In an age when brief pops like retweets and viral videos reign supreme, Seattle rapper Raz Simone has chosen a more maintainable route—one where numbers aren’t the driving force but the viability of making art is. Simone’s is a trek that susses out the complete character and depth of his work in music, and his mission is one of personal and creative sustainability. “My career,” he explains, “is going to be a longer battle. But it’s going to be very worth it.”
Over the past 12 months, Simone has released or recorded dozens of new tracks; purchased a building in Sodo he calls “Headquarters” for his label, Black Umbrella; and has toured with local pop star Macklemore, personally bringing along dozens of his own fans for the ride. And the prolific lyricist most recently released his latest single, “Rarehttps://www.thestranger.com/music/2017/07/26/25307405/seattle-rap-altruist-raz-simone-methodically-builds-a-musical-empire-in-sodo,” an aggressive-yet-tender six-minute track promoting ideas of autonomy while also honoring the legacy of friends who have passed away.