Artist Spotlight

Gxmini Exclusive interview with Honk Magazine

Gxmini is finding his way to stand out. With his old school inspired vibe mixed with a modern sound; you now have great beats, great lyrics and a great story. He first discovered a love for music from what his parents always played around the house.

Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Gxmini- Growing up I had faced a lot and had started seeing someone to help with my problems. Only then did this person give me a journal to start writing in, which slowly as I listened to more rap, hip hop and r&b in the household (played by my mom) that I started writing smaller poems and then it transitioned into wanting to make music as I found an ability to connect emotionally with the lyrics of those songs played.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Gxmini- Most interesting thing that has happened to me would have to be doing my first interview followed by a live performance. It was something I’ve always wanted to do and got the opportunity a month ago. A production company by the name of FlegNewZic had reached out and I couldn’t say no. I have done performances before but nothing like this.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Gxmini- One of the funniest mistakes I’ve made on this journey so far would have to be during a performance. I was performing at a local event in my hometown which my mum and dad actually attended. This being my first performance they’ve seen I got nervous and messed up and had forgotten a couple of my lyrics

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Gxmini- Right now I’m working on building my portfolio of music at which point I will be ready to bring the vision I have for a project to life. Looking to continue to release singles for the rest of 2021 and bring an EP project in 2022. This project was inspired by the same story of how I came to discover a connection to music.

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Gxmini- I have met quite a few artists here in Toronto, Canada. The most interesting person I have met I didn’t disclose I was an artist as well out of respect. This amazing artist was none other than Drake’s friend and RepsUp’s very own Preme, formerly known as PReign. We had met at the local Goodlife Fitness gym, in my neighbourhood where I was working. Wouldn’t say we became best friends but I think I did earn his respect by treating him as a normal human being. I hope we share a laugh about it someday.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

Gxmini- I would recommend setting a side YOU time in a schedule. Currently I set a weekly schedule for my studio time and my personal life. It’s allowed me to maintain consistency and happiness, never burning out

You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

Gxmini- I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think like this still to this day. You will make mistakes and maybe even fail a couple times but the growth is absolutely worth it. Can’t remember who said it but it couldn’t be more true; “it’s about the journey, not the destination” focus on the little successes.

Can you share with our readers any self care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.

Gxmini- Typically after a day of work in my personal life I like to write my songs to rid any negativity. In order to get myself into the right mindset I go for a walk in this trail right beside where I live. I find it to be a good place to reset my energy and be near more oxygen to think more clearly.

Most recently thanks to a friend I started to get more into astrology and signs to better understand myself. It’s something that may not be for everyone.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

Gxmini- That it would take a lot of financial investing and how to do that. I had stopped making music 4-5 years ago after doing a mixtape project investing my hard earned money and not seeing results. So having someone tell me how to invest it properly would have been great.

Gxmini- It takes time and rushing as I did will only cause more mistakes. Countless times I had rushed getting into the studio or rushed to get a song done in a 2hr studio session. Going too fast only burnt me out and didn’t allow me to develop my artistry the way I am now.

Gxmini- Wish someone said every song won’t be great and humbled my ego. Maybe I wouldn’t have focused so much on myself and would have networked more by surrounding myself around people who were looking to grow also. I was very selfish, always thinking it was a competition. It’s the opposite of that! Music brings people together, don’t let it tear you and your people apart.

Gxmini- Could have used someone telling me I can’t do it alone, in the studio I always wanted it done my way and didn’t think people understood my process. It was only this year that when I started collaborating and not being selfish I saw growth as an artist and as a person. Can’t do it alone you will always need a support system and people to let you know when you’re out of line.

