Mei Semones

Assorted Tapes is a page on Instagram that show cases new and upcoming artist from around the world. One artist in particular stood out to me with her sound pleasing vocals and guitar strumming. Mei Semones is NYC based artist, she blends jazz, indie rock and even bossa nova into her music. Mei has made an incredible name for herself traveling and sharing beautiful music from her EP’s Tsukino & Kabutomushi. The energy from her fan base definitely shows you she’s a musician to keep your eyes and ears for!

I had the opportunity to ask a Mei a few questions after here amazing set in Chicago, learning more about her musical journey and personal life.

What’s an popular/unpopular Hot Take you have about NYC?

I like Times Square. Obviously it’s a really obnoxious place but I like going there every few months. It’s a different part of New York than I’m used to seeing, and since I’m not there very often, when I go it feels like I’m seeing it for the first time again.

What’s some of your favorite cities you’ve toured do far?

I feel like every city has really amazing and beautiful things about it. I think my favorite one recently has been Tokyo; Yeah,
Tokyo was super fun to play in.

Why is Tokyo your favorite city to tour?

The fans are really, really sweet; the last time I was there, I got some really cute gifts; you can really tell they're there to listen, they're super quiet during the show. I also just love Tokyo, Japan in general, the food is so good.

What's your favorite song to perform on tour? 

I love all the songs to be honest, recently I've been really enjoying playing our newer songs, the ones that are gonna be on the album that's coming out in May. It's fun to play the new ones because they're a little more fresh and exciting and scary, but it's a good scary I think.

What got you into music?

My grandma bought me and my sister a piano when we were four years old and so I started taking piano lessons. Then I switched to guitar when I was 11 and the inspiration for playing guitar was from Marty from the movie back to the future.

It was the scene where Marty is playing the guitar, I found that to be really cool for some reason at that age.

What type of music do you make?

I normally just say jazz-influenced indie J-pop to keep it short.

Tell us about the creation process of your new EP “Kabutomushi”

I write chords first normally, then the melody kind of emerges from the chords, and I put lyrics to the melody, and then I bring the songs to my band, and we arrange them together. That EP was recorded a little bit after moving to New York. So it was a really busy time because I still had a full-time job and was balancing working on music and working a job.

What was a favorite memory you have about creating this EP?

I think just playing it with my band; That's really the best part of it all, they're all so amazing and they're great, yeah, I love them.

Favorite activities outside music?

Honestly there’s not much else that I do, I like to read, reading is nice, very relaxing, hanging out with friends. I love sweets, candy and stuff.

What's your favorite genre to read?

Good question, I mean my favorite author is Haruki Murakami, if you know him, I don't know what genre his books would be exactly described as, its fiction. Some magical surrealism vibes. Everyday life, mixed with some sort of surreal elements, I like that type of writing.

You’d played a few new songs from your debut album thats coming out in the very near future, how was is performing them to your crowd tonight?

We played four or five songs from the album. I'm really excited for them to be out. I think these songs are really great and I really like playing them, that's why I make them, you know. So, yeah (Laughter)

Is there here any difference from your EP?

I would say the album has maybe a little more rock-influence for some of the songs, and then there's also a little more jazz vibes, and more bossa nova. Kind of just more of everything I've been doing, but more refined and more songs than an EP, more to take in.

What are some words of advice you could give to someone who wants to create music?

I would say you should only worry about what you like. Only worry about making what you like, don't worry too much about what other people think about what you're making.

Where can we find all your music?

It's everywhere, on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and you can order it online too if you want Vinyl/CD or Cassette.

Do things that scare you, Jump off what ever ledge that for you - Tmuny

The amount of talent that’s in Chicago never surprises me, especially I meet individuals who create music and not afraid to explore into different genres of music and use their life experiences and culture to make a new generation of sounds that very refreshing. Tmuny is a Afro-Latin who has evolved her sound from Hip-Hop/ Pop to Urbano Latino. Her new EP “Amor” is a test to her Latino heritage and ability to story tell and express her feeling and emotions culturally. Had the opportunity to sit down with T and ask some questions learning more about her career and and self journey.

What city are you based in?

I'm born and raised in Chicago.

What’s your Chicago hot-take?

Deep dish pizza is fucking nasty. Anyone that claims they're from Chicago and says that deep dish is good, they're actually from the suburbs.

1000% agree.

Where are some places you've been lately that you traveled to?

I just came back from Texas. I spent damn near a month in Texas from Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin. I did a whole Texas run.

So out of those major cities, which one was your favorite one?

I would have to say Dallas. Dallas was sexy. Rooftop espresso martini vibes, chefs kiss.

Sexy is a different word to use, Why the word sexy?

Because I feel like downtown Dallas is so classy, It's just the summer air at night on a rooftop with a drink in your hand. Whew definitely hits different at a point it reminded me a little bit of Chicago. 

If you could be an additional main character in a show or movie, what would it what show or movie would it be?

Oh my gosh, Honestly literally just because me and my sister this morning were talking about Hannah Montana. It'll be a tie between Hannah Montana or Twilight; But I'd be a character in Twilight.

I might be judging you for Twilight, but that's just me.

The storyline is amazing, Like the storyline is actually, like, amazing and great. I can say this because I've read all the books.

What music do you listen to in the morning?

That's a really good question; In the morning I'll listen to She’s Face; I've been listening religiously; Probably “Love You, Still.” is my favorite song from her EP.

What got you into music?

I would say a lot of just life experiences and needing a vessel to transmute a lot of my emotions. I was always involved in musical theater, dance, and acting when I was growing up so when I made the transition into a recording artist it felt right.

So what type of music do you make?

These days, I make a mixture of Afro pop and R&B. But honestly, as long as the beat is fire and it makes me feel like moving, I love it. I always write my hook first so if I can hear a catchy chorus 9 times out of 10 I'll finish off the song.

When I first met you, you were dropping a single called Dusse. So what's with the switch up in just the genre of music for you? What made that deep change for you?

Dusse was a very special record. It's definitely a time stamp in my life where I can pinpoint a lot of the things I was doing. I was definitely younger, That was about 4 years ago. And I feel like then I really had the fire in my spirit, it’s just lit a little differently now; if I could explain it with colors, say like a bright bold red, whereas now my music is more of a smoldering red, a deeper red where I feel like I understand a lot of my emotions now. I'll look at things from more of a logical standpoint and just maturing. Where as Dusse in that time frame in my music, it was very like- party girl, which I love and honor. Dusse is really a Tmuny classic. 

Life made the change in my sound if i'm being honest. Deeper experiences, richer emotions and I think the songs I sing now reflect the stakes I fight so hard for currently. These days I find power in my vulnerability and abundance in my blossoming womanhood, it feels amazing.

So tell us about your new EP AMOR.

So I sandwiched my single releases together. But AMOR, I packaged it with ALL TO YOU and VILLAIN because I feel like there's just so much passion with each song pertaining to love. So AMOR is being infatuated with someone. I love AMOR because being half Latina, I got to sort of tap into my Spanish writing, which is something I've always wanted to do. The record took almost from the time I made the demo, almost 2 to 3 years. It's sort of crazy. And it's actually my first collaboration with any artist to see the light of day on Spotify and Apple Music, so it's awesome.

ALL TO YOU is a perfect record too, that follows it because it shows the scale between a fiery passionate way that I can express my love and pop my shit to ALL TO YOU where it's just very submissive and feminine. And that's so beautiful to hear because I feel like for a lot of my music, there were glimpses of that femininity, but it was very much a little bit more aggressive, which like I said, I loved; but it's nice to hear myself in more of a feminine energy. Guess its safe to say, i'm in my lover girl era. 

VILLAIN is sort of the jaded song haha I released VILLAIN first then ALL TO YOU and then AMOR but it's pretty much like a chronological life experience/sequence. 

Are there festivals you would like to perform at and perform any of your music?

Rolling Loud. Rolling Loud is fire. A fire ass festival. Other festivals? I mean, of course Lolla because I'm in Chicago, I grew up going to Lollapalooza. So to be performing there that'd be awesome. Damn. I feel like Coachella would probably be the one.

What do you do outside of music?

I love dilly dallying with makeup products and beauty and finding everything that's of quality and that makes me look good. I love thrifting, I love going on hunts for things that better my life. You know what I'm saying? So whether it’s clothing, beauty, skincare I'm into it. I also am obsessed with coffee. Everywhere I travel for work, I'll find a coffee spot in that town that's supposed to be the best, and I'll judge it and rate it. I’m the Chef Ramsey of the coffee world actually. 

So what is the best coffee you've ever had since you've been traveling around?

The best coffee I've had…hmm…it's a tie between Chiquolattelate in Wicker Park/ Chicago and Arwa Coffee in Texas. It's Yemen/Turkish style coffee, and it was probably hands down the best coffee I've ever had in my life. My friend and I drove 20 minutes almost every single time to go get this coffee while we were in Texas. It was sooo fire. Ugh, obsessed. 

What do you want out of music?

I really want my next project to be well received and to just catapult me in the way that I've always seen myself as an artist. I believe within these next 2 years, the traction that I've been yearning for my music will finally pull up on me haha.  I finally refined my sound and know where I wanna go and who I am as an artist. Whereas before, I feel like I was making music that I felt like people expected to hear from me. You know? Don't get me wrong, there was still truth within my writing and that's why people that have been listening to my music from the very beginning, they love it because it's all my real life experience. I'm always gonna take that with me. As an artist, you can hear the vocal refinement and growth, and I'm so proud. I feel like it's my fucking time and im ready. I also think I'm finally in the right mental state to execute and have the wisdom to maintain those blessings. When I was younger I was in some deep emotional turmoil haha definitely would have made a mess of things at that time. Feels good to laugh about it now.

What advice would you give for someone who gets creative blocks while making music?

Live your life and do things that scare you. I feel like every single time that I've hit that wall because I mean as an artist, you will; I've either fell in love again or I took a occupation risk or just did something completely different, Like I even fucking changed my hair. Do a different hairstyle, try a different fashion style, you know! Jump off whatever ledge that is for you. Finding a whole nother world of yourself is so fun to discover. Typically when I do have those writer blocks I'll just do some crazy random shit, I'm not gonna lie.

Thank you for reading this article about Tmuny to learn more about Tmuny and her music click the link to stay up to date and discover new music to add to your playlist. Here some additional photos from our shoot below enjoy!

