Vancouver's Boslen Reflects on a Year of Growth, Love, and Sacrifices in His Latest Music Journey
MUSIC | By Lauryn Stewart
“It’s crazy how much you can grow in a year”, said Vancouver’s Boslen. The 22 year old artist has cracked the code for creating groundbreakaing music that is true to who he is. His somber and smooth melodies have evolved over the past year, giving way to a lighter and exhilarating sound.
He sat down with VIBENEXTDOOR to tell us more about his life, love and the experiences that have shaped him and his new music.
Over the weekend Boslen dropped his newest track “Tell Me Why”, a song that gives us a look into how he is handling his fame, responsibilities, love life and family; he can no longer sacrifice love for his career.
“This past year I fell l in love with somebody; she's taught me a lot, she taught me how to be a better man, and has made me become more emotionally intelligent… At that moment I felt like I was choosing my career over something I really wanted to do, which was spend time with her.”
Boslen speaks with understanding and compassion about his family. At 22 he is acutely aware of how it is easy to lose the people you love when you’re growing your career.
“I was playing with that double edged sword of sacrificing time, I have two nieces and two nephews, and I would miss all their birthdays, they’re all calling me and I would miss it (those calls), or my mom has to go to the doctor and I can't be there for her, its just those things in life adding up.”
After watching Derek Cianfrance’s Place Beyond the Pines epic portrayal of the sacrifices we make for the people we love, the idea for Boslen’s newest single immediately jumped into his mind.
Boslen’s journey creating his music has been heavily influenced by artists like Kid Cudi. Growing up out side of the big city, in the small town of Chilliwack, British Columbia, hip-hop wasn’t a big part of Boslen’s life, at least until his mom and stepdad briefly separated, and Kid Cudi provided relief for a younger Boslen. He recalls putting in his headphones at twelve years old, and listening to “Up, Up and Away”, over and over again.
Earlier this year, Boslen took a trip to Merritt British Columbia, a three hour drive outside of the city of Vancouver, where he met up with producers who have worked with some of his biggest inspirations, artists like Kanye West and Kid Cudi. The opportunity allowed him to listen to first hand accounts of the way these artists have innovated the music industry. Boslen has been inspired ever since, itching to make music that will inspire a younger generation, the same way he was was impacted by artists like Kid Cudi growing up.
More than just a rapper, Boslen describes himself as an artist, a producer, a creative, and a person that is a vessel for ideas. His experiences on his international tour “ GONZO” have changed the way he looks at himself. No longer trying to find who is; instead share who he is with the world.
“Last year if we did this you would have been talking to a completely different person. On tour I was a completely different person, I was just trying to find myself and live in the moment, and be careless and be a rapper that just fucking does stupid shit- but now everything is meticulous; time health everything, i’m not just a rapper anymore ya know.”
For Boslen this single is an introduction into a new era of love and light .With its bright and electric sound, “Tell Me Why” makes you want to let go of anything holding you back from the people you love. Though it has deep meaning, this track will still have you sing-screaming the lyrics on your morning drive.
As the year comes to a close Boslen is set to release a new project called PYRE, fans can expect electrifying music that burns away any expectation you have had of him.
