Some artists find their purpose through fame — ETANO found his through faith. The North Carolina-based rapper and storyteller has always had a voice that cuts through noise, but today, it carries something deeper: divine purpose. With his brand-new single “God Got Me” dropping October 10th, ETANO is ushering in a new chapter — one built on bold truth, spiritual strength, and the kind of real-life grit you can’t fake.
For ETANO, this moment has been years in the making. He started writing at just 13 years old, back in eighth grade at Charity Middle School. Sitting in a music class with a half-written verse that barely filled a page, he didn’t yet know that those early rhymes would become the blueprint for a powerful career. “I knew I wanted to be a writer,” he says, “but I kept it a secret for a while.” Watching a friend rap with confidence — even if he wasn’t the best — inspired him to step forward. That courage birthed “Rise Up”, a diss track aimed at a college promo team that unexpectedly caught fire. “It got a few thousand plays,” ETANO recalls. “After that, I knew I had to find my sound.”
The breakthrough came in Raleigh, where he performed live for the first time — and won. “That’s when I told myself to lock in,” he says. “My message would evolve, but now I could mold myself to deliver it from here on out.”
And evolve it did. Over the years, ETANO’s creative process shifted from pure expression to divine purpose. “Now, I pray and allow life, God, or inspiration to take shape,” he explains. “Sometimes the lyrics come first, sometimes the beat — but every time, it’s led by the Spirit.” His songs are birthed in motion — in the car, at church, or in the middle of life’s battles. “When something hits me, I have to write,” he says. “Good or bad, that’s when I know it’s time to share.”
Raised on a diet of lyrical legends and outspoken voices — from 2Pac, Eminem, DMX, and Jay-Z to Nirvana, Slipknot, and Hollywood Undead — ETANO’s foundation was built on raw honesty and rebellion. But his sound took a spiritual turn as his faith deepened. Artists like Caleb Gordon, Hulvey, and Josh P helped reshape his ear and focus. “I used to think Christian music was boring,” he laughs. “Now, I realize it’s where the power is.”
In his earlier “Pre-ETANO” era, he embodied the rebellious tone of his generation with “Slum Punk,” a gritty, loud statement that became a category of its own. “That was my 2Pac-before-Makaveli moment,” he reflects. “I was the original Father of Slum Punk.” But now, with “God Got Me”, ETANO has found clarity in his calling. “I’m renewed, but I’m still me,” he says. “Still a warrior. The difference now is, the Gospel is my weapon. This song is me letting the enemy and the people of God know: Yeshua has us. We’re built to be a light.”
That light came through the fire. ETANO’s path hasn’t been easy — from losing friends, to facing legal battles, to surviving personal turmoil and military discharge, his story is marked by survival and redemption. “Life has been an obstacle course,” he admits. “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.”
His honesty extends to the way he views the culture that shaped him. “Rap is the skill — Hip-Hop is the spirit,” he says firmly. “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.”
One of ETANO’s most vulnerable songs, “Was I The Problem”, captures this evolution perfectly. Written during a painful breakup, the song became an unintentional prayer. “I was talking to God,” he says. “I was asking Him to free me from myself. It was my first song to Yeshua. That’s when I realized how deep this calling really was.”
Now, his art is more transparent than ever — not bound by ego, image, or fear. “People used to say I was capping because I didn’t incriminate myself,” ETANO says. “But I paint pictures. I’ve seen things with my own eyes. Now, I speak scripture and light. If that makes people uncomfortable, maybe they need it most.” His mission takes him everywhere — from churches to clubs — reaching listeners right where they are. “I’m not here to sugarcoat,” he says. “We’re in the middle of a war, and I’m fully loaded.”
When asked how he wants to be remembered, ETANO doesn’t hesitate. “As a man who loved God with everything. Who told the truth despite lies or misunderstandings. I want my kids and my people to see that following the world’s ways only leads to confusion. If my life brings glory to Yeshua, then I’ve done my job.”
With “God Got Me” set to drop October 10th, ETANO is ready to turn pain into power. A video is on the way, along with a performance at K-Mix in Durham, hosting gigs in Richmond, and new episodes of his podcast The BT5 Series. He’s also preparing for graduation at NC A&T and planning his next Gospel Explosion event this spring.
For ETANO, this isn’t just another single — it’s a new beginning. “God Got Me” isn’t a slogan, it’s survival. It’s the sound of a man stepping fully into his purpose — unashamed, unwavering, and unafraid to lead with light.
This Friday, October 10th, when “God Got Me” hits streaming platforms, one thing will be clear: ETANO isn’t just making music. He’s making a movement.
