We Speak Music

Abstract Mindstate Share New Single ‘True Story’

Published

2 months ago

March 14, 2024

With an evergreen legacy in hip-hop’s evolution and a proven track record of relentless grit, Chicago-born hip-hop duo Abstract Mindstate returns on March 8 to release their newest single ‘True Story’ via Honest Music / Barak With Love distributed by Virgin Records. The song, featuring Simthandile Mtolo, is a soulful, feel-good track that cleverly shares the tale of their growth and journey despite the trials and roadblocks of the industry.

‘True Story’ is an adult-contemporary-hip-hop groove interlaced with a melody of Simthandile Mtolo’s raw, jazzy vocals. Following his opening verse, Abstract Mindstate member Olskool Ice-Gre taps in with his signature powerful rhymes. His heartfelt words are a detailed depiction of the woes of the deceptiveness and secrecy of others. His verses describe the emotions of discovering the true motives of those who were thought to be trusted. The other half of the duo, E.P. Da Hellcat, later chimes into the song with a beautifully effortless verse alluding to the darker side of artistic and personal growth – the bitterness received by those who are still left in the shadows by choosing to stay stagnant and watch as others decide to reach new light and choose to grow. With a beat co-produced by Young RJ of Slum Village and Dave Audinary (who was introduced to the duo by Young RJ himself), ‘True Story’ is a timeless blend of classic hip-hop and soul-filled melodies to tease the anticipated release of Abstract Mindstate’s upcoming album.

Reflecting on the single’s creation, Olskool Ice-Gre states that “Once the team heard ‘True Story’ and agreed it was a perfect first single, Young RJ immediately began mixing it. I sent it to Day Underscore (my artist/producer) from It’s A Cool Day to master it. He’s also a studio engineer. Everyone was very satisfied with the final product and we had our first single from the upcoming album”.

Hip-hop veterans with their roots planted deep into the genre’s history, Abstract Mindstate is a name recognized across the board. Working closely throughout the years with a plethora of accolades, Abstract Mindstate made hip-hop history. In fact, Olskool Ice-Gre was the one who mentored as well as executed the business that aided Kanye West in his journey of transitioning from being a producer to becoming a solo artist. They’re also known to be the first and only female-male rhyme duo. Their last album ‘Dreams Still Inspire’ (2021) has the unique distinction of being the only album to have been solely produced by Kanye West. Back in the 2000’s the duo was on track to have their breakthrough moment to stardom. However, life took a turn as the industry falsely strung the duo along and the promise faded into an unfair outcome. This lead to a momentary sixteen year hiatus. Deciding to come back stronger than ever, Abstract Mindstate proved their hard work, dedication, and unmatchable grit, highlighted through a 2021 documentary titled ‘We Paid, Let Us In! The Legend of Abstract Mindstate’. The documentary (produced by Emmy-Award winning producer Trizonna McClendon) was so impressive it was selected as ‘Feature Documentary’ in Barcelona, Spain and a multitude of film festivals across the US in 2022. Now in 2024, plans are being executed for the film to be privately screened across the UK and parts of South Africa. Abstract Mindstate will also perform as special guests to Slum Village on their European tour starting early April ending in early May.

We Speak Electronic

ASPEN Talks New Song, Working with JWild, Performing with Lil Jon, and More

Published

9 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Meikhel Philogene

With his single, “Sweetest Mistake,” out now, we took some time to hear more from ASPEN. Read below to learn more about ASPEN, the story behind his latest single, and what’s to come.

Hi ASPEN! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

It is just my first name. I have an interesting name, so I thought that it fit well as an artist name as well.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I am originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, but I live in Miami now.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I went to Ultra a few years back, and I knew that I loved electronic music, but I didn’t realize how much I really loved it. Once I went there, I just had an overwhelming urge to pursue music myself.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Absolutely, my upbringing has been instrumental in shaping both who I am and my sound. Being in Miami, a melting pot of cultures and musical styles, exposed me to a variety of sounds. This diverse musical environment instilled in me a love for blending different genres and influences, which is evident in tracks like ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ The emotional depth and eclectic beats of my music are reflections of the vibrance.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

My sound can best be described as an emotive journey through soundscapes that blend electronic beats with soulful melodies. It’s about capturing both the highs and lows of the human experience, packaged within compelling rhythms that invite you to both reflect and dance. With each track, like ‘Sweetest Mistake,’ I aim to create a unique auditory experience that resonates on a personal level with listeners, drawing on elements from downtempo to more upbeat electronic vibes.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Outside of music, I enjoy exploring the vibrant art scene here in Miami, from street art to gallery exhibitions. These visual experiences often inspire the textures and layers of my music. I also stay active with lifting, which not only keeps me physically fit, but also mentally sharp and creatively fluid. Engaging with different environments and activities helps me to maintain a fresh perspective and brings new ideas into my music production.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Martin Garrix, Gryffin, and Tiesto.

What are some of your future music career goals?

Music for me has been about following my passion. So, as I progress in my career, I want to share my passion with others. For me, I just want my crowd to be engaged, and I want to make the lives of the people that listen to my music just a little bit better.

Now onto your release, ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ What inspired this song?

I was listening to ‘High on Life’ by Martin Garrix and just came to the conclusion that I really want to make a song like that. I love the message and the euphoric feeling that the song creates, and I wanted to recreate that.

What is ‘Sweetest Mistake’ about in your own words?

‘Sweetest Mistake’ is a captivating blend of introspective lyrics and dynamic melodies. Featuring the compelling contributions of JWild, this track explores the bittersweet journey of embracing imperfections and finding beauty in unexpected turns.

How did the collaboration with JWild come about?

We have some mutual friends, and I just DMed him on Instagram because I listened to some of his stuff and really liked his voice.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Sweetest Mistake?’

Go find love and put yourself out there. You will get hurt in life, but all of those experiences build you up as a person and make you into who you are.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

I played for a crowd of almost 10,000 people in a basketball arena with Lil Jon. Everyone really enjoyed the set, and I was just so happy that I could share the stuff that I was working on with all these other people.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

You have to be patient. In this industry you have to pay your dues, and you have to be patient in terms of your growth. Also, in life as a whole, you have to be patient in terms of your career growth. There is no such thing as instant success.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I am going to continue grinding and releasing music. I have been working really hard, and I have a ton of projects that I am waiting to roll out. I’m excited for everyone to hear them. I also have a headline show on June 15th at Hyde in the SLS in South Beach.

Where can we follow you on social media?

https://www.instagram.com/aspenofc
https://www.tiktok.com/@aspen.dj
https://soundcloud.com/aspenrg

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!