With a relentless entrepreneurial spirit and genre-blending rap and hip hop tracks, CONTAGEOUS FUNK has never stopped, since throwing himself into the music scene at the age of 10, when he became a local celebrity in his neighbourhood of Nyack, New York as a party DJ. When he was 16 he started exploring music production, forming his rap group Ruff Edgz with friends, brokering a deal with Atlantic. Unfortunately, due to not being able to combine their continuing education with touring, the group eventually dissolved, but CONTAGEOUS FUNK persevered in the music industry, enrolling at the Institute of Audio Research in New York City, discovering a passion for audio engineering.
He took a break to hone his craft, and embarked on entrepreneurial pursuits, such as his own production company, Rocktown Entertainment, at 19 years old. Now he is the CEO of Real Street Enterprises, an umbrella company comprising a publishing house, record label, and more, stemming from the visions of FUNK and his cousin. On top of all that, he’s about to share new music, with new album, ‘Vindicated’, slated for release next year.
CONTAGEOUS FUNK’s new single, ‘BY ANY MEANS’, could be called a “hustler song”, given that it embodies the spirit of hustle culture, but it’s really a double-edged sword. On one hand, we see FUNK striving to turn the negative stereotypes of hustle culture on its head, by celebrating those who work hard to turn their money into more money. On the other hand it also highlights the struggle of working tirelessly just to get by, revolving everything around making money because one has no other choice. This resonates deeply with FUNK himself, given he’s a self-made entrepreneur. With FUNK’s signature sound, a perfect balance of old-school funk rhythms with a bouncing trap beat and impressively fluid flow, and despite its commentary on grind culture, ‘BY ANY MEANS’ is a positive track, with its emphasis on taking control of one’s destiny and empowering oneself.
The music video for ‘BY ANY MEANS’ was shot in his hometown Nyack, New York, and directed by Andrew G, who, together with FUNK, infuses elements of his personality and upbringing into the story. With local scenes such as a laundromat, they play with the idea of a money-making cycle – not money laundering, but rather, entrepreneurialism. FUNK throws his cash into the washer, and from there reaps more returns, which he pegs up individually to dry. He stresses the importance of enjoying the money he’s made, with scenes of a neon-lit club interspersed throughout the clip. CONTAGEOUS FUNK showcases his consistent resilience by simply being himself, and encouraging audiences to push through any obstacle they may face.
Check out the music video for ‘BY ANY MEANS’ below, and follow CONTAGEOUS FUNK online on his official website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
