TRAP METAL ARSENAL #4 - UNDEAD PAPI

UNDEAD PAPI

UNDEAD PAPI

10 Questions With Undead Papi

1. Thanks for taking some time to be interviewed for the Cover Feature of Trap Metal Arsenal Magazine. Can you please introduce yourself and tell us briefly what you do?

Of course, my pleasure! I go by the name of UNDEAD PAPI and I am an independent artist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I’m probably best known for my contributions in the Trap Metal genre, popularizing the mixture of DeathCore and Trap music. Though my music expands far out of any genre category. My versatility and experimentations are the strongest key factors that set me far apart from any other artist. My sound shifts in so many different directions. Diving into my discography you can expect to hear anything from Nu-Metal, Acoustic Rock, Piano Ballads, DeathCore, Trip-Hop, Cloud Rap, Melodic Rap, Phonk, Drill, Alternative Rap, Hyper-Pop, Dark Trap, Alternative Metal, Grunge Rap, Trap Metal and much more.

2. You have been active in the hiphop AND hardcore metal scenes for a long time. When and why did you start making music? And who gets bragging rights for pushing you in the very beginning?

I started uploading tracks to soundcloud in 2018, and truthfully I had doubts my music would gain any real traction especially considering this was during that whole “soundcloud era” that was heavily over-saturated with DIY artists from all over the world uploading tracks in hopes to receive their ten seconds of fame on this website that literally anybody could upload music to. Growing up music always spoke to me in a way nothing else could. I would often

daydream what it would be like to perform in front of a live audience, so the desire was always there, it was just a lack of confidence that had held me back. Seeing these teens not much older than me blow up off songs they made in their bedroom was an eye-opener for me and although I knew it was a longshot I recognized that if I didn’t take that shot I might later regret it. Once I started to see people genuinely enjoying my music as my numbers started to grow I eventually decided to take music seriously in 2019. Coming into this industry with such humble beginnings was a struggle but it taught me so many lessons and changed my life forever. I am a chronic overthinker and a perfectionist so naturally I am also extremely critical of myself. These qualities have always held me back from seeing my true potential, almost making it impossible for me to have self confidence through all the constant self-doubt and relentless critique that floods the internal dialogue in my head. Taking that leap of faith was the best thing I did. Fuck all the self doubt. Fuck all the noise. You don’t even have to believe in yourself, the most important thing is taking that first step forward. Everything else will come together in time. In terms of bragging rights? Nobody. It’s literally just been me and my fanbase pushing me this entire time. Gatekeepers have blackballed me. Plenty of artists in this scene have spite towards me and tell other artists to stop working with me. These same people also managed to influence channels/pages that I previously had good relationships with to stop posting me without explanation. It’s frustrating being hated without cause but I recognize real will always prevail in the end. Throughout all of these hardships I’ve come to realize I am even more blessed than I am cursed. I could never be more grateful for my supporters. Their loyalty means everything to me and words can’t explain how much I appreciate them all. I won’t let them down. I still

UNDEAD PAPI

“I could never be more grateful for my supporters. Their loyalty means everything to me and words can’t explain how much I appreciate them all. I won’t let them down. I still want all the smoke and I will forever stand on that.”

UNDEAD PAPI

10 Questions With Undead Papi

want all the smoke and I will forever stand on that. AASB4L.

3. What is the story or reason behind the name Undead Papi? When I had uploaded my first track I didn’t foresee any of this. I had no idea I was actually going to pursue music as a career, so my stage name wasn’t something that was thought out, I decided to just use my instagram handle (which was @undead.papi at the time).

4. What can we expect from you in 2023? New music? Visuals? Other projects?

Plenty of music, different styles, new genres, a lot of experimentation & evolution.

5. What is your local music scene like? What are the pros? What are the cons? And where do you see room for improvement?

The local music scene in Milwaukee is probably a lot different than what others would be used to. Milwaukee music has just started to spread outside of the city recently with a few songs going viral on tiktok with their signature dances. Milwaukee music is pretty similar in sound to Detroit and Chicago drill music but as of recently it’s sort of shifted into this new dance/shake-ass wave. If you make music like this, finding an audience in Milwaukee would be easy, but anything that strays outside of that will have a hard time gaining attention. Over time I have been able to make a name in my city, I get recognized out in public often. I really hope the scene out here expands and evolves because I know there are so many talented artists that deserve a platform to show the world what they have to offer.

6. With an interest in who your influences are, if you could go on tour with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would be on the bill with you? What is Undead Papi’s dream tour? That lineup would be absolutely fucking insane. It would look something like this: XXXTENTACION, White Chapel, DMX, Slaughter to Prevail, Lil Wayne, Slipknot, Lud Foe, Suicide Silence, Waka Flocka Flame, Cannibal Corpse, Jeezy, Rob Zombie, System of a Down, Future, Signs Of The Swarm, Bones, Chelsea Grin, and finally the most influential of all to me and the best of friend I could ever wish for, T0RTVRE. #LLT

7. How far are you going to take your career? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What about 10? And what is your endgame?

