The Infinite Journey of a Timeless Artist
Photos by Jordan Somers
By RayJaun Stelly
Infinite—endless in space, extent, or size, impossible to measure or calculate—lives true to his name. His music catalog and career remain strong to this day. Encouraged by his mother, who wanted him and his sister involved in music, Infinite grew up in Seattle's Central District and started his musical journey in elementary school, playing the trumpet and saxophone.
"My sister and my mom are my influences. When it comes to listening to the radio stations, my mother was inspiring and would take us to Tower Records downtown," Infinite recalled.
From elementary through high school, Infinite’s passion for music never wavered. His love for the art pushed him toward rapping, and in high school, he started going to the studio every day after school. Hearing himself over two turntables and a microphone ignited his motivation.
"I was rapping, but I needed a group. I didn’t want to go solo, so I started looking for someone else to rap with," Infinite explained. "I knew a guy who was a DJ. I used to cut his hair, and we’d also dance at a club in Federal Way."
As he formed his own identity, Infinite saw the positive effect that Sir Mix-A-Lot’s "Posse On Broadway" had in the Capitol Hill area. He focused on doing what it would take to get signed with his group, studying the blueprint laid out before him.
"Getting out there, learning the business, going to music conventions—anything but just sitting in Seattle," Infinite said. "We’d go to Oakland, meet Souls of Mischief, see E-40’s video shoot, and witness what hip-hop was about."
Despite changes in his environment and the loss of friends, Infinite kept his focus on music, continuously learning how the business works today. That focus has led to his ongoing success.
With albums like *Tricked Out the Streets*, *INF New Era Volume 1* and *Volume 2*, as well as *Love Sabbatical*, and with 969 followers on SoundCloud, 111 monthly listeners on Spotify, and roughly 75 unreleased songs, Infinite’s message aligns with his name.
"My name represents no limitations in expressing myself musically," Infinite shared. "I chose it by thumbing through a dictionary. I didn’t have a rap name before my performance at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, but the name just made sense. They tried to put me in a box, but I stood out and found myself."
Infinite continued, "I killed that performance. The name matched. Believing in yourself is all you have to do, and that's what I’ve done my whole life. I’m still going to make it, and that’s what you’ll hear in my music."
Though confident in his abilities, Infinite has faced obstacles, including being kicked out of a group that could have derailed his career. Yet, through triumph and adversity, he found his path and stayed motivated.
"You have to find your own way, and include God in that journey. I used to be an alcoholic. I quit drinking and smoking cigarettes in 2012 when I lost a friend in a fire," Infinite revealed. "I didn’t go to his funeral, but I visited his gravesite, made my apologies, and promised to continue making music. It’s been 12 years since I last drank or smoked."
From the early '90s until now, Infinite has displayed longevity in music while staying true to his name. "I am an artist. I don’t want to speak highly of myself because that’s not who I am. I love God, Uganda, and the Central District."
