The rapper Logic, who was born in Maryland, surprised the music world in 2020 by announcing his retirement from hip-hop. He released his last album, “No Pressure,” on July 24, 2020, which marked the end of his ten-year career as one of the most versatile and influential rappers of his time.
But what prompted Logic to leave behind his passion and his fans? The answer lies in his personal life, as he revealed in an exclusive interview with Billboard. Logic, whose real name is Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, became a father in 2019, and decided to dedicate his time and energy to raising his son, Bobby.
“I just wanted to retire because I’m over it man. Not even in a negative way, I’m just over it. I love music and I’m gonna continue to make music on my own. I can’t not just make music. It’s a journal for me. It’s how I express myself. It’s how I heal, but with Logic, I’m stepping away,”
he said.
Logic explained that music was his way to cope with the hardships he faced growing up in a dysfunctional family surrounded by drugs, violence, and poverty. He said that music saved his life, and gave him a purpose and a voice. He also credited his fans for supporting him throughout his journey, and said that he felt responsible for inspiring them with his music.
However, Logic also faced much criticism and negativity from some journalists and critics in the hip-hop industry, who questioned his authenticity, skills, and identity as a biracial rapper. Logic said that these comments hurt him deeply, and affected his mental health and self-esteem.
“I felt like I wasn’t accepted in hip-hop. I felt like I wasn’t accepted by the black community, I wasn’t accepted by the white community. I felt like I was in this weird gray area where I didn’t belong anywhere. And it made me feel really bad about myself,”
he said.
He said that he tried to ignore the haters, and focus on the positive feedback he received from his peers and mentors in the industry, such as Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake, and Eminem. He said that these artists showed him love and respect, and encouraged him to keep making music that he believed in.
Logic also said that he was not quitting music altogether, but rather taking a break from the spotlight and the pressure of being a mainstream rapper. He said that he would continue to make music independently and share it with his fans on his own terms. He also expressed his interest in producing beats for aspiring rappers on Twitch, a live-streaming platform where he has a large following.
“I want to help people who are like me, who have a dream and a vision, and who don’t have the resources or the connections to make it happen. I want to give them a chance to shine, and to share their music with the world. I want to be a mentor and a friend to them,”
he said.
Logic said that he was happy with his decision to retire from rap, and that he felt a sense of peace and freedom. He said that he was looking forward to spending more time with his family, and enjoying the simple things in life.
“I’m just a regular guy who loves rap, who loves video games, who loves movies, who loves his son, who loves his wife. I’m just a regular guy. And I’m happy with that, – LOGIC”
