A Clearview Path: The Rise of Biggie Bull

Written by James Quinn

Rapper, actor, and former football player Biggie Bull is a force to be reckoned with in the growing and ever evolving genre of rap. Tony Westly AKA Biggie Bull is best known for his single “Clearview” a song about staying true to yourself, your roots, and your past while becoming a notable star. Like most of the great rappers, Biggie Bull prides himself in his story-telling ability from his own personal life. 

Unlike many artists, Tony Westly began getting notoriety for his college football career at Louisiana State University— specifically playing as defensive back. Although he doesn’t play anymore, Biggie Bull still brings that same determined and hungry energy into his music production.

“A lot of what I’ve learned in playing football is to take on leadership roles, and set an example for your fellow artists coming up.” Biggie Bull said, “You want to be that leader to set your own path, instead of going down other people’s path or examples.” 

It wasn’t until after graduating college and moving out to California that Westly realized that he could seriously pursue his passion for music. “Music was something I always had an interest in,” Westly said, “but sports got in the way of that dream.” 

After releasing his first single as Biggie Bull, Westly started during performances that got him more attention from listeners and producers. With some help from Just Brittany of Love and Hip Hop fame, Biggie Bull gained enough online attention and concerts to just start his newly established music career.  

One of the bigger challenges that Biggie Bull had to overcome withs starting his music career was letting go of the need to be signed. “I was waiting for someone to pick me up so that I can push out the rest of my songs” Biggie Bull said “But after doing research, I learned that it was better for the labels to find you.” 

Working independently, while freeing, can also be a lot of hard-work. Biggie Bull had to do a lot of his own marketing, social media posts and presence, and scheduling concerts as well as setting up paid studio time. “I was able to book 40 and 50 shows between February and June.” Westly said.  

Luckily through networking, Biggie Bull was able to meet and get signed with music manager DE Music Management who will help him with scheduling, marketing, and booking shows throughout his career.  

When it comes to recording, Biggie Bull’s process starts with writing the lyrics down, and memorizing the words before getting in the studio. “When you’re in the studio time is money” Westly said “I don’t have time to go in there and punch lines and punch free-styles like artists do. This is my stuff I’m putting out so I want people to know my stuff is genuine. It’s straight from my soul. It’s straight from my blood, sweat, and tears.”   

When it comes to making the beats, Biggie Bull looks to a plethora of talented producers such as DrumDummie, 88dagame, Young Devante, and Causmic beats, and Shopwood ken. 

Biggie Bull’s musical style is pushed toward his own narrative. “I’m influenced by a lot of my top 4 artists, and I fuse what they do with what I do to create something different.” Those musical influences being Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, and Meek Mill. “For your Eyez Only by J Cole especially because I also had a homie that got shot and killed.” 

Biggie Bull is also an actor as well. With only a few speaking roles under his belt, Westly feels good about the direction his acting career is taking. Bigge Bull has done small speaking roles, starred in short films, and has been an extra in commercials. Biggie Bull still continues to audition for bigger and leading roles. 

“My mom is a retired actor, and she encouraged me to try acting out. I sent my resume to some acting agencies, and one acting agency called me up to come in for an audition. I was set up with the acting agency on the spot and did a photoshoot with them.”   

As a rapper and musician, Biggie Bull sees himself becoming as big as Biggie Smalls and Tupac.  “You gotta have that mindset, and you gotta speak it into existence. I already have the mentality like Tupac with his overall hustle. I’ve got everything that will push me forward, it’s only a matter of patients. It’s gonna end with me being Grammy nominated and Oscar nominated at least.”   

Biggie Bull also looks to one day be in a superhero movie one day. A particular preference; Batman’s arch foe the Joker.