Pop Culturalist Chats with PRTTY BOYS

It’s an incredible time to be a music fan. New artists are emerging week after week, and one musical duo that’s bringing the vibes is PRTTY BOYS. The pair, which features members Johnie B. and Spadez, have been hard at work in their “Juice Factory”, producing hits that will change the industry. This month, we heard a glimpse of what we can expect when they dropped not one, but two singles: “Cop Car” and “Lose Your Mind”. Pop Culturalist spoke with PRTTY BOYS about how the group was formed, their upcoming debut album, and when we can expect to see them hit the road.

PC: Tell us about your new song, “Cop Car,” and the decision behind choosing it as the first single off your upcoming album.

Johnie B: “Cop Car” was the first song we made together, so I feel like it’s a great first offering. It sets the tone for what’s coming next.

Spadez: THAT PART.

PC: What was the inspiration behind the song?

Johnie B: Some L.A. and New York nights where we were lost off the sauce.

Spadez: For me, the inspiration was a bunch of experiences that I had with girls in the past who turned out to be a little too wild looking back on the situations.

PC: What can you tease about your upcoming debut album? What was the creative process like?

Spadez: SHEESH. It’s eighteen songs and every single one of them is a vibe. Whatever mood you’re in…we’ve got something on The Juice Factory to quench that feeling.

Johnie B: It’s a very collaborative process. Spadez would just shout down the hall at me whenever he was working on a new instrumental. We would talk concept and I would go back and record a hook. He would write his verses around that and then we start blending all those elements together.

PC: If you had to pick your favorite song off the album, what would it be and why?

Spadez: Every song is like a child to me [laughs], but probably “Bae” or “Where Are We.” “Bae” because it’s just a whole vibe, and “Where Are We” because my bars go crazy on there (plus that beat is one of my favorites I’ve made).

Johnie B: “Juice” for the vocoder alone. I love sad robot sounds. Also “Take It Slow” because I sampled the wind chimes from my Grandma’s back porch. She unfortunately passed away last year but I got to show her some of my new music. That meant a lot to me.

PC: Describe the album in five words.

Spadez: A. WHOLE. LOTTA. SLAPS. SHEEEEESH!

Johnie B: Palm Tree Pop & B.

PC: Are there plans to hit the road following the release? Is there a venue that you’d love to perform in?

Spadez: We definitely plan on performing all this new new once the album is out. I mean, any arena would do the trick but until then I wouldn’t mind playing Webster Hall again. That was where I performed for the first time as an artist (and not in the background as the drummer).

Johnie B: The Madison Theater in Covington, Kentucky. I know that sounds random but I saw Bloc Party there and they were a huge band at the time playing this very personal little space. I soaked up every second.

PC: When did you both realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music? And how was this partnership formed?

Johnie B: All I know is I was jamming on a Fisher-Price keyboard at the age of two. It probably grew from there.

Spadez: I knew it from the minute I picked up the drumsticks in the third grade, and then when I started a rap group in fourth grade. And again, the moment I downloaded the free version of “Fruity Loops” in the eighth grade.

We lived together all through college at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, and once we both moved to L.A., we realized we should join forces. It really started one song at a time…we made one that sounded PRTTY upper echelon and decided we should make a whole project together. By the way, we’re just getting started baby!

PC: Who are some of your musical influences? Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?

Spadez: E-40, Traxamillion, Eminem, 50 Cent, The Cataracs. At the moment, I think it would be cool to work with YK Osiris, Lil Pump or Hitmaka (and all my influences, of course).

Johnie B: The Voidz, ZHU, Kendrick Lamar. Post Malone, Bhad Bhabie, Flume.

PC: What’s the biggest lesson you both have learned being a part of this industry?

Spadez: Trust your instincts.

Johnie B: You can’t change it overnight.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Spadez: Love & Hip-Hop

Johnie B: Silicon Valley

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Spadez: 8 Mile

Johnie B: Interstellar

PC: Favorite book?
Johnie B: Crime and Punishment

Spadez: Anything by Malcolm Gladwell

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Spadez: Jersey Boys and The Book Of Mormon

Johnie B: Never seen it in person but the plot line of Les Miserable is hard to top.

PC: Favorite social media platform?
Spadez: Instagram.

Johnie B: Lit, cuz they on the Blockchain fam.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Johnie B: Shakira

Spadez: Me

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Johnie B: Mr. Robot

Spadez: Stranger Things

PC: Hidden talent?
Johnie B: I am very speedy, which comes in handy when I’m soccering.

Spadez: Both of my arms and thumbs are double-jointed so I can basically pop every joint above my waist.

Make sure to follow PRTTY BOYS on Twitter and Instagram, and pick up “Cop Car” and “Lose Your Mind” on Amazon or iTunes today!

Photo Credit: Christian Tachiera