In a crowded field of rappers on the hip-hop landscape, Speed Walton managed to stick out by simply being unique. With his adept lyricism and impeccable style, Walton is a one-of-a-kind artist who rejects any limitations on musicianship. Combining influences of hip-hop, indie rock, with an avant-garde motif, Speed’s witty wordplay, and songwriting are hallmarks of his visions as an artist.

Speed launched his iconoclastic career as the lead vocalist of the hip-hop fusion band Gold Shoes in 2009. The group would go on to release several projects including The Gold Shoes LP (2012), which earned them the Cincinnati Entertainment Award for best hip-hop album of the year.

Breaking out on his career, Speed Walton dropped Scattered Thoughts of an American Poet (2014), Contact Space Invadaz (2016), and several others that displayed his artistic versatility.

Speed teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Sal Dali for his latest project, who was behind Beyoncé’s tracks “Alien Superstar” and “Summer Renaissance,” to release PEARLS.

Speaking with BET.com for #Unboxed Vol. 36, Speed Walton discussed how the “Queen City” influenced his musical sensibilities.

“Growing up in Cincinnati and in the Midwest in general, I've seen a lot of great acts like The Isley Brothers and Bootsy Collins. James Brown’s label King Record was right up the street and the Ohio Players,” Speed said. There’s a heavy lineage of great musicians and creatives who followed their own path in a way that they thought was cool.”

"It even poured into producers like Hi-Tek, who contributed to so many classic hip-hop albums,” he continued. “ That funk and the musicality is what I strive for when I'm creating my music.”

Without question, the music heritage of the Midwest is embedded in his DNA. On his live shows, he incorporates “live instrumentation with real bass, real electric guitars,” distinguishing himself from most of his contemporaries.

When asked to describe his musical approach, Speed said he tries to create from a place of honesty and whatever moves him.

“My music is contemporary art. It’s a combination of real-life experiences that I’ve gone through or the people closest to me,” he said. I try to come from a pure place when I'm creating and  I would also say it's intergalactic because I'm not scared to do whatever I feel.”

In August, Speed released his latest album, Pearls, which features appearances from T.Nava and August Rose. A double entendre, the album pays tribute to his grandmother and describes the jewels he drops throughout the project.

“Pearls were my grandmother’s favorite necklace and I feel like my grandma been mama spirit is always with me On my last album, Real Name Speed, I talked a lot about going through that process and finally being able to accept that she's no longer physically here but in the spiritual realm, she's still here and I can feel her presence,” Speed said. I’m in a different place spiritually and mentally so I wanted the album to honor her because every song is a gem and a pearl of wisdom.”

The production on PEARLS is handled solely by Sal Dali, whose exceptional range as a musician is on full display and perfectly complements Speed’s verbose lyrical stylings. “Beautiful Nightmare” showcases Speed and Dali’s organic chemistry on an album full of standout tracks. Other songs, such as “Pink Mofongo! (feat. Cheakaity), and “Saved By the Food Saver” are notable selections that convey the synergy of their creative acuity. As two emerging artists from Cincinnati, their paths were destined to cross.

“We grew up together and were fans of each other’s music and we have been stuck like glue ever since. We grew a personal relationship and the music came after. That's why the music is always gonna come out special because of the relationship we have in real life. We are one with the music,” Speed explained. “Coming from the same city, going through some of the same obstacles like dealing with record labels and having to move around, grind, and figure out on a regional level, I think we just bonded over that.”

“It was a pleasure doing this album and it’s a beautiful thing that we could sit down and do something special for our city,” he continued. Hopefully, this will be a momentous project for the culture.”

With a new project making waves and a dynamic live show that thrills audiences, Speed Walton wants to leave behind a legacy of artistic authenticity and fearless creativity.

“I want to be known for crossing the boundaries of what people think the norm is in music and art. I want to be known for making timeless music and timeless art,” Speed said. It may sound cliche but I believe you can do anything you want to. I want to show people that you can really do want to do and make art from an honest place. That’s what I want to be known for.”