The Bronx producer continues to experiment across genres while pursuing his childhood goal of becoming a professional pilot.
Music can matter deeply without becoming a full-time career. For Bronx producer Imar Forbes, known as Zaruflo, keeping music grounded in enjoyment has given him room to experiment, learn, and develop at his own pace.
His interest in production began with a simple question. While relaxing and listening to one of his favorite artists, Forbes found himself considering a possibility: “What if I could make my own?” That thought became an invitation to try. He began teaching himself the production process, gradually improving through practice and connecting with other developing artists who could offer guidance.
From the beginning, Forbes approached music with curiosity rather than a fixed measure of success. He wanted to find out what he could create, then make each track a little stronger than the last.
Creating the Zaruflo Identity
The name Zaruflo is itself an original creation. Forbes devised the producer name, giving him an identity that feels distinctly his in a crowded online music space, and it now appears across his Instagram profile and his releases. Formerly known as RYKEL!, he now uses Zaruflo across his work as a multi-genre producer.
That sense of individuality also reflects where he grew up. Raised in the Bronx, Forbes encountered music from multiple genres, including the hip-hop sounds closely associated with the borough. Rather than staying within a single tradition, he absorbed different approaches to rhythm, melody, and production.
His early home life also shaped his creative outlook. Forbes grew up in a strict household and believes difficult experiences can motivate personal and creative growth. Music gave him a way to discover abilities he had not previously recognized in himself.
For Forbes, producing became a way to channel past experiences into learning, expression, and a stronger sense of self. His perspective centers on what a person chooses to build from difficult circumstances and how that motivation can support continued growth.
From Dubstep to Hip-Hop and R&B
Forbes’ first experiments drew heavily from electronic music. Producer Beastboi inspired him to explore neo-dubstep, while HOL!’s work encouraged him to make dubstep his first primary genre.
Those influences gave him an entry point, but they did not create a boundary. As Forbes gained experience, he expanded into hip-hop, R&B, and trap, drawing on both his Bronx roots and his interest in electronic production. Moving among genres allowed him to test different arrangements, sounds, and moods rather than settling too quickly into one formula.
That versatility developed through repetition. Forbes describes his progress as gradual, built track by track through practice, observation, and exchanges with fellow artists. His aim is not to present himself as a finished producer, but to keep improving his technical skills and creative judgment.
Finding Listeners Without Chasing Fame
Building an audience has been one of the more difficult parts of Zaruflo’s music journey. Creating a track can happen alone, but getting it in front of listeners requires consistent promotion and patience. Forbes continues to share his work while balancing school and several jobs, devoting time to music even when other responsibilities compete for his attention.
That effort has led to plays beyond SoundCloud, including streams on his Spotify artist page and other platforms. One of his tracks has reached thousands of plays. Those numbers show that his music is finding people, though he does not treat them as the sole reason to continue.
What makes Forbes happiest is knowing that listeners enjoy what he creates. His intended audience includes hip-hop and EDM fans, though his multi-genre approach leaves the door open to anyone interested in his work.
“It’s not about the popularity or the success,” Forbes says. “It’s mainly about having fun.”
This distinction matters to him. Many creative pursuits become burdened by pressure to produce income, status, or constant growth. Zaruflo gives Forbes space for improvement and enjoyment to remain worthwhile on their own. If music eventually brings wider success, he would embrace it. If it remains a rewarding hobby with a growing audience, it will still have served an important purpose.
A Future in Music and Aviation
While Forbes develops as a producer, his primary professional ambition lies in aviation. He is currently attending school and studying to become a professional pilot, a goal he has held since childhood. He understands that qualifying for the airline industry demands years of work and sustained dedication.
Forbes does not view that career path as a reason to leave music behind. In the future, he sees himself working for an airline while continuing to produce during his own time. The two pursuits meet different needs: aviation represents a long-term professional dream, while music offers an ongoing creative outlet.
Forbes’ path, documented in part through his YouTube channel, challenges the assumption that every meaningful interest must become a person’s only vocation. He can take production seriously, seek new listeners, and improve his craft without forcing it to carry the weight of his entire future. For now, his direction is clear: keep learning, keep creating, and make room in his life for both the cockpit and the studio.
