Born in Long Beach, with roots in Compton and raised in Victorville, California, Pharoah Lotto is one of the most talented artist on the West Coast. Representing Ruler Records LLC, the hip-hop artist is focused on building a lasting career.
Growing up, Lotto experienced a mixture of struggles and good times. His mother worked hard to protect him from the harsher realities of life, and moving the family away from Compton was part of her effort to provide a better environment and more opportunities. As he has gotten older, he has come to appreciate the sacrifices she made.
As a child, Lotto was a daredevil who was always looking for excitement. Although naturally shy, he also enjoyed being the center of attention. Looking back, he recognizes that his desire to entertain people was already there long before he realized music would become such an important part of his life.
Growing up in the High Desert, Lotto spent much of his time at kickbacks, house parties, and the local malls. Those gatherings became some of his earliest opportunities to showcase his personality and develop his skills as an entertainer.
He was known for freestyling at almost every gathering he attended. As people began recognizing him for his ability to rap, he started building a name for himself locally. What may have seemed like a good time with friends was also helping him develop the confidence and stage presence that would later become important to his career.
Lotto began freestyling around the age of 16, initially just having fun with his friends. Within a month or two, he was writing his own songs, and by 17, he was recording music.
A friend who believed in his potential allowed him to borrow studio equipment, giving him the opportunity to experiment with his sound and learn the recording process. That early support helped turn his interest in music into something more serious.
His musical influences have always been versatile. Rather than looking up to one particular artist, Lotto found inspiration in different styles of rap and the creativity of the artists he listened to. He would hear a record and imagine how he could approach it differently, using those moments as motivation to develop his own sound.
Seeing other artists succeed through their talent also inspired him. More than anything, he wanted to prove to himself that he could accomplish something meaningful by committing to what he genuinely loved.
Today, Lotto describes his sound as versatile, energetic, and authentic. He doesn’t believe in limiting himself to one style. Whether he’s creating something for the streets, a motivational record, an energetic song to turn up to, or a track that tells a personal story, he wants every release to have its own identity while still representing who he is.
His approach to recording has remained connected to his roots. Having come up in home studios, Lotto believes that great music doesn’t require an expensive building or the most elaborate equipment. For him, the creativity, sound quality, and energy in the room matter most.
That mindset reflects his overall approach to music: making the most of what he has while continuing to develop as an artist.
With records like “Mr. Bankroll,” “First 48,” and “Big Flexer,” which features The Game, Lotto has continued to introduce listeners to different sides of his artistry. His latest release, “P Stuff,” represents his confidence, energy, and the direction he is taking his sound.
Currently focused on releasing singles and building his audience, Lotto is preparing to release “100 Bands” featuring Spank Nitti James in November 2026. Alongside his new music, he is putting more energy into performing and growing his presence as an artist.
For Lotto, the goal is bigger than simply releasing records. He wants to create something that lasts.
When reflecting on his journey, Lotto makes sure to acknowledge everyone who has played a part in it. From the people who supported him and believed in his potential to those who doubted him or gave him difficult experiences, he recognizes that every interaction has contributed to his growth.
The support has helped him keep going, while the setbacks have taught him valuable lessons. He understands that both have played a role in shaping the person and artist he is becoming.
