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Where are you from? Have your surroundings shaped you in a creative sense, and in what way?
I’m from East Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. Yes; You know the Black Business ownership of creativity.

What’s your background like? Where do you stand on the music scene in your area?
I’m African and American. My parents are from Sierra Leone, Freetown. I would have to say I'm pretty active in the music scene for my area but, I like to keep a low profile. I do a lot of open mics and festival events.

What did you start doing first, producing or rapping? How did you get started?
Well production is my field and I love writing songs.

Do you have anyone that you consider your mentor? How has their help or advice shaped you?
Myself as a mentor, and I also have people I look up to as an influence me greatly, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre. I listen and stay focused.

What is one experience in life that, without it, you wouldn’t be the artist you are today?
My record label is one experience I can say changed my position to be the artist I am today. Without O So Mafioso, I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have come.

What do you hope to accomplish this year?
Wow that’s a great question. We got a lot to do and hope to accomplish this year. We hope to tour this year and sign two more artists. It’s the Year of the Dragon so we are excited.

What does your work aim to say?
This year the aim is clout and popularity and the is to establish the difference.

Who are your biggest influences and what do you like about them the most?
I believe I answered that in my last question, ut to aim it another way, in the movie They Cloned Tyrone with Jamie Foxx

How would you describe your own style?
JD Era, Dilla, and Wu Tang vibes.

In what ways has your newest music changed from when you first started?
More effort, more pain.

What are the main inspirations for the lyrics you write?
My main inspiration for lyrics come from being in school. I’m currently enrolled at Anne Arundel Community College and I’ve been to SF State.

What would be your dream venue in which to perform?
Madison Square Garden.

What’s a song you have stuck in your head these days?
Only Fans by Midnight Money.

This is the moment we all been waiting for. Ty Dolla Sign recently informed his fans on his upcoming collaborative album with Kanye West, stating on Twitter "I just landed on a flight from Saudi Arabia. I've been out there recording a part of my album with my brother, Ye. And that's coming real soon."

As Ty was looking for valuable distributors for his new project, a planned listening event on Nov. 3rd, got canceled. In the light of recent events, Kanye West's project has commanded widespread attention, not only for its artistic merit but also for the rapper's breakaway from the conventional label system. Having bid farewell to Def Jam in 2021, West's current label-free status has allowed him the freedom to chart his own creative course. The rapper made a number of anti-Semitic comments on Twitter and during his interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News.

Rick Ross immediately noticed an opportunity on the table, given his already known interest in signing the Chicago native to his Maybach Music Groups. He said, "I just had an amazing idea, a boss idea. This is something that's extremely realistic to me. We've created amazing masterpieces in the past. The boss, Ricky Rozay, I'm interested in signing Kanye West. Maybach Music. Ye, what's up? Talk to me. Let's make history baby."

Kanye West has chosen distinctive recording settings, exemplified by his creation of "ye" in Wyoming and portions of "Donda" at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The latter achieved RIAA platinum certification in 2022 and showcased collaborations with a diverse lineup, including Lil Durk, Vory, Lil Baby, The Weeknd, JAY-Z, and DaBaby, among others.

On a parallel note, Ty Dolla Sign's most recent project materialized as "Cheers to the Best Memories" alongside DVSN This 11-track LP featured guest contributions from YG, Mac Miller, and Rauw Alejandro, highlighting Ty Dolla Sign's ability to curate a compelling musical experience with a mix of talented collaborators.

Earlier this week on November 13th, Drake announced his next tour with J. Cole - "It's All A Blur Tour" - Big As the What?" on select dates. 

The 22-stop voyage is set to start in Colorado then they make their way midwest and southeast and perform all along the east coast. This will serve as a follow-up tour to his run with 21 Savage in which sold out 50 arenas across the US. The previous "It's All a Blur Tour" brought out special guests like Central Cee, Zack Bia, Lil Yachty, and even a surprise performance by Travis Scott.

