For Williams Lake artist Bryan Delaronde, who goes by the stage name Bioson, hip-hop music is about building something positive.
“Hip hop music might be created by people who had negative experiences growing up,” the 28 year old told the Tribune in advance of a concert he is organizing to help the Salvation Army food bank in Williams Lake. “But it is a way to tackle problems and I have seen personally that it works.”
Often he has invited guys into the recording studio on a Saturday night and they’ve stayed for hours, admitting later they feel good being off the streets and out of trouble.
“Creating music is the best addiction to have,” he said.
The concert will take place at CJ’s Southwestern Grill, Saturday, Feb. 25 with headliner and rapper Madchild.
Formerly with the band Swollen Members, Madchild branched out as a solo artist and released his first solo album in 2009.
Grappling with his own life struggles, Madchild has found solace making music and often speaks about drugs and gang life at B.C. high schools
“Williams Lake is part of a tour that Madchild’s on which will break the record for longest tour by a solo artist,” Bioson said.
Born in Whitehorse, Yukon, Bioson moved to Williams Lake when he was four years old and through music made friends he would have not known otherwise, he said.
“We probably wouldn’t have spoken to each other if it wasn’t for the music.”
Sharing the stage as openers are local hip hop artists Rich Mac, Beka Solo, King Hood, Alphabetic, PFK, Dirty Fraser and DJZ.
“All of these openers are a great to push for the show,” Bioson said, adding he loves involving as many people as possible.
“I tell people if they aren’t musical there are lots of things they can do to help musicians. Whether it’s delivering fliers, doing photography or video, or being a street team manager.”
Presently Bioson is working on his second full-length album and should be done in April.
After that he hopes to go on a cross-Canada tour in the summer of 2017 as up until now he has performed mainly in B.C. and a bit in Alberta.
One of his newest songs is actually an anthem to Williams Lake which he said he feels is a privilege to write.
“I am recording in Williams Lake with Jamie Warnock on Friday night a song I am writing called ‘I’m from the Puddle,’ that will highlight successful people from this community like Brock Hoyer, Kayla Moleschi, Carey Price and Stuart McLellan,” Bioson said smiling. “It’s going to be really upbeat with no swearing. Hopefully something that can be played at events in Williams Lake.”
Recently Bioson’s social media site broke one million views.
“I am grant-funded and finding the music has evolved into something I’m often running to keep up with,” he added.
Tickets for the concert are available at CJ’s while they last.
Update: In the original article it said the concert was all-ages, but it is going to 19 and older, CJ's owner Kathy Rossignol said.
"We are trying to arrange for a daytime all-ages performance with Madchild, but will confirm at later date," Rossignol added.