Harlem based artist Scorch embodies the golden rule of hip hop, combining the hottest beats with the true flair of a lyricist. Part dream, part grim reality, Scorch’s music highlights the reality that so many young men are facing. While he doesn’t personally endorse illicit behavior, Scorch made the best of his circumstances and now makes music for young men in similar positions.
His new song, Pocketful, is a banger—delivering on rhythm and dose of truth—has been making virtual waves in the underground scene.
Scorch is not at all new to the music hustle. He’s been writing and producing music since the age of seven. He said he still remembers being 7 years old watching his dad Steve Brown, member of renowned group Charts, practice his favorite song Desiree with the band in their 3-bedroom apartment. Scorch remembers it as something magical. That was the moment he knew he wanted to make music too; not for money or fame, but for his family. He used to perform his dad’s songs for his family in their apartment. Scorch grinds this music hustle to support his family and make them proud.
Since an early age, Scorch demonstrated respectable focus. He honed his skills and his passion for music and continued to grow; he graduated from performing in his apartment to doing gigs at Kingdom courts at the Martin Luther King Tower in Harlem, freestyling and flexing his skills as an MC. He got a lot of love from his city in those early days. They saw the vision. He took his skills on the road shortly after heading down to Yuma Arizona where he performed at high profile clubs and boosted his reputation as an artist.
“I was raised by royalty,” says Scotch. “My mom was a queen and taught me to always stay humble.” He was inspired by watching his father practice, but he has equal respect for his mother who was also a singer. She gave Scorch unwavering faith and support.
He reminisced; “when I didn’t get something I’d be frustrated, and she said, ‘Baby just focus. If you work hard it’ll come to you.’ Thanks to her I’ll never be lazy. I’ll never give up on myself.”
With a refusal to be pigeonholed and a fierce determination to make it to the top of the charts, Scorch is making headway in the music world.
When I asked Scorch about his process when writing he said; “I listen to the beat and let it tell me what to say. A lot of artists try to force the music. I just let it flow through me.” After listening to the tracks he sent I have no doubt about it! His music doesn’t sound fake or forced. The rhythm is smooth. The bars seem effortless. It’s modern content but he still has that old-school vibe.
Scorch spends most of his time producing his music. Studio time is money, so Scorch makes the most of it. He doesn’t bring a big crowd of people with him. It’s not a party. It’s crunch time. If he brings anyone it’ll be his right-hand man Cutta. When Scorch gets in the booth he needs the lights out. He prefers the dark so he can focus solely on the art and stay in the zone. Anyone who is lucky enough to be in the studio must be silent. Although that’s not even something that needs to be asked because when Scorch spits everybody shuts up. He’s got a presence and swag that is amplified with every bar!
Scorch always put on a fiery show. When Scorch performed at the Glendale Arena in Arizona the crowd begged him to perform two more songs after his set. He has also been on Battle of the Bands, VH1 and BET! Scorch books gigs easily because people recognize his ability to control the audience. The vibe at his concerts is always movie worthy.
Beyond the music, Scorch is first and foremost a respectable and diligent man. In 2016 Obama’s campaign manager reached out to Scorch’s manager and hired him on to do shows campaigning for Barack. He did several shows in New Jersey in a few clubs and on yachts. Scorch also wrote and performed the song Can You Feel It with Jay Willz for Obama. He did his part in ensuring the election of our first African American president.
Scorch does a lot of work for our community. He has always been a youth advocate and has worked with SoBro YouthBuild for years. Scorch is a part of the Buy Harlem Back campaign. Working with other Harlem born and raised POC to buy property in Harlem and maintain the community. There is such a deep history of black excellence in Harlem and that essence could never be stripped away, but Scorch wants to be a part of ensuring its preservation. When asked what drives him to do so much volunteer work he simply stated, “Participating in something bigger than myself makes me feel happier and accomplished.”
Scorch’s advice to any aspiring artists out there is; “Feel what you’re doing. You need to have a burning desire to make it, an uncontrollable urge that you can’t fight, or else you aren’t going to put your all into this.”
