B. Fikes to play ATO house tonight

If you ran into Bryan Fikes on his way to an accounting class at Ole Miss dressed in a Polo shirt and Ole Miss cap, you might think he was another typical frat boy cramming in a test before that night’s party.

But behind this preppy exterior lies a talented rap artist pursuing his dream to bring something new to hip-hop and to show the world that no one should judge a book by its cover.

Born in an elite Tupelo neighborhood, Bryan “B.” Fikes was raised as a stereotypical prep kid, however, as he expresses in his music, he is more than a rich kid who grew up at the country club.  

Growing up in the suburbs was a chapter in Fikes’ life that he rejected and ignored for a while.

As his resentment grew toward the lifestyle most people would die for, Fikes actively pursued distractions he thought would help him achieve popularity at school.  

Soon Fikes became controlled and consumed by the activities he once saw as harmless and cool. He found himself trapped in a dark place from which he could not exit.

During this period, Fikes began hanging out with people from other neighborhoods in town, including numerous rappers and hip-hop enthusiasts.  

“The people I was around made fun of my (preppy) lifestyle,” Fikes said.

 “I lost street credibility because my parents lived in a nice house and drove nice cars, and their parents didn’t.

“I couldn’t stand that. Instead of that lifestyle being something I was proud of and happy about, it was like, why do I have it so good, and why do I have to have it so made?”  

It was during this time that Fikes developed his love of hip-hop music.

“That’s all they listened to, and I was submerged in it,” Fikes said.

“Those guys studied it. For them it’s not just music you dance to, it’s stories being told from where they’re from.”

Ultimately, through his faith, family, friends and love of hip-hop music, Fikes says he rose out of some very dark hours.  

He has changed that darkness and resentful attitude into a completely opposite mindset.

Like any college kid, Fikes still loves to go out and have fun, but he has also seen firsthand what happens when the pursuit of fun becomes a priority.

As a result, Fikes’ music has catchy club beats, but it communicates heartfelt recollections of his life struggles.  

Fikes’ age, along with his social and single lifestyle, provides a wide variety of playful material from which he is able to draw musical inspiration.

However, he also sends a sobering message in his music by expressing his regrets of getting caught up in a lifestyle that can have detrimental consequences.

“I’m now proud of where I came from,” Fikes said. “I’m not just some rich prep kid that has never been through struggle or hard times. You can think that all you want, but that’s not the case.”

Fikes’ debut demo album “Rhythm of My Life” incorporates each of his styles into a diverse inaugural release.  

From the album-opener “Anthem for the Suburbs” and the poignant description of his struggles in “Stay Strong” to the club-shaker “Oh My Gah,” he writes what he knows.

His talent has already begun to catch the attention of some heavy-hitters in the music business.  

“First time I heard B. Fikes, I thought, I gotta get him signed cause he’s got a real cool sound,” said Computer, assistant of Three 6 Mafia. “B. Fikes works hard.

“People that work hard, the rest will happen to them. It doesn’t have to do anything with color.

“He really has an advantage on everyone else in this industry.”

“People laugh every time I tell them I’m rapping,” Fikes said. “Why wouldn’t you? I’m a white guy; it’s not taken seriously. It’s frustrating at first, but I let the music do the talking.

“Then they say ‘Wow, when you said you rapped we didn’t think that.’

In this genre of music, hip-hop, nine times out of 10 when a white boy comes in trying to rap, people get freaked out. I’ve known what my dream has been though. I have always loved it.”

Fikes is indeed living his dream.

Music has become Fikes’ therapy, his release and his journey — all which get him pumped up for a night out or a football game and a vessel to share his faith and tell his story.

“It’s become my healthy addiction,” Fikes said.

“With any addictive personality, I think if you find a way to channel it towards the proper things, it can be highly efficient and extremely effective because you zone in on things with an intense desire.”

As a result of this intense desire to succeed, Fikes will be performing with Blue Ocean Live on college campuses around the country this year.

“Blue Ocean Live has more than 40 schools that we do shows with from year to year.

“Performers are Lil Jon, Snoop Dogg, Three 6 Mafia, Saliva, Justin Timberlake and the lead singer from The Killers,” Computer said.

Tonight, we have the privilege of checking out this blue-eyed, blond-haired, self-proclaimed prepster who will ignite and appeal to a crowd of a variety of races.

He will continue to denounce stereotypes while he sets the tone for rapper Gorilla Zoe.  

Rap on with B. Fikes tonight at the Alpha Tau Omega house and experience his life story firsthand.