If you know independent rap, you know Futuristic, born Zachary Lewis Beck in Bloomington, Illinois, raised in Arizona, a relentlessly self driven artist who built a career outside the label system. He first broke wide with 2015’s The Rise (and the viral “Nerd Raps Fast in Compton” moment), then kept leveling up through smart collaborations, touring, entrepreneurship, and a prolific release schedule.

Past releases & key moments

• Albums: Recent drops include ikigai (2024), FINALLY FOUND (April 2025), and INDEPENDENTS DAY (2025). Earlier milestones include The Rise (2015) and As Seen on the Internet (2016).
  

• Notable singles/collabs: “Epiphany” with NF (2017) introduced him to many Christian hip-hop listeners; he’s also featured CHH favorite nobigdyl. on “Human Being."

• DIY ethos: Beyond music, he launched Indie Amplify, a platform that connects artists with features, production, marketing, and education, an extension of his independent playbook.
  

Touring snapshot

Futuristic has logged heavy road time over the years. As of today, fan trackers show international and one-off listings rather than a long, announced U.S. run, e.g., dates in Porto, Portugal, appearing on Songkick/Bandsintown in 2025. 

Where he intersects with Christian hip-hop

Futuristic isn’t a traditional “LF Radio-only” artist, but he’s consistently collaborated with other LF Radio names and stepped into faith centered spaces:

• Featured NF on “Epiphany.”

• Tapped nobigdyl. for “Human Being,” covered by Rapzilla

What’s next (music & projects)

• “ON A BENDER” album in progress: Throughout August 2025, Futuristic ran an open “On a Bender” contest to put emerging artists on his next album; entries closed August 27, 2025.

• 2025 album run: He rolled out FINALLY FOUND in April 2025 and followed with INDEPENDENTS DAY—a project he hyped via a 24-hour live album-creation stream in early July.

• Merch/physical: ikigai vinyl pre-orders launched in 2024 (shipping noted for June 28 on his shop). FUTURISTIC SHOP

• Indie Amplify community: Continues to expand his creator hub with education, contests, and open-verse challenges.
  

Why he matters right now

For LF Radio listeners, Futuristic is a bridge artist—an independent veteran who collaborates authentically with Christian rappers, drops clean, heartfelt records alongside braggadocious bangers, and mentors up and comers through Indie Amplify. With multiple 2025 releases already out and On a Bender on the way, he’s staying as prolific, and as community minded, as ever.