Hip-Hop artist, Dangerous Zygos!
Who were your earliest musical influences, both locally and nationally, and how do those influences show up in your music today? Nationally, I came up with legends like Wu-Tang, Nas, Twista, Papoose, Canibus, and Rakim. What pulled me in was that East Coast lyrical weight, they weren’t just rapping, they were building bars bigger than life. Rakim especially had that delivery and power. Jay-Z too, laid back, classic, but still sharp with the pen. And of course, Tupac. He didn’t just write lyrics, he painted culture, made you feel something deeper. That’s always stayed with me. Locally, I’m from Ohio, so Bone Thugs-N-Harmony hit home. Being from the same state, they showed me it was possible to break through while staying true to your sound. Their flow, harmony, and raw emotion had a big impact on me. From the jump, I’ve gravitated toward artists who brought raw lyricism and storytelling. You can hear that in my music today, the structure, the content, the punch in every line.
You’re representing Columbus, Ohio, how has the city shaped your sound, your grind, and your perspective as an artist? Columbus is where I was born and raised, so everything I speak in my bars comes from these CO streets. The pain, the gain, the lessons… it’s all lived. This city taught me to stand on my own. I’ve never been a wave rider. I’ve always been a trendsetter. Columbus made that clear: don’t follow, create. It shaped my sound by forcing me to be original. I never wanted to sound like anybody else. I wanted to sound like me. And Columbus gave me that mindset.
How would you describe your musical style to someone hearing your music for the first time, and what separates you from other artists in today’s hip-hop landscape? I’d describe myself more as a lyricist than just a rapper. My bars carry meaning, depth, and intention, there’s knowledge, metaphor, and structure behind every line. I don’t just rhyme words, I say something. What separates me is the discipline in my craft. I’m smart, I’m educated, and that shows in my pen game. I choose to elevate my vocabulary. You’ll rarely catch me relying on cuss words to fill space, I’ve got the language to say more, and say it better. In a landscape where a lot of artists chase trends, I focus on substance. My style is sharp, purposeful, and built to last.
Tell us about Currency Development. Currency Development is my label, music group, and publishing company, built from the ground up. I started it in 2014, and it’s still moving strong today. It’s more than a name, it’s a foundation. A platform I created to own my vision, control my narrative, and help other artists do the same. I built Currency Development on independence, longevity, and real value, and that mission hasn’t changed.
What themes or messages are you most intentional about communicating through your music? I keep my music rooted in real life—true to me, true to what I’ve lived. A lot of artists fake it for clout, and I’ll be honest… I’ve done that in my younger years. But growth changes your perspective. Now, everything I put in my music reflects who I am, good or bad. I lean into wisdom, knowledge, and truth. I don’t need to fake a lifestyle or seek validation. I’d rather give people something real they can feel, think about, or learn from.
Walk us through your creative process. Do your songs usually start with a beat, a hook, or a personal experience? To kick off the process, I usually spark some sativa and pour a little something to sip on, helps get the creative flow right. From there, it really depends on the vibe. I’m both a producer and a lyricist, so I come at it from both sides. Sometimes I’ll write with no beat at all, just piecing together a hook or a verse based on what I’m feeling. Other times, I’ll start with the beat, let it speak to me, see what kind of emotion or message it pulls out. Either way, I don’t force it. I let the process unfold naturally, but I stay intentional with what I create.
Columbus has a growing hip-hop scene. How do you see your role within it, and what do you think the city needs to reach the next level musically? My role in Columbus is to represent the city with truth, and to push the culture forward. But if we’re being real, what’s holding us back isn’t talent, it’s unity. There’s too much ego, too much ‘every man for himself.’ We pick and choose who we want to support, and it’s rarely based on merit. We’ll show love to outsiders before building up our own. That’s what keeps us stagnant. Until we shift that mindset, until we start moving like a community, not competitors, we’ll stay stuck. It takes real brotherhood, real collaboration, and a shared belief in the scene. That’s how we take it to the next level.
What project or song best represents where you are right now as an artist, and why is it important to you? The project that best represents where I am right now is Sunday Sessions: Book 1. That one shows my growth, mentally, spiritually, and lyrically. I dropped major keys there. It’s not for everybody, but it should be. If you’re not on that same frequency, some of it might go over your head, and I’m okay with that. This project reflects where my mind is today. It’s deeper, it’s sharper, and it’s meant to spark something real. It’s a checkpoint in my evolution as an artist, and as a man.
What challenges have you faced on your journey so far, and how have those obstacles helped shape your mindset and work ethic? Man, I’ve been through a lot, pain, betrayal, setbacks, but also some epic moments. Too much to lay out here, honestly. I’ve touched on some of it in my music, but I haven’t gone all the way in yet. That’s coming. Sunday Sessions: Book 2 is where I plan to really dig into that pain and unpack the full story. Every obstacle I’ve faced has shaped my mindset and my grind. I’ve learned to stay solid, stay focused, and let the music carry the truth, when the time’s right.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect next from you, and what legacy are you aiming to build with your music? Fans can expect more original, next-level content, music with meaning and momentum. The roster’s growing. The catalog’s expanding. And the vision’s only getting sharper. I’m building an empire that’s built to last. I’ve been in this game for over twenty years, and I’m still evolving. Currency Development is more than a label, it’s a movement. A mindset. A way of life.
This isn’t just about making music. It’s about making a mark.