Gxmini- Last but not least I wish I had someone telling me I will always have things I wish I knew earlier. Everyday in this industry we learn something new. This year has been exceptional when it comes to growth and I know now there will be roadblocks, there will be haters and there will be self doubt. Just have to remain humble as possible.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Gxmini- It would have to be from this movie I watched called The Perfect Getaway the quote reads “Nothing exists until we get there” saying don’t get your hopes up for something that is not for certain. Keeping this in my mind I will never set myself up for disappointment after taking a break on my music due to doubt.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Gxmini- There are absolutely a few people such as my family and friends. One of my old coworkers had me freestyle one day which got me hyped about making music again. Then I met a good friend who I currently work with now as my Creative Director and he has helped me with staying consistent with my creativity. As he knows I tend to steer off course as most creatives tend to do. These two, my close friends and family are the reason I’m here today.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

Gxmini- I would focus on getting involved with helping people going through or have gone through domestic violence. Would provide more clinics for families who may need to escape and need a place to stay. We have them around now but we need more. Would provide outreach programs within schools for students to have a safe space to discuss things like that. It’s not only the adults who face this, a lot of teens do also.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂

Gxmini- There is someone I’d like to sit down with and pick their brain, they are not American though. Would love to sit and chat it up with fellow Toronto native Tory Lanez. He’s been a huge inspiration behind my creativity as an artist behind the scenes and getting involved more like editing my own photos, my own blogs and music videos.

The opportunity to thank him and to learn even more from him would be fascinating and a memory of a lifetime.

14 How can our readers follow you online?

Gxmini- You can find me on Instagram at @OnlyGxm and on all major music platforms by searching Gxmini

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Artist Spotlight

BluntBrad Jr. finds calm ambition in the laid-back shine of “It’s All Good”

BluntBrad Jr.’s new single, “It’s All Good,” sounds like a steady handshake and a deep breath. It’s warm, honest, and not trying to be cool. There isn’t any fancy production hiding behind layers of polish here. Instead, the song is all about being honest. The song is laid-back and offers up the shine of a studio recording for the feeling of a candid introduction, a musical “hello” from someone who wants to be heard for who they are.

“It’s All Good” is a very human way to be hopeful at its core. The feeling is simple and real, like someone who won’t let little things stand in the way of their goals. The words to the song sound like friends talking to each other. They discuss their goals, their drive, and their need for attention in a way that is honest and not needy.

The production backs this up by making sure that everything is open and airy. The instruments are simple and easy to understand, so BluntBrad Jr.’s voice and message come through clearly. The song feels real because it doesn’t have a lot of extra stuff in it. You’re not hearing a heavily constructed persona; you’re hearing someone at the start of a journey, eager to make their mark.

The song’s rough edges make it captivating, which is better than polish, which would have smoothed it out. This way of thinking fits with the theme: hope isn’t naive here; it’s realistic and steady. It speaks to people who like simple songs and value honesty over artifice.

“It’s All Good” is an engaging and approachable phrase that offers context for an artist who is confident and clear about their artistic vision. This is the kind of song you listen to when you need some honest encouragement to remember that just being human can help you move forward. This is only the first chapter of something serious, so expect more from him.

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Artist Spotlight

SweetCandy! declares self-love and defiance on “UGLY”

SweetCandy!’s single “UGLY” is a candid and succinct revolution: concise, straightforward, and subtly transformative in its acceptance. The song conveys a fundamental truth: the acceptance of all aspects of oneself, including those previously deemed shameful, and asserts this claim with confidence. For an independent artist subjected to considerable criticism, the track functions as both a resolute retort and a comforting embrace of self-affirmation.

There exists a unique bravery in composing a song that explicitly declares, “This is me,” and SweetCandy! achieves this effectively. “UGLY” constitutes neither an apology nor a request; it is a declaration. The lyrics and performance express a sense of familiarity, illustrating the perspective of an individual who has transcended the necessity for external validation and now experiences liberation in authenticity. This emotional clarity endows the song with its potency: the relief in the delivery is palpable, a steadiness more compelling than any intricate production could attain.

The track musically reinforces this message with an aesthetic that is congruent: arrangements that do not eclipse the sentiment, production that appears authentic rather than superficial, and phrasing that enables the chorus to resonate as a personal vow. The song’s timeless perspective is noteworthy: it implies that autonomy in later life can be accompanied by acute awareness and gentle acceptance.

“UGLY” is successful due to its refusal to sanitize experience. It recognizes judgment, the pain of criticism, and the arduous path to self-acceptance, ultimately arriving at a state of tranquility. For listeners burdened by expectations or fatigued from performance, SweetCandy!’s single provides a straightforward, poignant remedy: embracing one’s true self is frequently the most courageous and exquisite decision. Embrace it, join in the singing, and allow the term “ugly” to evolve into a symbol of resilience and elegance today.