It’s really hard not to like Floco Torres. The charismatic emcee moved to Akron from Macon, GA in early 2017 at the urging of The Devil Strip publisher Chris Horne. Horne saw opportunity in the land of tires and Jojos for his talented friend. Torres quickly began to light up the local music scene. With a fiery main stage performance at the 2017 PorchRokr event and a highly-coveted opening gig for P.O.S in Cleveland last November, Floco Torres has shown that he is, in fact, the real deal.

On Friday, June 1 at 7:30 pm, Floco Torres will be playing the “Busk Until Dusk” concert series in Kenmore. The free event is designed to highlight the vast amount of diverse and talented musicians that call the 330 home…as well as to continue the path to redemption for the bruised but defiant community.

Bouncy & inspirational, "You" was shot in the Rubber City

So, now that you have had a chance to settle in and take the temperature of the city, how has Akron been treating you?

Akron’s been great, I’ve been having fun absorbing the energy here and seeing where it takes me. I think the artists are my favorite element. Across every medium, there’s something really cool being created. (Oh, and) Cleveland sports fandom is strange.

How do you gauge the health of the Northeast Ohio music scene?

I think it’s more healthy than it realizes but being a transplant allows me to look at things without bias—high school exes and stuff like that—so maybe it’s not my place to gauge.

Never one to rest, you recently released “Chance.” What’s the story behind the song?

I’ve had “Chance” for about 3 years. I battle with self-confidence as a human being first, then as an artist second, so when I wrote this I wanted to create something that was an accurate depiction of the battle with our mirrors. Plus, the production jams so it sets off this weird juxtaposition of the content being heavy–but then these big band horns come in. Haha!

I’m sure there’s science behind it but I think it’s really not meant to be explained.

You cover music for The Devil Strip, an Akron-based arts & culture publication. (Full disclosure: I’m also a contributor.) Does working on the other side of the microphone influence your music?

I’m not sure if it influences my music because it’s just a different form of storytelling. It does influence my desire to help and support artists more. As artists, we complain about not getting opportunities but, when they come, we don’t have our stuff together. (Or) sometimes we do and we don’t get the chances anyway. So it just makes me want to share whatever info or opportunities I have to shine a light on dope work.

I’ve always felt that music has healing properties. Do you agree?

Yea definitely, I think it’s because music is the one language that can speak to everyone. For me personally, a good chord change can lift my whole day up, hahaha. I’m sure there’s science behind it but I think it’s really not meant to be explained. Even if it’s just for 3 minutes, there’s a song out there somewhere that will make you feel better.

How do you come to be involved with the Busk Until Dusk event on June 1? What do you have in store for Kenmore that night?

I was invited to come out there after sitting in on a gig with HR3. I like what they’re trying to do in Kenmore so I wanna help bring some fun to the area if I can. I’m going to try out some stuff from my new album and just hang out with some new faces. Probably freak someone out who didn’t expect a rapper to be on the sidewalk singing songs, too.

Floco Torres will be performing with Black Milk and Jul Big Green on Monday, July 16 at the Grog Shop in Cleveland. Click HERE to purchase tickets.

For all other information or to contact him, Floco Torres can be found online HERE or daily on Twitter.

For more information about the “Busk Until Dusk” summer concert series, click HERE. (FYI-There will be loads more musicians, a food truck and many shops on the Boulevard will be staying open late for your convenience.)

More Akron Music Coverage

Busk Until Dusk (2018): A Preview of Akron’s Most Exciting Music Series

Floco Torres: Live in Akron (2016)

PorchRokr Music & Arts Festival (2017)

Interview: Luminari XI

Bones of the Boulevard: An Interview with Jim Ballard (2018)