Kenrocky

From KenWorld to Monday and locticians to music Kenrocky is an upcoming female artist you want to keep a look out for. Using real world experiences and moods and translating them into songs she separates herself from other artists who just follow the current trend of music.

Whats your name?

Kenrocky, Not the little one.

Where are you from Kenrocky?

I'm from Minneapolis, Minnesota originally but I’ve been living in Chicago for the past 3-4 years

What’s a popular or unpopular hot take about Minneapolis.

The unpopular take would be, there's no black people, like people think there is no black people, but there's a scene. Just how Chicago has a scene.

Describe your fit for us.

So the dress is by me, It was a Ed Hardy shirt oversized shirt. I saw a TikTok tutorial about it; It was like a dress tutorial, and I just made it. The shoes are from Target, I got these bitches when I worked there for like $10 because I had that good discount. Bag I got it from Star Shopping Official, Lexi and DeeJay, shout out y'all, Look them up on Instagram.

So what have you been up to? 

This past year I’ve taught myself how to graphic design, DJ and record my own tracks on my phone, Investing into studio equipment as well. I’ve truly been in my own solitude figuring out how to better myself & my craft at the same time. 

Describe your style of music

Kenworld! 

What does Kenworld mean?

It’s my world and y’all living in it. I don't have a specific sound. Every time people listen to my music, they get a feel for my sound without me having to say anything.

What got you into music?

To be honest seeing everyone around me making music! I already had a deep passion for it, had my own style & sense of fashion so it went together perfectly, I always thought to myself I could do it too, especially with seeing my friends preform at their shows, I always wanted to express my art in that way. 

What do you do outside of music?

Outside of music, I do hair, I want to be a licensed loctician in the future, I am self taught when it comes to doing locs as well. Other than that I love designing, listening to music 27/7, spending time with my loved ones when I’m able to & coming up with different creative concepts for my brand and music. 

How long you, been doing hair for?

I've been doing hair since 2020.

How did styling hair come about?

When I moved to Chicago in 2020. I was looking for something I could do to make some extra bread but I ended up really loving it. Truly never had any negative experience with any client, all my clients fuck with me and I fuck with them so it’s really a cool experience, it’s not like a 9-5 so I fuck with that. 

How has hairstyling experience impacted your music?

For example I was able to do my own style tonight which I have Bantu knots in with added curly pieces, so it's really cool that I get to experiment and put my own twist on it without having to go to someone because I know how I like my hair. I’ve met a lot of artist in Chicago that randomly wanted their hair done as well so its raw connecting with other artists in a different way. 

Tell us about the inspiration for your new single Monday.

I really love the whole project and rollout, It's just a song to put on when you going to work on Monday and you don't feel like fucking going to work.

What's what's next for you for your music career?

I will be traveling more often, doing shows in different cities, dropping more music, doing different collabs, videos and more content, also collaborating with more artists in Chicago overall.

What artist do you want to collab with?

I wanna collab with BabyxSosa. I fuck with her and I love how she is genuinely herself. I've been listening to her since 2019; so it’s very inspiring seeing how far she has came, she inspires me to be experimental with my music. 

Where can you find your music and your new single?

So you can find my music on all streaming platforms, Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, Tidal and YouTube, everything period, Just look that shit up.

JVNEBVG

Jungle & Punk Rock music with PS1/PS2 era of video games mix them together and you get JVNEBVG; His high tempo and energy puts your mind in the middle of the best rave Y2K rave of your lifetime. Inspired by snowboarding game series SSX, JVNEBVG music will make you feel like your playing SSX Tricky.

Where are you from, JVNEBVG?

I'm from Park City, Illinois.

Where’s Park City located in Illinois?

Park City is in the north, like in the north right by Waukegan, Wisconsin like the border.

Describe your style of music?

I describe it as drum and bass mixed with hardcore and rap and stuff like that. So it has multiple elements, especially with punk too, with more vocals; and what I'm saying in the songs, it's kinda like the style I guess. It's like new tech, I call it.

You have a lot of SSX references in your songs. How has that game series influenced your music?

Yeah, So I used to play like hella SSX when I was a kid. Listening to the playlist and fusion frenzy as well; just like that whole style of music, I would listen to a lot. (So as a kid that was my favorite.) I mean, I listened to everything, but those were the specific genres was like the style that I really liked and enjoyed. So I was like you know, I kind of wanted to more influenced by that so I wanted to make music kind of like that, you know

Which artists growing up inspired you to find your new sound of music?

Dang, This is kinda difficult , because like a specific artist is kinda hard to pinpoint it. But I mean growing up I’d listened to a lot of Slipknot and 50 Cent. And I don't know the style vocals of Slipknot, like in especially, “Duality” that song I really like the vocals; how they mix them and everything. So I was really inspired by that. And then 50 Cent, just like how raw his vocals were and stuff. So it kinda inspired me to just to tell your story and kinda be who you are. So listening to him and Slipknot they influenced me a lot to make the music I write.

What's something about you that most people wouldn’t know?

I have played World of Warcraft, like a lot and I actually coach high school wrestling.

You're big on wrestling?

Yeah, I grew up wrestling in high school and stuff like all that. I come from a little wrestling family, so that's what kinda did out here, especially in the Midwest, you know?

Tell us about your new project, Park City.

So Park City is pretty much about where I'm from. Obviously it's named after where I'm from. But  essentially, all the songs in there, it's not like all of them aren't specific life stories of mine, but some of them are about things that I see in the world. like, that I saw growing up or like other people's stories that I've seen like, some friends & neighbors and stuff, and just kinda like the environment. It's like because it's pretty Park City is just like a trailer park located up north. So it's like a 2 little sided neighborhood. It's like on the other side of the tracks of Waukegan. So that's kinda like what the whole vibe is, you know, pretty much trailer park vibes and mixed with where I'm at now in life.

You have 1 song on Paradise on Park City that has a different tempo to it, can you kinda describe that track for us?

Yeah so Paradise was actually one of the last tracks we did on the project, by the guy who produced it all, Joshwa, he pretty much told me “check out this beat, I think it'll go well on the project.” And I just love the beat and I felt like I could tell a story in that song. So I was able to do those things, and I was like yeah this song belongs on the project. So even though it's a complete switch from what I'm usually doing, I just thought it fit the vibe and whole sound of the project and everything.

What motivates you every day to make music?

Honestly, I just fucking love making music man; Like it's one of my biggest passions ever. I'm like awkward as fuck as a person and shit, so like making music is kinda like where I feel like I can really be myself and separate myself from feeling anxiety and all that stuff. So making music to me is really just kind of a passion thing. I just really enjoy honestly making anything to be honest.

What message would you give to someone new that wants to jump to music but doesn't know what sound they would like to make? 

I'd say, like go experiment, just be open to new sounds. You know what I'm saying? Like, you only got one life to live, so it's good to experiment and just listen to things. There's a bunch of genre blending nowadays, so you can blend so many different styles and everything; So just get into that kind of stuff, especially different sub genres.

How do you feel about the new generation of music?

I think it's really cool. I mean, people are doing new things. They're bringing back old things. They're, like, you know, mixing new things, mixing old things. And I don't know. It's just kinda like how music's always been. It's always been, like, you know, just certain eras of people, like, whatever they got going on, you know.

What song right now from any artist that kinda, like, gets you up and pumping every morning?

I've been listening to “Safety Dance” by Men without Hats. It's like one of my favorite songs right now. Just like, I don't know, the fucking extended version's sick because the intro it's like open vocals and after they say safety dance, the beat kicks in. It's just something that's really cool that they made in the eighties. So that's kinda what I've been bumping a lot right now.

Where can we find your new project, Park City?

You can find it everywhere. It's all over, Spotify, Apple Music, and everything. It's not on SoundCloud yet, but it's gonna be on SoundCloud. I just the distributor is kind of annoying, so I gotta work around that. But it's on everything else though.

Thank you for your time.

Thanks man, I appreciate you.

Niah J

Everything goes in a full circle weather in society it’s Music, Fashion, or Art; with Indie/Alternative and R&B artist taking back the forefront spotlight in music it’s great to see a new generation of creatives put their spin and emotions into music genres that where in their peak eras for many of us that were growing up in the early 2000’s. Niah J is one of those artists who bring back that nostalgic sound many of us listened to BET during there prime era.

Where are you from Niah J?

Southside of Chicago.

Southside your whole life?

Yeah for most of it, my first four years was on the Westside.

Describe yourself as an artist.

I would say I'm more so into R&B and Soul, so I would say really soulful, I have a really soulful voice. I’m very versatile too, because I'm able to really replicate a lot of different notes and different things. Like I'm able to duplicate voices when I hear them. So I will say like I'm kinda versatile when it comes to music.

Growing up what artist inspired you to do music?

Beyonce and Chris Brown, those are the main two. Chris Brown more so for his stage presence. He has a really good performance and entertains really good. So I look up to him in that aspect for stage presence and things like that. Beyonce, she's very vocally advanced; Like when it comes to runs and stuff like that, that's who I really used to look up to because she's very very advanced; Like she can do anything and everything.

Outside of music, what do you do?

I'm into cameras and a little bit too in video editing, I went to school for media, I have a certification in media and broadcasting. So I kinda work on that on the side to, work on my own projects.

Have you ever done any types of interviews or podcasts before?

Yes, I used to have a podcast called Press Podcast where I would find underground rappers, singers, and entrepreneurs around the city and just gave them a spotlight on Fridays.

What made you stop doing that?

I really wanted to dedicate my craft to music. I'm really multifaceted, but I felt like my calling was music. So I'm really trying to put my all into that and see where it take me.

So whats your input on the current era of music?

I feel like there are a lot of talented people, especially coming out of Chicago for one. But all in general, I feel like there are a lot of talented people. I feel like one thing that the music industry lacks is genuineness. That's what art is really about, Art is really about being genuine to who you are, true to who you are, and it's lacking a lot of that which makes it easy for people to put out bullshit.

With the new rise of new R&B artists, do you think it has a possibility of becoming greater or Equal to Y2K R&B?

I think it does has potential, but part of me feels like some of it is converting back to the early 2000’s R&B. Like with a lot of artists that I find on Tik Tok they're really talented. And it kinda makes me fall in love with it personally because it sounds like some of the songs that I like to listen to from the early 2000’s, like the Ashanti's and the Rihannas. You got some people that are R&B and who are shifting to it bringing a different sound to it.

Tell us about your new single “Advantage Exchange”.

Well, my new single, Advantage Exchange, is basically about bending gender norms. Like a lot of the times men feel like they can do what they want and not have any repercussions towards it. And usually when that happens it's doesn't work in a woman's favor. If a man does something, it's because he's a man. But if a woman does something, it's because she's a hoe or you know.

So more asking for more equality between men and women.

Yeah It's basically, that's what it is. Like just showing women empowerment as well. Like, letting women know that just because when you get with a man doesn't mean you have to lose your backbone. Like when you get with a man, still stay true to yourself and know your worth. I’m really big on that, women empowerment, women keeping their backbone, whatever the situation is in their relationship, knowing their worth. Women's voices should be heard, no woman should be silenced, and I'm not for that. Every woman should be feel free to be able to express how they feel about certain things or what they've been through without judgment.

Your new single “Advantage Exchange”, how has that been influenced with the current way of R&B?

To be honest, I feel like it's it wasn't really influenced by the current wave of R&B or the R&B music today. That's what kinda pulls me apart from everybody else; I kinda revert back to the early Beyonce and Rihanna, I would say not 2,013, but 2,010s. That soulful pulling your vocal you know, pulling your vocals out of yourself, testing yourself to do different notes and runs, and singing was with a lot of compassion. I feel like that's where my singing was rooting back from. I kinda stem from those eras and just being able to really sing your ass off.

With your new single and other songs, how has music inspired you as a black woman in today's society?

Musically seeing my peers come up whether that's Muni Long, Teyana Taylor, I'm really big on her, so on and so forth. I feel like right now in this day and age, like, I just turned 22. A lot of things are coming into perspective with me. A lot of my inspiration really comes from, my ancestors. I'm not gonna lie. I feel like a lot of the inspiration really comes from the people before me, like the Nina Simone's and even before, you know, as a black person, we've been through a lot. So I feel like if I'm a do something, I’ll go out of the way and that's what really inspires me to do such to do as such.

A lot of music you hear sampled is inspired by early black soul singers.

One of my favorite soul singers is Nina Simone. I play a lot of her music, I really love her music. How versatile she is, She kinda puts me in the mind of Beyonce as well. Like it's just that strong vocal that right when she opens her mouth, it's right in your face. It's very strong, It catches your attention. It demands your attention, It's very dominant, and it has a really big statement it says something.

If you can travel anywhere in the world to go to any concert and preform your new single, where would you go?

I would say London, I feel like they really messed with the song. I don't know, I'm really big on the artist in London right now; so I feel like that's part of the reason why. Sasha Kiebel, she's really good, I really love she has a single called “Hold Up”. It's really good, like I can kinda relate to her sound. She's really good at her runs, she kinda has that 90’s, early 2000s kind of vocals, and it's not monotone. That's what a lot of R&B is today, like monotone. So she really challenges herself and pushes the norms, and she put that song out, It's really good.

What are some inspiring words you can give to new artists that want to step into music or get back into R&B ?

Don't be scared to be different. Be yourself. No matter what other people say, be yourself. Don't be afraid to be the eyeball because that's what's gonna make you different.

Where can we find your new single?

You guys can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube and SoundCloud at Niah J. The song is called Advantage Exchange. I also got the video out on YouTube too, so go check that.

Deezyy

Deezyy has been someone I’ve known for over a decade, and has always had the Jack of All Trades persona about him. Having the opportunity to sit down and talking about a era of music that will never grown out of style; and and going through life finding a balance in everything when things seem like a lot made my brain click like I’ve found that one puzzle piece to connect every all together. Deezyy giving motivating words in this interview that will surly help someone that needs a boost in their daily drive.

Where are you from Deezyy?

I was born in New York City, but I was raised in Nashville, Tennessee.

What brings you to Chicago?

I actually came to Chicago in 2012; I went to Columbia College for a while.

And you decided to stay here after college?

Yeah, I went to school for a while but didn’t end up finishing.  Sometimes I joke that real art school graduates don’t graduate [laughs].  So, I left Columbia, but I really enjoyed Chicago; So I decided just to stay, man. I was already working as a personal trainer at the time, I had a good group of friends here, and I still had a lot of things I wanted to accomplish here, so I decided to stay put so I could make them happen.

So personal training is something your passionate about outside of music?

Yeah man, I mean it's funny.  Training, fitness, martial arts. That's something I'm almost equally passionate about, you know?  Getting to help someone reach their goals, to watch them become stronger, more athletic, more confident in themselves, that really makes me happy.  Training doesn't really feel like something I just do in the meantime.  It's something I'm actually also really passionate about. I’m just lucky enough to get to do my passion for a living.   

What style of training/workouts you do, for people who wanna get into training or wanna learn more about training?

I have pretty wide base when it comes to training. I’m NASM certified and I do strength training, conditioning, mobility, sport specific athletic training.  I also coach boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA too.  I’ve trained everyone from professional fighters to NFL players to rappers and actors, to regular people like you and me that just want to get in shape and improve their health. A little bit of everything, man. Basically, whatever someone's fitness goal is, I can get them there.

What got you into Kickboxing and Muay Thai?

Man, I started in taekwondo when I was a little kid, you know, probably like 6 or 7, because I was always into martial arts, and we found a taekwondo school that was not too far away from where my mama's house was; and ever since then, I was just hooked you know. It ended up being kinda expensive, and I was super into skateboarding at the time. So I kinda traded taekwondo for skateboarding after a certain point. But then when I moved up to Chicago, I got more into boxing and kickboxing and Brazilian jujitsu and Muay Thai, and I feel like I really found the love for it again.

Have you ever competed in martial art tournaments?

Yeah, so I competed in Brazilian jujitsu at a regional level, I competed in a bunch of different cities, like in Indianapolis, St. Louis, in Chicago and Southern Illinois. And then in Muay Thai, I competed at regional level, in amateur Muay Thai. I competed in Brazilian Jujitsu more than Muay Thai, but yeah, I’ve got experience in both.

What got you into music?

Man honestly, I feel like music was kinda like martial arts, It was just something I was always into. Like ever since I was a little kid, I just remember being really really interested in music of a lot of different genres. I was really into rock music as a kid, alt rock, and rap music too. It's hard to pinpoint an exact moment. It just feels like I was always interested in it, you know?

Who were some artists that inspired you growing up?

Man, 3 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Nas, MF Doom was a huge inspiration on me. Madvillainy changed the way I thought about rap music when I was a kid. And then a lot of rock bands.  Bands like the Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Animal Collective.  To be honest, skate videos made a massive impact on my music taste too.  So much of the music that I loved as a kid came directly from skate videos, they really shaped my ear.  The first skate video I ever got as a kid was Mosaic.  I loved the music in it so much, it felt so mature and elevated compared to what I was hearing at the time. Bands like Dinosuar Jr., Spoon, RJD2. It really opened my ears to what was out there.  Now, most of my favorite skate videos also have amazing soundtracks that have inspired my music taste. But yeah, I’d listen to everything from Juvenile to Korn [laughs].  

Korn was one of my favorite band growing up in middle school.

They still give you that hype mixed with that nostalgia factor when I'm lifting man [laughs]. Every now and then when I gotta hit a PR in the gym, I'll throw on some Korn and it will usually do the trick.

So how did this, impact the way you make your music?

Man, I feel like I just try to take the things that I like from all of them and kinda sprinkle them in to what I like. I feel like I got a lot of my, like, whatever you wanna call it, like, rhyme pattern structure from a lot of  Memphis artists, like 3 6 and Project Pat. But I feel like I got a lot of my wordplay inspiration from MF DOOM. He had such a unique way of writing, he inspired me to think outside the box. Definitely reminds me that my music can be whatever I want it to be.

Would describe your type of music as more wordplay?

I think there's definitely a good amount of that in there, I think that's one facet of my music for sure.  I was rapping since a pretty young age, the first rap show I ever did I was probably 10 or 11. Funny story about that actually, I was on stage with a bunch of older kids and we were performing a song we wrote together. One of the older kids forgot his lyrics right at the beginning of his verse, so I rapped his verse, rapped my verse then rapped the hook [laughs]. But anyway, at that age wordplay was all I really cared about.  But as I’ve gotten older I’ve grown to appreciate all of the elements that go into making music, you know? It’s gotta be more than just one thing.  

So how do you mix all your day to day life together with, like, doing music, working out, strength conditioning, doing kickboxing? How does that work for you?

Man, so I have clients that I train throughout the day. You know, some in the morning, some in the early afternoon, some at night. I get my workout in between and I also get a lot of music stuff done afterwards.  I’m naturally a night owl so I really find my creativity at night, so I usually record music late after work.  I feel like it's actually a pretty good balance because I don't really get burnt out on one thing. I'm training someone and then I'm working out on my own and then I'm writing a song and then I'm training somebody else and then I'm playing guitar. I'm constantly switching back and forth between all these different mediums and focuses, and that keeps me energized. It makes it so I don't do one thing so repeatedly that I get bored of it. If I neglect one of them too much I can feel that something’s missing. It’s a balancing act but it’s worth it, you know?

So what's some type of advice you would give someone who needs help balancing their day to day life that wanna, like, focus more on music but doesn't have the time?

Man that's a really good question. I would just say use everything else you're doing throughout your day as motivation to use when you sit down and make music. So even if you only have 10-15 minutes, you have a lot of experience to draw on when it comes to having something to write/think about and having something to say when you're constantly doing a lot of different stuff. If you really think about it, you're using that as inspiration for your music, you can really optimize whatever time you have.  Life can be hard to balance, so don’t get frustrated.  

Your new single “Can’t Jog” where did that whole concept come around?

Man, so it's funny, last year I hurt my Achilles tendon running, and I was limping everywhere. So, obviously, I couldn't run at all, and I was super bummed out about not being able to run. So I remember one day I was at the crib and I looked outside my window and I felt like everyone and their mama was outside jogging that day. And I was so pissed that I couldn't I couldn't be outside running because it looked super nice that day.  It made me think, “Man, they're having fun and I’m in here chained up in the crib”.  So for whatever reason, I said out loud in a British accent, “Can’t jog cause my chain too heavy”  and I was like, damn, that's kinda hard [laughs]. So originally, I recorded the hook myself, and I was gonna try to find a British artist to perform the hook and I was gonna use my section as a reference.