I plan to take it as far as possible. I want to inspire and connect with the world. I don’t have all the answers, and I still am very flawed myself but I’d hope to see myself 5, 10 years down the road evolve into someone people can admire

not only for my music, but for my contributions to society as well. Being able to overcome my past and spread positivity on a large scale would definitely put my mind at ease.

8. The world can be a hurtful toxic place sometimes. On the topic of “fighting with demons” what advice would you give aspiring new artists going through it and feeling hopeless right now?

I do believe from my own life experiences I will be able to shed some light on something that has worked for me in my struggle to survive this harsh life I’ve been dealt. My advice would be to externalize instead of internalizing your pain. For example, immediately pulling out your notes when you feel a certain type of way and turning your feelings into lyrics. Stay consistant, open up notes, or google docs, or maybe even a physical notebook to write your lyrics in. As you start to form lyrics it quickly takes away attention from negative feelings. I know a lot of people get very foggy headed and almost shut down when they are not feeling well mentally, but don’t let this hold you back from trying this method, there is no shame in using a website like rhymezone to help you formulate lyrics when your creative ambition isn’t all there.

9. Let’s show some love to the producers! Who are some of Undead Papi’s favorite beat producers that you have been working with lately?

There’s so many, Adrian Adder, Kyle’sInferno, Triablo, Angelvs, Roosevelt, Plasma, NAMAHAGE, Brian Spencer, Dead, Systematik, 88VLEXX, UndeadYz, Crcl, Fantom, I’m probably forgetting so many and I’m sure I’ll come across plenty more I’ll collaborate with in 2023.

10. As we wrap this up, is there anything else you would like our readers to know? Where can they check you out or follow you? Thank you for your time!

It’s been a pleasure! I’d strongly suggest any readers that are just discovering me now or have heard of me but still aren’t super familiar with me and my music to give me a follow on instagram @murderundead and most definitely check out my work, “UNDEAD PAPI” on all platforms. You can also visit www.undeadpapi.com for a quick guide/navigation to all of my music on all of the various platforms. You can also be redirected to the As Above, So Below shop where you can find clothing as well as other merchandise and accessories.

“Being able to overcome my past and spread positivity on a large scale would definitely put my mind at ease.”

UNDEAD PAPI

TRAP METAL / SHADOW RAP

ACRUX

10 QUESTIONS WITH PRODUCER / ARTIST ACRUX ACRUX

1. Thanks for taking some time to be interviewed. Can you please introduce your self and tell us just a bit about what you do?

My name is Acrux, I am a self taught designer and i work with the best underground musicians in the game. I spend most of my time designing cover artworks / clothes and posters or looking for inspiration from artists i follow on a daily basis.

2. When, where, and why did your journey in design begin? And did you have another project / aspiration before this one?

I was part of a groupchat on instagram and everyone there was a musician, they knew I was pretty good at making art. They started frequently asking me to make them cover artworks, one of the guys said that I should get paid

for it. I then started working with other artists outside the groupchat and my plan was to look for a 9-5 in my city but I’m glad I have been able to turn this into my main source of income.

3. Who gets bragging rights for helping you get to where you are now?

Everyone buying artworks from me and coming back multiple times a month. They’re not just customers, they’re my friends, supporters and the ones that motivate me to keep doing what I’m doing.

4. Who are your favorite clients that you have done work for in the past? And why?

My favorite clients are definitely @ fxckjamie, @gashvm, @kentsauceborne, @ihatezand and @gr___wn. They’re really cool people and they make great music I can relate to.

5. Are you self taught or educated when it comes to design?

I am completely self taught. I just love

A C R U X

“I am completely self taught. I just love opening a design software and start experimenting and learning as much as I can. “

10 Questions With ACRUX

10 QUESTIONS WITH PRODUCER / ARTIST ACRUX

opening a design software and start experimenting and learning as much as I can. Once I find my favorite functions I use them in my designs and I keep practicing until I learn every single step.

6. If you could pick and work with anyone in the world? Who would you choose? And why?

Definitely Nascar Aloe, Ghostemane or Lil Darkie, they all give me an insane amount of energy through their music and lyrics.

7. What are the pros and cons of your local scene? Where do you see room for improvement? And what are your music scene’s strengths?

Working as a designer is one of my favorite things to do. Having the opportunity to listen to music before hundreds of thousands of other people makes me feel as though I am a part of the entire project. My only concern is how many other designers are looking for clients on Instagram. There is a lot of competition, and if you want to work with musicians, it can be challenging to get to the top.

8. Where do you see your self in 5 years? What about 10?

I envision myself working from home and listening to music within the next

five years, while those who did not take my grind seriously are breaking their bones for the bare minimum. My dream in 10 years is to have my own design studio and hire 5-10 people who are passionate about learning from me and taking their art to the next level while making a profit from it as well.

9. Where is the easiest place for potential customers to view your work / contact you with inquiries?

The easiest way to contact me is just by sending me a direct message on Instagram, I check my requests multiple times a day and I reply to everyone. With just a few taps, everyone can access the work I am most proud of on my Instagram page.

