Bronx native Pigkaso, aka Richard Pickett, has been making waves with his distinct blend of hip-hop and yoyo mastery, delivering both lyrical finesse and thrilling visuals. His latest music video for "Ready, Set, Go" and single "Wanna Play With My Yoyo?" has set the stage for his upcoming album, "Lusus Naturae 3: You're Beautiful Gorgeous," out on November 15, 2024. The album, an introspective finale to his Lusus Naturae series, narrates Pigkaso’s journey as he battles his inner angel and devil, exploring themes like identity, resilience, and self-discovery. With deep Bronx roots, Pigkaso’s artistry reflects the community that shaped him and the creative resilience he found in Yo-Yoing as a bullied teen. The artist brings an energetic authenticity, drawing inspiration from icons like Eminem, Busta Rhymes, and Redman while carving his own space in the indie music scene. His album listening party on November 9 engages fans in his world, a fusion of raw emotion, inventive storytelling, and unexpected twists.
We chatted with Pigkaso to discuss his new album, creative process, and journey from bullied high schooler to multifaceted artist. Like his music, the conversation was insightful and full of surprises.
Hi Pigkaso, thank you for chatting with us. You've had an incredible journey in music. Can you tell our readers how it all started for you and what inspired you to become an artist?
I would say it started in college. I had just graduated from Hostos Community College and was going for my Bachelor's in Economics at Lehman College. I was struggling with a 2.0 GPA. I made some friends in some classes and the student life building. It's like a rec center for college kids on site. Some of my friends were doing audio production, and they would tell me how great it was meeting celebrities, being stagehands, and watching them work on music. I started to look for my own studio on Facebook. I met this guy named Sherwin, but he went by "Mago" of Arizzma Entertainment. I would go to school and then head to the studio near the west side of Harlem.
I had yet to learn how to record and deliver my rhymes, when to punch in, etc., the first time I was in the booth. Over time, I focused more on school, and when I graduated in 2014, I met a new producer. His name was Isaac Arevalo, but he went by "Cauze." He had this studio called Coalishun Entertainment in Yonkers by DMX's old projects on Locust Hill. We had some sessions, and something came over me every time I went to see him. I felt like I could do this forever.
Eventually, I recorded my first mixtape and dropped it in 2015 on Soundcloud. I could hone my rhymes and knew the type of artist I wanted to be. I started hearing all of my favorite artists, like Eminem, Busta Rhymes, and Redman, to become more inspired. He is still my producer to this day. I'm very thankful for Cauze and everything he's done for me.
Aside from music, you’re known for your skills as a professional musician. How did you get into yo-yoing, and what role does it play in your life?
I got into YoYoing around 2004. I got bullied a lot around that time. Jumped in gym class, chased, beat up in the lockers, you name it. One time, I got bullied so bad that I was limping home from school and didn't tell my parents. I looked like a mess. After a while, I went to a Toys R Us to just walk around. I saw a rack of yoyos hanging near the store's video game session. I had a few bucks and bought an orange Dunan Imperial. I went home, played with it for about 5 minutes, and got bored. I left it on my nightstand and went to sleep.
About a week later, after relentlessly getting bullied, I picked up the yoyo from my room with tears in my eyes just to get my mind off a terrible week I had in school. When I threw it down and caught it, it felt good. I kept throwing it down and catching it for hours. I started to feel a lot better. After that, I carried that yoyo with me until the string broke off of it. I eventually bought another one, and I have seriously gotten into YoYoing ever since. I went online and tried to learn any trick I could find online. Yoyoing became my drug, my zen, and my best friend. It calmed me down from any bad situation I was going through. I would only be here today if Yoyoing were okay.
Can you tell us the inspiration behind your upcoming album, set to release on November 15? What themes or stories are you aiming to convey through this project?
My upcoming album is called "Lusus Naturae 3: You're Beautiful, Gorgeous." It's the 3rd installment of my album series Lusus Naturae, which means Freak of Nature. It's the closing chapter to the series where my Angel and Devil, who are named Gee and Dee, are guiding me throughout my day. While they are guiding me, I'm seeing the world through a parallel universe. It's so beautiful and gorgeous, hence the album title. They take me on a journey of self-discovery where I explore the meaning of women, racism, racing, robbery, and many other facets of who I am as a person. I want people to understand that this world is not what it is. You can literally create a world that is just for you. You just need the proper guidance. Come November 15, you're going to understand it.
