Urban Pulse Magazine

Some chase streams. Etano is chasing purpose.

The North Carolina-born rapper, writer, and visionary has never followed trends — he’s built his own. With his new single “God Got Me” available exclusively for purchase on Bandcamp, Etano is making a statement louder than any playlist could. This isn’t about numbers; it’s about ownership, impact, and faith.

“Rap is the skill — Hip-Hop is the spirit,” Etano says. “But I believe it’s being used against our people. That’s why I have to speak life now. That’s my mission. I’ll die on that hill if I have to; He died for me first.”

That conviction didn’t come overnight. Etano began writing at 13 while attending Charity Middle School, not realizing that the half-written verses in his notebook were the foundation of a lifelong purpose. His breakout came with “Rise Up,” a diss track that unexpectedly caught fire online. “That’s when I knew I had something real,” he recalls. “But it wasn’t about fame — it was about impact.”

That drive led him to his first live show in Raleigh — and a win that changed everything. “That’s when I told myself to lock in,” Etano says. “My message would evolve, but now I could mold myself to deliver it from here on out.”

Today, that message is clear: faith first, always. His creative process starts with prayer and surrender. “Now, I let God lead,” he explains. “Sometimes it’s the beat first, sometimes it’s a verse — but it’s always led by the Spirit.” Inspiration finds him anywhere: in traffic, at church, or in the middle of chaos. “When something hits me, I have to write. That’s how I know it’s time to share.”

Etano’s journey mirrors his influences — from 2Pac, DMX, Jay-Z, and Eminem to modern faith-driven artists like Caleb Gordon, Hulvey, and Josh P. “I used to think Christian music was boring,” he laughs. “Now I realize it’s where the power is.”

Before his spiritual rebirth, Etano lived through his Slum Punk era — what he calls his “2Pac-before-Makaveli” phase. “That was me before the renewal,” he says. “Now I’m still that same warrior, but the Gospel is my weapon.”

And that weapon is fully loaded on “God Got Me.” The record is part testimony, part anthem — a declaration of resilience and divine covering. “Life has been an obstacle course,” Etano says. “But if it wasn’t for my love for God and His promise over me, I wouldn’t have made it. Through every battle, God got me.”

But what makes this release a cultural statement is how it’s being released. No streaming, no shortcuts — purchase only. Etano is taking control of his message and his revenue, proving that independence and integrity still matter in a world chasing viral moments.

“I don’t want clicks — I want commitment,” he says. “If you believe in what I’m doing, support it. Ownership matters. Faith matters. The industry needs a reset — and I’m starting it right here.”

“God Got Me” isn’t just a song; it’s a movement. It’s for the believers who understand that faith doesn’t always trend — but it always triumphs.

So, have you bought it yet? Don’t just stream the message. Own it. Support it. Be part of the reset.
👉 “God Got Me” by Etano — available now, exclusively on Bandcamp.