The announcement comes a month and a half after his eighth studio album "For All The Dogs." J. Cole and Drake teamed up on "First Person Shooter" from the album which hit Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Tickets went on sale today at 11 am local time. 

The 43-year-old Atlantian rapper released his new album "Breath of Fresh Air" this past Friday. This was his first project since last year which was an 80 song project that lasted almost 4 hours. 

Earlier this year, Gucci has released songs that will be featured on the LP such as "Bluffin" with Lil Baby, "Pissy" with Roddy Rich and Nardo Wick, "King Snipe" with Kodak Black, and "06 Gucci" with Dababy and 21 Savage. In May, he told Apple music (via The Fader) that he hoped his new music would convey a message of positivity to it. “Ever since Dolph passed away, and my artist Scarr passing away, and Takeoff passing away, and Pooh locked up, and Foogiano locked up...I’m just not in the mood to hear a whole bunch of drilling and killing. Let me just lead by example and show people that there is more to rap about than my opps."

Listen to the new project below:

Clonefluence had the opportunity to interview artist drxftkid about the release of "The Waiting Game" EP.

What is the meaning behind your release?
"The Waiting Game" is an autobiographical retelling of an unrequited love story shared between the Artist and a relationship from their past. The EP begins with the Artist waiting outside of their partner’s house in a BMW. In the car they have many thoughts, and doubts as to their partner’s true intentions. They realise they’ve been giving all of their body, and all of their mind, and getting nothing in return - as their partner is looking for someone else. The Artist continues to delve deeper into this thought process – realising that their partner never asks for their opinion, and is always making excuses not to spend time together. They mention that they’re losing themself in the process, realise that they’re being played, and that this is not the first-time their energy and confidence has been taken and abused against their will. The Artist puts it out there for the first time, that if their partner keeps on doing what they’re doing then, then their relationship is finished.

The Artist’s energy then seems to switch from one of hurt, pain, and victimisation – to anger. It seems like they have opened the floodgates of reflection, and begin to evaluate their identity, and the greater context of their life. They feel lost, and become frustrated at their situation - asking what more they need to do for things to go their way for once. The song finishes with them asking ‘is it me’? No longer angry, the energy shifts once again. It is as if the Artist has vented all of their anger, and is back to where they started. They feel empty, and lost with how they have been treated by their partner and society at large. However, there is a power shift in their perspective, as they begin to realise that no matter what they do, there is always opposition. They realise that if you can’t please everybody, the odds are stacked against you, and things are out of your control – then what have you got to lose? Go for what you want in spite of it all.

In the EP’s finale, the Artist begins to speak from a place of empowerment. They are now equipped to face the person that was taking them for granted, and to tell them that they see things for what they are, and are no longer going to put up with it. Since their glow up, the other person begins to see their value, but it is too late. Drxftkid is "back at the party" and no longer "has the space" for their negativity.

What does this project say about you?
The project says that I have been through some stuff. Stuff that a lot of people can relate to. It shows that I was once hurt by this, and felt incredibly lost at one point in my life. Rather than wallow in victimhood though - maturity, deep reflection, and the healing powers of time – allowed me to realise my worth. Once I did, I was able to set clearer boundaries with what I would accept, and what I would not.

What are your plans next?
Part of being drxftkid, is to drift and explore. I’m constantly trying to push my comfort zone – whether it be through genre, or through the level of honesty I put into my lyrics. So, stay tuned, as I will always try and keep listeners on their toes with something fresh and unexpected! You can bet it will feature cold reverb, and alternative/indie/trap influences though.
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Next year, I plan on releasing more music - learning more about production, and my style as an Artist, to enhance the quality and listening experience of my projects each time. I’m always working on the world I’m creating (www.drxftkid.com), and designing new merch with my organic streetwear company ‘Aliøn’ (www.alionstreetwear.com), as they are an extension of my personality.

What does your project aim to say?
You’ve probably heard it a million times, but life is short. Far too short to be waiting for your partner, or society to see your value. What have you got to lose?

Join the party, love how awesome you are, and start living!

Listen to "The Waiting Game" by drxftkid below: