While still working with a hard-edged production and powerful delivery, rapper Quando Rondo opted for a more emotionally nuanced lyrical approach that set him apart from the vast majority of his peers. Born Tyquian Terrel Bowman in 1999, the rapper grew up in Savannah, Georgia, interested in music from a young age. He adapted his stage name from his nickname, Ty-Quando, adding “Rondo” at the end because he liked the sound of it. His earliest songs to gain traction arrived in early 2018, including the wistfully nostalgic single “I Remember,” which featured a cameo from Lil Baby, and “Motivation,” which found Quando’s earnest lyrics coasting over a melancholic piano loop. In the late spring of 2018, the powerful Life B4 Fame mixtape was released, showcasing Quando’s introspective style and including features from OMB Peezy, Tec, and Lil Durk. ~ Fred Thomas