User:Andrei Costin/Azteca (Rapper)

Azteca (born January 16, 1997, Darlinghurst, Australia), real name Andrew-Edward Nedelcu, is a Romanian trapper, rapper, artist, producer, and sound engineer, and the founder of the Ocult Records label. The artist was part of this label until 2021, after which he began his solo career, releasing his first independent solo project, "616: A New Chapter."

Azteca was born on January 16, 1997, in Darlinghurst, Australia. At the age of 2, he came to Romania with his parents after his father's business dealings concluded. His mother was one of the most successful pop singers in Romania during the years 1995-2005 and greatly influenced him musically. Azteca composed a melody alongside his mother at the tender age of 4. His mother made numerous attempts to persuade him to choose a musical path, but because he didn't like the music genre, until the age of 12 when he started listening to Rap/Hip-Hop, he didn't want to pursue a musical career and didn't know what the future held for him.

Azteca had a childhood in which luxury and comfort were an integral part of his life. His father was a businessman who owned luxury cars such as Rolls Royce, Lamborghini, and Maybach, which inspired the song "Maybach" where he expresses his longing for moments from his childhood when he used to travel to the sea in a Maybach. However, his life took a dramatic turn when his father was imprisoned for a tax evasion of 80 million euros, leaving Azteca and his mother in a financially challenging situation. From that point on, the young rapper had to face the challenges of life, transitioning from a private school to a public one, and from managing large sums of money from a young age to a complete lack of financial resources.

During this difficult period, he was forced to engage in activities such as selling illegal substances and fraud, during which he began to make rap and freestyle about his life experiences. This challenging period had a significant impact on his subsequent development and motivated him to pursue his passion for music when he realized that the street was only leading him downhill.

When Azteca decided to give up his street life, he took several measures to build a stable career. He took on various jobs, including working as a waiter in cafes in England and as a wedding event staff member on weekends. Later, he returned to Romania and worked for 6 months in a tobacco and alcoholic beverage store as a salesperson. He managed to obtain a personal loan, with which he invested in studio equipment and pursued studies in the field of audio engineering and music production. These efforts were essential in his path to success in the music industry.

Still living in his mother's house, Azteca quit the job he had secured, even though he had taken out a loan that he had no means to repay. His mother warned him that if he didn't get a job or go to college, he would have to leave the house. She was bothered by the fact that Azteca was bringing people with inappropriate behavior into the house who sang until the early hours of the morning.

On January 24, 2017, Azteca made his debut with his first single, titled "Maybach," followed by "Percocet." These songs began to garner attention, accumulating tens of thousands of views and gaining appreciation from young audiences discovering the early attempts of the Romanian underground trap scene. During this period, Azteca met a young individual named Freelook online, who specialized in graphic design and music video production. The two decided to collaborate, and Freelook took on the responsibility of managing Azteca's image, from music videos to artworks.

Azteca set out to create a music video for one of his songs filmed at his home, in which he wanted several of his friends to participate. In the process of making the video, through a schoolmate, he met the artist Ian, who had brought a demo song called "Mafiot" on a flash drive, with the intention of collaborating with Azteca. The two instantly connected and began working together, aiming to develop a joint music project. Thus, Azteca introduced Freelook to Ian, and the three of them decided to form a music label called "Ocult Records."

Freelook often attended concerts as the photographer for the artist Nane. While they were in the car on their way to various events, Freelook introduced songs performed by Azteca and Ian to Nane, who, at that time, was a well-known, notorious artist with considerable experience in the Romanian rap music scene. Nane was impressed by one of Azteca's songs, namely "Molly," and decided to get involved in this project. This song became one of Azteca's first creations to reach 100,000 views in a very short time. Azteca and Nane also developed a friendship as a result of this collaboration.

Here is where the successful career of the artist Azteca began, along with his label, which became one of the most prosperous movements in the Romanian music industry, with the duo Ian & Azteca representing the most successful project in the Romanian music market.

They released songs such as "Bag un Blunt," "Nefiu," "Pala Mande," "Flexez," "Sigur dar Incet," and "Umblu Langa Ai Mei," which contributed to shaping the trap genre in Romania and set a model for future generations of rappers in the country.

