Can you tell us about your musical journey? How did you get started in the music industry?
I was always interested in making music since i first heard of MJ when i was just a little kid, i wanted to become Michael when i was younger. I first started in a band with a friend of mine at age 11.
But i didnt start making proper music untill late 2016. I released my first single ever made on Soundcloud by the name of Paperview. The song was not good at all but it brought some traction to my soundcloud. Over the years i consistently released music now and then.
I released my first mixtape in 2020 which was made in 2018 ”Call me in the night time”. You can only find it on soundcloud currently.
In 2022 i released my second mixtape ”Symphony” and it gathered some traction localy and in the US. I got a lot positive responses to Symphony, which i have never gotten before. I just released a new single a few days ago ”Love me” on all platforms.
What is the inspiration behind your latest album/project? Can you share any interesting stories or experiences that influenced your creative process?
Currently i am working on my 3rd tape that i will be releasing this year ”Hero to heart, Villain in mind” I have not released the title untill now and the cover will be releasing soon on social media.
I am quite versatile when it comes to music and i will make anything that my mind sets to.
My inspiration for this mixtape is my upbringing and my life experience over the years. I pay tribute a lot to heritage in Saint Vincent on this tape which i havent done before. So it’s something new and the sound is also something new compared to my other projects. I’m excited to release ”Hero to heart, Villain in mind” this year.
Hope you all will enjoy this project as much as i do. It consists of 10 songs in total. 5 of them are currently complete and i am working on the rest currently.
How would you describe your musical style or genre? Have you experimented with different styles, and if so, what motivated those changes?
I would describe my genre as very rap and pop heavy with a mix of punk. I have experienced with several different genres, such as afrobeat and underground hip hop. I have a unreleased tape currently on my hands that consists of very heartbreaking music. That i will not release to the public untill i am 100% confident in the tape. I am currently focusing on experimenting my style and implementing different styles into it.
Can you talk about your songwriting process? How do you come up with lyrics and melodies? Are there any specific techniques or rituals that you follow?
Most of the time i get beats sent to me on my Email and i go from there.
I first listen to a beat i like and freestyle a little bit and if i say something that i truly like i continue to the lyrics and melodies.
It takes me approx 10-20 seconds to find out if this beat fits me or not.
I don’t have any specific techniques or rituals. I just hear the beat and write to it, when the lyrics and melody is done i record it on my phone to hear how it sounds like first on a voice recording.
Then if i like it and want to keep it i open up fl studio and download the beat and record from there. I mix & master my songs myself and have been doing it for quite some time now.
What role does music play in your life? How do you believe it has the power to connect people and evoke emotions?
It plays a major role in my life. I get quite restless if i havent made any music in a matter of days and i cant sleep cause lyrics just keep poppin up in my head over and over again. So i have to start writing them down or i go crazy and have a lot of sleepless nights.
I like to bring people together with music and talk about contreversial topics in my music. Which is why i think i get so good of a response from people as i do.
How do you handle criticism or negative feedback about your music? What steps do you take to continue growing and evolving as an artist?
If i get any hate on my music i block it out and don’t let it affect me. If i get proper criticism i take it into account and work on getting better and better.
For me to continue to grow and evolve as a artist i need to read a lot. Experience a lot of lifes difficulties so i can implement them and become better and better. I am not where i want to be in music right now, but some day i hope i will eventually get there.
Are there any particular artists or musicians who have greatly influenced your work? How have they impacted your musical style or approach?
Oh yes, Asap Rocky has influenced me heavily and i would say 50 cent aswell. Those two are my go to artist to listen to.
They have impacted my musical style a lot also Drake has impacted me with his melodies and made me a better artist today then i ever was before.
What has been the most memorable or rewarding experience in your career so far? Is there a specific performance, collaboration, or achievement that stands out to you?
The one that stands out for me was when i released Symphony, i got so much positive feedback and it finally made me happy with making music.
And when my friends said you have gotten good lately, i nearly cried since i’ve never heard them say that before.
And the more i make music and release the more people listen and give me solid feedbacks every single day.
Recently since i released my single Love me, my instagram dm’s have been blowing up with collabs and postive feedback.
How do you balance your artistic vision and commercial success? Do you feel any pressure to create music that aligns with current trends, or do you prioritize staying true to your own unique style?
No i don’t feel any pressure at all. I stay in my own lane and worry about myself & just keep working and working day by day.
I can make a song that will become trendy but then i will end up having fake fans and not real ones. So i would rather build up a following of a proper fanbase that likes me for who i am and my music for what it is.
Can you share any upcoming projects or goals you have in mind for the future? What can fans expect from you in the coming months or years?
My upcoming project Hero to heart, Villain in mind. I am quite certain this will bring a lot more traction than my lastest project.
People can expect me to release atleast 1 song per month and keep progressing as much as i can.
I have a goal in mind to have my first concert in Norway by 2024 and i would love to make that happen. I need the stage practice and i feel itchy cause i want to perform so badly. I am currently looking for a manager to help me out with music and advertising. But currently i am all by myself. I am signed to Illegal Mpney which you have made an article about. It’s a great deal and i keep my masters and a good % of royalties.
My goal is just to release music and become more and more versatile. If music dosen’t work out it’s ok, i have atleast tried!
Thanks for having me and you can find me on all platforms under the name: Gracious.
You can listen to my latest single here: https://open.spotify.com/album/3iCn9d3pPpEDcYoCvBzjuH?si=AMjwYW6KQDat4htJ_L2hvA
