803Fresh is no longer just a name buzzing around South Carolina—he’s making national noise. Thanks to his viral hit “Boots On The Ground,” the rising artist has caught the attention of fans, fellow musicians, and industry vets alike, all drawn to his unapologetic fusion of country, hip-hop, and soul. He calls it Southern Soul, a genre-defying sound rooted in his lived experience as a Black man in the South.

That lived experience powers every beat, bar, and performance. Since the release of “Boots On The Ground,” 803Fresh has been performing five to six nights a week, adjusting to a rapid ascent that even he didn’t see coming. There was no viral marketing playbook. The song started as a vibe in the studio—no grand rollout, no polished campaign—just something fun.

“I’m gonna be honest with you—you never really know the trajectory of a song until it’s out in the world,” 803Fresh told BET. “It didn’t have this deep meaning at first, but now, the way it’s bringing people together, it’s turned into a whole movement. A movement in the right direction.”

At the core of the record is a simple question that became a rallying cry: “Where them fans at?” It wasn’t written with a chant in mind, but it caught on like wildfire. The phrase came from a real-life observation during one of 803Fresh’s early trail ride experiences, where he noticed some attendees cooling off with handheld fans. At the next event, when he didn’t see any, he casually asked the question.

“I went to my first trail ride and I saw fans, a couple of steppers had them,” he recalled. “Then I hit another event and didn’t see a single fan, so I asked, ‘Where them fans at?’ That’s really how it came about—just something I said, sitting in the back of the van.”

The success of “Boots On The Ground” didn’t come with a polished package or a rehearsed persona. In fact, 803Fresh admits he’s still catching up to the momentum.

“I’m definitely playing catch-up to the song,” he said. “Everything that’s happening now has already surpassed what I imagined. I don’t think I practiced in the mirror long enough to prepare for this kind of energy.”

The track’s title has taken on new meaning as his schedule fills up and his stages get bigger. He jokes about being tired from the grind, but beneath that fatigue is a sense of purpose.

“I’m beating the concrete up right now with this newfound fame—and I’m tired,” he laughed. “But I had to put my boots on the ground and keep marching. If my feet don’t move, I stay stagnant. It’s all about how you keep walking—and how you allocate that in life.”

While many artists chase their next viral moment, 803Fresh is focused on building something that lasts. Longevity is the goal. He knows Southern Soul is still unfamiliar territory for a lot of mainstream listeners, and he’s committed to being a voice that pushes the genre forward—while staying authentic to the roots he started with.

“I’m being an advocate for a genre that’s kind of unheard of, especially in the industry,” he said. “I want to keep the same narrative I started with and stay genuine and authentic. That’s the plan.”

He’s also clear about what parts of his life he’s willing to share with the world and what stays private. When it comes to his family, that line is firm.

“Anything that deals with my family,” he said without hesitation, “that’ll never make it online.”

As for what’s next, 803Fresh is keeping things close to the chest—but he’s not slowing down. A new single is already in the works, with a full project planned for later.

“A follow-up single will be dropping sooner than later,” he confirmed. “Right now we’re just trying to utilize all the resources and opportunities around the record. The project will come slightly after the very, very next single. I’ve had some folks reach out about collaborations, but I think it takes away from the intrigue if I let people know who.”

803Fresh may not have set out to lead a movement, but that’s exactly what he’s doing—one step, one chant, one show at a time. And if the last few months are any indication, he’s not just here for a moment. He’s here to march.