But then you had change of heart

Yeah I decided like why not just do it myself?  So yeah that's actually me on the hook. From there, I just linked up with my boy Johnny, who's this incredible producer and engineer that I work with, and as per usual he whipped a fire ass beat for it, and we kinda just went from there.

Any big projects you plan on dropping?

Yeah man, I'm working on some new music with Johnny. I'm also working on some new music with my boy Billy Hoyle from Pittsburgh. He just sent me a bunch of beats that I'm really excited about. So I've been working on those a lot. I'm working on some music in a few different genres, like a little bit of alt rock, a little bit of psych rock. I'm not sure when that's gonna be out because I really want it to be at a stage I'm happy with before I release it. But yeah man, I definitely got a lot of stuff that I'll be working on. I'm also working on my next round of merch, and this batch is gonna be a little different. I kinda wanna fuse the worlds of music and fitness. I don’t wanna spoil it, but I’m really excited about it.

Do you have any words of motivation for the youth?

Just whatever you do, make sure that it's something you're passionate about. Make sure that it's something you really care about and trust yourself. Trust your taste, trust your vision, and make sure you keep people around you that inspire you.  Don’t be afraid to be different.  If you really embrace it, it can become your superpower. If you spend most of your time trying to make yourself better, trying to make the people around you better, and trying to make the environment around you better, the high tide raises all boats. If you really focus on those three things, you'll flourish.

Where can we find your newest single? What platforms?

It's everywhere you can find music. It's on Apple Music, Spotify, it's everywhere man. Just search “Deezyy - Can’t Jog” and you'll find it.

Thank you for your time.

Of course bro. Thank you, You're the man.

Thank you for reading about Deezyy, click the name to see more from Deezy! More photos from my time with him posted down.

CUPIDBABY

CUPIDBABY is one of those individuals in life thats not afraid to experiment with fashion. Every time I run across CUPIDBABY her outfits stand out. Whether it’s unique layers/accessory pieces or loud colors, she breaks up the over saturated Rick Owens and Opium wave I constantly see event to event. I sat down with CUPID to talk about music, the current wave of the industry, and her new single HOPSCOTCH, depicting the reality of keeping it pushing in life. 

Where are you from CUPIDBABY?

“I'm from Chicago! North Side coolin.”

What's your Chicago Hot-take? Unpopular opinion.

“It’s pretty well known that in Chicago, unfortunately, there’s a lot of gun violence. However, I feel like most times, if you're not fucking around with the wrong crowd you usually don’t have to live in fear about it. It’s a beautiful city. I’ve talked to some people who aren’t from Chicago and when I tell them I’m from here, they immediately get a little intimidated. Just because you come to Chicago doesn’t mean you’re going to get robbed or shot at. Really it’s whatever typa time you be on.”

Describe your style of music?

“It’s kinda difficult to describe my style because it’s always changing. My music may be perceived in different ways by different people. The only thing I ever want my music to be, is real.”

What got you into music?

“Back in high school, I had a homie who had ended up renting a studio. He had invited me one time because he knew I would write poetry and shit usually. We would listen to all kinds of beats, and I’d sit there and start writing to em. Getting creative and networking in the Stu quickly became my happy place.”

What artists growing up inspired you?

“I’d definitely say Chief Keef. He will always be a huge inspiration. Also, He’s a Leo, I’m a Leo. His music is so motivating to me and always will be.”

Where is probably one of your favorite places you travel to?

“Honestly, it's crazy because I feel like I haven't got up out Chicago in a minute. I haven't prioritized traveling as much as I should, but one place I do want to go to next, is Miami or Atlanta. I know a couple over there I wanna work with.”

So what's stopping you?

“The system. Haha nah but I be working a lot. I work with kids at that so they be needing me. Also, Not gon lie, I’m someone who at times will get in my shell when life be lifeing. Taking care of/prioritizing my mental health is something I don’t hesitate to do. I allow myself to just exist sometimes and most times thats where I draw inspiration from. The goal is to do the music shit full time though. New things are brewing for me, I believe that.”

You don't hear a lot of people kind of talk about the roadblocks and daily/mental challenges, You kind of just hear, like the start and the end goal.

“Yeah, like, I ain't got it all figured out. I don't think anyone does. The come up is what makes the journey, and the material raw. No good thing is ever handed to us. I have this old song where I say “if it ain’t come out the struggle it ain’t hard yeah” and that’s still so true to me, you know what I'm saying? you just gotta take that leap of faith and bet on yourself everyday, doing that is a daily decision.”

Tell us about your new single Hopscotch

“Life like a game of hopscotch, gotta keep it moving. I love putting metaphors in my music. HOPSCOTCH is a song explaining what I been on. Getting back to basics, doing me, keeping my peace.  Mfs gonna know when they slept on you, tried to shit on you and they gon try to spin back when they see some motion. But it's like, nah, bro keep that same energy. A lot of people don’t know but it took a long time to regain my piece of mind. You gotta treasure your peace. I had to drop a lot of dead weight. This song embodies that message. I'm getting back to what's important.”

So with the uptick in female artists in the industry, how has that empowered you to make more music?

“Honestly, I just feel like seeing a bunch of new baddies making music and going crazy reassures me that all this shit is at my reach fr. It’s also empowering because not too long ago the music industry was heavily saturated with male artists but now they see and hear us... it’s awesome.”

So how do you feel about the current direction of music?

“I feel like a lot of the shit is copy paste. But I also see and respect the artists that’s staying true to them and  starting they own wave. I wish people would stop dickriding people for they clout and get back to the art though”

So what's next for you in music or project wise?

“Shit. Honestly, I've kind of been more focused on dropping singles because I want people to actually hear every song I drop. It’s no guarantee where I'm going with music next. The only guarantee is imma keep making it. More singles, an album? I want people to get a real clear idea of who CUPIDBABY is. I feel like an album is a good way to do that. Aside from music, I have a clothing brand called CELESTIAL MORPHOSIS. I just recently directed a shoot for the first drop so definitely keep a lookout for that because it’s crazyyyy and it’s coming.”

I love that! Thank you for your time, where can we find your new single Hopscotch?

“My single HOPSCOTCH is on all platforms, Apple, Spotify, Youtube and the Music video on Youtube. Thanks for having me!”

Young Jasper

From music, skating to talking to an operation system; Young Jasper is one of the few artists I have personally had the opportunity to hangout and shoot a music video and just grow up with in my teen years to my adult. I stopped by Jasper crib to do a quick photoshoot and pick his brain about his career/life and his newly released single LoveSick.

All right, back with another interview, I'm with?

Que onda, Young Jasper, That's the name Young Jasper, you already know.

Where you from?

South side, Chicago, You know what I'm saying? Not really brick city, but definitely Brick City.

Describe your style of music to us.

I want to say like, uh, I don't want to say like, be/cliche and say it's different and shit like that, but it's definitely is its own vibe. Outside of the South Side of Chicago, outside of Chicago. It's just like own world, for sure. It's just it's completely different from anything you heard in Chicago from, like, what's going on right now.

What got you into music?

Um, shit. I've always been an artist, you know what I'm saying? Like, it's just that's that's just in the culture. And, um, you know what I'm saying? Around the time I grew up, you know, it was just. It was just kind of like, perfect. You know, I started, like, super early, so.

Is there a certain artist who’d impacted your career?

Definitely. Um, Wiz Khalifa, ASAP Rocky. Um, that was like my main two. That was like the two that really influenced me, for sure.

What's your favorite city you've traveled to so far?

Um, I'm gonna say Paris and Amsterdam. Paris and Amsterdam is like my two favorite places. Two. The two places I can hide out in the world. It's definitely Paris and Amsterdam.

If you were in any of those two cities right now, what meal would you go get?

In the morning in Paris. Definitely a coffee and some croissants. Maybe, uh, maybe, um, I don't know, some eggs or something. And then the Amsterdam steak and eggs.

You spent time a bit ago with Comethazine. Can you kind of tell us about that experience with him traveling around?

It was it was like, um, it was like, you know, your average fucking rockstar tour. It was like a whole bunch of fucking around and bullshitting and making money, and you know what I'm saying? Just like doing shows and yelling at people. Yeah, it was great.

Thats dope how do you feel about the current style of music right now?

Um, You know, I think it's, I think music is definitely in a great place right now, but, uh, currently what's being pushed is, you know, it's not so great, but that's okay. You know what I'm saying? I don't mean that bad music is like, you know what I'm saying? The forefront is going to take over for long. You know, good music will have its place and it will come back. But, you know.

If you could live in any era of music between the past couple of decades, which one would you live in?

It's a hard it's a hard battle between the 70s and the 90s. Yeah.

All right, so you got a new single out called LoveSick, Can you explain that one to us?

Lovesick is definitely a song that that you can interpret however you want to. And I want people to make it as personal as possible. And for me, I know you can just hear it in the music. You can hear it in the song. You know, if you really want to hear what it was for me. But I definitely want people to take it very personal for them.

Who inspired you to make this song?

Menticide, This song I made called Menticide inspired me to make LoveSick.

All right. You dropped two albums back to back in 2022.

Gabos 1 and 2. Yeah. Damn, bro, I shit those, like. Okay, so Gabos 1. Um, I think Gabos 1 or was it Gabos 2? I don't know, it might have been on tour on both of them, actually. But yeah, those are kind of like my favorite tapes I got, um, I got, um, tatted on my neck and shit like that, and, uh, yeah, I made some really good music in that time. Those are my favorite tastes because of the time that I was making it in, like, those are the most fun times, like, ever. Like in life.

What does Gabos mean to you?

It means game ain't based on sympathy. So you know that speaks for itself. Game ain't based on sympathy. I don't really I don't really sympathize for shit. So like, you know, I don't really expect people to do it for me, vice versa.

Then the following year after that, you dropped all your Scooba EP.

Yeah, yeah. That shit. Um, that was just like, you know, that was just like some quick, some quick, uh, preppy boy shit that I was on. Some preppy boy disrespectful Chicago nigga type vibe.

What's next for you as an artist? What type of projects you got coming up?

Right now, I got a project in the works that's actually about to come out within the next month or so, but right now we're pushing lovesick, and it's definitely all about Love Sick within these next couple of months, because this is a really big song and it's a really like it's a really important song for everybody to hear. And as far as what's coming after that, expect a lot of videos. Expect to be introduced into a world.

What are some creative things you do outside of music that kind of give you that boost and that creativity?

