DreGarde, a rising rapper from Broward County, South Florida, has been quietly crafting a sound that blends introspection, streetwise storytelling, and undeniable South Florida energy. His latest single, “Gold In The Wall,” released on September 12, 2025, marks the first glimpse of his upcoming project, DreGarde Dynamite. The track is deeply personal, inspired by a moment that seemed almost mystical, and it sets the tone for an album that promises honesty, confidence, and reflection.
The story behind “Gold In The Wall” begins on a seemingly ordinary day working for Uber Eats. DreGarde stopped at a Chinese restaurant in Tamarac to pick up an order and noticed a smoke shop next door. He went in to buy rolling papers and prepared to continue his delivery. While rolling up, he heard an Arabian or Indian man shouting that he was shining. Initially, he thought the man was crazy and rolled up the window, but the encounter quickly turned remarkable.
“He came up to my driver side and said I’m shining again. I cracked the window and that’s when things got weird in a good way,” DreGarde recalls. The man asked DreGarde to think of a number silently and hand him a piece of paper. He then wrote down the exact number DreGarde had in his mind. Every subsequent question followed the same pattern, each answer accurately captured on paper. “It fucked my mind up for sure,” DreGarde says. In the middle of the conversation, the man told him to stop talking so much and stop sharing his plans with others. “That comment came out of nowhere, but it resonated heavily enough for me to mention it in a song,” DreGarde explains. “It shaped my perspective on life in the sense it was a confirmation of something I already knew but wasn’t executing. Sometimes the higher power gonna send people to knock some sense into you.”
The encounter captures the essence of DreGarde’s music: moments of authenticity that lead to reflection and growth. It is this commitment to real-life experiences that informs both his lyrics and his approach to storytelling. Growing up in South Florida also shaped his musical identity in subtle but powerful ways. DreGarde points to the melting pot of cultures and sounds that define the region. “Growing up here is a beautiful thing. People save for months to vacation for a few weeks. South Florida is a melting pot. There’s a lot of unique flavors down here that the world doesn’t know about yet,” he says. The local energy, which is fast-moving, witty, and aggressive, bleeds into his music even as his personal style leans a bit broody. “Remnants of that energy are sprinkled in my music. I’m a little more on the broody side of things, but that South Florida energy is still there,” he adds.
The sonic landscape of “Gold In The Wall” was built on a beat DreGarde discovered on BeatStars. Collaborating with producer growupkeelen remotely, the instrumental became the canvas for the rapper to tell his story. “I didn’t actually work in person with growupkeelen, but nonetheless his beat provided the canvas needed for me to let the record reflect. I appreciate that I have a lot of beats saved by him on BeatStars. Everyone should take a listen if they have a profile on that app,” DreGarde notes. His creative process begins at home, where he writes his lyrics before stepping into the studio to record. His home studio, JLR Recordings, run with his friend JRock, offers a comfortable and precise environment that allows him to capture his vision fully. “My homie JRock provides a very comfortable atmosphere for me to record, and that is very important to me. He is very particular in his work and keeps getting better, which gives me a lot of confidence and trust in him to bring my songs to life,” DreGarde explains.
The idea of home carries weight in DreGarde’s music. Recording in Fort Lauderdale is not just convenient; it is integral to the emotional and creative process. He finds inspiration in the familiarity of his surroundings, the proximity to the beach, and the connection to the place he was born and raised. “It is crucial for me to record here because this is where the inspiration is. Not too many places you can drive 10 to 15 minutes to the beach and just vibe up the right way. I also live here. My emotions are tied to home, and I put a lot of emotion in my music,” he says.
Thematically, “Gold In The Wall” introduces the listener to a project that emphasizes optimism and perseverance even in the face of obstacles. The album, DreGarde Dynamite, is grounded in a “glass full” mentality, highlighting confidence, redemption, and resilience. DreGarde explains, “The project is about having a glass full mentality even when things in your control and outside of your control are not going the way you want at the moment. Still believing you are going to get your success and wins even when the odds are against you. You can expect themes of redemption, confidence, a little bit of social commentary, optimism, and abundance and success.”
