Q. Good day, MondoHardy! We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us. The first thing we want to know is how would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music before?
A. My music is euphoria. It’s a blend of Rap, R&B, and Rock. I would describe it to a new listener as powerful, smooth, and enigmatic.
Q. We hear you're from Chicago - how has being part of the Chicago underground music scene shaped your sound or approach to creating music?
A. In 2020, me and another Chicago artist, Little League, used to talk about the music scene that would come to life in Chicago. Being from a city dominated by Drill, we had no “underground,” and we understood that early. Chicago didn’t change my sound; it changed my approach. Fast forward to 2022–2023, every creative from the past five years started to meet with each other—from the North, South, West, and over East. We have hubs and areas where our footprint is building, like Wicker Park. The history in Wicker Park goes past us, and now we are the flourishing wave to take over next—through its venues, bars, and clothing shops like Half Evil. Right now, from our Chicago underground, we have performing acts like Thirteen Degrees, OkDeazy, Amant Okane, AdamnKilla, YourStepdad, Mike DFG, and Kels!—making noise in the scene. Some artists to keep your eyes on next are Little League, Fuego Baine, Strxtch, Rosey, BurlodaVirgo, Zootzie, Lioneldanicest, and more. Meeting these people shaped my approach. They’ve shown me Chicago is here to stay, and you can chase the dream without creating Drill music.
Q. If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
A. If I could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, it would be XXXTentacion—no doubt about it. He is the most powerful figure in music to this day to me. His messages and his music changed how a whole generation perceived their lives. That type of impact is something I yearn to bless upon the world.
Q. What's the biggest risk you've taken in your career so far, and what did you learn from it?
A. Sticking to my morals—in this game, there are a lot of people with bad intentions and shady business practices. To me, it is a risk not being a “yes man.” I have lost partners to protect my morals, my vision, and what I solely believe in. What I learned from it is to appreciate independence, the grind, and the lore. It’s a story behind it all.
Q. If this interview was the last thing someone read before listening to your music, what would you want them to know?
A. If this interview was the last thing someone read before listening to me, I would want them to know that I’m there for any feeling. I’m there for every emotion you feel. I hope my lyrics and cadence can make you feel how I do. When I make a song, I’m usually coming from a place of realization. It’s very reflective and can be uncomfortable based on the song’s concept. I make soundtracks for life—a soul on Earth, explaining my experiences and emotions.
