Orion Paxx is a multi-talented independent artist from Miami. He is also 1 1/2 member of the hip-hop duo Bckgmn (Backgammon) with J. Sexton. From touring in Japan to rocking in the U.S., his music is a blend of lush sonic landscapes and hard-hitting rhymes, attracting all walks of life!

Check out “Boarding Pass” by BCKGMN on Spotify:

Can you tell our readers about what really inspired you to write music?

Orion Paxx – What really inspired me to write, and get into music, was probably while I was in school. I was like 14, and one of my friends showed me some rhymes he wrote, and I was like, “you wrote that?” So after that, I thought to myself, “if he can write something like that, I know I can, and it’ll be way more dope!” So I got myself a notebook and started writing. Inspiration is also drawn from artists I listen to. From Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie, Tupac, Snoop, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, Common, Wu-Tang, Talib Kweli, Kanye, Big Pun, Fat Joe. The list can go on forever!! Those are just a few names.

When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?

Orion Paxx – I think I probably realized that music was something I wanted to do, and take more seriously was prob around the time I came back from Japan, on tour. Which was amazing!! That was around 2015. My team and I have really been going hard for the past 3 years. In the studio, working, creating, etc.

Tell us what is so unique about you and your music?

Orion Paxx – I think what is unique about myself, is that I’ve had the opportunity to travel and live in different places around the world. My pops were in the military (Air Force) So my family and I moved and traveled a lot. I lived in Japan for 4 years, when I was little, all throughout the U.S. also I lived in Italy for 4 years, which was an amazing experience, by the way! In Italy is where I really got into music, started writing, etc. I have been all over Europe. From Paris, Switzerland, Brussels, all thru Germany, and I think having that experience made me a more well-rounded person, that can appreciate different cultures and different people. So the music is not one-sided, because of that, it’s a blend of everything, a representation of me. And it’s dope!! If you enjoy good music, then you def have to check me out!!

Can you tell us about your latest releases and what inspired you to create them?

Orion Paxx – My latest releases are with my Hip-Hop duo I started with my dude J. Sexton. We call ourselves Bckgmn (Backgammon). This means “Be Confident Keep Grinding Make Noise” BCKGMN We have 2 releases out now, via Spotify, Apple Music, all streaming platforms. The first one is called, “4th Quarter” produced by my guy; Ash Grayson. That record is basically about the grind, coming up, putting in work, staying focused. And the second one is called “Get Me Out of Here” produced by Ash Graysun. That song is basically about getting out of the state of mind that you’re currently in, whether it be physically, or mentally. We also released music videos for both of them as well. You can subscribe on Youtube!! @bckgmn to check them out.

Can you give us a brief insight into your upcoming projects?

Orion Paxx – So I’m really excited about this new release!! We, my group Bckgmn just released our first album, called “Boarding Pass” which is available everywhere to stream!! People are really feeling the new project, and the responses have been nothing but positive. So if you haven’t checked out the new album, Boarding Pass, by Bckgmn yet, I encourage you to go check it out!! Also, I wanted to give a huge shout-out to my team, J. Sexton, Ash Grayson, RKO. Those guys are my brothers, without them none of this would have been possible. Love those guys!! We continue to push each other daily, and uplift each other. That’s my fam!!

What do you wish you were told when you first started making music that you think would help artists just starting out?

Orion Paxx – I think what I wish I was told when I first started making music, would be, to have yourself a team, of people, doesn’t have to be a huge team, but a team that you work with, which will uplift you, and are positive and believe in your dreams, and aspirations. I’ve been working with my team for about 10 years now. To find you a team!! People that believe in you.

What do you do when you don’t do music (creative or otherwise) that you are passionate about?

Orion Paxx – Well besides making music, I also work on the radio. I’m an on-air talent on 103.5 The Beat here in Miami. And I’m also the affiliate producer for the Breakfast Club morning show, in south Florida. I have a Sunday afternoon show that I do, I’m on-air from 3 pm-7 pm Sundays. Gotta tune in to ya boy!! If you’re not in Miami, you can listen live with our iheartradio app. It’s a free app to listen to thousands of radio stations across the country. I do voice-over work as well for our iheartradio app, and other clients. I enjoy working on the radio, making people smile and feel good while I’m on the air. And when I’m not working, I like to work out, play ball, hang with the fam, my brothers, my niece. I’m a huge nerd, so I love going to local comic shops around my area, and also I’m a movie nerd too, so I watch a lot of movies as well.

Any last piece of advice for those artists who just started making music?

Orion Paxx – Any advice I can give for artists just starting out is to keep grinding, and network. Networking is really important. Building relationships with people, whether it be via social media, or out at events.  Any local shows, open mics, showcases, in your area, head out there sign up. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. And lastly, just be true to yourself, who you are, and what you represent.

How can our readers follow you online?

Orion Paxx – You can follow me on IG: @itsorionpaxx 

Also, subscribe to the @bckgmn Youtube channel.

On Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms search Orion Paxx, and my group as well, search bckgmn on all streaming platforms.

Facebook.com/bckgmn

Twitter: @bckgmn