Peter $un: “From A Caterpillar To A…”

Richmond, VA, born L.A.-based rap artist, Peter $un, has dropped the official music video for “Things Can’t Stay The Same,” his biggest single to date. taken from his 2022 EP, Phone Calls Gimme Anxiety courtesy of Red Bull / Mind of a Genius Records.

Sunny shares, “The video indicates the halfway point to the next evolution of my music. Think of it as a break up from the old constructs of conciseness in love & life in my last release. This exodus frees me to explore life in its most uninhibited form on these next new releases. I’m so excited about where we are, but more excited for what’s to come.”

Last month, Sunny performed, alongside Trip Carter, Brenzy and more, to a sold-out audience at Los Angeles’ The Peppermint Club. This month he’ll take the stage at The Roxy with YGTUT and others special guests on April 30. Tickets are available here.

Now let’s hop right into this latest music video from your single, “Things Can’t Stay The Same” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?

○ This was actually the last song we recorded for the Phone Calls Gimme Anxiety EP. It was kind of just me venting, I was going through a few things and was having trouble getting myself together at that time. It was me expressing what was going on and just motivating me to be better in that moment. ●

Of course “Things Can’t Stay The Same“ comes courtesy of last year’s Phone Calls Gimme Anxiety EP — Conceptually, what does that title represent to you and for you?

○ It represents renewal, growth, and rebirth of myself. That’s why it was so important for me to have the “Metamorphosis” single part of this. This project was me battling with grief after the loss of my brother. It’s sometimes hard for me to express myself emotionally, so creating this project and putting the energy into the music was my way of coping. After getting that out it felt good! ●

How then does Phone Calls Gimme Anxiety either differ and / or compare to previous Peter $un efforts?

○ It’s more personable, cleaner. I feel like I figured out more about myself in the process of making it and the sound is elevated compared to the past records. I usually get very personal with my music, but I feel like my intentions and ideas for every song this time were way more clear and conceptual. ●

As a lyricist, when you sit down to pen your rhymes, where do you draw your inspiration from?

○ Anything that I’m going through at the time, anything I’m feeling at that moment. Sometimes if I’m not feeling anything it can come from going to a show, things going on in the world, or touching a tree or something like that, but most of the time I write from what’s going on. ●

Reflecting, tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Peter $un?

○ I started writing poetry when I was around 8. I didn’t know what I was doing at all, I didn’t even know it was poetry at the time. I was just writing stories and things that I was thinking of. After I graduated from high school though is when I really started to write more and was recording in a friend’s basement my first couple mixtapes. I just kept falling in love with it more over time. It definitely wasn’t my first choice, I wanted to be a comic illustrator or play in the NBA. ●

Now you’re a native of Richmond, by way of Los Angeles, CA, correct? So growing up in the ‘City of Angels,’ who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

○ I spent most of my life in Richmond, so I’d say more of my musical influences are probably from the East Coast of things. I was raised on Jazz and R&B, so, D’Angelo, Prince, Lauryn Hill are some of my biggest influences…but on the West I got way more into DJ Quik, Tupac of course, mostly older artists. ●

Having said that, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

○ It’s always changing depending on the mood. I’d say some neo-soul electro-funk type thing. But it’s elements of everything. ●

What led to your current signing to / with Red Bull Records / Mind of a Genius Records?

○ I dropped a single called “Myself” and Russ played it on IG Live and posted a clip, then a friend of mine knew the head of Mind of a Genius, sent him the song and clip, and we started talking from there. ●

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

○ I want people to feel motivated and inspired to do what they want. I want to empower people with my music. ●

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

○ Ms. Lauryn Hill ●

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

○ I kinda want to play at The Hollywood Bowl badly, it’s got a cool look…it’s pretty big, but still intimate. I love it there…also that answer could change tomorrow. ●

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?

○ It’s cool, I think sometimes it’s weird because it’s more about the character and antics than the actual quality of music, but it’s the entertainment industry you feel me?! Lol. I appreciate the music that’s coming out though, it’s a lot of creativity and it’s a lot of artists on the rise right now. It’s some “underground music” that’s really good. I’m just happy to be here. ●

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?

○ Quality and consistency. I put a lot of time into my music and have always written things that meant something, and that’s universal. I write about life, so I think it’s the quality of the vibes and consistently being me with it. ●

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

○ Stay patient with it and stay consistent. ●

Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you all see yourself?

○ I see myself as one of the biggest artists in the world. Touring, running a few businesses, building a label to help bring more Virginia artists to the forefront. ●

As for the immediate, what’s next for you, Peter?

○ Right now, I’m working on new singles and filming and finalizing everything for that! Going to try to stay busy with music and shows the rest of the year. Check for me Summer 2023!

Connect w/Peter $un Online:

Instagram