10. As we wrap this up, what else do you want our readers to know? Thank you for your time!

If you’re planning to get an artwork from me just know that you’re saving me from working a 9-5 and you’re allowing me to do what I love. I appreciate every single one of you that got to the end of this interview! Check out my work on my instagram page at: www.instagram.com/acruxgod.

“

My

their

dream in 10 years is to have my own design studio and hire 5-10 people who are passionate about learning from me and taking

art to the next leve...l”

New single - Oddtick Black Sheep

Oddtick dropped a new single titled “Black Sheep”. The song has an energetic sound with Oddtick’s signature scream rap style that showcases his relatability on the topic of being the “black sheep”. This single is just a taste of what’s to come as another one will be dropping later this month! So make sure you follow him so you don’t miss out on it.

As someone who loves music, I’m excited for all things amazing are rare that Oddtick has in store for us. His unique style and energy are unparalleled simple because how unique he is, making this single truly stand out. This song gets stuck

in your head with its infectious well produced beat while also inspiring thought about our own individual experiences as outsiders within different levels of society. The tone of the song is full of high frequencies and distortions. Tasteful turbulence with a pinch of crazy. Oddtick might be a new artist on the scene but his work ethic and energy are unprecedented! Don’t let this opportunity pass by without giving it a listen and don’t forget, he has another song dropping later this month! But as far as this review goes,I give this song a solid rating of 10/10 check out Black Sheep by Oddtick. Out now on all platforms.

ARTISTS ON THE RISE

ROMA JONSON

ARTIST REVIEW

Throughout the past few years, Roma Jonson has been producing beats, art, and music nonstop. With a style ranging from deathcore to aggressive phonk, he has something for everyone! There is something unique about his sound that distinguishes him from other producers in the industry, as well as the way his 3D renders look.

In addition to being extremely catchy, Jonson’s beats are full of a powerful energy that makes it difficult to stay idle when listening to them. In his tracks, he incorporates elements of different genres such as hip-hop, trap, dubstep, EDM, and more, giving him a distinct advantage over other producers in the industry. As a result of his production skills, he has gained recognition from some of the most influential artists in the cur-

rent scene, and he has created music with some huge names in the industry, such as 3D friends, Sinizter, and Mega Ran, just to name a few.

If you are looking for new sounds in rap or electronic music, Roma Jonson is definitely worth checking out! Due to his diverse range of musical styles, he is able to appeal to a wide range of musical tastes while still providing fresh vibes on every song he releases. Whether you’re looking for something heavy or lighthearted this artist will provide what you need - no matter what genre it may be. And he’s also an underground legend on the rise that is well respected in the music community. So any attention you give this artist is well deserved.

Horus Blak, XBloodBathX “Desolation” by Ekathorik

The underground alternative rap scene is abuzz with the new single “Desolation” by Ekathorik, Horus Blak and XBloodBathX. This track has an undeniable hype sound that will have listeners hooked from the very first few seconds of audio. The production quality of this song is crisp and clean, making it a pleasure to listen to even on repeat plays.

This track features intense lyrical content delivered over a hard-hitting beat that will

get your blood pumping. All the artists went in to the fullest. Pulling thier words from deep within and delivering them with energy and passion. These guys are genuinely spitting woes and you can feel it.

If you’re looking for a great new song with a fresh vibe to it look no further than “Desolation” by Ekathorik, Horus Blak and XBloodBathX – you won’t be disappointed! A great add for any playlist alternative or not.

Geves recently released an official Trap Metal banger titled PUPPET and this joint goes harder than a multiple car pileup caused by a head on collision on the highway. The song starts out with self loathing. A female voice permeates through the speakers ” I f*cking hate Geves”. I some how instantly knew this song was about to go off. And my subconscious was correct. Geves as a vocalist alone is a force to be reckoned with. Delivering tasteful bars in Scream Rap fashion. Add this solid high energy beat and you have a gnarly twisted concoction that makes it hard to sit still. This song is a bop and it had me banging my head the whole time. His lyrical energy progressively gets heavier as the song pushes along, with the end turning into a hyperpop / scream rap fusion because of the way it was mixed up a few octaves. This track is solid! And thats why i’m giving it a rating of 10 / 10 + adding it towards the top of our Trap Metal Alliance playlist. PUPPET by GEVES out now on all plats! You just need to hear it for yourself.

Aleister is back our radar with an amazing submission! Opening with an eerie sound scape. Cinematic base hits set the scene. The vocals start with a heavy shadow rap influence, while heavy Cinematic samples continue to establish a steady rhythm. This track really feels like its a legitimate soundtrack to an epic movie! An action packed thriller! As the song moves along, it gets progressively harder and harder. Building up energy as the vocals go from shadowy to full on scream rap madness. This song is crazy good! I could see this being featured on the game Cyperpunk 2077 or post apocalyptic movie about a dystopian future. This one is right up my alley. The creativity of the song + the energy and passion that went into the vocals lead me to giving this track a rating of 10 / 10. This is an instant Trap Metal classic and I’ve added it towards the top of our Trap Metal Alliance playlist. A refreshing addition to my catalog. I havent heard something like this before and that is everything these days. Wrapped UP, by Aleister & Rebeltug. Out now on all platforms!

