Who Is?/Official Hype

Published on November 5th, 2017 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

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Who Is Mvstermind?

MVSTERMIND (Artist Submitted)

MVSTERMIND (Photo: Squarespace)

Saint Louis born rapper, producer, and songwriter Muhammad “Mvstermind” Austin is gearing up to become a household name come 2018. Surrounded by music his whole life Mvstermind first explored his love of music on his own at the age of 11 when his father (a musician and manager) brought home a demo version of FL Studios for Mvstermind to try out. From there Mvstermind began crafting but staying behind the scenes producing for other artists and playfully rapping. It wasn’t until 2009 that Mvstermind began to take his rapping skills seriously when he became the head of the music collective MME. From there Mvstermind and MME took off, touring over 20,000 miles independently, performing at festivals such as A3C, SXSW, and Brooklyn’s MCA Day, as well as opening up for Travis Scott, Chance the Rapper, G-Eazy, and Currency until the collective’s end in 2016.

In May 2016, Mvstermind released his breakout video to his single called “Mali Moolah” (a song about manifesting wealth and self-worth) which debuted on BET Jams, MTV, and Fuse Fm’s Dope Sh!t. From there on out Mvstermind’s notoriety in the industry and the city of Saint Louis began to rise as he was named an artist to watch by Complex and HipHopDX in 2016, and won Artist of the Year in January 2017 at the Saint Louis Underground Music Awards.

Fresh off the Main Stage at Loufest and A3C this year, Mvstermind is ready to dive in 2018 full speed ahead.Taking time to perfect his craft in 2017, Mvstermind is back with what he calls his true introduction to who he is as an artist with his new single “Halal”. Expect more music from Mvstermind, Production, and songwriting for other artists, as well as touring from Mvstermind as he carves his own path into the music industry with his bare hands.

The Hype Magazine got the young dynamo to weigh in on a few things

From the outside looking in, who is Mvstermind?

Mvstermind is a humble brag. From the deep pits of reality to the silver lining of positivity. When you listen to my music, you decide if you want to tip the scale to achieve your balance.

What brought you to the entertainment industry, music specifically?

I’ve been surrounded by – and involved in – the entertainment industry my whole life. My father was a manager and a musician himself, and my mother is a traveling fashion designer, so I was taught from a young age how to stay on the road and monetize your creative endeavors. What kept me locked into the music industry is the fact that music is the universal language. Being able to translate a 20-second emotion I felt in life to something that can be channeled into vibes worldwide and will last a lifetime, makes me speechless. No one man should have all that power unless he’s strategically using it for good, right?

What do you want people to get from your music?

I want people to be present. Sometimes being present means turn TF up before life drags you TF down. Other times being present means knowing who you are vs. Society telling you who you are. Either way, you gon’ catch these vibes.

Why is it important to have a digital presence as a hip-hop artist in 2017?

We live in the digital age. Hip-Hop is all about being present and preserving relevancy of the current times; better learn how to hustle in the current climate we’re living in. The world wide web is the new trap. Tell your story, and keep the music literally at their fingertips, and there will be no excuse not to play. No other site can deliver what I need like Squarespace; the aesthetics and workflow are unmatched.

Tell us what it meant to you to be a part of A3C’s “This Is My Year” showcase this year.

With the Kinetic Movement we’ve achieved, I think it’s safe to say….. “This IS my Year.” I went from watching performers At A3C back when it was located at the Masquerade, to navigate my way to Squarespace’s Discovery Stage the A3C Main Stage in a matter of years. Being a part of “This is my Year” is humbling, yet still powerful. Feel like Muhammad Ali, trained my ass off for this moment, yet I know all that training would be NOTHING if the people and the stars above didn’t have my back like they obviously do.

Tell us about your current project.

We are approaching the 1 Year anniversary of my First Ep titled “Cusp” Self Produced, Mixed, recorded and mastered. Consider “Cusp” the prelude to my artistry, as Mvstermind I’ve been developing and perfecting my sound, and I am now ready to display that to the world. We’re currently working on new strategies, and we are preparing to enter into the game full fledge. I ain’t trying to drop the best album nobody ever heard. Just be rets.’

For new listeners, what song of yours would you pick as an introduction to you as an artist?

It would be my newest Track. “Halal” it’s the perfect dose of my artistry. I get you Turnt, but I’ma also get you thinking simultaneously. The Hooks states “Don’t put no pork on my fork, I cannot stomach the ops” meaning I’m sick of the media and government trying to force feed us this spam when in reality it’s cops out here rolling around in their own filth unaccountably. I’m from Saint Louis, Missouri; we shut shit down. Listen to halal, and you’ll get the gist.

Tell us a bit about your work and passions OUTSIDE of music…

Crazy enough, years ago I prolly would have answered this question like “ALL I KNOW AND LOVE IS THIS RAP *ISH!” but interestingly enough, perfecting this “Rap Shit” I realized that music gave me to applicable tools to learn and create ANY DAMN THING. I was born to create, whether that’s opportunities, strategies, or a formula. I’m passionate about turning an idea into fruition. Especially coming from Saint Louis, Missouri, our recourses are limited, so instead of starving, it heightens your creativity if you’re hungry enough. Also in the midst of creating, a passion of mine is my community. I teach a program titled “Study Breaks & Beats, ” and I’m also apart of a Non-profit titled “Black on Black Love.” Between those two programs, we help facilitate and create opportunities, using the limited resources we have to get the results we want.

Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” aka WTF?! moment…

Lemme see…. Man, I was out in Denver…. Sold out Crowd, Supporting Act with Currency, back when MME was out here reigning supreme, and this chick in this high ass crowd… first threw her panties on stage… and then somebody hoisted her to the stage itself… and with the spotlight, she proceeded to twerk. It was definitely a song about police brutality. Buns Over Crooked Police who plant Guns. ANY DAY.

Get connected: http://www.mvstermind.com

 

Article includes biographical information provided by the artist

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About the Author

Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.


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