Bo Pessi: Why He's a Trendsetta

MAMARAZZI EPKS I MARCH 2021

Bo Pessi, Wichita, Kansas

BO PESSI: WHY HE'S A TRENDSETTA

by Ti'Juana Hardwell Photos Courtesy of Bo Pessi

Bo Pessi of Wichita, Kansas just released his newest album project in more than four years. Before taking a break, the independent recording artist was at the forefront of his city’s entertainment scene.

At a time when few artists in his town understood artist-branding and marketing, he did. And now, he’s reminding them that he sets trends. He doesn’t follow them.

“Trendsetta 2” was released in February of this year. The album positions him to be back in front of an audience and music scene that he worked tirelessly to build over the years.

But after the success of “Mr. Midwest,” “Middle of the Map” and “Trendsetta 1,” some may say he has big shoes to fill.

However Bo Pessi sees himself as a veteran with the know-how to create must-listen to records.

“I feel that this is my best work to date,” says Bo Pessi, who achieved radio-success throughout his music career. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and I’ve learned a lot. I know it’s going to show when people hear this album.”

Hot off the release of his first studio album in more than 4 years, Bo Pessi reflects on his status as a trendsetter out of Wichita, Kansas.

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Bo Pessi, along with friend and fellow rapper DJ Cadence, did something unique

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when they took on Wiz Khalifa’s “Black and Yellow” track released in 2010 and made an anthem for Wichita’s minor league baseball team. They created “Black and Red” for the Wichita Wingnuts and the track grew wings. It took off, playing countlessly on radio, TV commercials and in large fan-filled stadiums.

“He has defined a sound for himself,” said Maurice “MoePhat” Johnson of MixDown Studios where the project was mixed and mastered. “When you hear a Bo Pessi song-you’ll know it’s him because it’s such a signature sound.”

Aware of the importance of branding, Bo Pessi printed his logo on hats, shirts and other promotional items and made it available for fans to purchase. He also invested thousands of dollars into paid advertisement in conjunction with the BET Awards, cable television and some of the largest concerts to come to town. He established a blueprint that peer-artists had no choice but to take note of.

As the music business shifted, video content became gold for unsigned musicians looking to build a buzz. He released several creative music videos that helped to push his singles. He also forged meaningful relationships with radio, club owners, promoters and independent urban media.

“When you hear a Bo Pessi song, you’ll know it’s him because it’s such a signature sound-” MoePhat, MixDown Studios

Club owners were unsure about hip hop acts performing inside of their venues. Many of them feared it would bring a rowdier crowd to their establishments. However, Bo Pessi appealed to them. Not only was he able to perform his music live—but he later hosted his release parties there. And once he was in, he kicked down the door for fellow artists who also needed the platform.

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“After I did that, I changed how club owners saw hip hop artists in this town,” says Bo Pessi. “They gave us a chance and it helped us grow our audience and our music scene.”

In the spring Bo Pessi will begin traveling to promote “Trendsetta 2.”

“Of course the pandemic hurt a lot of things because people haven’t really been getting out like before—but I still see it as an opportunity to get back out there with performances and traveling,” says Bo Pessi.

He has already released four music videos for singles titled, “I Did Dat There,” “Turn My Ish Up,” “Check Out My Whip” and “Yung Niggz.”

The album is available on streaming platforms.