DreGarde’s approach to lyrics is rooted in honesty and vulnerability. He balances reflection and confidence, allowing listeners to connect with his story while observing the growth and lessons in his life. “I’m comfortable in my skin, so I am able to wear my emotions on my sleeve. Life has always been the greatest teacher for me, observing the mistakes and successes from others and myself. Once you know better, you gotta do better,” he says. He emphasizes that music functions as a diary, capturing whatever thought or emotion arises naturally when hearing a beat. “Whatever feeling, thought, or past situation that comes to mind when hearing a beat gets written down. Music is essentially my diary. There’s no stone unturned. It will come out when it’s supposed to,” DreGarde adds.
South Florida has a reputation for a specific style of street rap, but DreGarde is intent on expanding that perception. He positions himself as part of a movement of lyricists blending socially conscious messages with the energetic punch South Florida is known for. “A lot of people know South Florida for street rap, but we’ve got real lyricists with a message, blending that with the energy most people know us for. Here you get something unique and different, and I feel there’s a real place for that type of rap. I see myself pushing the needle for this type of rap down here along with a few talented rappers and collectives. We’ve got real flavors out here,” he says.
Performance remains a developing area for DreGarde. While he has not performed extensively, he has a clear vision for how he wants to present his music live. The physical act of performing will be an extension of the storytelling he embeds in his recordings, allowing audiences to experience his lyrics in a tangible, immersive way.
Ultimately, DreGarde’s mission with DreGarde Dynamite extends beyond musical ambition. He wants listeners to walk away inspired, especially those who have felt overlooked or left behind. “I want people to believe in themselves and chase their dreams after listening to this project. This project is truthfully for the late bloomers and underachievers who had life kick their ass in a real way to the point of feeling outcasted but finding your light and redemption. I don’t know how this project will define my career as an artist, but I have faith it will be in my favor,” he says.
“Gold In The Wall” exemplifies DreGarde’s commitment to authentic storytelling, blending vivid personal experiences with thoughtful reflections on life, ambition, and place. The song sets a precedent for the rest of DreGarde Dynamite, offering listeners a glimpse into a world shaped by South Florida streets, mystical encounters, and an artist fully aware of his own evolution. From the hauntingly introspective opening moments to the confident, declarative chorus, the track captures the tension between vulnerability and strength that defines DreGarde’s style. Collaborating remotely with growupkeelen, writing at home, and recording at JLR Recordings, DreGarde has built a creative process that prioritizes focus, comfort, and authenticity. He approaches music as a diary, ensuring that the experiences that shape him are reflected fully in his work. His lyrics carry the weight of his observations, his challenges, and his triumphs, and his delivery is anchored in the reality of the environment that shaped him.
As South Florida continues to produce rising stars in rap, DreGarde is carving a distinct path. By blending lyrical precision with regional energy and personal storytelling, he is creating music that resonates both locally and beyond. With DreGarde Dynamite on the horizon, the rapper is not only telling his story but also challenging the boundaries of what South Florida rap can be.
“Music is essentially my diary. There’s no stone unturned,” DreGarde says, summarizing his approach to creating songs that are as reflective as they are engaging. His honesty, combined with his distinctive sound, sets him apart from other emerging voices in the region. DreGarde Dynamite promises to solidify his presence as a South Florida artist who honors his roots while innovating within the genre. For listeners encountering DreGarde for the first time, “Gold In The Wall” is an entry point into a world of personal reflection, optimism, and creative ambition. It is a song that carries the weight of lived experience, shaped by encounters both ordinary and extraordinary. More than just a single, it is a statement of intent, introducing an artist fully invested in both the craft of rap and the authenticity of storytelling.
And in the months ahead, DreGarde’s work will continue to define him as an artist unafraid to confront his own experiences, translate them into music, and share them with an audience that is ready to listen. His voice reflects the vibrancy and complexity of South Florida while forging a path toward broader recognition. With DreGarde Dynamite, he is poised to make a lasting impact on the landscape of contemporary rap.
Featured Images: Artist Supplied