Azteca focused on his solo career from the very beginning. On September 20, 2017, he released his first EP titled "Magul din Carpați." While it was appreciated by dedicated fans of the underground scene, it initially didn't capture the public's attention as it was released before his breakthrough in the industry. Nevertheless, this gem of the underground served as the foundation for Azteca's rise to success. His second EP, "Sute Albastre," released on August 31, 2018, is clear evidence of his perseverance and artistic evolution. Although the EP didn't initially make a significant impact in terms of views, it later gained recognition and substantial appreciation after Azteca became renowned. What's even more remarkable is that the single from the album is now sung by everyone at his concerts, highlighting the deep connection he has established with his fans and the undeniable impact of his music on his audience.

To date, he has released 3 albums and 2 EPs, with his most recent album, "616: Un Nou Capitol," successfully surpassing 35,000,000 streams, "RMN" recording 32,000,000 streams, and "Maktub" reaching 47,000,000 streams. He has left an indisputable mark on the music industry, with an impressive history of over 100 live performances and concerts. His charismatic presence on stage has not only thrilled huge crowds of over 50,000 people at festivals but has also resonated with smaller audiences of 1,000 people at his personal concerts during his tours across the country. His versatility as an artist, from mastering colossal arenas to creating more intimate connections with his fans, reflects his enduring influence on the Romanian trap scene.

Azteca has achieved a career milestone during the release concert of his album "616: Un Nou Capitol' (616: A New Chapter) at Sala Polivalenta with 4000+ people present. This concert holds a special place in his heart as it was a rare and cherished moment where all of his friends and family where on stage with him. It was a fusion of personal and professional success, making it one of Azteca's favorite shows ever. This memorable event not only showcased his success but also the deep connections he shares with his loved ones and the feeling that "we finally made it", marking a significant chapter in his remarkable career.

Azteca has solidified his position as a noteworthy collaborative force. His impressive discography includes dynamic partnerships with a range of national artists, such as NANE, Amuly, Satra Benz, RAVA, Mobtrap, Randi, TJ Miles, Bvcovia, HVNDS, as well as international artists like Bbno$, R3hab, and Smokepurpp. These collaborations have not only enriched his musical repertoire but have also promoted a sense of unity in the Romanian hip-hop community. Azteca's ability to seamlessly blend his talent with a diverse range of artists highlights his versatility and commitment to pushing the boundaries of Romanian rap music.

He has made an incredible impact on the music scene with a string of chart-topping hits. His track "Nefiu" has amassed a staggering 25,223,648 views on YouTube and 6,712,194 streams on Spotify. Another hit, "Bag un Blunt," a collaboration with Ian as well, has raked in an impressive 33,684,269 YouTube views and 6,537,374 Spotify streams. Azteca's "A Â" featuring Amuly and RAVA boasts 12,274,312 YouTube views and 4,526,477 Spotify streams. Additionally, his track "Pala Mande" featuring Ian has garnered 21,715,368 YouTube views and 5,611,995 Spotify streams. Not to be overlooked, "go gettas," a collaboration with american artist bbno$, andrei, Killa Fonic, and NANE, has earned a remarkable 22,107,895 YouTube views and 6,521,708 Spotify streams. These numbers are a testament to Azteca's widespread influence and the enduring popularity of his music.

His larger-than-life presence graced the Cocor billboard, Phoenix Media's Afi Cotroceni billboard and the 50 billboards scattered across Romania, but what truly was a magnificent and audacious move for him was the iconic Times Square billboard in New York. Azteca's innovative marketing strategy not only shows his dedication to reaching a wider audience but also solidifies his status as a Hip-hop sensation with an unmistakable flair for self-promotion. What truly sets him apart is the fact that even though his writing subjects are not mainstream, he still has appeared in live broadcasts of radio stations like Kiss Fm, Pro Fm, and Virgin Radio where they have shown him immense love, introducing his music to mainstream media platforms as well.

Azteca, a leading figure in the Romanian Trap/Rap scene, has not only conquered the music industry but also established impressive partnerships with heavyweight brands. Collaborations with the likes of Heineken, Burn Energy Drink, Heinz, Jordan, Emporio Armani, Grid, Inmedio, and many more, underscore his multifaceted talent and appeal. These brand affiliations not only amplify his presence in the public eye but also reflect his capacity to seamlessly merge music and commercial success, solidifying his position as one of the most influential and marketable artists of all time in Romanian history.