Big Barzan | A Rebellious, Authentic Artist Who Demands Justice.
For decades, there has been an injustice between African Americans and police officers. And it’s saddening because these individuals are supposed to serve and protect the human race at all cost, regardless of physical attributes! In more recent times, the African American community has lost another one of its brothers, George Floyd, due to the cruel acts of yet another Caucasian police officer. Floyd, an innocent US citizen, died at the hands of Derek Chauvin, an ill-willed cop, who pressed him to the pavement with his knee on Floyd’s neck. Now, let us keep in mind that Floyd committed no crime or did not harm anyone on the scene. Yet, Chauvin, a man who calls himself a “hero,” did a criminal, unforgivable act. In the turn of this event, there have been many individuals who refuse to be silenced! And these same people have taken action through protests or their social media accounts. Likewise, musicians from all over have made the message universal through their artistry. But, there’s one artist who makes sure he’s really heard: New Jersey-based artist, Big Barzan.
Describing himself as a punk expression of black rage, anger, and sheer adrenaline, Big Barzan takes a metal approach to beats when speaking about, pretty much anything that revolves around defying rules or racial discrimination. Likewise, he often speaks of his intense dislike for cops, bluffers, and his love for skateboarding. As for his rap delivery, it’s in-your-face mixed with pent-up aggression. With this in mind, one can conclude that he surely doesn’t bite his tongue. He adds, “My strength in music is it’s my own. You can’t copy me. I can make people mosh, I can make people pumped up, I can get in your heart and make you cry. I’ve had people tell me I gave me chills off my performance. Hood niggas love me. I am a hood nigga at the end of the day. Let’s be real.”
Coupled with his many approaches to raging arrangements and underlying message, Big Barzan is showing others that in a world full copycats, they should be original. Symbolically, he’s trying to show others the power behind self-expression and having an opinion. “My sound is if Metallica made songs with Dipset,” he adds. “So wear a helmet!”
Big Barzan came up with his pseudonym one day while speaking with a friend. “We just blurted names with the title “Barbarian” and we just found Barzan. I’m still a Barbarian, but I’m big now. Got jacked, so I’m Big Barzan.” In terms of his creative process, he admits that things can get a little tricky due to his different sounds. “It’s a whole world uncharted, so finding something to sample, finding the grit, the grim, the violence, the power… it’s hard to get that vibe.” he continues. Music, to him, makes him feel unstoppable. Ultimately, music is his pulse. One of his favorite punchlines goes, “I’m a phenomenon, while your murder goes, on, and on, you’re fake heroes, comic con” that bar was aimed at, you guessed it, cops, because they kill people and are labeled heroes. And cops dress up as heroes and feel good about themselves like comic con—fake heroes.” He also resonates with NWA’s song, “Fuck Cops.” 
Moving forward, Barzan plans on going to shows and skateboarding more. He also hopes to get into some wet t-shirt contests and mosh pits. His advice to the upcoming artists is to be themselves. “Drop the “lil” and “Yung” out of your name. That’s dead. NWOHP (new wave of hood punk) is coming, and if you can’t compete, re-evaluate your sound choice.”
Listen to Big Barzan below:
