Portland resists a single defining sound. Take Bocha, a Gresham-raised rapper who pairs an affinity for blog-era artists like Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, and Dom Kennedy with our city’s history of Bay Area influences. The result is a familiar yet fresh West Coast vibe.

Bars aside, Bocha understands the importance of branding and building worlds for his projects. The rollout for his latest EP, Red Grapes: Volume 1, was marked by red hues everywhere, from merch to the lighting at the listening party, while 2025 album Hooligan came with visuals for nearly every song. “It doesn’t have to be grand every time—just as long as it makes sense,” he says. When he’s not creating for himself, Bocha spreads his creativity across multiple platforms, including voiceovers for Nike and Adidas and music for stop-motion animation studio Laika. But his biggest collaboration of the year so far? Becoming a father.

Favorite place in the city to clear your mind? The studio.

Favorite part of spring? Nature’s changing colors.

Go-to Portland restaurant to take out-of-towners? Jack’s (Alberta Market) for the chicken.

Food you hate that everyone seems to love? Pho.

Retail store that’s Portland’s best-kept secret? I don’t go to stores; I thrift from the homies. 

Favorite TV show? Survivor.  

Eternal playlist song? “Mr. Carter,” Lil Wayne ft. Jay-Z.

If someone’s new to your music, what should they start with? Whatever is my most recent. 

Favorite Oregon road trip? Cannon Beach.

Local spring dish you love? My stepsister’s seafood macaroni. 

Who’s your hero? Grandma, she had nine kids.  

Best advice you’ve received? “Surprise drop for what? You’re not Beyoncé or Kendrick.”

Worst advice? Have a backup plan. 

Scariest career moment? Every time I drop an album or release music, it’s scary. 

The best gift you’ve received? My child. 

What’s your mantra? You’re closer to where you’re going than where you started. 

What’s a misconception about the city? That there’s no Black people.  

What excites you about the future of Portland? The baseball stadium. 

Three words that describe Portland? Weird. Soggy. Green. 

Three words that describe you? Creative. Brother. Fighter.