Pop Culturalist Chats with Drei Ros

Romanian born Drei Ros is an artist on the rise. He’s spent years honing his craft and has taken each of his experiences as an opportunity to learn and grow. He’s channeled those life lessons into his highly anticipated trap album, Excuse My Accent. It’s his introduction as both a man and an artist. Pop Culturalist spoke with Drei Ros ahead of the release.

PC: When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Drei: I always knew music was going to be something I wanted to pursue. Growing up, I always looked up to my favorite music artists and knew that it was what I wanted to do, too. It was only a matter of time before I started exploring my own talents.

PC: What is your creative process like when you’re working on a new song? Has it changed over the years?
Drei: My creative process is one that spawns from my environment. It really depends on which studio or who I am creating with. When I come up with ideas, I usually write them down and when I meet up with my team, we connect the dots. Over the years, this process has had a few different faces, but all in all, it’s about the same as it’s always has been.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “On My Own”. What was the inspiration behind the song?
Drei: My new single was inspired by not only my feelings of determination, but also the feelings I’m sure everyone has from time to time. Sometimes, in order to really find your true potential, you have to take a step back and find yourself. In this song, I feel I tell that story—the story of me finding myself in music and as a man.

PC: It features BrownBoi Maj. How did that collaboration come about?
Drei: BrownBoi Maj and I have been talking about doing a collaborative track for some time now. We have common interests musically and it was a perfect time to mix our styles together and make this amazing song.

PC: What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry? What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a similar career path?
Drei: My biggest advice is to not give up. There are so many times where it may seem like you didn’t make the right song or you didn’t do something that you could have done, but that’s not the case. The way I see it is that everything, good or bad, progressive or non-progressive, still builds you as an artist. I have felt lost at times and at other times, I have found as far as the music takes me. Without giving up, I realized I needed to feel both in order to get to where I’m at now.

PC: You have an upcoming album, Excuse My Accent, coming out soon. What should listeners expect and what do you hope they take away?
Drei: I want them to expect an album with a lot of talented artists and different perspectives. I am proud and happy to have this project be a reflection of myself as an artist and with that, I know you will enjoy it. What I hope everyone takes away from this is a part of me—a common bond that you and I can both share from that moment on.

PC: What does the rest of 2018 hold for you?
Drei: For the rest of this year, the album will be my focus. Into the new year, when it’s out and people are taking it in, I will start on the next phase of my story and I hope everyone can join that journey as well.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Drei: Ozark

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Drei: The Dark Knight

PC: Favorite book?
Drei: The Martian

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Drei: Into the Woods

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Drei: Blake Shelton

PC: First concert you attended?
Drei: DMX

PC: First album you bought?
Drei: The Blueprint

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Drei: Ozark

PC: Hidden talent?
Drei: Magic tricks!

Make sure to follow Drei on Twitter and Instagram, and check out “On My Own” on Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify.