The Lowdown on emerging artist MKHL
MKHL is fresh off dropping his latest single 'Low'. We had a chance to link up with him for an exclusive interview to give you an in-depth look into 'Low', the lyrics of the track and his future dreams.
Photo by Ricardo Rodriguez @nysee_me for Stereotype Co
What does this song mean to you?
The song means alot to me. In the track I'm talking about the battle we all face against depression and how we often think that just because someone has found success they can't feel down or... well, low I guess.
Photography by Ricardo Rodriguez @nysee_me for Stereotype Co
What was a time you felt 'Low'? What did you do to overcome it?
I, like may artists, often battle a demon of self doubt. i made the song while watching Kanye's breakdown actually.
I always feel like I might not be good at this, that i'm just fooling myself into thinking this will go anywhere. I get through it by remembering my grandmother and how proud of me she was. My family is always there to, sometimes they'll just send me a message out of the blue telling me how much they love me and admire what i'm doing. It's the little things that keep me going, the support from the people you hold close can really save you some times.
I also came to a point where i realized i was making the music to say something, not impress anyone. That's what really helps me keep going.
Share some lyrics from the track tell us the meaning behind the lyrics
Well I guess the hook would be the part that i took the most time on.
"Through the glass house
They don't see nah
Ooo they know bout him
They don't see nah
From the other side
They don't see nah
He don't wanna die
Make a scene yeah"
The glass house represents the camera lens, people seeing you but only seeing what's represented in that picture, they don't hear you.
The lines
"He don't wanna die
Make a scene yeah"
Comes from what we all see happen to most major iconic figures. Eventually paranoia sets in and they start acting out, making speeches and doing anything to be seen. Sometimes its a fear of becoming irrelevant, other times its the frustration of having everyone listen but not being heard. The only thing that stays the same is our assumption they they're just doing it for money and nothings really wrong until its too late.
Photography by Ricardo Rodriguez @nysee_me for Stereotype Co
What are you trying to do next?
For 2017 i plan to just put out more videos and keep that content coming. Ill be setting up a few shows in NY too. Im working with some really great artists like East Zillan (@e_zilla) who's featured on the hook of low, JIIP a musical genius who slayed the strings in the final chorus, Troy Atlas (@troyatlasmusic) an old school hip hop style lyrical monster, William willson and so on.
All amazing artists I met in NYC but I also plan to start expanding out of NY and work with artists in other states too.
Through this year I plan to drop a few more singles and then a project that I haven't named yet.
I plan to take the new style of hip hop and reintroduce the lyrical content. I'm a fan of the old school but I do love the vibe that new artists like Migos and Travis Scott have brought to the game. I wanna carve out my own lane using their influences and use my own voice to reach as many people in a positive way as possible
In the same vain of making sure my career is always focused on my fans and being a product of the people that support me, I launched a GoFundMe to fund my promotions and everything else musically.
Here's the link to that:
http://www.gofundme.com/fund-for-promoting-my-music
Where can people find you?
My main outlet right now is Youtube, facebook and my Instagram is @MKHLmusic
I'm a photographer and cinematographer too so i just really enjoy other people's work. I find youtube and IG feel the most personal. It's just easy to reach out and find great content. So far facebook has been showing the most love though, the video release for Low went way further than I'd first imagined.
What is your dream in 2017?
For 2017 i plan to just put out more videos and keep that content coming. Ill be setting up a few shows in NY too. Im working with some really great artists like East Zillan (@e_zilla) who's featured on the hook of low, JIIP a musical genius who slayed the strings in the final chorus, Troy Atlas (@troyatlasmusic) an old school hip hop style lyrical monster, William willson and so on.
All amazing artists I met in NYC but i also plan to start expanding out of NY and work with artists in other states too.
What advice can you give someone feeling 'Low'?
My advice for someone feeling low? Well I have a song called "graduation" for that (laughs). I guess I'd tell them to remember that you can't be happy without being sad. Every sunrise comes with a sunset so when you feel like you're so low that you can't even breath, just think about how amazing your going to feel when your through it, so much stronger and get to look back.
WATCH THE NEW VIDEO 'LOW'