Louie Petrone from the Pittsburgh Hip-Hop group Abstract Theory grew up playing on his keyboard.
“At a young age, my dad got me a keyboard. I used to live in the projects and I would set up my keyboard in front of my window, open the window, and then all the kids from my block or area would walk around. I’d see them outside and I’d scream out the window, ‘Hey! Listen to my music!’ Of course, I would look out my window and there would be no one standing there,” says Petrone.
Louie didn’t give up on his dream. Years later, through a mutual friend, he met Troy Johnson who would become his partner in music. The pair inspire each other and, in turn, inspire their listeners.
“I want to change the world. I want people to look at themselves in the mirror after listening to my music and be like, ‘I need to change. I need to go do something. Whatever it is, I need to take responsibility for my actions and I need to be a better person,’” says Johnson.
“I just want people to honestly have a place that they can realize that they’re connected to the world and they can bridge gaps,” says Petrone.
No matter where an Abstract Theory song ends up, there’s a good chance it started with a great hook.
“Louie put me on to how important the hook is. Once the hook is there and there’s a concept or an idea for the song, we just go. I’m sure you can see this in our different styles; I tend to be very direct and personal,” says Johnson.
“My style is more feeling-based, emotional-based,” says Petrone.
As different as they are, it all comes together seamlessly in the studio. Their latest single, “Forget About It,” marries those different styles over a jazzy beat and some organic emotion from another Pittsburgh artist – Sierra Sellers.
“I think she actually brings emotion that nobody else can. Just the way that she speaks through her voice, and the emotion in it, it just sounded right. It spoke a story that didn’t need to come out forcefully. It was all organic,” Petrone.
The song was a big leap for Abstract Theory, emotionally and sonically and that’s something they’re very proud of.
“This song means growth to me and that’s what I think about every time I listen to the song,” says Johnson.
