If there are two words with which to describe Atlanta producer, instrumentalist, and DJ, Flwr Chyld, they would be indefinable and knowledgeable. Though both adjectives are rooted most fervently in his home city, Flwr Chyld is also very much the product of the borderless reach as direct result of the internet era’s effect on sharing music. 

His production blends effervescent chord progressions with a nostalgia for R&B of the past, drawing to him an always growing number of collaborators whose expanses transcend neo-soul, hip-hop, and indie music. And once working with him, Flwr Chyld’s unending ability to compose thoughtful, congruent collections outpaces any other modern producer with an ability to coalesce stylistic range into something altogether new and unexplored.

Though young, Flwr Chyld is already a proven veteran with past academic, geographic, and canonical pillars able to prop up the immensity of his future. En route towards a new EP, we spoke with him on Atlanta, unearthing the city’s musical soul, and ushering in a musical future that hopefully transcends the labels he so defies and outwardly despises. 

RNGLDR: Atlanta being a musical hub is nothing new. Hip-hop in particular has been at home in Atlanta through past generations of rappers from Big Boi & Ludacris to T.I., Jeezy, Gucci Mane, & Flocka. What is it about Atlanta that has made it such a hip-hop capital?

FLWR CHYLD: There are so many ways to answer this question, but I think I’d have to start with saying its mainly due to soul music having its roots in the South. When I think about Atlanta and hip-hop, I automatically turn to OutKast (and of course Organized Noize) because they were and still are the embodiment of not only what Atlanta feels and sounds like, but also what Southern music feels like. It has real soul to it where you can feel the emotional undertones that date back to hundreds of years of slavery to Atlanta being the epicenter for the Civil Rights movement. All of those elements tie into what makes Atlanta what it is... and musicians from the South have a certain way of communicating their joy, pain, sorrow, and happiness through funk and soul. It’s unique how all of these artists combine those elements into something with real depth and taste to it. You won’t find that type of authenticity anywhere else. Hence why most up and coming Hip-Hop artists that are NOT from Atlanta sound like they are from Atlanta, haha. The sound of Atlanta or any other part of the South for that matter either directly or indirectly influences other Hip-Hop music. That’s why it’s maintained its reputation as the capitol. 

RNGLDR: R&B stars from TLC & Ciara to Usher, Lloyd & CeeLo also call home to Atlanta. For which of the same reasons that Atlanta is a hip-hop mecca, is it also one for R&B? And what about the Atlanta R&B scene differentiates itself from Atlanta hip-hop?

FLWR CHYLD: I think Atlanta definitely had a crazy run in the 90s into the mid 2000s with R&B which was great for the city and music itself when we think about the impact it’s had throughout the years.... Although now, I feel like R&B artists from Atlanta don’t really capture the same emotion through writing or production that musicians from the past were able to. With artists like 6lack the landscape is changing and improving. But there are few and far between. The R&B scene doesn’t really have much of a distinct sound now like it used to…. The R&B that comes out now has heavy trap elements which is okay...but I definitely feel like in order for it to return to that status of being a “mecca” the bar has to be set higher. Personally, I’m very optimistic because there are a lot of talented people here with potential. It’s just about making sure there is a foundation for those artists to be discovered on a bigger level. I wanna help cultivate that scene for people as I continue to build a bigger name for myself.