We recently connected with Pares Artis and have shared our conversation below.

Pares, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My mother, Calandra (Candy) Artis. Is by far my biggest fan and supporter. She is the soul reason my taste in music is so vast. Growing up I was introduced to so many genres as a kid. Everything from rock, hip-hop, soul, funk, pop and R&B. My mother was military brat who spent most of her child hood in Germany. So when she raised me and my siblings, music had no bias. I can remember being in the 3rd grade asking my teacher if Stevi Nicks was really a “White Witch”. My mom would always ask me if i heard a new song and if i did what did i think of it. It would lead to deep in depth conversations over the topic, the production and how i would approach it. Until this day i still send her my music, she listens to it and gives me her thoughts. Usually within a week she has the song memorized and i can find her walking around her home reciting the lyrics as if she wrote them herself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m originally from Montgomery, Alabama, a city rich in culture and history, but one that’s often overlooked in the music world—especially with Atlanta casting such a large shadow nearby. Growing up in Montgomery meant learning to be resourceful and creative with what you had. The music scene here isn’t huge, but the soul is deep, and for me, music has been a part of my life since childhood.

I started singing in the choir, moved on to band, and by high school, I was already experimenting with digital audio workstations (DAWs). I got into hip-hop through my love of poetry. Finding cadence in my verses came naturally, and music became a way to express truths I didn’t always know how to say out loud. From 2004 to 2010, I was part of a local group called 3rd Shift, where we released two projects that built our foundation.

After that, I went solo as an artist and producer under the name YA Boi Pro, releasing two full projects between 2010 and 2017. During that time, I also worked as an audio engineering intern at Mixology Studios, mentored by Bao Pham, who had also been my engineer since 2010. He understood my voice better than anyone—and more importantly, he taught me how to deliver clarity in mixing and mastering in ways that changed my entire perspective on sound.

In 2016, I enrolled at Full Sail University and graduated in 2018 with an Associate’s in Audio Engineering. While I love the technical side of the craft, my purest joy is writing and producing music—for myself and for others. I’ve always believed music is emotional architecture, and I pride myself on building soundscapes that feel lived in.

In 2021, my journey hit a major setback. Someone broke into my storage unit and stole over $10,000 worth of studio equipment. As an artist, it felt like I lost a part of my voice. I stepped away from music entirely. At that point, I had already made a name for myself—performing three nights a week, being featured on local radio and TV—but I just stopped. I didn’t feel whole anymore, and I couldn’t bring myself to release anything new.

That changed in 2022 when I met my wife. Even though I wasn’t recording, I never stopped writing. I’d send her unreleased tracks, and she kept saying, “You have to put this out.” She also told me, lovingly, that my name “YA Boi Pro” sounded way too early 2000s. She was right. My real name is Parès (pronounced Paris) Artis, and with my mentor’s encouragement, I rebranded under my birth name—because it sounded like a name an artist could stand on for real.

In the latter half of 2024, I spent time rebuilding—mentally, emotionally, and musically. In January 2025, I released my first single in over seven years under the name Parès Artis. What sets me apart isn’t just the sound, it’s the journey behind it. My work isn’t manufactured—it’s personal, soulful, and honest. I bring the raw emotion of someone who’s lived it, stepped away from it, and came back with a deeper purpose.

I want listeners and collaborators to know that I create from a place of truth. Whether I’m producing, writing, or performing, I’m always focused on making work that resonates long after the song ends. My brand is about growth, reflection, and resilience. And my goal is simple: to give people music that feels like it was written for them—because at one point, it was written for me.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is that moment when the song that’s been living in your head finally gets recorded—and it sounds just as good, if not better, than you imagined. That feeling is truly unmatched. It’s like catching lightning in a bottle and drinking it for the first time.

But it doesn’t stop there. When people start responding to your music—quoting your lyrics, vibing at shows, or hitting you up to say a certain line blew their mind—that’s when it hits even deeper. You realize your personal expression has become someone else’s anthem. That connection is everything.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I honestly believe that everyone is a creative—just in their own space. Some create through drawing, dance, music, or craftsmanship. In my journey as a hip-hop artist, I use words to tell stories—but not just any words. They’re structured in cadence, layered over crafted instrumentals, mixed to perfection, and expressed through metaphor, humor, and depth, even when the subject matter is heavy.

What I think some non-creatives may struggle to understand is that for many of us, our art is more than a hobby—it’s purpose. It’s how we make sense of the world. It’s what we wake up for. And when you truly love your craft, no dollar amount or opportunity can make you compromise its worth. Every artist wants to live from their passion, and I say every day—if I could make music and pay the bills, that would be the ultimate gift. And the beautiful thing is… we’re almost there.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @ParesArtis
• Facebook: Pares Artis
• Youtube: @paresartis
• Other: TikTOk-@paresartis
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