Hypnautic Rapper Origin Story: My Journey From Pain to Purpose in Denver Hip-Hop

Hypnautic Of Top Flite Empire
Nov 30, 2025
3 min read

The Hypnautic rapper origin story is not a typical rise-to-fame narrative. It didn’t begin in a studio or with industry access. It began in loss, confusion, raw emotion, and unexpected sparks that would shape my entire life.

I didn’t choose music.Music chose me—and it saved me long before I understood its power.

This is the real story behind how I became Hypnautic.

The House Party That Sparked the Hypnautic Rapper Origin Story

The true beginning of the Hypnautic rapper origin story happened at a random house party during my teenage years. No cameras. No expectations. Just energy.

A week before my best friend died, it was me, him, and two close friends. Someone turned on a beat, and I started freestyling for the first time. It felt natural—like something inside me finally had a voice.

The next day, we bought a cheap answering machine, pressed record, and freestyled over Lil Keke’s Southside. We didn’t know it then, but that recording was the foundation of my entire future.

Then everything changed.A few days before graduation, my best friend passed away.

My world collapsed.Music became the only way I could breathe.The only place I could put the pain.

That was the spark.

When Life Spiraled, Texas Became My Turning Point

Years later, I found myself surrounded by bad decisions, wrong circles, and street life that was pulling me under. My mom stepped in and sent me to Texas to live with my uncle—a decision that saved my life.

Away from everything and everyone, all I could think about was music. The passion got louder. The purpose became clearer.

I didn’t come back to Denver until I linked up with another young artist, Apostasy, who was recording and forming his voice. That connection shifted everything.

Young Droop collaboration photo with Tormented Religion and Hypnautic

Tormented Religion — The First Chapter

We formed Tormented Religion, my first rap group.

We recorded:

Three independent albums
Over 30 shows
Countless hours of learning the craft

When the group split, I didn’t stop.

I executive produced Apostasy’s solo album, bringing in features from:

Bizzy Bone (Bone Thugs-N-Harmony)
Young Droop
Denver legend Julox

During that process, I realized something big:

I had my own story to tell.My own voice.My own destiny.

Bizzy Bone with Tormented Religion during Hypnautic rapper origin story studio session

My Solo Beginning — “God Gave Me a Reason”

That realization gave birth to my first solo album:“God Gave Me a Reason.”

This was the true birth of Hypnautic.

Before any real money, before big stages, before Top Flite Empire—I performed over 100 shows, earning barely $1,000 total.

But every stage was preparation.Every setback was fuel.Every struggle sharpened my skill.

Meeting King Tef & Building Top Flite Empire

Then everything changed.

I met King Tef, and the chemistry was undeniable. Two different stories, same fire.

We formed Top Flite Empire, and the movement exploded.

Together we:

Performed stadium shows
Charted a #1 Billboard Heatseekers album
Received major radio play
Landed TV placements
Built one of Colorado’s strongest hip-hop legacies

But we never would’ve gotten there without the early grind that built the Hypnautic rapper origin story.

Hypnautic and King Tef on Fly Mag cover representing Top Flite Empire and Colorado hip hop

The Rebirth of Hypnautic Today

Life brought more challenges—family struggles, personal losses, rebuilding, evolving—but the music grew with me.

Today my sound blends:

Folk-rap melodies
Poetic storytelling
Denver authenticity
Southern influence
Emotional honesty

Songs like “Memories feat Grayson Ratliff” and “The Arcade: Art’s Pain” reflect battles, growth, and the deeper purpose behind my music.

A Mission Bigger Than Music

Today I am:

Co-Founder & COO of Qoncert, a Techstars-backed platform helping thousands of artists perform
A community leader building mental health programs
A mentor teaching artists how to make their dreams their day job
A creator developing platforms that empower youth and creatives

What saved me, I now give back.

The Story Is Still Being Written

The Hypnautic rapper origin story is bigger than rap.It’s about survival, resilience, rebuilding, and purpose.

I’m here to inspire creators who feel lost.To give artists a blueprint I never had.To build systems that change lives.To make music that hits the soul.

And I'm just getting started.