Royal Meets Rebel: The Floridian Prince’s Rise as a Voice for The Next Generation
With bold lyrics, a fearless sense of style, and a story rooted in resilience, The Floridian Prince is proving that authenticity is his superpower.
Kouvaris aka The Floridian Prince is rewriting cultural and industry rules. A bold blend of Southern charm, unapologetic creativity, and 2000s nostalgia, Kouvaris is paving his lane, laced in regal and rebellious style. Whether he’s firing off clever bars over vintage production, piecing tougher a teddy bear belt for a photoshoot or effortless freestyling, everything Kouvaris touches carries a spark of innovation.
In a generation obsessed with acceptance and image, The Floridian Prince stands tall with intention.Everything about him, form his sound to the style and story challenge the status quo’s narrow ideas of masculinity and creativity for young Black men navigating the pressures of identity, environment, and expectation. And with his upcoming mixtape, he’s putting it all on the table — vulnerability, fashion, and faith.
In this exclusive Hype Off Life interview, Kouvaris opens up about turning childhood criticism into creative fuel, the deeper meaning behind his music, and just why he’s never going to stop.
Your stage name, The Floridian Prince, paints a very vivid picture. Bu, what does that name mean to you-and how does it reflect who you are as an artist and person?
The Floridian Prince isn’t just a title. It’s how I carry myself, how I think, how I move. A prince has a level of presence. When he walks in the room, people feel it before he speaks. I’m from Florida where everything and everybody has a certain kind of boldness to it. However, it’s easy to get caught in a cycle of what everybody else is doing.
The name reflects that boldness with my own authenticity and ability to show up as unapologetically myself without permission. Which all show up in everything I do from my fashion to my lyrics to my personality to my everyday life.
You've said your style blends 'Royal Meets Rebel.' Give us a break down of what that means and how that duality shows up in your music, visuals, and life?
I’ve always challenged systems and called out what didn’t feel right, even as a kid. While other kids conformed, I spoke up—especially when adults tried to pull the ‘I’m grown, you’re a child’ card.
By middle school, the staff labeled me ‘difficult’ and ‘problematic, when yes I did have my messy moments, however it was mostly because I refused to be the go along to get along type especially when it came to my feelings.
Years later that negativity turned into positivity when it shows up in my brand. When you mix my well groomed, polished and princely image with outspokenness, and unapologetic authenticity. You get a royal who doesn’t follow the pack, but the beat of his own drum.
You started making music at a very young age, impressively teaching yourself how to record in your closet with Apple headphones. How have those humble beginnings shaped your creativity today?
Honestly, it taught me how to be resourceful. People think you need fancy studios and expensive equipment to start out — but that’s not true. A lot of my singles that are out now were recorded with just Apple headphones in a closet. Even when I make videos to promote my music on Instagram or TikTok, all I really have is a green screen, a creative vision, CapCut, and God. Lol.
Same with my fashion: instead of paying somebody hundreds of dollars I made a teddy bear belt for my 19th birthday photoshoot using a plain black belt, some Care Bear plushies, and a glue gun. Those beginnings helped me to use what I have and what’s in reach in all of my creative projects!
Your style and music challenge society's outdated view of masculinity, especially in the Black community. How are you using music to shift the status quo while staying true to self?
All my life, I’ve heard constant false assumptions about my sexuality — all because I don’t have the deepest voice or I’m not the manliest, hyper-masculine male. I’ve heard it all: “You don’t make music like a guy,” “Rap like a dude,” “You gay for wearing pink,” “What guy acts like you? Just come out the closet,” “Act more like the other guys.” And at this age of 19 — I really don’t give a damn.
In my music, I escape the stereotype that men can only make songs about drugs, gang banging, and thievery. I use my music to make a constant statement: that you can be a strong, straight male artist and still be vulnerable, playful, animated, and expressive — in your music and in life.
“I learned that the reason most people don’t make any movement or progress is because sometimes we allow our subconscious to trick us into thinking where we are right now is the final destination, just to keep us ‘safe’”.
From heartbreak to confidence, your lyrics hold weight. Take us behind the scenes of your creative process —what usually sparks a track for you?
Usually, the lyrics and melody come to me even without a beat, so when I’m looking for one or getting one made, I’m very specific about how it should sound. My lyrics always come from real-life experiences. A track can spark when I sit down to brainstorm, or completely at random times.
My song “Knock Off” was written during class, while I was daydreaming and doing my schoolwork. It was inspired by a couple of fake, envious friends I used to have. My verse in “Lovesick” came from situations with a few girls I talked to who had me feeling a little love sick. “
“Ranch” came from how I’m always quick to ask for an extra side of ranch every time I order wings. So every song comes from my real life whether it’s a direct situation, or a couple of similar situations compiled into one story.
Let's talk about your upcoming mixtape. What sounds and stories can fans expect-and how does it represent where you are right now in life?
On this mixtape, I blend 90s, 2000s, and current sounds. From stories of old friendships, relationships that had messy endings, heated fights — to anthems for the fly fellas and ladies to feel seen.
This mixtape has some tea in it; you just have to pay attention. Who it’s about will definitely hear it. Am I worried? Absolutely not HaHa. This project represents where I am in my life: a young Black guy from Florida who dresses up just because, is unapologetically himself, carries himself like royalty, and is expressive — especially when getting his point across, whether he’s singing or rapping.
"Fashion Show" is a huge vibe, and feels like an anthem for those who love expressing themselves through style. How has fashion played a role in your identity and artistry?
Fashion has always been a major part of my life. Whether I’m doing a photoshoot, going to a party, or just going to McDonald’s, I’m going to throw on a nice fit. I’ve even worn full outfits while recording music. When I made my song “Home” in the winter of 2024, I had on a dark green sweater layered over a crisp white button-up shirt, with the collar styled over the top. They say “dress the part” and naturally I dress like I’m already a star.
Mental health, faith, and resilience are common threads in your story. What advice do you have for other young Black men chasing dreams while battling self-doubt or pressure from their environment?
Keep pushing and keep the faith no matter what. All the anxiety your mind feeds you are lies. I learned that the reason most people don’t make any movement or progress is because sometimes we allow our subconscious to trick us into thinking where we are right now is the final destination, just to keep us “safe”. But God didn’t give you that dream and vision for no reason.
So forget what them unsupportive friends, family, classmates, or people from your hometown said. Forget your current life situation. Forget all the bull your mind tries to tell you about yourself. Pray, plan, and execute. Then trust me—it’ll all come together.
I went from being a 16-year-old who had the dream but was scared to fully put myself out there, hoping for validation from classmates, constantly arguing with people who came for me… to now: at 19, being blessed with opportunities in music, acting, and modeling and I’m only just getting started.
You're unsigned, in college, and still managing to build a movement. What drives you the most right now-and what does success look like for The Floridian Prince in this next chapter?
I’m driven by many DMs I’ve gotten from people saying how my music, or just me as a person has inspired them. People have told me I made them laugh or feel heard by talking about real-life situations they’ve been through as well.
That reminds me I’m building something that’ll impact people beyond just a song or a post. Success to me right now looks like building momentum and laying the foundation one post, one lyric, one melody, one outfit at a time for this career of mine.
