B. Aull is a twenty-five-year old Brooklyn based, Portland raised hip hop artist coming to the Java Barn on Thursday, January 30th. He’s played sold out shows in Portland, with A-Boggie, Dmx, and Little Techa, and at the University of New England’s spring fest, where he opened for Super Duper Kyle.

His music makes you move; it’s catchy, fun and “bouncy,” as he himself described it. 

After studying visual recording in school, he works to create beat bumping music and visual pleasing music videos. B, as he asked me to call him, is trying to make “heaters,” his listeners can have fun with. 

The other day I was lucky enough to chat with him on the phone. We talked about growing up in Maine, his music, and his excitement to play at Java. Most of the conversation is printed below. 

Will: How would you describe the small town, outside of Portland, Maine, where you grew up? 

B. Aull:  Everyone is very humble. It’s dope and I love it. I would consider it a Big part of who I am. I grew up in a town called Saco, which is about twenty minutes outside of Portland. Portland is pretty much the only city in Maine, but it is hardly a city really. I think it has a population of about 75,000. But it’s great. Everybody knows each other and is really kind. If anybody gets a chance, they should head up there. 

Will: Who were your biggest musical influences, hip hop or otherwise? 

B. Aull: Probably around the time I was in middle school, is when I really got into Hip Hop. My mom was like, one of the few hip-hop heads in Maine. I’d say my biggest influences early on, you know, were people like Nas, and Biggie, Kanye, 50 Cent. I loved G unit growing up. Actually, the first album I bought growing up was Ludacris’s Red-Light District. I had quite a few influences growing up. 

Will: Was there a specific moment when you knew you wanted to go into music? 

B. Aull: Oh, for sure. I first started making Hip Hop when I was a Junior in High School, I started rapping with a friend. We made this diss track about this kid in my high school and a lot of people were like ‘you’re pretty good at this, you should keep going’ and I was like word. And of course, it’s in High School, so you know, a lot of kids hate. That’s just the nature of it. But a big moment for me was about a month later when I saw J-Cole perform at Portland music hall. This was before he was big, so it was only like a 600-person show. Me and my friend were only 16 at the time, so we had to get my mom to take us [laughs] but it was unbelievable. 

Will: How would you describe your music? 

B. Aull: I would say… mostly bouncy, fun. You know, stuff I think you might play at a party. The stuff I’m making behind the scenes, is um, leaning more towards the R&B side. I’m still rapping on stuff, but I’m experimenting with singing more. So, I’m still trying to like, expand my artistry. I don’t think I have a specific sound yet, but I definitely gravitate towards the fun, bouncy music, as well as the R&B sound.  

Will: Brandon Bennet and Bensbeendead, who you’ve played with in the past, will be opening for you. Are you excited? What do you take away from their music? 

B. Aull: He’s [Brandon] an artist I became cool with over the past nine months. My boy Garret started sending me some his stuff and him some of my stuff. Brandon had some crazy shit. Bensbeendead sent me more and, it was just kind of like a natural vibe we all just kind of where on the wave and had a similar sound. We actually all got together and did, like, a music camp. We got an AirBNB in the woods in Maine and just made music for like two days straight. So, we got a couple dope joints. We might actually play one at the Java Barn for the first time (Me: Yeah you gotta!), Yeah that’s what I’m saying. It’s the first time we’ll all be together performing at a show. 

Will: Any messages for SLU? 

B. Aull: I hope everyone is ready to have an amazing time. I hope everybody is ready to be moving all night long. We got three dope acts coming. My DJ is gonna spinning all night long, you know, rap, electronic, house. If you wanna have the best night of your semester [laughter], come on by!