Jex Mor recently dropped his music video for “hush” and the visuals are next level! I really love it when artists are serious about their craft. Looks like Jex Mor rented out a professional studio space to film is new video shot by Bayside Studios. With each new video or song Jex Mor drops, his ferocity and energy increases. Hush is a threatening high energy single with aggressive fast lyrics delivered in Jex’s personal style. He breaks the song down into different vocal styles and tones letting us know he has a wide range. The beat is massive and perfect for lane changing and cruising in the car with an objective. Audio production top notch. This is an artist that is clearly invested in not just his visuals, but also his sound. And the end result is an amazing simplistic music video, where Jex Mor demonstrates how he don’t need to show up with much to do something completely epic! I give the song a solid rating of 10/10. And I give his music video a 10/10 as well.

It’s always a big day when a new album drops, especially when it is an excellent one. The new deluxe edition of Him. by M1H1 and Dede Valentino is no exception. Featuring an impressive wide selection of beats. Horrifyingly awesome vocal tones, and real bars. The title track, “Him.” is a hypnotizing blend of modern genres. When the beat comes in it has a hyperpop, hood alt vibe to it. But that quickly turns to Trap Metal when the vocals start. A sick combination of genres that I really enjoyed. Another standout is “TARGET” which features eerie production and demonic ghostly texture behind a hard trap beat. This track has the best energy and mix out of all the tracks in this selection. I promptly added this one to the top of the Trap Metal Alliance playlist. The album also features an additional 7 tracks. And they all offer something different while also cohesively fitting together, matching the concept and tone of this album as a whole. I thoroughly enjoyed this album. I had to give this artist a follow because I definitely want to hear more. And i’m giving this release a solid rating of 9/10, deducting a point, only because I feel like marketing / artistic direction of the release did not do the music justice. And the visuals are so important in this game. Him. Deluxe by M1H1 and Dede Valentino, out now on all plats!

Ether is a Cyber Punk, Horror, Trap Metal single by Underground Artists On The Rise Manifest0 featuring LOWSOUL and Ape Gabriel. There is a heavy, dark, gritty, and brooding vibe to this song that makes me imagine a hellish future ahead of us. The structure is similar to that of a cypher. There is no doubt that these artists have put a great deal of time and effort into the work they do. There are some really cool stand out elements to this piece. For instance, there is the ghostly cybernetic narration that introduces each artist, which gives the piece a sense of theme and setting. Basically, this is a song that is for anyone who wants to hear something that is heavy and dark with a lot of bass and energy, but with a new frequency that we have never heard before. I genuinely love this track, and i’m not just saying that because someone paid me to write up a review. Its an instant underground gem featuring 2 artists I already listen to on a regular basis and introducing me a new artist i’ll be sure now to keep on my radar. The cover art for Ether is also something to marvel at. Showcasing an anime character blended with cyber punk, encompassed in some form of fluttering alchemy. I didn’t just click this song and listen to it while I scrolled the internet. I stopped to appreciate the thought that went into everything. From how heavy and original the sound is to how mystifying the cover art is. This is not a track you want to sleep on. Ether by Manifest0, LOWSOUL, And Ape Gabriel is out now on all platforms! Hear it for yourself!

This is the heaviest, cleanest, most well put together Trap Metal track i’ve heard in a long time. And you know whats crazy? This artist only has 15 monthly listeners as of right now. We have a real underground gem on our hands here. Im gonna need all of you to tap in and show bro some support on Spotify so we can help him get it poppin. Cuz i really mean it. This dudes tracks are gems. But this one in particular is just crazy good. Im so impressed and stoked this guy tapped in. Obsessed by EATER (remember that name) is a crazy pure trap metal banger with a clever and original vibes, and production. The song starts off with a grim texture that is followed up with melodic bells. Almost feels like a curve ball. Because it feels like a trap song at first but then he falls into some massive sounding scram rap. What I like about his vocal delivery is the clever arrangements and production. Instead of going off right on top of the drop, EATER’s vocals lead into the drop. Furthermore, throughout the rest of the song, his vocals are mixed and chopped up in ways that compliment the beat and stir the senses. HIs screams on this are just delivered perfectly. This dude is mad talented. Y’all better cop those feats and collabs before EATER blows up! And remember, you discovered him 1st, here at Trap Metal Arsenal. I give this song an unprecedented rating of 11/10 because I can tell a lot of heart and work went into this one. Obsessed by EATER. Out now on all platforms.