Um, I fucking, like, talk to computers. I code. Um, I fucking play with computers. I read and fucking write on them all day. Um, I fucking like, what else do I do? I skateboard. Um. Play guitar. I've been learning guitar for the past, like, almost two years. So. Yeah, I've been, like, getting really, really good, spending a lot of time on my guitar and shit and, um, learning about a lot of music and paying attention to a lot of rock stars and shit, getting a lot of inspiration from them. And, um, yeah, that's kind of just where my whole drive been that lately.

If you could perform a set at any concert right now, what concert would you want to perform at?

Uh. Any concert. It'll probably be, um. It'll probably be, like, rolling loud. Um, we, like, maybe, like, rolling loud or any, you know, anything that's just got a big headliner. To be honest.

Would be that first song you want to perform on your set.

I would love for lovesick to blow up right now, and that'd be my first song I come out to. Boom! Hit that bitch and go crazy.

The other year you did a collab with Joe FreshGoods and Vans. We seen you modeling in a little fit. Explain how that whole collaboration came together.

Um, that was some shit. That was some shit my manager put together. And then, um. Yeah, we just we just rocked from there. Um, he got me into it with Joe Freshgoods and shit. So he made that connection, and then. Yeah, it was just up from then on. Bro said he wanted me to, you know, be in the be in the shoot for the for his new drop. And it we just made that happen.

Word. What are some creative tackle? I'm that one more time. What are something creative you want to tackle or accomplish this year?

Um, I definitely don't want to be cliche and say money, but money. Um, money. More music. Like better music. I don't even care to make a fucking thousand songs. I want to make really fucking solid songs that, you know, like that introduces people to my life now because it's different than, you know, everything that I've derived, like when I was younger and shit.

Last but not least, what is your message to the youth that wants to get into the music but might be hesitating?

I must say, don't listen to me, do your own research. That's what the fuck I'm gonna say. And I'm gonna say also, don't listen to anybody the fuck else. Do your own research, and then. Yeah, you will see if it's for you or not.

Any any last things you want to say?

Love sick is out now on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Google. It's pretty much anywhere you can ask Siri. You can fucking ask Alexa. You can ask shit, anybody? They find it.

Thank you for reading, to listen to New Single LoveSick and more music from Young Jasper Click Here. More photos from our shoot posted down.

HXRY NOT HENRY PT. 2

So earlier you mentioned you have a band and you've been performing your hit single Safe to Say?

“Man, Safe to Say, one of the reasons for sure why Reasons got to put on Bel Air season two.“

Tell us about that episode.

“Yeah episode nine, and they put Reasons, they damn near the whole song was playing in it; it was a Jacuzzi scene with Coco Jones and yeah, just got was able to get that that deal. I'm just waiting to get that shit back so I can reinvest it into, you know, what I'm doing because I'm paying for all this shit myself. The garden video that I did for Safe to say that was all out of pocket, you know, everything been out of pocket and it's just like trying to balance that with life.”

Comes with the baggage.

'“Yeah, it comes with baggage. But that don't mean you should stop type shit. You know like that means you should just go harder, so these issues ain't ain't gonna be like that.”

The more you invest in yourself, the more return you get.

How did it feel to have your song on TV where millions of people watch the episode?

“That shit was crazy, man. Like the Shazam just fucking shot up. Like, I remember the first day I watched it, it was like 15,000 Shazam on the song. I was like, God damn bro, this shit crazy. Like people was just playing the fuck out of this shit. “I found you in Bel Air”, you know, it was just a lot bigger audiences and bigger platforms and I think I wouldn't have never got there… I wouldn't even think about that shit when I made reasons. I was just I was making a song about my girl like I was in love, you know what I'm saying? And I just wanted to make a song to show that. I think I'm like, reflecting like, Damn, that's all I was thinking about when I made this song and so much came from it. I think that's just a lesson to just keep being true to how I'm feeling and putting that into the music and not think about everything else. The release, how could it go? How can it be perceived? None of that. I don't think about none of that shit. I think you just really make your shit potent and intentional and it'll take you all takes place.”

Tell us about your new groovy single, N.L.S.

“I just don't want to put myself in a box you know? A lot of R&B singers fall into a trap, but not wanting to make music, you know, or they got to come out with a different alias or some shit. I want people to just realize I love making music and not just R&B. So that was me just really having fun with music again, you know, because sometimes when you just making R&B or making one style of music. That's what you expected to do. It's kind of like it becomes more of a job than just like something I want to do. So I make sure I squeeze in things that I actually want to do, you know, on top of it's really trying to evolve my sound in the R&B space, so yeah, N.L.S. came from that.”

What do you do outside of music?

“Dragon Ball, Always Dragon Ball.”

Dragon Ball FighterZ?

“Dragon Ball FighterZ that's it, That's it, bro. I will wake up play Dragon Ball on days when I don't feel like making music. I got it on my switch. I got it on my PC, I got it on my PlayStation, I got it on my Xbox.”

You’re really into it?

“They got in at headquarters, there's a bar down around here, they got it on the arcade stick and I signed in on it. So now I'll be playing online when I be going to the arcade bar, it's non stop bro. It's the Dragon Ball grind, bro. I skateboard too, shit, but I skate to go play dragon ball. I heard somebody tell me I'm when I'm passionate about something, I'm a little obsessed, I think that's true; I mean like it wouldn't be a passion then if you ain't obsessed with it.”

How would you rank yourself in Dragonball FighterZ against the whole world right now?

“Ranked in the world, I'm the best Dragon Ball FighterZ player in the world.”

Hands down?

“Hands down, Catch me on Twitch, catch me on the leaderboards. I'm the best top, I niggas to be ranked 999, Number one, Zeno. I got recordings of me beating their ass into the ground. Like, ain't nobody touching me. Niggas be like, Hey, man, I play dragon ball Fighterz. I was like, ight, He played me but he don’t playyy. You know what I'm saying? This is don't know what's up. But yeah, that's my game, bro. We gotta play.”

I gotta learn how to play again.

Oh, shit.

It's been some time. I'm on a Starfield right now.

“Oh, Starfield yeah, I'm fucking with that, I'm waiting for that new Warhammer. Warhammer 40,000. You heard about that, It’s like Third person?”

Something like that. I haven't played the old one.

So earlier this year you posted a photo of you shot by Raven saying Funeral and New Beginning; Is that a hint to a new project/new album?

“It's hinting to something, I don't know if I need to say right now, but I think it all unfold just how it needs to and I think that was that picture with Raven was the first thing that needed to be established. You know, I think when it comes to a funeral, A lot of people look at it as the death of something, but it's also a celebration, celebrating beginning new beginnings, change.

I've been going through a lot of change recently, so I think that was the perfect time to put that out and just really let people see what's going to happen next, you know, because the shit I got playing, the music I've been making is some shit I've never made before. I think I've been really challenging myself to just level to level up simply bro.”

Tell us about the homie Jeff, I see you always in his studio on the west side of Chicago creating all types of hours of the day.

Hell yeah man, it’s crazy bro because he ain't make music when I first met him. He used to just be playing Call of Duty in his room and shit, and now he got a whole ass studio. It's like, Damn, I remember I told him, you know, you just need to get on FL studio. You need to download it. He's like, I tried man, but it ain't my thing, Photography is my thing. Now look at this nigga, It was like, I think what it was he needed to get on the track. Like I told his ass to get on a Mr. Freeze and that was that was his first time getting on the track and so ever since then bro, he started buying all the equipment. He's like, I think I gave him a bug or some shit, bro. Like, nigga always, always been growing hella, he been growing hella. He did his first show and you know watched him performing and shit. It's like it's real kinda because like, just knowing where he came from, you know, this is my guy and just, I appreciate it his ass, his always been knew, through all types of shit. Just call his ass. I'm showing me just smoking, showing me some crazy ass new weed too. Just calling to check up on his ass, see what he's doing, you know, that's my guy for real.”

So what's next for you? You told me you're cooking something up later?

“Yeah, man, I got some new shit. I'm actually about to go to a video shoot right now. Got this next single coming out and this shit going to be different. It's going to be like nothing I ain't never dropped before.”

I'm excited to see.

Any messages you want to give out to any fans? Artists that are interested in R&B and Soul? Or not the living themselves. Any any type of genre of music. What type of advice would you give them?

“I think you started, you know, don't limit yourself to any genre of music because you can find beauty in all types of music elements. Even if it's something small, even if it's like one part from 52 seconds to 54 seconds, that shit be cold as hell, if you know what I'm saying. You know that it might inspire you, you know. I guess don't put your own self in a box with your music, taste preference or just even how you move through the world. You know, I think that you can only limit yourself when it really comes down to it because you're in charge of you.”

HXRY NOT HENRY PT. 1

From producing beats, rapping to singing R&B this artist has amazed me in his talent to make beautiful/ relatable music. HXRY is a Chicago based artist I’ve been lucky enough to watch his transformation from the beginning to the artist he his today. This is the most interesting interview I’ve done yet listening to HXRY down to earth answers straight from the heart. I’ve decided to make this interview two parts due to the length of the answers.

“Yo, it's your boy Harry, not Henry. That's HXRY you feel me and I'm here with my boy Jordan.”

Feeling good?!

So tell the tell the fans or any new listeners more about yourself, tell us about the style of music you make.

“I'm kind of in the middle of that right now, like figuring out what it really, But if I had to show somebody who didn't know me, I would say R&B or like electro, funk or something, you know?

Been producing for, what, ten years? Started singing like three years ago and motherfuckers heard me on track and said, Hey, That's your bread and butter. So I kind of went with that and just. I love that shit. Its purpose in it, you know.“

What got you into making music.

“Shit, It's high school man, this dude he claimed to be a rapper; He was a singer in my chemistry class; and he said he had a mixtape, and I lied and said I had one, too. He was like, Yeah, because you're no rapper if you ain't got no mixtapes. So I made a fucking little mixtape at home, downloaded some YouTube beats and shit off Audacity showed it to him. The next day I recorded off my web camera. He's listening to it nodded his head and shit. I was like, You fuck with that shit. This is my mixtape. He's like, Nah, this shit ass. I was like, Bro, give me my $100 bro, and everybody was like, How you do this? And I showed them and they had all the homies coming over to the crib and we was just like Man, we can't keep using YouTube beats. So I started making my own beats and they was making songs. They was long as fuck, I kind of condensed everything down and then that's how I started producing, Music always been around like my mom she’d song in a choir, My dad played drums and bass.”

