Thanks For Asking: Mundy

Photo Provided By The Artist. Photography By: Zach Durocher

RRX: Every artist’s first song is a milestone. But so is the latest song. Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?

Mundy: The first songs I recorded were freestyles. I only had access to a microphone and my roommates SP-404SX. We would record a YouTube beat and myself rapping with the microphone simultaneously into SP. No processing, no punch-ins, just a 2 track with unmixed vocals. Nowadays I got the audio interface with a condenser microphone, all going into my DAW. I make a majority of the beats so I got the stems. I can really control all facets of the recording/production process now.

RRX: Like songs, every artist has a unique feeling about their first show. What was your first show like? Was it your best show? If not, what was your best show like?

Mundy: My first “show” was at a Juneteenth event in 2021, I think. I just performed one song and the speaker they had wasn’t working so I ended up having the crowd clap on beat and perform my song like that using the clapping as the drums/tempo. Definitely not my best show but I think it was the best “first” show scenario to have. It was basically the worst case scenario in a live setting so every gig after that is a cake walk in comparison.

RRX: You sing or you rap, you play guitar, play drums, what have you, you have no doubt struggled to learn music. Something probably tripped you up. What was it for each of you? What did you have to overcome (bands, pick a member)?

Mundy: I was pretty fortunate to have a pretty smooth learning process when it came to rapping and producing. I never took it super seriously, so that allowed the learning process to be pretty stress free. Outside of the actual music, the music business has been the hardest to learn. An example of that would be the promotion/marketing of albums has been a consistent learning process. Every album I learn from the last especially with the importance of social media. Having to evolve your marketing or finding a niche and staying consistent has been difficult for me. Especially since I like my privacy, so finding the balance between sharing and concealing in the public eye is a challenge. Lastly, I would say booking is something that continuously trips me up. If you’re reading this and run a venue book more black hip hop artists, please. Don’t gotta be me.

RRX: What do you think is the most poorly understood thing about music, or the music you play?

Mundy: The artistry that is involved with being a Hip Hop artist. Seeing people jump to conclusions based on stereotypes the minute I say “I’m a rapper” is astonishing. Hip Hop is home to some of the best songwriters and producers. It’s unfortunate in some spaces it doesn’t get the respect it deserves. It has a lot to do with people being close minded and frankly a lil racist. People get lost in the stereotypes of hip hop that are pushed by these major labels that understand the violence and sex sells. Regardless of it being a “conscious” rapper or “trap/drill” rapper, there is validity and artistry in it all. It is simply a reflection of the times.

RRX: With services like Spotify, streaming revenue can be pretty dismal. Without spilling secrets, do you have a promotional mindset or philosophy?

Mundy: Selling your music independent from streaming. Using Bandcamp or your own website for digital downloads and physical media. These are all essential in being autonomous from streaming platforms. Plus, it makes way more money in the long run.

RRX: Sometimes you gotta go on the road. Miles can build up, and it can stretch the comfort level of any travelling act. What do you bring on a road trip, or tour? What will you forget to bring?

Mundy: My SP-404 so I can perform my songs and make beats on the side when I get time. An excessive amount of extra underwear, you never know. An excessive amount of merch to sell, you also never know. An excessive amount of chords, you never know. I will most likely forget a toothbrush or toothpaste.