Hey, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?

I’ve been maintaining and growing. Going through emotions and trying to stay focused. I’ve recently lost my Father and creating music became my own therapy session ever since. I’ve been recording countless songs and really digging deeper than rap. It’s more personal now. Despite big old mess I’m about to create haha. 

I’m very interested in how you started your adventure with music, and did you know from the beginning that this is what you wanted to do?

Music was an important part of my life growing up. My household was filled with music on a constant basis. Whether my Mom playing gospel, my Dad playing reggae, my older brothers playing Hip Hop or Punk Rock. Music was always there for me to explore. The first rap video I ever saw was Rakim’s “Microphone Fiend” but it was Mobb Deep “Shook Ones” that made me wanna rap. It started to take shape and mold me as time went on. It felt like my calling.

Congrats on your new release, ‘The Artist’. Can you give us some insight into it?

The instrumental alone is special which had a vintage feel from the era of Hip Hop I grew to love. My boy Lebanon Don created the beat and I instantly knew how I wanted to approach the record. The bass was knocking and the piano drops were hitting. I was working on my new album, Michaelangelo, and I figured this was the blank canvas I wanted to express my art the most. However, writing my verses, I felt it needed a chorus or hook to fit the concept. Luckily, I remember Nas quoting “ask me now, I’m the ARTIST, but hardcore, my science of pain…” and it stuck with me. I knew I needed to use that line so I reached out to Tone Spliff who’s a noteworthy DJ and specialist with the scratches. He made the chorus standout, man and gave the record more life.

What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?

Continue to do music and put it out there for the masses. Stay consistent and stay in the public eye. It’s all about constant content. I know I will continue to grow through the creative process. Build with people and collaborate with other artists.

What should we expect from your next releases in terms of style and sound? How different are they going to be compared to your previous works?

The style and sound is always switching up but always cohesive. Whether conceptual or literal. Just expect lyrical and personal. However, as a artist, I always like to challenge myself between style and sound. I am not one of those one-dimensional rappers. I want the music to resonate and gravitate with the listener. 

Where are you based? Can you tell us how the music scene there has inspired your sound at all?

I am based and raised in South Florida. Broward County. The music scene over here is boundless. All types of ethnicities. All types of people. Beautiful and ugly. No matter if it’s strippers, young thugs, your friendly neighborhood drug dealers, you can find beauty in the struggle. A lot of great artists, musicians, poets, and innovators around here. I can easily get inspired by hanging with my crew, daily conversations and just peep game from the OGs. My older brother put me on to a lot of hood shit and politics. Whether how you supposed to pay dues and make moves. 

If you could perform at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?

MSG, live at Madison Square Garden. The Mecca, where Hip Hop all started. All the Hip Hop legends performed there, and I would like to carry on that tradition.

Can we expect a new EP or an album from you in the near future?

Yeah, you can definitely expect A LOT of NEW MUSIC! Haha most def. I got two projects dropping to end this year for sure.

Finally, have you got anything to share regarding upcoming gigs, and what have you got planned for the rest of 2023?

I got some things in the works. I hope to manifest very soon. I plan to do something big for Art Basel in Miami. December a lot of new things will be releasing. If you wanna stay updated, just make sure to follow my social media handles @MusicByMercy . I wanna finish this year with a BANG! I wanna connect with more people across the globe. I am just connecting the dots. Hopefully, to make a bigger picture.