BC Syphe on the Future of Spokane Rap
For Spokane rapper BC Syphe, music has always been more than a sound its survival. Born Kaden Hutchings, the 25 year old artist has been writing and creating for over a decade, using his words to process loss, identity, and the world around him.
“I first started writing music when I was 13,” he says. “I was heavily influenced by Tech N9ne and most of the Strange Music label. But I didn’t start recording until I was 17, with the help of my friend Jesse B Dawg he had a big impact on my style and flow.”
From Isolation to Intention
Syphe’s most recent album, FACM, was born out of one of the hardest times of his life. “Friends passing, losing touch with people close to me I felt really isolated,” he explains. “I tried writing down all those feelings and putting some stories with it.”
Songs like Breathe Slow, Respect, Kizzy, and Don’t Wanna stand out as some of his most personal work. “They might be some of my most vulnerable songs,” he says. “When I’m writing something sadder, I’ll usually smoke and just sit with memories of my passed friends, think about what life could have been. For upbeat songs, I freestyle with friends until we catch the vibe.”
The State of Spokane’s Rap Scene
Since stepping into the scene in 2017, Syphe has watched Spokane’s rap community grow but he admits it still has room to evolve. “There’s been a lot of progress, but it’s always felt divided,” he says. “More established locals work in their groups while everyone else does the same. I’d love to see way more collaboration. We’ve got amazing artists out here, but it’s hard for us to individually put the city on the map.”
He highlights Red Room Lounge’s open mic nights as a key place for connection. “It’s a great place to start out and network,” he says. “The venue and its owners love all forms of art, and you’ll meet some of the coolest people in the scene.”
Though The Pin once a staple venue for local hip-hop has since closed, Syphe sees promise in new events like Verbal Assault, a series led by Pest the Menace. “He’s been a staple in Spokane’s scene for as long as I’ve been around,” Syphe says. “He’s bringing back Verbal Assault 9 this November 14. It’s a big deal great artists, community energy, and an open cypher that anyone can enter.”
Championing Women in Rap
Syphe is quick to give credit where it’s due: to the women shaping hip-hop’s next chapter. “I’m all for women in rap,” he says. “It adds another layer of competition to the art form and rap is a competitive sport.”
He shouts out several Spokane artists worth knowing: Miss Crooshal, “an amazing singer who can lay down bars,” Raya Improper, “a killer MC who helped me get started with shows,” and Sayyeda, whose live performance at the Burning Cow Barter Fair “was absolutely killer.”
Music, Empathy, and Growth
Beyond music, Syphe’s kitchen work with Spokane’s homeless community has deeply reshaped his outlook. “It opened my eyes to struggles I was blind to,” he admits. “I used to think drug use made people weaker, but now I see it’s about survival. They’re people just like us who’ve hit harder times and feel like they can’t fix it.”
He shares that he once made a song directed at his sister’s addiction something he wouldn’t write the same way today. “This path has shown me so much more than addiction,” he says. “I genuinely feel disgusted with how I used to look at homeless people or drug users. They deserve compassion. If you see someone on the street, treat them like a person that alone means more than you think.”
What’s Next for BC Syphe
Right now, Syphe is in his creative rebirth. “I’ve been slowly releasing new songs on SoundCloud under BC Syphe,” he says. “I’m planning to grab a few of my favorites and get them officially released everywhere so they’re easier to find.”
His older tracks can still be found on YouTube under Beyond Comprehension, while new music like “Changes” and “2K Baby” are on the way.
For Kaden Hutchings, music isn’t just about bars or beats it’s about being seen and heard, and helping others feel the same. Spokane’s rap scene might still be finding its unity, but voices like his are what keep it real, human, and evolving.
Follow BC Syphe on Instagram and Facebook.
You can also find his music on Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, and YouTube just search BC Syphe or Beyond Comprehension to listen to his latest tracks and upcoming releases.
