Artist Spotlight: midwxst
Human connection can be, at times, impossible to find. We all walk the streets, sip our coffee, and communicate with others without a finite clue of what is going on behind that vacant stare. To search for societal and emotional purpose - for people who understand the emotion that currently encompasses us - we often have to look beyond the surface of pub talk, workmate banter and empty exchanges, and into the creative fields. Whether an illustrator, writer or musician, a great artist can explain how you feel better than you can yourself. For millions of Gen Z bots, pain rap and its conjoining genres have proven a breeding ground for understanding. What began with the Soundcloud era has moulded into an online community of lost young people trying to find a solution for the weaning meaning of existence. Their new champion? midwxst.
I struggled to reign the erratic Indiana native in during our Zoom conversation; tangents intertwined and engulfed topics of conversation. The one thing that stood out to me about the 19 year old was how inherently human he is. His fresh, endearing naivety is juxtaposed with deep-seated anguish, a quality that flows through his work; a spokesman of pain, a friend to the feeble.
The sheer quantity of music that has been unveiled by midwxst over the past few years is highly impressive, with the wildly eclectic discography piling high, egging fans to attempt the climb to the precipice of his ambiguous and ambitious artistic universe. It’s an imperfect catalogue, but the rapper would be the first to admit that. Immersion often feels like midwxst’s creative aim; whether consuming lyrically or sonically, it’s hard not to step into his world and be encapsulated by its surroundings.
The latest full length project from the Indiana native is BACK IN ACTION 3.0, the third instalment in the BIA series. Engrossing aesthetically, midwxst’s nuance for atmospheric angst is at full tilt here. It’s a tape that aims to do one thing; flaunt. The rousing roar of the first line of opener Nineteen - “let me talk my shit” - epitomises the mood in which we find the artist. The instrumentals are heavily distorted, the vocals are spacey and elusive; it’s a refined, formulaic yet challenging take of hyper pop and psychedelic trap. A showcase of midwxst’s varied talent, it’s an unashamedly creative LP that draws out speculation and passion from its listener.
I spoke to midwxst about musical origins, making music for the heartbroken, staying consistent, and the new tape.
Who and what influences you?
Three names that have influenced me a lot are XXXTENTACION, Juice WRLD, and Tyler, The Creator. I love artists who love the technicality of music and they care for it in a deeper way.
How did you first start making music?
It was all quite sequential. When I first started, I went by two different names. I wanted to do something different, I don’t want to be like these other motherfuckers making the same shit. I’d always been a gaming kid but I really got started with music through gaming. I found some of my first producer friends playing RoadBlocks who taught me how to mix, which allowed me to be able to do it all myself and not have to wait on anybody.
How did you found your sound?
I’d be in Discord servers with hella people just making these beats. When we were in COVID we were doing that everyday, so the amount of music that we made was insane. We were all helping each other and were there for each other. It was a unified moment, we were kids who knew we were talented making music together which helped me find myself.
How would you define that sound?
I have an insane work ethic and I don’t discriminate against any genre, so I’m kind of genreless. I’m open to everything. A lot of people call my music alternative, a lot of people call it indie, others call it pop, hyper-pop. Hyper-pop is the scene I came up in. I’m not mad at that, there has to be a term to define it, but it doesn’t always have to bend and be that type of music.
What about in terms of essence, mood and tone?
Pain music, not going to lie. It’s me just realistically saying things that people don’t want to hear, or can’t say themselves because they don’t have the will to say it. I speak for those who can’t speak, for the people that go through the heartbreak, the distrust. It hurts them and it lingers but they don’t know how they feel about it, they don’t know who to talk to. I know how that feels, music started as an escape for me because I could talk about so much that I couldn’t in life. It’s still crazy to me that I have a platform. If someone asks me what I do, I just say I’m a normal person who happens to make good music. I’m not some mysterious figure, I’m a 19 year old black teenager with ADHD. I just want people to be themselves authentically.
How did growing up in Indiana shape you personally and musically?
I held an insane amount of grudges for an insane amount of time. In middle school I was bullied for being short. It taught me how to have thick skin and not care about what people think. There’s been moments in my life where I’ve been able to build my character, that have helped me realise a lot of shit. I try to live my life as much as I can now, I’ve lost too many friends to overdoses. I view life and death entirely differently now. I realised that I need to live my life with only my happiness, my music and my people on my mind.
You’ve released so much content in the past few years, how do you stay so consistent?
It’s barely anything too. I easily have 500 unreleased songs. It’s just what I’ve been doing with my life. I’m laying down the foundations for myself. All the things that I’ve been putting out now are things that I fuck with heavily. Each release adds on, it’s building up to the album. I’m trying to play the long game. People always ask why I do music; I don’t give a fuck about money, all I care about is making people happy.
Did you listen to much UK music?
I listen to Kwengface and PS Hitsquad, Zone 2. Harlem Spartans, Digga D, Skepta. I’m up to date with the UK scene.
What’s the link with the BACK IN ACTION projects?
It’s like a realm. Every time I go back there I use black and white. I have a grill for it that I only wear for BACK IN ACTION press. It’s about creating a character around it, like Larry Fisherman from Mac Miller. You can only learn from fucking around. I’ve never been scared to experiment, people’s opinions aren’t important. I know what I like and I’m comfortable doing that.
What are the main themes in the new tape?
It’s just me talking my shit. I did so much last year, I worked my ass off and I want people to understand that they are going to know what I’ve done.
What do you want listeners to take away from the tape?
That I’m not to be fucked with. I’m coming for this year, next year. As long as I’m making music, I’m not going to stop trying to be the best artist that I can be. I want people to know that I’m confident in my work, confident being able to jump across genres but still have the same amount of support. I never had a goal - I never sat down and thought about becoming a rapper. When I started making music that was the first time I took it seriously. I taught myself what I needed to know, joined a community and built myself up. I got myself to where I am. I want people to understand that they can do that to. If you start something but don’t put your whole heart into it, it’s going to be flimsy and it’s not going to be something you can build. Sometimes you have to put your pride aside and listen to others.
If you were introducing yourself to a new listener, what track would you play them?
Switching Sides or I Know You Hate Me.
Where do you want to take your artistry?
Next up is bigger and better things, new horizons. I have so much new shit that I’m working on, so many cool people I’m working with. I’m going out to LA soon and when I’m out there I’m going to be working with the craziest people. I have collaborations on the go, so much new music coming. I have anthems coming. Music that makes you go ‘damn’.