It’s hard not to point out one particular sub genre that is the most ground breaking wave in metal we have seen in a long time. That genre being Trap Metal with its edgy guteral tones and soundscaps. Bledning the rap + metal crossover genre so well that it makes attempts from the past seem mediocre. But with this new Album titled Descend upon Infinity by HELLI$H, we explore the mix of genres even further. Taking us on a dark trip of black metal and Trap Music deconstructed it into a chopped up, mutated, abomination. HELLI$H wastes no time screaming over melodic hellscapes equipped with cypertrap processed 808 bass cannons on BOTH hands. Every track on this album is HARD. Every song fits the overall theme of the album. And all together from a label stand point, it just feels like a solid record. Full of cinematic vibes and heavy bass lines, this is a groundbreaking album from HELLI$H and offers proof that he is leveling up quickly. The vocals are full of frustration and anger and the tracks switch tempo to showcase different styles and capabilities the artist has on his belt. I really enjoyed this release and I was able to listen to it all the way through from the intro to the outro. I give it a rating of 8 out of 10 only because I want to hear more diversity in the artist’s cadence and vocal flow. I want to help push him forward through constructive criticism but he clearly already knows exactly where he’s going and he has a very unique sound that makes him easy to identify when I hear his tracks pop up on our Trap Metal Alliance playlist.

I’m going to make a gaming playing because of this song. This track begins with some Call Of Duty Zombie vibes building up slowly and progressively like a movie. Just how I like it. CMPLXCNT starts off with some shadow rap vocals leading us to the climax of the song where he drops into the more traditional scream rap / trap metal vibe. His bars are cleverly put together and not rushed, executed with taste and viscousness. The production on this track is super crisp, and glitchy in a good way. But not random and chaotic like a lot of glitchy elements used in music. A mathematically quantized, futuristic texture that sits well into beat. Honestly everything about this track is fire to me. And you can tell that both the artist and the engineer went in on this. CMPLXCNT’s energy. The overall tone and of the entire piece. And the theme / purpose of the track are why Im giving this a rating of 10 out of 10. No complaints. I WAN

TO HEAR MORE. Adding this to the Trap Metal Alliance playlist towards the top! 5IVE by @cmplxcnt_122 out now on all plats!

AMAYMXN

1. Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us here at Trap Metal Arsenal. Let’s start by introducing yourself, who you are, and what you are all about?

It’s a pleasure, man! My name is Harley, I’m 22, I’m from New Castle up on Tyne and I make music under the name Amaymxn.

2. What kick started your love for music and what/who got you into making music yourself?

I became interested in music at a very young age. While growing up, I was exposed to a variety of music, but I was particularly drawn to metal and I was into Slipknot, Linkin Park, etc. When I hit 12 –13 I had gotten more into bands like Asking Alexandria, Miss May I, etc. I was in a few bands here and there at that age but nothing that really went far. I guess that kinda pushed me in the direction of want-

ing to be a solo artist so I started making my own one-man projects. I got more into rap later on. My music was inspired by soundcloud underground scene artists like $uicide boy$, and Ghostemane. I naturally then gravitated into making stuff similar to that and started teaching myself how to produce and write lyrics.

3. Do you have a thriving local scene that you’re a part of? If so what are the strengths of your scene and what do you think you could improve?

We have a budding alternative rap/trap metal scene here in the north east. Artists like myself, Shoshin Noel, Freddy, Scapey, and other great independent artists. I think our strength is that everyone has a their own unique approach to this kind of music and we get better as time progresses. What we could improve on is getting the word out more, put on more shows, and connecting with different artists around the country.

4. What would you say your greatest weakness is as an independent artist on the rise??

I think my greatest weakness is my overall

AMAYMXN

“While growing up, I was exposed to a variety of music, but I was particularly drawn to metal and I was into Slipknot, Linkin Park, etc.”

AN INTERVIEW W/ UNDERGROUND ARTIST AMAYMXN

mental health. I always get those intrusive thoughts where it makes me doubt myself. Its something I’m working on and hopefully I can push forward with my vision.

5. Which artists past or present would you say paved the way for this generation and the Trap Metal Genre? Definitely would have to say Ghostemane for the past and then for the present, Bvdlvd. Ghostemane really paved the way and set a foundation for what trap metal was. As for Bvdlvd, he is killing it. He keeps setting the standard for what trap metal can be and also trying to evolve the genre with each release.

6. What was your favourite show you’ve played so far and what is your dream line up featuring yourself?

The first time I played a show was with Lxstgxd and Stretchmark. On my second time it was just me on stage. It was just amazing to see that I had the crowd going mad. It was a very humbling experience. My dream line-up would be Bvdlvd, Biv, Kill Ebola, and Fenrir.

7. What can we expect from you in the future? New Music? Tour News?

I have been sitting on a few tracks. I don’t know if I wanna release them as of yet, but I do know I wanna make an album some time soon, but until then I’m going to be working on my sound and hopefully create some-

thing that people can listen to and recognize.

8. Which of your releases would you recommend for new listeners to get a greater understanding of you as an artist?

I would have to say both singles WRONG SIDE and PANDEMONIUM. Those songs really represent me as an artist. They’re my best tracks I’ve done. WRONG SIDE is slow, melancholic but punishing in vocal delivery and lyrics. PANDEMONIUM is just fierce and hard hitting.