So you come from a musical household?

“Yeah at first they weren't super excited about me telling them this is what I was doing. I was like, Y'all did that shit. They said, yeah, but we did it so you ain't have to. I was like, What the hell?! How the hell you create? So I ain't got to? It's just funny though man. But Yeah, Music Always been around; Mama played like Mary J. Blige, D'angelo, Disco. My Dad gave me all the weird shit. You know, rock, punk, old edgy hip hop; You know what I'm saying? So it's like a mixed household of music.”

So you blended both together and here now we got Hxry

“Yeah, Damn near, my dad big in the funk. It's like sometimes I make shit and I show it to him and this some shit I’d listen to.

When I first met you, you were living downtown on Clark Street, making these crazy beats, songs that no one ever heard sitting in a vault.

“Yo Clark St was crazy. Downtown two story loft. Just nothing but artists and shit, throwing events, you know. That shit was big in the Hypebeast culture, like skaters and shit like that coming through, you know pop up shops, music. It was just a hub since it was downtown and everything was right there. It just made you want to make… you felt like you just had to be doing some shit. Especially in a house full of all the people that you was in. Like, its was really just go hard or go home. Because I was I had just graduated college when I was living in there, so it was like that was me taking a step out. It was way out of my comfort zone. It was a fucking raggedy ass two floor, like wooden stairs falling apart as house, you know what I'm saying? It was a lot of opportunity, though, you know, meeting you. You mean a bunch of different artists and shit? Like fucking G Herbo. That was random as hell. G Hebro came upstairs and shit with some timberland boots in July, and I was like, Damn, boy, you got them big ass boots on. He's like, “That's how we do.” I was like, boy, you got five big toes in them big ass boots, he was like “Oh, you're a funny nigga.” know some funny shit, and I was just getting to know his ass at the time. Because he just had a kid. So I was just kind of picking his brain, you know? It's like people want to get connected with it more than anything. That shit make everything move around. Once you feel like you can relate to somebody's experience. Like sometimes you may feel alone doing some shit, you know? That's how I feel sometimes, and I'll be making music like feel alone with some shit. Then you put it out there, you put it on the tape and other people could hear it, and that's when they start relating to it. You know, “I got married to this song” or “you know, this helped me out of depression.” It's like, Damn, I wasn't the only one that was feeling that shit, you know what I'm saying? So it's like it's connecting with people always been the big thing. I think that house really started that shit for me.”

So tell us about Peace of Mind.

“Bruh Peace of Mind… Peace of Mind is my baby first born Shit. It was a summer random ass summer and I was going through a rough breakup. It was my first time living on my own, you know, outside of my parents and just really hustling and grinding every day. It was just a lot of changes, you know, I wasn't comfortable, and the only thing that made me feel comfortable is riding my bike, you know, writing that tape, listening to beats and just try to make a tape. At first, it's just I just was making music during that time period of my life and I listen to all the songs. I was like, Damn this all feels the same. It all feels together. So yeah, just and I always listen to the songs while I was riding my bike and it just gave me the title just came up like peace of mind, you know, because that's really what I felt when I was making it and listening to it. Yeah, that was crazy time.”

So with that the creation of this tape, it followed into your debut album, Reflections.

“Yeah, Reflections came from a different place. A show, I think with peace of mind, all of the music comes from me and my experiences and shit, so it's not different there. I guess. Yeah.”

You got me thinking about it like it ain't really different. I think as long as I'm true to the music and I put that shit in the music, I can always listen to it and be like, Damn, that's the shit I went through. I'm on the other side of that now. And that's that's really what reflections felt like. Like I had been going I was goin with a shorty for nine years, you know, We had just broken up and it was giving me time to reflect on myself. You know, a lot of people like to throw fault in the relationship. Oh, she did this, She did that. and it's like, damn, what did I do? Uh, that was really reflections for me, you know? Got a different type of peace. It was a solace in quarantine, you know what I'm saying? I was by myself a lot and just had a lot of time for reflection, so I just picked up a bunch of instruments bass, guitar & drums and just made that shit from scratch and I'm proud of that. Like that's my like, I made that motherfucker, you know, I ain't got no production features on that. I made everything. Peace of mind. I collab with Kaitlin Ellis, Ordinary Youngster, Aaliyah, Low Foul on Mr. Freeze. So it was like that was just really like peace of mind. Really felt like it rallied the people you know and as a reflection is really like it was more self-reliant. You know, when they get on they get the motivation and the and the get the the. Just like the change that I really needed for myself coming out of a long ass relationship and and self-identity, figuring out who I am. You know, I really feel like Reflections was a big ass time in my life as well. Held important and those the way the way those projects came together stick with me. I'm sure that's how I try to move forward in my next art, you know, and just make sure it's true to me and I'm not making, you know, casamigos music, club shit, random ass. Like, you know, anybody could do that shit. It's been they've been there, done that. They, you know, niggas they did a video in the strip club, throw some ones and shit and call it a day. It's like, no man, I don't move like that.”

What are some other like words and feedbacks you got from people who’ve listened to your album?

“A lot of people tell me I sound focused and I sound like I have no doubt in my heart. When I was making that, I knew exactly what I wanted to say. I was talking to my boy Mars out in LA and we was talking about that just like, What do you want to say before you even write the music? And I think once you figure that out. Is potent like and when it's potent, these people feel that shit. I think that's the most important if people feel your music.

People like, it's like it sounded like a real, real ass studio album. I was like, Bro, I did that in the crib shit, you know? People was really just telling me like, I could really tell what you, what you've been through, you know? And this helped me. Like I was going through a break up and, you know, these songs even like the way it's sequenced and all that shit, like people just a lot of praise on just how I put it together. I try not to let that get to me because it causes pressure for my next work. It's like, Damn, I got to make this one. Like, you know better than that one. I think it comes better when I'm not thinking about none of that shit and I'm just literally and surround myself and just how I'm feeling; And once I forget about the plays, the commodities, the fucking, the platforms I could be on, I just really start to focus on myself and my feelings. I think that's when the music the best. So I try not to, you know, listen to Too much on like where it gets people as long as they're relating to it and they feel it, you know, there's a gratification enough for me. But I think validation is a slippery slope. You know, you can be chasing that shit. So try not to Appreciate the praise, but I think I try not to just. Just drink the Kool-Aid of that shit so much, you know.”

Yeah, I hear you on that one.

So I've seen Lady, you've been working in classic studios a lot, which you've been cooking up?

Shit, man. I think, like, studios. It's like a whole different era of my life. You know? Mind was a era, reflects the era. You know, just working with classic, that's a whole different era. Like I've been doing this shit by myself for about ten years. So to really collaborate with somebody else and, you know, be around other musicians and shit and it really feel like I'm like putting my footprints down in the city because, My presence is usually online, you know, scattered stuff like that. People know about me on the Internet wise, but I never really felt like I had a Chicago traction. I think working with Classic just really kind of established that and just people kind of know me more in the city, just doing more shows, getting out there more, being outside, going to events and, you know, stuff I really wasn't doing before. And that just opens a whole new lane of opportunity for me to new people and collaborating. my band like things that that just happen, I think a lot of things come at face value when you're like in the city working with people. It's easier to connect and especially if everybody got good intentions and you're vibing, right? you know what I'm saying? You never know what comes from that shit. So like, Classic was one of the dudes, like first it was Jimmy my boy Jimmy. I was doing studio classes in quarantine. He used to come over and watch me produce and he had just started interning at Classic.

He's been there for a couple of years and he said he came back to me. He was like, Hey man, I've been here for a couple of years. I want to be able to help you out, you know, I got some leverage in the studio, you know, So he made a whole ass PowerPoint, and we had a meeting with classic, and classic you know, you can see the PowerPoint. Jimmy left the room. He was like, Hey, man, Jimmy should be your manager. I was like, why you say that? This nigga made a PowerPoint for you, bro. Yeah. I was like, Would you have made a PowerPoint? I was like, Nah. He's like, you know what I'm saying? So I think just kind of working with classic and seeing how he moved with Smino, that's like an inspiration, you know, in terms of how Smino can kind of move his own culture and everybody kind of just like feel that shit, you know what I'm saying? It's like to a to a certain extent, the artists start creating a culture and I think smino on the verge of that. So it's like good to be in close proximity to that, to see how that happen, you know? And I also know every artist got their own way of doing that. I think I'm just really trying to figure out what's mines.

But it's good being around, like, classic and everybody just hell of people I don't got to meet. Just being more active in the city. Brian from Pokey Studios, King Marie, A lot of talented people, Chance & Peter Cottontail. Just people that I’ve even seen on TV and shit. You know, that's from the city. Now I'm getting able to see him in person and just seeing how they got to the point to where they had, you know, it's it's just real eye opening for me because I'm still trying to figure this shit out.

Thank you for reading this part of the interview, stay tune for the second half of the interview and collection of photos from HXRY.

MUGEN! The Human

Back again with another post, another artist, did a quick shoot with Mugen! The Human. I’ve known Mugen for about 6-7 years now….. Well truthfully, this year I got to know him more personal thanks to mutual occupations. It’s crazy to think you’re apart of the same art group for years with someone and you only know them at a surface level till now. There is more I want to say but I’ll let him do the rest of the taking todays blog was definitely a more in def learning experience.

What’s your name sir?

“I'm Mugen! The Human, aka the Vagabond, aka the Mitchellville villain, aka tall, dark and handsome. Aka Mr. Nike Boy. I'm running out of Aliases.”

Why the name Mugen The Human?

“Watching Samurai Champloo in high school inspired me to start producing music, and New Jabez is very similar to J Dilla, which is like one of the few just hip hop sounds that I grew up on. I think like J Dilla is more than an artist; He's a sound, you know what I'm saying? So like my way to pay homage to my roots and to pay homage to my love, to anime, like I felt the best way was to pick the name Mugen.”

Samurai Champloo, which is a early 2000 anime, Would you say anime has had a huge impact within the hip hop industry?

“Yeah, definitely, we literally had a rapper named Majin Boo for a bit or Kid Boo. No, we had Kid Boo. Then there was another No, there was a dude that looked like Majin Boo. I forgot what his name was, but like, there's a lot of people that take influence from anime like Lil Uzi for the pink tape. I mean, his whole trailer for that album is an anime trailer, so that's just a couple examples of the reach that anime has. And I mean we don't even got to get to talking about like all the lyrical references. I mean, there's millions of them at this point. So yeah, I mean I think it's, I think anime just in general is bigger than ever, but I definitely think hip hop helped bring anime to the forefront of the mainstream in a way that I don't think a lot of people give credit for. I think anime is bigger than it's ever been and it's just going to continue to get bigger.”

