Who is Bottomline? 
From Woodbridge, Virginia (just outside Washington, DC) Terrance “Bottomline” Broussard was raised by his single mother and at times by his grandmother, aunts, or other relatives. During his youth he moved often. Going home to an empty house after school, he needed to occupy himself until his mother got home from work. Bottomline turned to writing and drawing as a way to pass the time and express his thoughts. Writing was a natural outlet for him as both his mother and grandmother write in their spare time. Playing with words led him to storytelling and poetry, which he combined eventually with his interest in rap music. Growing up in the 1990s and 2000s, rap music was always part of his life. 
Writing was more than just a way to pass the time; it was a way for a young man to make sense of the world around him and to find his passion. Writing poetry led to writing raps, and in high school Bottomline began developing his identity as a rapper. Struggling to fit in and feeling bored by school, writing and freestyling rap helped him get through high school. It was also during that time that he began producing mixtapes featuring his original beats and rhymes and later performing at school events and neighborhood parties. 
After high school and throughout four years’ active duty with the U.S. Navy, Bottomline continued to work on his craft. He continued to write stories influenced by his life experiences and by watching his friends and family confront their life struggles. 
Early Influences 
Bottomline cites Slick Rick’s Children’s Story as a pivotal influence that drew him to wanting to share stories that resonate with others. His other biggest influences came from East Coast rap, particularly artists like Jay-Z, Jadakiss, and Nas. 
Corruption of Innocence 
Not long before his honorable discharge from the Navy, Bottomline dropped his first CD, Corruption of Innocence, in June 2015. The CD features dramatic beats and intimate tales of struggles he, family, and friends face living, struggling, and surviving just outside of our nation’s capital. He wrote and produced all of the album’s tracks with the intent to connect with his audience through relatable personal experiences and observations. 
Corruption of Innocence includes the tracks, Summer Sand and Trap OD, both of which are tales of his impressionable street days. Tracks reflect on such themes as the challenges and pitfalls of growing up as he did and the hard work necessary to make the life you want. He is drawn to telling stories that touch on what young people face when raised by single mothers and shuffled between family members, fending for themselves, running in the streets, facing a dearth of opportunities, seeing contemporaries make choices that change the course of their lives, and working hard to get ahead. 
What’s next? 
Bottomline is promoting his album, Corruption of Innocence. He continues to write, record, and produce new music and working on Corruption of Innocence, Volume 2. For booking, contact: booking.bottomline@outlook.com or bline89@yahoo.com.

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