We had the good fortune of connecting with Antonio Basalo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Antonio, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Growing up I only had 1 goal, be in the military. Be a career Sailor and retire in service, didn’t have any other goals than that. Wouldn’t have to worry about planning a lot of things because “the military would take care of it”, ha-ha-ha, boy was I wrong. After finding out I didn’t have a Green card I went into pretty much a depressive state, woe is me pity party blaming other people especially my mom because I wasn’t right on papers. To really cut it short, I started writing raps, “Christian raps to start”, to at least occupy my mind and make me feel like I’m doing something. Met a friend and we started rapping together and thru the next 10 odd years people came and went, they start rapping then quit, I watched people get more recognition & opportunities than me then they throw it all away cause of poor work ethic. But I kept moving, and thru those times I’ve worked in the restaurant industry, plenty of customer service, factories and now construction. It has taken me roughly 12 years to get a grasp of how I should handle my time. In my early and mid 20’s, can’t believe I’m saying that, I would get off work and immediately party, lagging behind my “art” because I felt it wasn’t good enough and when and if I did do it no one paid attention. “Woe is me pity party attitude”, gross. It was not until recently, just this past year (2020-21) did I realize that in my head, I have not accomplished ANYTHING in my life. After listening and reading about anything involving mental attitude, I made the decision to buckle down and change (Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink is one of many). I’ve found that I have more time to do what I need to do by managing my time better. I tried a routine, tweaked it up a bit, tired it again, and have stuck with it since, with a few minor changes after adding some more activities I found time to do. Overall I feel my balance is right, but honestly it does not leave any room for relationships, unless I made time which is part of the changed mindset. Priorities. I’ve only been doing this routine for the past 4 months and I mentally feel stable. I’m somewhat happy but I feel as though this is still the process so it will take time for me to reach my full happiness and potential.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Like I said, I’ve been rapping a little over 10 years now. Though it seems like a losing fight I genuinely love writing, recording, and performing. All of my lyrics are original, authentic, and “puntastic”. Majority of rap is trap, I’m not a gangsta in any sense. If I rap about hurting someone my metaphors and puns make it flow. I don’t need to brandish a gun on camera, doesn’t mean I won’t, just means I’m a lot more versatile in my own scene and skin. I believe my flow and style, (majority say along the lines of Em/Yelawolf) will make a come back. But with that style multiple people always tell my I won’t make it cause it’s similar. I don’t f***ing care, I enjoy doing it. I’m not sorry that I can sound like either of them. I’m not trying to find a front because I’m still trying to find me. Of course it’s not easy, I’ve seen plenty of people try this, have “bigger” success than I, but their poor work ethic eventually catches up to them and they quit. I’ve manage to stay consistent and with every song I write I can tell it’s getting better and better. Wouldn’t say radio but I can now honestly say I can hear myself on there eventually playing around the world. Willingly by people that is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly I don’t go out any longer. Not cause of Covid, just a true introvert that wants to do what I want when I want to but if and when necessary go out. But if I do, here are a few places I do visit, mainly by myself cause I have no friends, hahaha.

Frescos – Burleson, TX
Tex Mex food and badass margaritas

Sams Italian Cafe – Ft.Worth off of Sycamore School RD. (All you can eat pasta & Ziti, great food, but 1 star on customer service, just a warning)

No Frills – Cheap pitchers

Free Play – Arlington & Ft.Worth
Drink and play classic arcade video games

7th Street – Downtown Ft.Worth
All bars except Varsity

Old TX Brewing Co – Burleson
Live bands, drinks, and good people

Top Golf – Downtown Ft.Worth

Defender Outdoors Shooting Center – Ft.Worth
Get my Pew on

Texas Gun Experience – Grapevine
Get my Pew Pew on

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Plenty, and I’m sorry if I miss anyone out.

GOD

Family

REAL Friends – you know if you know

“Extreme Ownership” – book by Jocko Willink

Talon Smith – Head Coach @CrossfitL3

Edwin Rodriguez – PTK, FMA, Kali, MMA Coach @Texasdefenseacademy

Ted Calton “Junk” – The man that helped record my songs for the first few years getting my feet wet in the game

JAMZ Entertainmet – @Jamzent

Website: Www.Buddarudda.com

Instagram: @buddarudda

Twitter: Twitter.com/buddarudda

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Buddarudda

Youtube: Youtube.com/buddarudda

Other: SC: buddarudda Soundcloud.com/buddarudda Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7GFfB11TrHz9fs8YKvA17I?si=UW0ngiLCS46AY_lAOIEg5g&utm_source=copy-link

Image Credits
BEN G FILMZ Myself (Antonio Basalo)

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