H1GHR MUSIC Artist Avatar Darko

Avatar Darko, the Seattle based Hip Hop artist signed to H1GHR MUSIC label implements his Russian and Ukraninan culture into his music in many ways. Although his family had settled in Washington when he was just an infant, he pays tribute to his heritage in a fashion that is atypical of how Western pop culture perceives his culture. Avatar states, “A lot of the things you see in the movies have stereotyped us as being edgy and blunt. I suppose I want to take the cool things about my culture that are original and different from the typical stereotypes that people are used to, and incorporate that into my music.”

He channels this mindset and attitude through his music as well as how he carries himself. Although he has only been back to Russia a handful of times since his parents moved him to the US, he is inspired by each trip as he learns more about his heritage first hand. “It’s kind of like a stigma from our current era or politics too, to fear and not trust Russian and Ukranian people because of the propaganda from the Cold War to now. I think a lot of people just don’t understand us, so they are scared and hesitant to get to know us on a personal level. I am trying to help them understand through my music, that we are just like anybody else. I am motivated by that.”

People knew to Avatar Darko’s music would see how he has evolved throughout his career. He claims he has incorporated more pop elements into his records, including some drill trap. “It’s kind of a blend of pop, drill, R&B, gangster rap, alternative and grunge. Coming from Seattle, the grunge genre is in my roots. I was heavily influenced by the grunge scene growing up, perhaps not in the way that most people would know, but in how emotional and vulnerable grunge music is. I’m trying to create my own unique sound while still making sure it sounds hot,” explains Avatar Darko.

Having collaborated with notable artists such as Max B and Lil Wayne have been highlights of his career. “Collabing with Max B was probably the most memorable moment of my recording career. I went to his studio in Harlem and created a song with him from scratch. I remember I met him at the studio where it was completely dark, not a single light was on. There were maybe 50 people in the studio and he had these shades on . . . he had this energy to him that was super dope and I was super inspired. When it was just me and my homie in the lab he asked, ‘Yo, what do you want me to do? You want me to do a verse or hook for you? I’m gonna do something special for you.’ He killed the chorus and this all happened before he became well known, and now look, he’s a legend. Anyone that knows about Max B knows what he did to influence the game. He paved the way for a whole new sound.”

Avatar has had the opportunity to also work with world renowned visual artist, Ruslan Karablin for his previous album artwork. He considers Rus like family, when he had originally moved to Los Angeles and didn’t have a lot of close friends or family in California. They shared a mutual friend and as they both are of Russian and Ukranian descent, they established a connection while instantly respecting one another’s artistic talent.

Avatar is currently finishing up his latest project to be released under Jay Park’s H1GHR MUSIC label. His latest project will have a collab with Toronto based rapper, Pressa. Avatar exclaims, “This one is going to be special because I have elevated my sound. I’ve been rapping for a long time now, and this upcoming project is going to sound completely different from anything I have dropped in the past.” His fans can also expect upcoming live shows in Seattle and around the US to be announced in coming weeks.

Website: http://www.avatardarko.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvatarDarko/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AVATARDARKO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avatardarko/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/avataryoungblaze
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0sqDHbUMQqPV9VL6VJaOHn
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/avatar-darko/827932319
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/avatardarko