The Santa Pres Interview
Santa Pres: The Local Dreamer Defying Boundaries
Emerging from PG County, Maryland, just along the DC line, Santa Pres is more than just an artist—he’s a walking testament to individuality and perseverance. While many artists from his area gravitate towards DMV crank and free car music, Santa Pres took a different route, one inspired by a melting pot of genres and influences that set him apart from the beginning.
A Genre-Bending Sound
Growing up, Santa Pres had a foot in both rap and rock worlds. While his peers were tuned into Swipey, No Savage, and Gizzwop, he found himself drawn to the raw energy of Dance Gavin Dance, Pierce the Veil, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, and his all-time favorite, Twenty One Pilots. At the same time, he absorbed the dynamic flows of XXXTENTACION, Ski Mask the Slump God, Playboi Carti, Joey Bada$$, and Denzel Curry, shaping a sound that refuses to be boxed into one category.
This ability to blend styles is evident in tracks like “MERCEDES”, where he seamlessly fuses singing with rap, proving that his versatility is not just intentional—it’s innate. "I knew exactly what kind of music I wanted to make," he says, and that music is a genre-defying experience that reflects all the sounds that influenced him.
The Outcast Turned Trendsetter
Standing out in his hometown wasn’t easy. Santa Pres always had a unique style, dressing ahead of his time and experimenting with fashion long before it became mainstream. Instead of being celebrated, he was bullied for being different. “Now everybody’s doing it, but where was that when I was getting bullied?” he reflects.
The same resistance applied to his music. In an area dominated by a specific sound, his fusion of alternative, underground, and experimental rap wasn’t always welcomed. “Who the f* is gonna be listening to jerk music and underground music in the hood?”** he jokes, acknowledging that his sound was once misunderstood. But now? People from all over the world are tuning in—a testament to the power of staying true to oneself.
Manifesting Greatness
Despite the obstacles, Santa Pres never wavered in his belief in himself. “I know for a fact that I’m gonna be big. I’m gonna be selling out shows.” That self-confidence, mixed with his raw talent and dedication, fuels his rise. He holds onto a quote from his favorite artist, Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots:
“Power to the local dreamer.”
It’s a motto he lives by and a message he wants to share with anyone chasing a dream. “It doesn’t matter how different you are, or where you come from. If you believe in yourself, that’s all that matters.”
For Santa Pres, the journey is just beginning. But with his unique sound, unstoppable mindset, and fearless individuality, he’s already proving that being different is the key to making a difference.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/59Ghb8sAKLWt80O5jFVVOV?si=VUXKiHISSeqch2GMXs1aqw