9. Who is your biggest influence as a artist and how have they influenced your sound?

There’s a lot of artists i draw inspiration from. On the vocal side of things definitely artists like Fenrir and Bvdlvd with their hard-hitting and brutal vocals. I also look to vocalists from metal bands. I also draw inspiration from artists like Night Lovell, Nickcantsleep, and Kill Ebola for the cleaner type vocal/rap. On the producer side of things, I look to artists with dark atmospheres and gritty, distorted 808s.

10. Now to wrap things up thank you again for giving us your time and do you have a message for your fans?

Thank you! Its been a pleasure and for my fans/listeners, thank you for taking the time to enjoy the stuff I make. It means more to me than you could ever imagine.

“..both singles WRONG SIDE and PANDEMONIUM. Those songs really represent me as an artist. They’re my best tracks I’ve done. WRONG SIDE is slow, melancholic but punishing in vocal delivery and lyrics. PANDEMONIUM is just fierce and hard hitting.”

CYBERDRIP$ DOWNLOAD

MUSIC VIDEO + SINGLE REVIEW

Trap Metal artist Cyberdrips released a music video last year that is still the hardest thing I’ve seen to this day as far as the realm of Trap Metal goes. The combination of cyberpunk visuals and aggressive phonk sound make for an unforgettable experience, creating a unique blend of futuristic Trap Metal unlike anything else out there.

The music video features a dystopian future filled with neon lights and intense action scenes, all set against the backdrop of Cyberdrips’ hard-hitting beats. In addition to its visual spectacle, the song itself contains powerful lyrics about overcoming obstacles in life despite overwhelming odds – something we can all relate

to in our own lives today. This combination creates an atmosphere that is both captivating and inspiring at once; it leaves viewers feeling energized yet contemplative as they reflect on their own struggles in life.

Overall, Cyberdrips’ new single DOWNLOAD stands out from other releases due to its impressive fusion of cyberpunk aesthetics with aggressive phonk sounds and uplifting lyrics about perseverance through tough times. It provides listeners with not only an enjoyable listening experience but also some valuable insight into how one can overcome adversity no matter what challenges lie ahead – making it truly deserving of praise from fans around the world!

DEADLY

D E A D L Y

An Interview by Clear Vision Collective

Q: How long have you been making music? When did you start up Brett Deadly?

A: I’ve been playing around with music my entire life. There were always guitars around the house. And although I didn’t like church growing up, the little bit at the end where everyone sings was pretty cool. I’d always go ham. Music and art have always been an escape from me. “Brett Deadly” isn’t something I ever started up though. I actually am Brett Deadly. In middle school, a substitute teacher was giving everyone nicknames to help her remember people and I got the nickname Brett Deadly cuz I was a morbid goth kid. After a while, all the teachers and students at my school were calling me Brett Deadly. And with my father being military, we would move a lot, and so would other families and kids from the 1st Cavalry Division. So the name followed me from school to school, all the way through high school, college, and beyond.

Q: Are you open to collaboration, what’s been some of your favorite collabs?

A: I am always open to collaborations and I do so often. My biggest collaboration was probably with ITSOKTOCRY but my favorite collaboration isn’t with a musician, it’s with an artist. I got the pleasure of working with my visual idol, Michael Shantz, who’s the original designer for Drop Dead. The clothing line ran by Oli Sykes. I was the creative director and guided Michael through my vision which he executed perfectly. And now I have a Goat character/persona simply named “DEADLY” that is the focal point for my Label / Brand. DEADLY is also my Trap Metal side project.

Q: What’s the local DIY scene like out in AZ? How have you contributed to it?

A: We don’t have a solid music scene here in AZ. What we have is a club scene. So the DIY side of things is the best we can do at the moment without any solid all-ages venues that don’t focus all their attention on liquor sales. There are some venues, but they are very strict and operate on a more corporate level. Chill intimate DIY shows are rare here and there is a LOT of drama that discourages locals from wanting to pursue a career in music.

My contribution to my city is a new magazine called Arizona Hip Hop Magazine, so serious

“The only way out is up.”

D E A D L Y

An Interview by Clear Vision Collective

musicians with good character have at least ONE healthy option in my city. Out here in the valley of suns, you gotta mingle with the devil (I’m speaking metaphorically) to get ahead. And that’s weird. I’ve also contributed to a few local DIY shows at Tattoo shops and warehouse spaces and inspired a few people but I don’t feel like I have done much yet. Honestly, it makes me sad. My favorite touring acts usually skip Arizona and drive straight on through.

So while I’m based here. I’m not focusing so much of my energy on my state anymore. The new magazine is more of a gift. Because I did come up here. But it’s going to be run by volunteers and project managers, I won’t be very involved. Personally, I’m building up myself and my brand (Illumignarly Records) so I can actually make a difference. Right now I am a nobody and my words carry no weight. Money is the only thing these promoters and venue owners listen to. And I am not rolling around in rich money yet. But when I have the funds, the 1st thing I’m doing is buying or renting warehouse space for a venue/place of operations.

Q: Could you describe your work outside of making music?

