2Rare’s Name Speaks For Itself

In a world full of clones and copycats, cutting through the noise means setting yourself apart from the pack.

For 2Rare, being different is right there in the name.

Breaking out with his 2020 single “Big Drippa,” the rapper has worked himself into the national conversation with a relentless work ethic—he tries to post no less than two videos per day—the effortless charisma of a born showman, and enough energy to power a block in the North Philadelphia neighborhood in which he was raised.

The first thing you notice about 2Rare when he walks into the room is his colorful style. “I’m having fun with it,” he says. That vibrant mentality is at the heart of PUMA’s RS line of sneakers, which reinvent an ‘80s design through an innovative lens and deliver comfort across the entirety of the silhouette.

Reinvention is also key to 2Rare, who uses beloved sounds from his city’s past while charting a course for its future. He sits at the forefront of the Philly club rap scene that has exploded over the last couple of years. Drawing from the city’s club music traditions, the music is marked by breakneck tempos, melodic sensibilities, and lighthearted fun. Along with its regional “cousin” in New Jersey, the sound has infiltrated rap, spawned millions of hip-shaking dance videos, and influenced industry titans like Drake, who invited 2Rare to a Miami music video shoot where the two would engage in a now-viral dance battle.

Carrying on the rich legacy of his city’s dance music traditions, 2Rare’s bold, brash style mirrors the PUMA RS, which builds on its classic foundations with today’s technology.

With his new single “Rare’s Room” out now on Audiomack, 2Rare has been promoting the anticipated release with his biggest dance challenge to date and partnering with PUMA to make it more colorful than ever. Armed with a pristine chalk line, a nameplate pendant the size of an ice cube tray, and rainbow wraparound shades, the rising Philly star stopped by Audiomack for a special-edition #RaresRoomChallenge rocking a fresh pair of PUMA’s RS-TRCK kicks, which you can cop yourself at DTLR.

Audiomack: How does Philly inspire you as an artist?

2Rare: That’s where I come from… The whole environment kinda molded me into the kind of person I am today.

How would you describe your style?

Swaggy, creative, different. You know I’m 2Rare, so I gotta keep it different, fun.

How is your style important to you as an artist?

Because everybody dress the same nowadays. Everybody goes to the same store. Everybody shop the same clothes. My style is just—I’m just me.

Who are some artists that inspire you?

Future, Drake [for his versatility], and Lil Wayne too, [for] his metaphors and stuff like that.

What makes a great #RaresRoomChallenge video?

You gotta be in a different environment. You can’t just be in your room. You gotta be outside with it. I did a #RaresRoomChallenge on the highway. I did it in the mall. I did it on the elevator. Just go crazy.

Speaking of dance challenges, what was it like having a dance battle with Drake?

It was crazy, I ain’t gonna lie. It happened because we were just shooting video and stuff like that. First, he wanted to get taught the dance, so once we taught him the dance, he felt like he had it better than everybody. I’m like, “No bro, you’re not over me.” So we just started going at it and stuff.

Who won?

Yeah, I won. [Laughs]

In what ways are you living up to your name “2Rare”?

Being different. The name really speaks for itself. 2Rare like too different. My style is unique. I’m like the leader of this whole new wave that I started.

What advice would you give to artists that are trying to be unique and different?

Stay consistent. This music world that we live in now they be hearing and going, so definitely stay consistent and really be yourself. Because if you don’t be yourself you have to live up to some other stuff that’s not you. You might get exposed for it, so definitely be yourself.

Talk us through a typical day in your life.

TikToks, for one. I’m either going to TikTok, I’m going to eat a lot—buffalo wings—game, the studio, shopping, looking for more clothes. Probably Instagram Live for a little bit.

How many TikTok videos do you shoot in a day?

At least like 2 or 3. I try to be consistent.

In your opinion, who created the dance sound: Jersey or Philly?

We are like cousins, man. They made it a hot line. We made it a hot song. There it is.

Photos by Kumo. RS sneakers and track jacket provided by PUMA.

Audiomack

February 9, 2023

2Rare’s Name Speaks For Itself

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