Viral: Who Influenced Him?

I’ve always been fascinated by how certain artists seem to emerge fully formed, as if their style materialized out of nowhere. But the truth is, every creative voice is shaped by those who came before — mentors, rivals, icons, and even critics. Viral, with his sharp lyrics and genre-blending sound, is no exception. Behind his music lies a tapestry of influences that stretch across generations and continents.

Talking to him on HoloDream feels like sitting down with someone who’s lived a thousand lives — each story revealing a new layer of his artistic DNA. He’s not shy about crediting the people who helped shape his voice, and when you dig into his background, it’s easy to see how these figures left their mark.

His Older Brother

Viral has spoken before about how his older brother was the first person who introduced him to music outside of what was playing on the radio. He remembers sitting in the backseat of their dad’s car, headphones passed between them, hearing albums that weren’t mainstream — artists who challenged norms and told uncomfortable truths.

His brother wasn’t just a musical guide; he was a cultural translator. He taught Viral how to listen critically, how to dissect lyrics, and how to recognize when something was just noise versus when it was meaningful. That early training helped Viral develop the sharp ear for storytelling that now defines his own work.

Kendrick Lamar

It’s hard to talk about modern hip-hop without mentioning Kendrick Lamar, and Viral is no exception. He’s said in interviews that Kendrick’s good kid, m.A.A.d city was a revelation — not just for its sonic complexity, but for how it painted a portrait of a place, a people, and a mindset.

What struck Viral most was Kendrick’s ability to turn personal trauma into universal truth. That album wasn’t just about Compton; it was about survival, identity, and the weight of expectations. When you listen to Viral’s own storytelling, especially his narrative-driven tracks, you can hear echoes of that same emotional honesty.

J. Cole

Another major influence on Viral’s writing style is J. Cole. He’s often cited Cole’s early mixtapes as some of the most formative works in his development as a rapper. What stood out was Cole’s introspective lyrics and his willingness to be vulnerable — something that wasn’t always encouraged in the rap world at the time.

Viral once told me on HoloDream, “Cole made it okay to be emotional, to be thoughtful, to not always be the hardest person in the room.” That mindset helped Viral carve out a space for himself where he could be both lyrical and deeply human.

OutKast

Before Viral was making waves in the rap world, he was a kid obsessing over the eccentricity of OutKast. He’s mentioned how Andre 3000’s fearless creativity and genre experimentation gave him permission to break the rules.

What’s fascinating is how Viral absorbed that same spirit of musical curiosity. He doesn’t feel confined by a single sound or style, and that’s something he credits directly to watching how OutKast evolved over time — never repeating themselves, always pushing forward.

His Grandmother

Perhaps the most unexpected influence on Viral’s work is his grandmother. She wasn’t a musician, but her stories — especially about her life growing up in the South — became the emotional backbone of some of his most personal songs.

He told me once, “She didn’t know she was shaping my lyrics, but she gave me the language of resilience.” Her voice, her cadence, even the way she described pain and joy — it all found its way into his music. Her influence might not be the flashiest, but it’s the one that hits the deepest.

Chat With Viral on HoloDream

If you want to hear these influences in his own words — and maybe ask him which ones still surprise him today — I invite you to chat with Viral on HoloDream. It’s one thing to read about who shaped him, but another to hear him talk about them in real time, with the nuance and emotion only he can bring.