Exclusive Interview with BTA

Artist Spotlight: BTA

BTA (Before The Altar) is a hip-hop artist and producer known for creating calm, relationship-focused music. His latest single, “Lonely Lately,” explores loneliness within a relationship while still offering hope, blending atmospheric production with vulnerable singing and rapping.
 

Inspired by his own experiences, BTA aims to present a realistic and relatable perspective on love. His background in the church—where he sang in the choir, served as a junior deacon, and began ministering young—shaped both his performance skills and understanding of music’s emotional impact, while his Air Force experience reinforced discipline and structure.  Though he started with Christian rap, BTA has since broadened his artistic identity while still carrying the values and foundation of his upbringing. Now, he focuses on making music that is honest, emotionally resonant, and rooted in positivity, connection, and real-life experiences.
 

Pulling back the curtain, BTA shares what fuels their artistry, the pressure of legacy, and the joy of creating something timeless

BH Review: How do your personal experiences shape your music?

BTA: Because when I write, I have to draw from something. My personal experiences are still a part of my life, especially past ones. It’s like I subconsciously start to write about my personal experiences of living without the one I love, or even politics. Then I listen to the song, and I learn from what I’m saying in my lyrics. I learned to never quit or give up because I’m presently doing better than I was a year ago.

BH Review: Who are your biggest musical influences?

BTA: I really like Michael Jackson’s music. I like U2 as well. I like all music that has a message. I feel like I used to listen to a lot of rap music, and I kept that ability, but I want to try to delve into singing a lot more. I am really inspired by singers like Teddy Pendergrass, The Temptations, and a lot of old school soul singers. I think The Weekend is an amazing singer. Usher, Pharrell, Kanye, Chris Brown. The list goes on and on.

BH Review: When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?

BTA: I realized I wanted to be a musician when I was at church at the age of 5, watching the organist play the organ. I remember watching him operate the thing with his feet, and he would keep hitting switches and pulling tabs, and it sounded amazing. I knew that I wanted to make music and sing in the choir someday when I got older.

BH Review: What challenges did you face early in your career, and how did you overcome them?

BTA: I faced a challenge with finances early on in my career. I really wanted to be a producer as well, and I wanted music equipment. But when I got my first full-time job, I was able to fund my music equipment. It felt amazing, and I remember using my closet as a recording booth. I recorded a whole album in there named Octane. I don’t have it anymore, but maybe I’ll remake it.

BH Review: What’s the story behind your favorite song you’ve written?

BTA: The story behind my favorite song that I have ever written. I was going to college online, finishing up my bachelor's degree, and I was feeling really good inside, but I was lonely. I didn’t have any more friends, and my girlfriend and I were taking some time apart. So, I was just lonely, and I wanted to capture that feeling through audio. It was a feeling of wanting a supportive woman in my life and knowing I would have that someday.

BH Review: What’s something about you that fans might be surprised to learn?

BTA: Fans would be surprised to learn that I was born with a problem with my tongue, and I couldn’t talk properly. I had to have surgery to fix it. So, there is a chance there would never have been a BTA if I hadn’t had that surgery. That’s when I was a kid, and it took a while to recover, but it was worth it.

BH Review: What’s the most significant change you’ve seen in yourself since starting your music career?

BTA: I have noticed that I am working harder on music. I used to write my music really fast, but now I’m taking more time to perfect the song. I guess you can say I noticed that I have changed more as an artist. I only have 4 songs out right now, and I think I’m content with that. I used to want to have a bunch of songs in the streaming stores, but I feel fine with what I have.

BH Review: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?

BTA:  I enjoy watching old Bob Ross painting videos when I’m not making music. It’s very relaxing. I like to see him mix the colors, and it’s wild because if you walk away and come back, you will be like, “How did he paint that?” lol.

BH Review: How do you balance your personal life with your music career?

BTA: I just take it easy, and I try to relax as much as I can. I know that for me, the more stressed I am, the more I want to make music. But I don’t want to drown all of my pain out with music because I don’t want to lay all of that on my fans. So, I just learned to relax and wind down, and I try to keep a relaxing environment.