Bobby Brackins has been in the game for over a decade and is one of the key architects of the Bay Area’s RnBass sound popularized by JMaine and DJ Mustard. He launched his career with the banger “143” featuring Ray J in 2010, and has gone to write for Justin Bieber, Tinashe, Ty Dolla $ign, and Chris Brown, among others. Since 2018, Brackins has developed a love of screenwriting and his music reflects this change. More atmospheric and focused on storytelling, he now records as Lata Harbor to reflect his musical and artistic development.
The following interview has been lightly edited.
What influences you?
Everyday life. Everyday life experiences: The moments when I undergo the highest and lowest ends of the spectrum ranging from depression to feeling elated, loving, and despising. I also love films and photography, they’re the essence of raw emotion.
Right now, the police. Some people are worried about defunding the police. Defunding the police sounds radical but if those millions are reallocated to improving education, mental health care, poverty, and other social needs, then there will naturally be less need for policing.
What’s the most underrated?
Freedom.
What are you excited about, right now?
Lata Harbor, making music, collaborating with talented souls, and sharing it with the world. My movie, My Nina. It’s a feature film and already has some amazing creatives involved. I’ll also be heavily involved with the music. It’s in pre-production and it’s astonishing seeing it come to life. I signed my first producer, Layla, from London. Last, but certainly not least, I’m really excited about all the major changes that are occurring around the world due to protests, rallies, petitions, and donations. People are not only becoming more aware of systemic racism and injustice but are standing up for everlasting change.
What’s next for you?
Constantly evolving. Releasing more Lata Harbor songs, getting Layla’s music out to the world, and making My Nina a really big film.
Bonus Question: As you shift into your new project, Lata Harbor, what energy are you bringing with you from your work under your real name, and what type of energy is uniquely Lata Harbor? How are you able to get in the right mind space to create as Lata Harbor versus when you create as Bobby Brackins?
Lata Harbor is simply an evolved form of Bobby Brackins. There will always be elements of Bobby Brackins involved. If Bobby Brackins was the caterpillar then Lata Harbor is the chrysalis. One day I’ll fly away.
