MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.

What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?

• Mxntis: It’s an honor to be interviewed, truly!

  What motivated me to start creating music was my best friend Charles White (RIP). It was a pretty sporadic and random thing. We were just kicking it at the crib like we always would & out of nowhere he asked me, “hey man, you ever thought of rapping?” I laughed so hard. Seemed like a really stupid idea to me at the time. But he elaborated and said that I would be dope at it because of my vocabulary, sense of humor, and quick-wittedness. Plus I’d written poetry since I was 10 or so. I decided to give it the ol’ college try and after I finished writing my first verse, the rest was history. I was absolutely in love with the artform. Little did I know at the time that such a random suggestion would completely alter the trajectory of my life. I know he’s looking down at me proudly from the quantum realm. Thanks for everything CJ.

  I’m 27 now & wrote my first verse when I was 20.

MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?

• Mxntis: Oh man! So many to count. I’ll just name some of the most prominent:

  Rage Against the Machine & System of a Down are HEAVY influences of mine. Their anti-establishment lyrics and aggressive instrumentation hooked me immediately from the first time I heard them at age 12. I’ve always had a problem with authority and constantly questioned why the systems in place are so absurd. It was really cool to hear other, prominent people that felt the same way.

  From a hiphop standpoint, my biggest influences are MF DOOM, Royce Da 5’9”, and Black Thought. I’ve always been infatuated by DOOM’S abstract diction that can be perceived in a handful of ways and I really adopted that to my style. In my opinion, it gives the music infinite replay value. He’s great at saying simple things while being extremely profound. Royce for his crazy punchlines and flow. He says shit that no one else even thinks of saying. Matter of fact, I was listening to “Boom” by him when I KNEW I wanted to make hiphop my career.

  That part where he says “my flow is hotter than the flash from the click/ when the hammer slaps the bullet on the ass from the clip” made me want to seriously refine my skills and become one of the best to ever do it one day. Black Thought’s longevity and work in Roots inspired me heavily as well; I’ve always wanted to be in a band and if it ever were to happen, it’d be in that vain, lots of jazz funk elements with strong, punchy, thought provoking lyrical content.

Link Tree: @mxntisk
Facebook.com/mantisbuggedout
Instagram: @mxntishiphop

MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?

• Mxntis: I want to be able to live off my music, point blank period. I don’t believe I’m destined or cut out for traditional work. It’s not as fulfilling or spiritually gratifying as creating. There’s nothing on this planet that has given me this level of joy. Not even close.

  I want people to listen and realize that they’re not alone in their struggles, that they aren’t crazy for thinking that the world is a shitshow, and I want Mxntis to be talked about for generations to come as a prolific contributor to the hiphop genre.

MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?

• Mxntis: Hmm… I’d have to go with when I opened for Locksmith & Jarren Benton at Alrosa Villa in Columbus. The show was PACKED full of people who appreciated hardcore, lyrical hiphop. I’d estimate 400 people. It was really refreshing. My boys AhBeaTz & JAB were on the ticket as well and we shut shit DOWN. I also got to sign my first autograph at that show, it really was a surreal experience.

MuzicNotez: Your latest release is the single 'Agent Orange', with A-F-R-O. What was it like working with him? What inspired the track?

• Mxntis: It was super dope! A-F-R-O is a super chill, down-to-earth dude, just like you or I. Extremely professional and quick turnaround; I got the verse back in a week. The main inspiration was me wanting to make an underground hiphop anthem, something that gets the listeners amped up & if you’re a rapper, makes you wanna get off your ass and do some writing yourself. It’s gotten great reception so far, just under 10,000 streams in the first week and consistently climbing! I’m ecstatic to say the least.

MuzicNotez: How would you personally describe your brand of hip hop?

• Mxntis: I’d say it’s a modernized version of the golden age, 90’s east coast boom bap genre with a nice mixture of esoteric knowledge, pop culture references, and good, old-fashioned brutality. I make the kind of music that makes you want to beat the shit out of someone with a philosophy book.

MuzicNotez: How do you feel about the current state of hip hop music right now?

• Mxntis: I think hip hop is the best it has EVER been, by far. It’s so much more technically proficient than it used to be, and production has skyrocketed to new levels. I might get crucified for this, but Pac & Big don’t compare to cats like Conway, Benny, Roc Marciano, Deca, & the aforementioned Royce & Thought. It’s really dope to see the evolution of this still relatively new artform, & I have no doubts it’ll continue to skyrocket into new heights.

MuzicNotez: What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?

• Mxntis: I’m currently working on three projects: my solo debut, a debut with the hiphop duo I founded, Vowel Movement which consists of myself & my close friend Backwords, and an EP with the homie in Toronto, B1 the Architect. I plan on dropping a handful of singles and music videos this year as well! I promise y’all are gonna wanna tune in.

MuzicNotez: What else are you working on? What can we expect to see and hear from you in the future?

• Mxntis: Just two things. Anyone reading this, please please please NEVER let anybody determine your value or bring you down for following your dreams. Anyone who is doing so is simply miserable, jealous, or content with being a corporate slave. Don’t buy into that bullshit. You can do anything you desire if you have the passion and drive.

  #2, make sure to follow me on socials/streaming platforms to stay updated on news and releases! Link Tree: @mxntisk

  Thanks for having me, much love!

Find other great hip hop artists like Mxntis on our playlist below & see him featured as one of the best of 2023 here.

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