Baltimore’s ‘Bad Boys’ star is actually pretty chill

Blue spotlights cut through hookah smoke drifting around sparkling chandeliers as the crowd inside Select Lounge bounces to hip-hop bangers that feel straight out of an Atlanta nightclub.

Pariz Motton commands the room in a gray Saint Vanity cropped hoodie, black Chrome Hearts trucker hat and a Cuban link chain, moving through songs from his latest album “Raw.” Swaggering in his delivery, Pariz’s stage presence carries shades of Big Freedia and Saucy Santana.

It’s a sound — and persona — that has led him all the way to a starring role in Zeus Network’s “Bad Boys: Dominican Republic.” Zeus, a streaming platform with millions of social media followers, has helped further the careers of countless reality show stars, including Natalie Nunn, Joseline Hernandez and Charm City’s own Chrisean Rock.

Pariz is hell-bent on being next.

The show, a spiritual descendant of Oxygen’s “Bad Girls Club,” forces 14 men with outsized personalities to live in a Punta Cana vacation house for three weeks. Naturally, with that much bravado under one roof and a looming specter of clout, cast members occasionally break out into name-calling and physical fights.

Think “Real Housewives” with gloves.

I recently sat down with Pariz at R. House in Remington to talk about Baltimore’s music scene, his past appearances on reality TV, and the hardest part about filming “Bad Boys,” which airs weekly on Sundays. In person, the self-described easygoing party boy is a lot more chill than the title of the show might suggest.

The following has been lightly edited for clarity and conciseness.

You’ve lived everywhere from New York to Philly to Virginia. What sets Baltimore apart?

Baltimore is just home to me. It’s different in its own way. New York is very fast-paced. I love that. Philly is like Baltimore, almost identical. The nightlife here is big, and the people — I’m loved here. My rapping, the party boy [reputation]. I’m known to be the fun person, the turn-up, the one to get everybody lit.

When you first moved here, did you jump straight into music and the party scene?

I jumped straight into it. That’s when Paradox was open. The person I was living with was a promoter. I got pulled into that. Before coming here, I was doing reality TV, movies, series and stuff like that.

What other shows have you been on besides “Bad Boys”?

“The Tyra Banks Show.”

What was that episode about?

I did an episode about people who regret getting tattoos. We talked about this tattoo right here — it’s my mom’s name.

I’ve also been on “Judge Jerry” with Mariah Lynn [from “Love and Hip Hop”]. I was actually supposed to be on “Love & Hip Hop: New York.”

How long have you been making music?

Eight to 10 years now. I started with a remake of “Everyday We Lit” by YFN Lucci — before people really knew about that song. I put it on SoundCloud and people thought it was [an original]. When people heard YFN Lucci’s version, they were like, “You’re on the radio?” and things just started happening fast after that — listening parties, video release parties, all packed out.

How would you describe your sound?

It’s different. I just get in the studio and it comes out. I can’t compare myself to anybody but me. Artists that inspire me: Tupac, Kanye, Big Freedia, Magnolia Shorty. Something about [New Orleans] bounce grabbed me, and I made it into something totally different for myself. Bounce artists like to chant on records but rarely record full verses. My producer, Slash, is from New Orleans — I found him and we went crazy. He helped me find the sound I wanted but couldn’t express.

Are you influenced by Baltimore Club or Philly Club?

I didn’t really listen to Baltimore Club or Philly Club that much. But when I hear certain things, I pick up on them. My uncle suggested I try mixing house music with bounce. That song [“Show Me Love”] ended up being the last song I recorded for the album — I was up at four or five in the morning, texted Slash, said: “I need to make this happen.” It’s my favorite song on the album.

Who would you say your core fan base is?

Females, mainly. But I also have gay fans, straight fans — I don’t want to be stuck in a box. A lot of gay artists get stuck in that lane. My drive is too big and wide for that. I make music for all people. When I’m performing and someone wants to come on stage and dance — female, male, trans, whatever — come on up.

You call yourself “humble,” but what makes you a “bad boy”?

I’m bringing something new to the table. People think you have to fight to be a bad boy. Yes, I fight, but I’m not going to fight for no reason. I’ve built myself up too far and have too many relationships with people of stature to carry myself that way. My role on the show is to bring the fun and the music.

Were there moments on the show that were challenging?

Every day there were. People don’t realize what goes on behind the scenes. It was fun, don’t get me wrong. I love production, I love Zeus Network, that’s my family now. But it was challenging because it was something new for me. Being there without a phone was my main issue. I was losing it. Not being able to talk to anybody. We’d get 10 minutes [with our phones], sometimes an hour if things were going well, but usually 10, 15, 20 minutes. And everything is recorded, every single thing. You don’t have any privacy. At all.

Who are some other up-and-coming Maryland artists you’d recommend to people?

Money Jake, YG Teck, Sneaky T, T Savage. But everybody knows them already.

What’s next for you?

Movies. I want people to buy a ticket to see me — that’s what I want. I’m already working on two different shows. One is a series based in Baltimore where I play myself. The other is a “Power”-type series set in Atlanta. My friend, a story producer and script writer, has been helping me tap in. I would love to work with Tyler Perry.