You said J Dilla inspired you in your early days to create music. What else within the music industry help you become the artist you are today?

“I think just like the overall like contemporary and I guess what you call like new and popping hip hop artists like I would say over the last ten years or so have definitely inspired me. I'm not one to just listen to one type of music like I love Earl, but I also love Herb, You know what I'm saying? Like Chief Keef is actually a big influence on everything that I do, just in terms of like punch lines. I think like there's very few artists that like are as influential as him that can come up with punch lines the way he does. I think there's niggas right now that are like taking it further, but without Keef a lot of these niggas like wouldn't exist and I'm included with that. So literally it doesn't matter like what the genre is or what the type of hip hop it is. If that shit is like popping right now, like of course I'm going to take inspiration from it and I think every artist should, if that's just popping, is popping for a reason. If it's influential, it’s influential for a reason. So if you're not paying attention to it and if you're not getting inspiration from it, I don't really know what to tell you. So I get my inspiration really from just what I see.”

Describe your music to the listener who may or may not ever have listened to your genre music before?

“It's definitely got like its lo-fi and boom bap roots. Like that's typically always where I gravitate back towards, but I'm kind of all over the place. I do trap. I do rock n roll, I do R&B, I do pop. Like I literally do it all. And you really never know what you can get from me next. So just like I would say, my genre is just like, unexpected. If that's like applicable.”

So from being from Chicago, you would say Chicago artists like Herb and Bibby and Chief Keef are probably the most influential artists from Chicago during your age, or is it Kanye, Common and Lupe Fiasco?

“Well, I'm actually I'm from Maryland. So low key, like from outside. From the outside perspective, it's going to depend. But motherfuckers are either going to like or going to tell you Ye or Keef. It's between those two. If it's not, Ye, niggas going to say Keef? It's not Keef. Niggas going to say Ye. But back when Keef was coming out and Drill was really starting to take form, like the DMV definitely gravitated towards that sound heavily. We definitely embraced it a lot, and I was definitely a shorty during the inception of Drill, So like, I got a lot of love for that, and now I'm moving to Chicago now, and now being a rapper myself, like I said lyrically and just I guess in terms of energy, energy mostly, like that's definitely something that inspires me to this day when I need to, I guess, rap harder, if you will. You know what I'm saying? Like, that's definitely where I take a lot of my inspiration from.”

So why come to Chicago and leave Maryland?

“Initially, it was for school. So I came out here, went to Columbia for a bit, and the summer before I moved out here, that's when I started rapping because niggas wasn't hopping on my beats. So I was like, Fuck it, I'm gonna just see what I can do. And when I would send my tracks to my friends, they didn't say it was complete ass, so I just decided to stick with it and just, you know, fast forward, here we are now, and even though I've dropped out of Columbia now, you know, music is still going well. I'm still progressing at my pace, so I don't really see any need to go back home. And plus Chicago's home. You know what I'm saying? I've been embraced here, I love it here, and I still feel like I can build a foundation here.”

You recently just dropped an EP called For Her Consideration. Can you explain that EP?

“I've been told I don't make enough love songs and sometimes I feel like I'd be too focused on the bars and I don't be having fun. So and specifically, I had a girl tell me I didn't make enough like love songs and fun songs specifically. So that's why I titled it For Her Consideration. And all three songs are songs that you can either dance to or just like kind of cut your brain off and just enjoy, enjoy like the the positive sonic vibe, if you will. So yeah, that was kind of my inspiration behind it. And it also gave me a chance to talk my shit, which I try to always do, but I was really talking my shit on there. So yeah, I was just having fun with it.”

You put a lot of your music on SoundCloud versus other platforms. How has SoundCloud impacted you as a musician, artist and overall person who prefers putting it on more underground a streaming platform versus iTunes, Tidal, Spotify?

“I kind of started putting my stuff on there just to like compete with the landscape because I feel like now if you don't have some of your music on, you know, the distribution platforms, like you really can't compete; And while my numbers have done pretty well on there, my best numbers are on SoundCloud. I think seeing my first consecutive thousand listens and then the thousands turned into ten thousands and the 100 thousands and getting over a million plays on my SoundCloud as a whole. And just by making music off my phone, it just showed me like, okay, like it doesn't matter how you make your shit, it just matters that you make it and you put it out. And that definitely inspired me to just stick with it and never to let go of the underground Spotify and Apple Music, they smooth, but SoundCloud is where it's at.”

You make your own beats on top of rapping over them?

“Yeah, for the most part. Like sometimes I'll buy beats or like my homies will throw me some beats, but for the most part, I do make my own shit.”

How often do you stay in the studio then?

“Most of the time I'd be at home making my own shit because I got my own setup with my phone and shit. So most of the time I'm at the crib. But when I'm locked in, I mean, I can literally be locked in for probably like a full Ten hours. Like sometimes I just won't do anything but make music. But I would say, like, when it comes to the full process of making a song, I do kind of work pretty quick. A beat can take maybe like two hours tops. Writing could take even if it takes a couple of days the full time. Probably take me like two hours, Same thing. But the recording process, I always come back to that. I can record a rough, let it sit for like months and not be like satisfied with the take until like, like I said, those few months are up, which is perfectly fine. I don't believe in rushing anything and working at my crib means I can work at my own pace. But when I'm with the homies or if I'm actually in the studio, I work fast as hell like I can be in and out, you know what I'm saying? I have my first done, first recorded in like an hour and a half. That's when you know you're on the clock. Especially if you pay for studio time. Like, that's really when you kind of got to push yourself, But it's definitely nice to have my own setup because I can, like I said, work at my own pace, which is great.”

We have artists like Steve Lacy, and one of his top singles he had made was made on GarageBand, which is a Apple made platform rather than FL Studio and Pro Tools; would say you prefer that over making it on like computers or going to the studios?

“I think for me personally, like at this point in my career, I'm not just comfortable with the my production method, but I also think it's it's growing. Apple's constantly updating GarageBand and adding new things and shout out to them for doing that because every time I feel like, okay, I've kind of hit a ceiling, they drop a new pack or they drop a new update where you can do a lot more than you thought you could. So it's working for me. Plus, I'm able to like drop samples on there as well. So I'm not just like doing everything from the ground up for every single song. And the fact that I'm able to sample and still record live instruments and make a song from the ground up with Midi instruments, like I'm still able to do a lot of what other producers do on Daws on their computers. So I'm still able to compete. But that's not to say that I don't value motherfuckers that use Daws on their computers. Like I said, if I get beats from a homie or if I buy a beat like nine times out of ten, that shit was made on a computer. And it's made in a way that like I wouldn't be able to do for myself, which I think is also great because there's collaboration there as well. But for me personally at the moment, I'm gonna see how far I can take this phone shit. Every time I think I hit that ceiling, I just learned something new. So yeah, we'll see how it goes.”

Lastly, what is next for you as an artist?

“Well, I'm going to be opening up for Bellis at the Foundation House at the House of Blues on, I believe, July 25th. Don't quote me on that. I've got a lot going on. But follow me at Mugen! The Human on Instagram and Twitter, and I'll keep you up to date on that so you can get tickets and shout out to Bellis for for hitting me up for that, look dope artist I'm excited for that. That's probably like my most exciting thing that I got lined up and I've also never met her in person before, so that's going to be really cool to finally meet her. We've stayed connected through Instagram for a long time, so I'm excited to not only meet her, but to just be on a dope bill in a venue that I haven't performed at before. That's definitely what I'm looking forward to the most, But after dropping my latest single Lake Show and maybe I got a couple more lined up that are kind of fucking crazy and I typically don't really toot my own horn, but I'm not gonna lie. I'm shitting on niggas with these next couple drops. So once I get my timeline lined up like it's it's up for the rest of the summer, so just be on the lookout.”

Thank you for reading about Mugen! you can click the link here to stay up to date with him for any new music or shows he will perform at near you. Heres some additional photos from our shoot at the bottom.

Once Again Cardiel

Back again with another interview with Chicago Artist Hesh Cardiel; our first conversation with Hesh we’d learned some info about him as an artist and the modeling he does on the side, as well as skateboarding and how that influence the young artist to start and help evolved his music into his current sound of music he has been putting out since we last talked to him. Heres a couple of questions I’ve asked him to get readers and fans up to speed with Cardiel in 2023.

It’s been about two years since the last interview, how have you been with your career as an artist?

“It’s been fun still. Still growing, makin better and better music everyday. I been more into giving pure emotion and the truth in my story. I want people to get the side of me I deal with dolo.”

You moved to ATL for a bit how was the experience? What was the culture out there working in recording what is now one of the biggest music artist cities? 

“ATL another world. There’s sumn’ goin on always. Being said you gon see and meet everyone whether you at the shows, pop ups, strip clubs, underground functions, to even the skatepark.  The energy out there fulla hustlers and wanna work with you just off the strength. I got to lock in with one of my fav Engineers/Producers Chris Clay. To later linking with hella artists I can call my family now.”

What made you stop back to Chicago instead of trying out a different big city?

“After fashion week NY I needed a reset and time to be with family. Who knows where I’ll be next.” 

PlaysonthePhone is a different genre of music from what you usually put out to the open ear what made you create a more alternative track?

“I was in a different space when making PlaysOnThePhone. When in Atl I met Jake Crosswait and we had been talking about making some rock shit for a while. We were in the studio in Little Five recording the chords, riffs, and moods using real instruments it was the most euphoric feeling. I still get bhills when pressing play.”

What about an album/project, you have ton of singles and a EP with Myles Bryant is it ever in the plan to make a debut album?

“I dropped a 2 song EP called Heart Of Hearts in May last year. I will be releasing my first album “HILLBOMB” in August 2023. I been bouncing back and forth on projects never feeling like it was whole until now. I wanna give y’all my all and nun less. Got some surprises on the features and producer fan faves.”

What is some other genres of music do you want to tap into to challenge yourself? 

“More rock and the punk that I grew up listening to. I got sumn that sound like Henry Rollins tucked.” 

How do you feel about a current direction of music 

“The current state of music is bool. Radio could be better but that’s normal. I feel like we in a “let’s see if this sounds cool” era 💀Just more experimentally extreme and I’m all for it.”