A: I have no work outside of music. I do this fulltime. I’m a 5150 nut case and I can’t hold a job lol. I’m only good at art, music, and marketing. And this is what I do every day. My resume is impressive though, most notably I worked the most at Guitar Center and did Tech Support for EA games but I figured out a long time ago that isn’t the life for me. And if I stayed at those jobs I might not still be alive today. The music life

D E A D L Y

wasn’t a choice for me like it is for other people. This is literally my only option. Society throws away and ostracizes mental cases. So while that sucks, kinda makes my artistic endeavors resonate more strongly with people. There are a lot of people who do this shit for all the wrong reasons. Proud I can say I am not one of them.

Q: How did you create your newest project, “Mama Bruja”?

A: Mama Bruja is actually 3 years old. I have a LOT of songs and ideas pre-recorded just sitting in my DAW files, so I don’t really remember the creative process behind it. But I do remember that song collected dust for a long time because I was going through some paranoia and started disconnecting from my friends and family. The homie who did that song with me NEVER switched up though. So now that I’m up again, I pulled it from the vault, made some badass eye-catching cover art for it, and released it! It’s very different from the rest of my songs which are Emo Trap / Dark Rap. This is an upbeat reggaeton track. And a big flex cuz people don’t know how diverse I am.

Q: Any future releases, upcoming shows / events?

A: Lots of music, and music videos, from myself and artists from my record label Illumignarly Records. I also have new issues of Clout Culture, AZHIPHOP, AND my baby Trap Metal Arsenal magazine dropping soon! If you wanna get involved or catch up on any of my endeavors you can find everything on www.illumignarly.com

“I’m building up myself and my brand (Illumignarly Records) so I can actually make a difference.”

D E A D L Y RAPPER / ENTREPRENEUR

Teddy Slugz

New single - Brain Freeze

Brain Freeze by Teddy Slugz and Warlord Colossus is a super high energy banger with a huge professional sound. It’s the perfect track for any fan of alternative hiphop looking to get their blood pumping. From its intense beat and powerful bassline, to its unique vocal samples that cut through the mix like butter, this song is ear candy.

What really sets Brain Freeze apart from other songs in this genre is its incredible production quality. The mixing and mastering are top-notch,

giving it an epic feel that will take listeners on an unforgettable journey into sonic bliss. Every element of the track works together perfectly to create one cohesive piece of art that will keep fans coming back again and again!

Teddy Slugz is a force to be reckoned with. To be completely honest, I’ve never heard a weak release from this artist. Teddy Slugz is a solid brand in music! Anything with his name on it is sure to be a pleasure to listen to. Straight up legendary.

CHUCKKLEZ

CHUCKKLEZ

10 QUESTIONS WITH ALTERNATIVE ARTIST CHUCKKLEZ

1. Thanks for taking some time to be interviewed for Trap Metal Arsenal Magazine. Can you please introduce yourself and tell us briefly what you do? Hell yeah! Thank you very much for having me on this. To anyone who doesn’t know too much about me, I go by the name of CHUCKKLEZ. I’m an Indedepent Horror Artist from the Bay Area of San Jose, CA mixing that Evil Shyt in Death Trap for the past 17 years now. I’m a live performer and entrepreneur whose always putting in work non-stop.

2. When did your journey in music start? And who gets bragging rights for helping push you forward?

Growing up as a youngster I’ve always been musically inspired by Gangsta Rap, Heavy Metal & Death Metal music and other genres that always kept me bouncing all over the place! Honestly it started way back in 2006. My homies at that time indroduced me into dark music like Horrorcore and Three 6 Mafia, but the main artists that REALLY got me started with my career to begin with was NATAS (Esham, MastaMind & TNT) and Shy One aka xSHY361x.

NATAS is known in the Horrorcore scene and it has inspired me to rap Shy One is a legendary

Horror Artist from Corpus Christi, TX who inspired me to sing and rap fast with mlyrics. This made me want to bring the same energy into my music. Without these guys, I would’ve never been the man who I am today and I thank them all to this day. RIP TNT.

3. What is the story or reason behind the name CHUCKKLEZ?

It’s a pretty funny and true story. When I was younger, there used to be this punk ass kid that would always bully me at school. He would always steal shit from me, including food out of my lunch. Then one day I had enough, I ran up to him and knocked his ass the out. I was laughing in his face while beating him up until one of his friends had to pull me off of him and yelled back “OKAY CHUCKKLEZ….BACK THE FUCK OFF!” Since then I’ve used that name as my official stage name.

4. What can we expect from you in 2023? New music? Visuals? Other projects?

For this year of 2023, you’re gonna expect a lot of new projects that I plan releasing! I got a new full length album in the works called “Horrors From The Unstable” that will be coming out soon this year. I got some wicked ideas for new music visuals that are being planned as we speak and I got a couple of collaboration projects which will also be coming around the corner. Yeah, 2023 is

CHUCKKLEZ “.” “I got a new full length album in the works called “Horrors From The Unstable” that will be coming out soon this year.”