What has the creative process been like for this album? Are there any songs that were particularly challenging or meaningful to create?
I went into this project wanting to dive into different parts of myself. I wanted this project to be different from my other ones before. The production had to be better, the lyrics had to be top-tier, and the features had to be incredible. It took about a year and a half to get it together, but it's perfect. My favorite song that has the most meaning to me is "S.A.D," which means Suck A D**k. It's a song that's for everyone who doubts me.
It's for the people who never believed in me and wouldn't think that I would be here standing strong. This is for that child who got bullied in high school for yoyoing and was afraid to say how he really felt. I'm still here and doing better than ever. It's my favorite song. My second one would be "Twerk Dat Azz." I've always wanted to make a strip club anthem song that was super silly. The song is even better because it has my friend Crushed Ice on the hook and the homie J. Garc on a verse. I hope it becomes a staple in some strip clubs around the world.
We’d love to hear more about the independent music scene in Brooklyn. How has the community influenced your music, and how do you see it evolving?
I love to proudly say I am from the Bronx. I was born in Eastchester, my childhood is in Parkchester, and my adult life is in Castle Hill. Every day, when I walked to school or went to work, there was always a live band playing somewhere. I can be near the Hunts Point train station, at Van Cortlandt Park, or going to the beach on City Island. Music was everywhere around me. As I grew up, many performances took a different form, such as playing in lounges or music festivals around the Bronx. It's evolving to where we have actual venues to perform at. They just recently opened The Bronx Music Heritage Center on Louis Nine Blvd. We also have Bronlandia in Hunts Point. The Bronx Museum sometimes hosts musical events on the Grand Concourse. This is only the beginning for the Bronx, and I want to live long enough to see future generations of talent inspired by what is here in the Bronx.
You’re hosting an album listening party on November 9. What can fans expect from the event, and how do you feel about showcasing your music to a live audience?
I hope my fans have a better understanding of who I am with what they hear. I want them to be transported into my world and live it momentarily. From the beginning to the last track, I want them to feel, see, and touch every emotion that represents me. I feel excited and scared at the same time, showcasing my music. Even though this is not the first time, it always feels like it is. Every new song or album I drop feels like it's my first time, but I just hope they know THIS IS ME.
What challenges have you faced as an independent artist, and how have you managed to overcome them?
Laziness and consistency were my biggest challenges. The thought of writing a song, finding or creating a beat, rewriting certain parts, being done and driving to the studio, recording a first draft, then a second, third, fourth, etc. There was literally a point in time where I just focused on my yoyoing rather than my music for a good 2 years. However, as time passed, I would see some of my peers dropping music videos and doing interviews, and I would miss it like an old girlfriend. That's when I started working on this album; I would go all in. I don't care about the budget, the streams, or the travels to the studio.
Are there any artists or genres that particularly inspire your music? Who do you look to for creative inspiration?
3 of my favorite hip-hop artists of all time are Eminem, Busta Rhymes, and Redman. I strive to be a hybrid of each of them. Eminem's lyricism, Busta's fast flows, and Redman's delivery are the elements I love from each. Other times, inspiration comes from anywhere. It can be me eating food, talking to someone, or thinking about nothing. Randomly, something comes to me when I think of something creative, and then I start writing in my Notes on my iPhone.
You’ve been through a lot to bring your music to where it is today. Is there a piece of advice you’d give to someone trying to make it independently?
The best advice I can give is a quote I live by. "Everybody in this world has two lives, but the second one starts when you realize you only have one." It means that to have the life you want to live, you have to change. Don't be mundane or give into anyone else's desires for what they want to see you as. Become what you are destined to be. Everything will fall into place when you live by what you set for yourself.
Finally, what’s next for Pigkaso?
I'm considering putting music on the back burner after this album. I want to spend time with my 6-month-old nephew and teach him Yoyo tricks. I want to build a better relationship with my girlfriend. I've also been considering acting. I've always wanted to explore that side of me on the big screen. I never needed music to sustain my happiness as much as yoyoing. But in the end, I might come back and randomly drop some singles here and there. I have some things lined up for 2025, but I want to make this album the best.
Connect with Pigkaso: INSTAGRAM
