Get to Know: MkX

Earlier this month, we were thrilled to speak with rising pop artist MkX. A recent graduate of Berklee College of Music, he was been writing and producing the majority of his music since his first release in 2017. While his sound is rooted in pop, he’s constantly infusing elements of genres like R&B and electronica that help showcase his vocal versatility and charisma.

Since speaking to MkX, he has released his new single “Fall” which just might be his best yet. The track – written and produced in MkX’s bedroom – plays like a callback to the future,  with MkX welcoming an early 2000s sound and structure, while embracing trap, house, and some elements of PC music as well. It’s high-energy, creative, and further makes the case for MkX as one of pop’s must-watch up and comers. Get to know more about MkX, his artistic influences, and so much more in our interview with him below!

BTS: Hello MkX! How would you describe yourself for those who might not be familiar with you?

MkX: “Hi there! I’m a pop music artist, songwriter, and producer from Boston, MA. I’ve been performing around the country since I was 7 years old and I recently graduated from Berklee College of Music. I studied Electronic Music Production & Sound Design.”

BTS: Do you remember a specific moment that made you fall in love with music?

MkX: “I usually tell people that my love for music started when I popped out of the womb HAHAHAHA (not to be too graphic or anything). Since before I could walk, I had a strong fascination with cassettes, CDs, or any toy that made music. I used to collect HitClips, which were tiny square keychains that played a minute of a popular song.

I started writing songs on my Fisher-Price tape recorder when I was 3, but they obviously weren’t that good since I was so young. I kept making songs, learning different instruments, and finding different ways to create. Once I discovered my passion for music production, I fell in love with music all over again! I took a Berklee Online course to learn Logic Pro and I never looked back!”

BTS: Who are some of your musical influences?

MkX: “I’m super inspired by early 2000’s pop music. I really look up to pop producers like Max Martin, Darkchild, and Rami Yacoub. I also look up to producers that are more electronic like Cashmere Cat and SOPHIE. I’m really into their sound design. Artist wise, I’m a huge Lady Gaga fan. She’s incredibly talented and her art is super dense in a multi-dimensional way. Her records always have a strong visual, fashion statement, and technology that brings the entire vision together.”

BTS: Your music feels unafraid of embracing futuristic elements, while still being rooted in pop. How did you find your sound?

MkX: “I essentially took my extremely broad range of influences and put them all in a blender. I grew up emerging myself in pop music and pop culture. Later in life I got really into electronic music and different types of sound design. I’m a super huge fan of futuristic art, yet I also love to incorporate nostalgic elements into my music. It took me a while to hone down on my sound, but I finally figured it out once I stopped worrying about what other people would think.”

BTS: What can you tell us about your single “Down”?

MkX: “I went to a party and saw someone I really liked looking sick as f*ck, standing by the DJ table. So, I wrote a song about it! I started the beat in my apartment and the rest just kinda came out. I made up this scenario in my head, thinking what it would be like if I took them to my apartment. I have lots of colorful lights and lasers everywhere, so I wanted to write about it with lots of imagery in the lyrics.”

BTS: What was it like getting to work with CupcakKe on “Down”?

MkX: “It was amazing! I knew I wanted to have a really dope rapper hop on this track. I’ve been of CupcakKe for a long time. I saw her live a few times and instantly knew she was someone I’d love to have on one of my records. When I sent her the track she said she wanted to drop a verse on it! I was SO thrilled! Hearing her spit over a track I produced was super surreal.”

BTS: Your visuals are known for being colorful, dramatic, and distinct. Have you always had such a strong vision for how you present yourself and your music?

MkX: “I used to be pretty self-conscious about how people would perceive me and my music. It took a lot of stepping out of my comfort zone, but once I got over that feeling I quickly grew into my artistic skin. The vision is super important to me, it definitely goes hand in hand with the music. Between the songs, the visuals, the live show, the fashion, and the technology, everything plays a part in my 360º artistic vision. I’ve always had a fascination for things that are larger than life, and my goal is to put that feeling into my music and my shows.”

BTS: What can we expect from you in the future?

MkX: “I’m dropping a new single later this month! I wrote and produced it in my apartment and I’m super pumped to finally put it out. I also shot a video for it in my basement with a blue screen and I’m almost done editing it.”

Click here to follow MkX on Instagram and be sure to listen to his new singles “Down” and “Fall” in the links above!

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