CHUCKKELZ

Interview Continued

gonna be my busiest, but trust me though it’s all gonna be hella worth it when y’all witness them first hand, so definitely keep your eyes open.

5. What is your local music scene like? What are the pros? What are the cons? And where do you see room for improvement?

Here in my city of San Jose, CA it is very rare to hear the Trap Metal scene pop off unless you go through certain venues or spots around the Bay Area that fucks with it. Overall the love is always so true when people come out to our shows with mad support plus the Bay gets hyphy a lot too so we love to party out here. The pros is getting out there and making a name for yourself to let the city know who you are. Always remain productive & original at your craft no matter what and people will fuck with you. The cons, following bandwagons might not get you the attention you want unless you switch it up with your style. It’s a hard game forreal, but it’s all about putting in work. For myself, it took me years to achieve the accomplishments that I’ve had in my career because the music that I do is super dark, aggressive and graphic to people’s views, it was a slow pace. But now that I’ve evolved with my craft, I’m starting to do more Trap Metal and Energetic sounds to improve that I’m not just a rapper who is stuck in this box of “Death Rap” and all that. Like, It can’t be CHUCKKLEZ without that dark element, but I’ve matured into something more better than my old self was. I wanna plan on sticking with it fully.

6. With an interest in who your influences are, if you could go on tour with anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would be on the bill with you? What is CHUCKKLEZ’s dream tour?

That is a real tough one to choose because there’s so many names that I would love to go tour with and share the stage. If I can give out 2 chooses (One alive and one dead) I’ll have to say Gizmo and DMX will be my dream tour. Gizmo is such a fuckin’ amazing talent in the game that every album or tracks he’s put out are always crazy. He gets my attention all the time and it would a privilege to collaborate with him a future tour forsure. Fingers crossed. DMX was my childhood hero growing up who literally got me into Hip-Hop. The poetic value and energy he gave in music was hella poetic it keeps you going. I wished I’ve gotten to know him in person, but his legacy will remain cherished non-stop. RIP X.

7. How far are you going to take your career? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What about 10? And what is your endgame?

For my career as an artist, I picture myself wanting to get into the film industry and comic industry. I love Horror movies, animations, comics & mangas so much that I wanna create some future projects like those. I have my own comic series called “The Headhunter Chronicles” that my good homie Mad Wew and myself had worked together since Covid. So far we released 2 volumes all in one year and we’re planning to expand that process in the scene for 5 years or even more. In 10 years, I’m still gonna continue at what I love doing best until my lungs collapse! That’s my real endgame honestly. Getting to live my dream and being comfortable with everything is what matters and not worry about the bullshi, ya know?

“I wanna thank my underground fam for helping me thrive through this music game for so long...”

I wanna make my name known around and influence many others to push harder like I did and get this win together. No rest for the wicked.

8. The world can be a hurtful toxic place sometimes. On the topic of “fighting with demons” what advice would you give aspiring new artists going through it and feeling hopeless right now?

The world is truly a sickening toxic place to live in but my advice is to those who are new in the music game and those who I know personally who’re struggling with their demons. Don’t let those poisons control you and make you become something that you’re not. Your lives are very precious and you all have a great future ahead that you’re gonna reach towards too. Believe me, the last thing I EVER want to see or hear about is seeing another young talent go to waste and not continue with their life positively. The struggles are truly unbearable, but just know that you all have loved ones that encourage you all to keep fighting and know that you’re neither hopeless nor useless in anyone’s eyes. Those who think opposite of you, FUCK EM’ ALL! They ain’t worth the time in your circle. Stay strong with yourselves and never give up hope.

9. Let’s show some love to the producers! Who are some of CHUCKKLEZ’s favorite beat producers and or engineers that you have worked with?

I always gotta show mad love and support to my main engineers Mohamed Aniff, Jesse Dillard of Black Realm Media and Grady Finch. These

C K K L E Z

cats are truly the most professional workers in the scene. They are on constant grindmode and they make sure that you are happy at what you get out of them when it comes to recording, mixing, and mastering on projects. They’re my top 3 favorites to work with on major releases. As far as my favorite beat producers, I have to give credit to Dj Lil Sprite, skinnyDRAG, ROOSEVELT, and Zombie Aristocrats! All of the beats that they make and creativity that they put into their works have always been fire after fire and they know exactly what I like to use for projects. When it comes to Trap Metal, Enegertic, Aggressive Sounds, Dark Trap or Sad Trap, they’re the people I go to the most. Much love to them.

10. As we wrap this up, is there anything else you would like our readers to know? The floor is yours. And thank you for your time!

First off, I wanna thank you for having me on this interview and I’m mad honored to be part of this. For everyone that’s reading this, Definitely be on the lookout on all these new upcoming projects that I’ll be releasing this year, including upcoming shows that I’ll be attending in a city near you, so don’t sleep, forreal! I wanna thank my underground fam for helping me thrive through this music game for so long and those of you who believed in me to push towards higher levels. This Evil Shyt is for y’all and that will never change. Much Evil Love!

ALTERNATIVE ARTIST