Rising Artist 8knivezz Breaks the Mold with Raw Honesty and Unfiltered Sound
From the quiet streets of State College, Pennsylvania, to the chaotic heart of underground rap, Alec — better known by his stage names 8knivezz or AA- — is forging a path that's anything but conventional. With a name that’s been echoing through corners of SoundCloud and independent circuits, 8knivezz is redefining what it means to be vulnerable in a genre often masked by bravado.
Music as a Lifeline
For Alec, music wasn’t just a passion; it was a refuge.
“As a kid, it was always what I gravitated towards,” he reflects. “My parents fought a lot. Music was my escape.”
He recalls a vivid childhood memory that now seems like foreshadowing: a Christmas morning, a rocking horse he hated, and hours spent rocking back and forth to his mom’s music on the stereo — an early sign that music would play a deeper role in his life.
Breaking the Mold
What sets 8knivezz apart from the crowd isn't just his sound, but his unapologetic authenticity.
“I’m not afraid to be myself. People relate to me because I don’t give a f*** about acting all hard and putting on that facade like a lot of other rappers do,” he says. “That sh*t’s just played out. It’s corny.”
Where others posture, 8knivezz leans in — embracing imperfection, emotion, and goofiness as strengths, not weaknesses.
Visuals That Hit Different
A key part of his identity is his visuals, created in close collaboration with his longtime friend and videographer, Gabe. Together, they’ve crafted standout pieces like Lime in the Coconut Freestyle, Slippin Up, and the 2021 Flava in Ya Earfreestyle.
“Nobody does it like him,” Alec says. “My team’s just different.”
What’s Next for 8knivezz?
There’s a lot on the horizon for this boundary-pushing artist. A new tape is locked in and nearly ready to drop next month — a raw, edgy collection that 8knivezz promises will mark the beginning of a series.
“It’s done — the tracks, the sound. Just finishing some mastering,” he teases. “It’s different. I really want people to hear what I’ve been working on.”
In the meantime, fans can expect to hear his upcoming single Rabbit Hole soon. But if you’re one of his day-ones, keep an ear out — a special Alice in Chains cover might just drop for the real ones.
Connect with 8knivezz
Whether you’re a new listener or a longtime fan, stay tapped in. You can find 8knivezz across all major platforms under:
- Instagram: @8knivezz
- SoundCloud: 8knivezz
- Spotify: 8knivezz
- Legacy catalog: AA-
As Alec puts it, “All my new stuff is going to be posted on 8knivezz — that’s what I’m sticking to for now. Hahaha.”