Tell us about this bear you travel around with lately, where did you discover this piece at?

“He really mini me/bestie. People flexin backpacks, I stay witta bear. I got the bag in ATL (@Lolly.us). His name is Marshall and has an Instagram everyone should go follow right now (@geekboymarshall) .” 

Music festival preference Rolling Loud or Summer Smash?

“Summer Smash cus if you were there to watch Lyrical Lemonade grow from what it was it feel more of a celebration. What Cole, Lil Jake, Glo Up Jake, and the team did for the culture is nothing short from pure.”

What’s something creatively you want to tackle/accomplish this summer?

“I wanna put out a lil collection of pieces I been working on. I love clothes and just wanna add to the history.”

Lastly Mosh pits or VIP?

“This hard as hell to answer now. I’m fake gettin older and don’t wanna feel y’all sweaty eel ass bodies but getting that energy out needed. At the same time VIP be fulla people on they phones recycling the fit from the last shit. VIP if it’s my peoples, mosh pits if I’m performing.”  

Click link to stay up to date and get more insight of Hesh Cardiel’s journey into his Music & Fashion.

New Creative Direction/Summer Smash 2021

Summer Smash was definitely a hell of a way to finish out the last few weeks of summer. Three days of aching feet and large doses of caffeine to compensate for the little hours of sleep I had gotten. Running around and taking photos of the artist compared to going and seeing your favorite artist perform such a huge differences; I appreciate not standing in a crowd full of sweaty strangers.

I’ve been thinking about switching to a medium format camera like a Mamiya RB67. Shooting digit these past few years has been but it time to try something new, I haven’t been shooting lately to rethink concepts and art style. I’m want to go in a different direction with my art.

I don’t have too much to say this time around. Here a couple of my favorite shots I took at Summer Smash; enjoy and thanks for reading.

Rocks, Dirt and Healing

Its been a while since I done one of these and its has definitely been a long time since I’ve traveled somewhere outside of Illinois. Getting on a plane for the first since 2019 was very weird at first. Being stuck on a cylinder shape air type fast moving vehicle thousand on feet above the ground during a pandemic had me paranoid, but hey it felt normal once I got on the plane and sat down, everyone wore a mask and not one soul complaint about it.

Finally got the opportunity to go back to Arizona and got some hiking in around some of the mountains. Man it feels good to able to get out my natural surrounding and see new things; do new activities that I couldn’t normally do in a more urban city like Chicago. The only I forgot I dislike the most when I travel out to western states is all the driving I have to do.

For those who don’t know I’m not a big fan of driving long distances, after an Hour and half I cringe to get out the car and move around, but of course everything is so spread out; I be trying to telling myself just to hold on your almost there.

Driving from one side of Phoenix to the other from where I was staying is about an hour and 20 mins….. thank god for music I don’t know how people way back then travelled so much like how did endure those long journey by themself on horseback.

Well at least all the beautiful sunsets made up all the long drives, all the warm colors in the sky as the sun departed from us for the day was my favorite part of my day and trip. Hopefully I’ll make my way out there soon in a couple months.

I also had the chance to link with Healing Roots and Kashara Marie to do a photoshoot in the desert I had the idea in my head for a very long time. Roots and I had been trying to do a shoot for months and our schedules could never align. Luckily we were both out in Phoenix at the same time so we finally got together and created some magic.

I hope everyone staying healthy and safe, here some photos from our shoot and some from my journey, enjoy!!

Hesh Cardiel

Hard thrasher, music lovin’, PBR shotgunning, punk skater occasional high fashion model is how I would best describe south side artist Hesh God AKA “Hesh Cardiel”. For as long as I known Hesh, he has always incorporate skating into his music and staying true to his word about his life and who he is as a person. I had the opportunity to do a quick shoot and sit down with Chicago upcoming music artist and ask a few questions about music, fashion, and the potential future. You can see more of Hesh on his Instagram page @HeshCardiel after the read.

What first got you into music?

Hesh: “I first got into music from my uncle. He put me onto hella rock, punk, and rap music. He was in a cover band and did shows in the city and seeing that at a young age inspired me to create my own music to be a stage one day.”

How would you describe the music that you typically create?

Hesh: “The genre I make is grunge rap. It’s more of a feeling and thoughts that go through my head day to day. My creative process is disgusting. Haha”

Who inspired you to make music?

Hesh: “It’s like that old Eminem interview where he shows his notebook and it’s all random bars scattered through the page. I write down random lyrics everyday and somehow put the pieces together.”

Which famous musicians do you admire?

Hesh: “I’m a big fan of GG Allen, Henry Rollins, Future, Black Sabbath, Kurt Cobain, Curren$y, and Earl Sweatshirt.”

What is one message you would give to your fans?

Hesh: “One message I’d like to give my fans is to keep goin. There’s a reason why you woke up this morning, don’t waste it.”

What brands have you modeled for?

Hesh: “I’ve modeled for Beast At Play, Preference Studios, Safe House, Endless Edge, Iridium, Falto, Fear Of God through RSVP ,and Louis Vuitton with Virgil.”

Tell about the time Virgil hit you up? What was it like?

Hesh: “I got contacted by his talent seeker after being recommended by Tylor Fakie. Working with Virgil was honestly surreal; It didn’t feel like work, it was playin dress up with everything I dreamed of seeing in person. We was playin Carti, skateboarding, and get T’d with the gang from London.”

Whats next for you as an artist?

Hesh: “I’m in the process of releasing my first album in March. The goal is to stay consistent and flow out music videos I been holding on.”

Tell me about your new music video and what it means to you?

Hesh: “The new video for “DAYTONA 500” was fun as hell. My brother PPG Casper was in town and everyday we was on go skating and working on content everyday with the homies. Me and Max had been talking about shooting a music video for so long and the wait was worth it.”

Whole Lotta Red

Whelp this is take two for writing this blog post. I accidently delete everything I just wrote and had to start from scratch, safe to say I still dislike writing; I don’t know how people do this for a living, but hey where’s the fun in writing a couple paragraphs in one take…. A lot of fun actually.

Have your ever aimlessly scrolled through twitter and saw a photo concept the caught your eye? well I have in fact scrolling through Twitter threads with photography in it is my new favorite thing to do at the moment. For about hour and a half I’ll be scrolling down a thread of other people’s photoshoot ideas and concepts looking for inspiration for my next beautiful creation.

I found this dope all red nude shoot while scrolling, I had to make my own, I’m thinking about using other colors like blue, purple, maybe a green with other models and the mashed the together and make one whole collage with different colors in each shoot.

Thought 2:

Just when everyone thought we were out to the frying pan with lockdown and quarantine, everything starting to get worse again. Numbers are going back up and States are closing again, I was planning to a trip to Arizona to take some mountain, sunset and long exposure shots etc; but life had other plans for me and the world. So for now we wait to see what gonna happening in the world. Will there be a thanksgiving or christmas this year? Hopefully lets see what these next few weeks look like.

Here are some shoots from my all red shoot I reimaged I’m still planning to the other colors shoots soon, so stay toon and enjoy these photos.

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The Dugout

It’s almost Election Day I hope everyone is doing early voting. As much as everyone telling people to go vote , we should be telling people to go research all the presidential candidates and there running partners. To be honest both sides are terrible, major cons people need to speak more about.

But hey there are other 3rd party candidates running that should get some light they could actually be better than the two main parties that are plaguing our ever crashing country.

This month of October has been moving pretty smoothly for the most part. I finally started manning up and making more time to do some shoots, but this cold air starting to get to me. Lets see how long I’ll last out there.

It started snowing here in Chicago just after it was 75 degree like a few days ago... hate to say it but winter is coming.

A while back a friend of mine put me on to Viewbug a photography app. I had forgot all about it and now I’m using it more so expect some of my photos to be on there i’ll throw a link to my page soon once I get to use it more.

I had started to put this 85mm 1.8 lens to use more especially in these photos. I pulled up to a baseball field in Hyde Park and the homie was wearing a Negro League teams medium sandlot color Jersey. Enjoy the collection.

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Water On The Sand: Bosthetics

Another day, another shoot, I’ve been working a lot lately…. ok a lot a lot, it’s October again, spooky season. The air in the city is getting cooler, I wanted to do at let least one to two photoshoots a week before it really cold to shoot outdoors. I need to make more time for myself to express my creative side to its fullest.

I had done a few shoots here and there since we went under quarantine, at first I didn’t what to do shoot, I felt it weird to go outside since all the media outlets would ever talk about was covid-19 all day and night. I useless don’t listen to the news a lot but with all that free time there was nothing better to do at time. You grow to learn that new media outlets will run with anything just to drive up views, even if it’s the same thing over and over again.

I spent most of that time going through the old hard drive and looking at some skipped photos I didn’t make the one cut at the time. once I was done sorting all the photos, I realized I was holding back a couple shoots, so it made a great time to post them and spread some creative through these hard times.

Bosthetics had hit me recently with some raw concepts for a beach shoot. I was excited to get to work cause I’ve been looking forward to doing a beach for a while now, so it was perfect timing the weather was looking good for that day, not to hot or cool, so I couldn’t turn down the chance.

The idea around this shoot was to incorporate many chairs that stack up and have her sit on the very top and than photoshop the stack the increase the height to give the illusion that she was sitting must higher.

Beach/Lawn stackable chair were out of season at the time of the shoot, I find it crazy that stair like that our out of season at the very beginning of Fall when it is still very warm outside. We had to make a improvise on the chairs we could find and just work around it.

Here just some of the photos I’d loved throughout the shoot, I hope everyone enjoys these and gets some creativity/inspiration from these.

Artists, Exclusives, & Updates

Hopefully this will be the first of many blogs; This year for me, so much has happen but not much has happen, I’ve created a lot of new projects at the beginning of the year; but do to the our new norms i’ve narrowed them down to three project so I’ll give updates through here.

So a little more into the title of this post, I want to showcase and talk to music artists, spent a day day with them and capture moment of day and talk about their latest projects.

Exclusives photos is something I wanted to do for a while, but Instagram and their censorship has always been a problem but with a blog platform on this site I’ll post them here and what made me decide the clothing for the shoot something similar to V/sual shoots

I have some photos from All-Star 2020 Chicago this year so I’ll post some of the artist photo I took below.

Lil Tecca, JID, Playboi Carti, Da Baby, Roddy Rich

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