who goes by the Instagram handle hush_bingo_, is an R&B, rap, and hip hop artist originally from Temple, Texas, but raised in Houston from the age of six months. His love for music started early. “I began making music at the age of 12,” he recalls. “People used to pay me to sing in front of the nail shop in the neighborhood I grew up in.” A trip to the circus left a lasting impression on him as a child. Watching a performer sing and move the crowd to smile and cry made him realize he wanted to be that kind of influence for others. “It is fulfilling to be able to touch people and make them express their emotions,” he says.
Hushbingo cites a range of influences, including Jay-Z, Musiq Soulchild, Fred Hammond, Lil Durk, Moe 3, Adele, and Bruno Mars. He does not play any instruments, choosing instead to focus on his voice and lyrics as his primary tools for storytelling.
His journey into music has not been easy. Growing up in poverty, Hushbingo faced immense challenges. His mother struggled and had to give him up to CPS, leading to time in multiple foster homes where he experienced abuse and neglect. He spent part of his youth in Serenity in Houston and navigated life in Acres Home and Greens Point. With no stable parental guidance, he turned to the streets, which eventually led to multiple jail stints. At just 12 years old, he had already been behind bars.
It was his peers who encouraged him to pursue music seriously. At 21, he moved to California and met Toi from the management group Anyway You Want It, who introduced him to the music world. Through this network, he connected with Momma Black, A & R from Top Dog Entertainment, Compton AV LMKR, Joe Moses, Turf Talk, Kashfittz, and YG400. He opened for several of these artists and performed at venues like Shotcallers, Amy’s Bar, Angel’s Roadhouse, and the Victorville State Fair.
After returning to Texas to raise his son as a single father, Hushbingo faced more challenges, including incarceration in 2013 for a ten-year sentence. While in prison, he founded Hush Music Group and continued to perform at various events. Upon release, he immediately immersed himself in music again, collaborating with other artists, recording, and creating videos.
Hushbingo has released an EP titled I Had It Hard, featuring five songs including Trap Prayer, Grinding, Pain, Ain’t Tha Same featuring YungMT, and No Matter featuring YungMT. One of the most memorable moments of his career has been performing at AFP Week, a milestone he describes as an important step forward.
Currently, he is working on several projects, including three mixtapes, while continuing to push his music. His upcoming performances include AFP Week from September 11 to 14, a show with SayWord at the FoxTrap in Houston on September 19, and a performance in Austin on September 27.
What’s Next
Hushbingo is focused on building his presence in the music industry and sharing his story through his songs. With multiple projects in the works and live shows lined up, he aims to continue connecting with fans and inspiring others through his music. From his beginnings on the streets of Houston to the stages he now commands, Hushbingo is determined to turn every challenge into an opportunity and continue growing as an artist and father.
