From the 8th Ward to “HG x AR”: An Interview with Hip Hop Artist DYOR Chris

New Orleans Hip Hop artist DYOR Chris is making a powerful statement with his explosive new single, “HG x AR,” a track that blends raw street authenticity with hard-hitting energy, featuring none other than Baton Rouge powerhouse Kevin Gates. Rooted in the gritty real-life storytelling of the 8th Ward, DYOR Chris has spent over a decade honing a sound that is both relatable and unapologetic, drawing inspiration from legends like 2Pac and Soulja Slim. This collaboration is more than just a song; it’s a mission to put his neighborhood on the map and cement his voice in the wider Hip Hop landscape. Fresh off this significant release, we sit down with DYOR Chris to talk about his journey from overcoming poverty, his creative process, what it means to bridge local stories with a bigger stage, and what’s next after making a major move with “HG x AR.” Check out our interview below!

Where are you from?

NEW ORLEANS,LA DOWNTOWN 8TH WARD

How long have you been making music?

I have been doing music for 10+ years

How many songs /albums have you released to date?

I dropped a lot of mixtapes on Soundcloud
Search 8youngChris9!

Can you tell us about your latest release and the background and inspirations behind it?

HG x AR” by DYOR Chris featuring Kevin Gates is more than just a collaboration — it’s a statement of roots, pride, and elevation. Recorded with the energy of New Orleans’ 8th Ward at its core, the track represents DYOR Chris’s vision of putting his neighborhood on the map while staying authentic to his sound.

The inspiration came from real-life experiences and the desire to create music that’s both relatable and powerful. By bringing Kevin Gates into his world, Chris bridges his local story with a wider audience, showing that the 8th Ward’s voice deserves to be heard on a bigger stage. The song carries the raw energy of the streets, the hunger of an artist on the rise, and the celebration of community — a mix that makes “HG x AR” feel both personal and universal.

In Chris’s own words: “This one’s for my city. For everybody from where I’m from that ever felt overlooked — now the spotlight’s on us.”

How did you first get into music, and what inspired you to pursue a career in it?

How I got into music/ i always loved music dats relatable sound good feel good party music.

What do you think of the present music industry?

I mean I feel everyone is working . It is more of a work ethic game it is based on the artist fr.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences and how have they impacted your music?

nfluencers/ 2pac Soulja slim C murda Yo Gotti Boosie

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a musician and how have you overcome them?

Struggles/ like I came frm poverty and jus overcame that situation

How has your music evolved over the course of your career, and where do you see it going in the future?

I just keep working to make things get greater and greater keeping God first in the process.He keeps things grounded on my journey to gain more accomplishments

Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?

Performances/collabes ft. Like mo3 moneybaggyo kevin gates

Can you describe your creative process and what goes into making a song or album?

My creative process & what goes into making a song r album- is da beats I hear, dats puts me into dat mode to tell my story.

Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?

Dead r alive. I wud have to say 2pac wud be my dream collaboration

What was the first album you bought?

st album I bought- was probably the hot boys album

What’s your favorite song at the moment?

My favorite saying – is a word we use inside my group a lot, we say Wuz up cow/ r Nooooooo

If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?

If I had to sell my music today r tomorrow which album I wud keep in da draw- will be my very 1st album cuz dem 1st albums u pour ur heart n soul into dem.

What is your favourite saying?

My favorite saying – is a word we use inside my group a lot, we say Wuz up cow/ r Nooooooo

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

What other hobbies I’m interests do I have? Is Movies 🎦

Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project?

Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project- well dis new project is a single ft Kevin Gates & video jus to get da ball rolling, then imma follow up maybe with a mixtape

What’s in the pipeline after this project?

What’s in the pipeline after this project- hopefully run my numbers up to get one of these labels to come thru for me 🤞🏾

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making great, fresh music. *

Thank You…..

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