Nxll on Mastery, Mindset & Making His Mark (Interview)
From PG County to LA, Nxll opens up on evolution, creativity, and what’s next.
The las time we caught up with Nxll, we called him purpose-driven. Focused. Building a lifestyle through sound. And nothing’s changed—except the scope. Since our last feature, the Los Angeles-based artist and producer has stayed locked in, continuing to evolve both his sound and sense of self. With classical training, PG County roots, and over a decade of growth behind him, Nxll is now stepping into a new chapter—one that expands his sonic universe while staying true to self.
In this exclusive Hype Off Life interview, Nxll gets into his influences, his mental health journey, and the intentionality behind every track he lays. From sneaking Hip Hop around his religious upbringing to shaping his own lane through sample-based production and experiences, Nxll offers a rare, introspective look into his world. He also hints what’s next—live shows, new music, a documentary, and a vision that’s only getting clearer. Tap in and get to know the mind behind the music.
You have classical training, as well as a strong Hip Hop background. How did your early musical experiences shape your signature sound?
My early musical experience built a strong foundation for my understanding of music production. So, the classical training helped me understand chord progressions and music theory necessary to craft songs. Hip Hop was something I had to view from a far as my family is very religious. So, if I wanted to listen, I had to find a way to sneak and do it. When I had access to a computer or cell phone I was able to explore all I wanted at that point.
It wasn’t until I was 16 where I started producing and later started rapping at 18. The classical training helped me pick up production pretty quickly. As far as rapping I feel like that’s something that didn’t come natural so I leaned on my Hip Hop influences to figure out how to flow on a track. I found it easy to emulate Consequence’s flow early on so that’s what I did to figure out how to rap then I branched off from there.
How have your experiences growing up in Prince George's County and now living in Los Angeles shaped your identity and artistry?
Growing up in PG County you very much have a different mindset than most people. I’ve always grown up believing as a Black person I can quite literally do anything because I can look around me and see a successful black person at every single level and in any job sector I can think of.
I’ve always been driven to be great because that is what is championed and expected. Also culturally PG County and DC have molded me. I can without a doubt say Gogo music is one of if not my biggest musical influence. We didn’t have too many famous rappers outside of Wale when I was growing up.
Gogo music was the biggest thing and everyone wanted to form their own Gogo band. With the music comes the fashion of course. Sneaker culture is huge and the streetwear/vintage scene is top tier and of course I love the food. Gotta get my 3 piece wing and fries with mumbo Sauce on everything everytime I come home. Lol.
Living in LA now, I bring that same champion mindset plus my style and the way I carry myself speaks for itself. I’m out here for a purpose afterall. I want to influence hearts and minds and show the people back home that if you stay focused you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.
Your sample-based production has a very distinct style, which is dope. Who or what influences your approach to creating beats and developing your sound?
I would say Kanye has always been a massive influence for me and my production style. Growing up, I heavily listened to his music so of course when I started making my own music I wanted to draw from that influence and sample as well, but I want to do it in my own way.
I feel like when I spent the last 3 years living and creating in Chicago I really got an understanding on where it all comes from. Immersing myself in their DJ scene and delving further into House music is what has evolved my sound most recently. I love creating something that immediately captures the listener’s ear. When producing music my goal is to create something unique that you’ve never heard before, and for some reason you instantly love it.
You've described your music as "the soundtrack to your lifestyle." Can you describe that lifestyle and how it reflects in your work?
My lifestyle is however I’m feeling at the time. What’s making me happy, sad, angry, etc. Also, I have a wide range of interests that I’m always exploring. I love to go down the rabbit hole and add new references into my music or immerse myself in a sub culture community and gain inspiration from that. My interests include Anime, Thrift, Vintage, Sneakers, Raves, House Music, Streetwear, Holistic Care, Sports/Activewear. I’m sure I’m missing a bunch and even more sure I’ll add 5 more by the end of the week. Lol, But I like to immerse myself in these cultures and see how that indirectly influences my art.
How would you describe the evolution of your music from your early releases to your current work? What's changed and what has stayed the same?
I would say my earlier music is very much a vent session for me. I’m just expressing my raw emotions and using my art as an outlet. Whereas my more recent work I would consider it an update on my life. An audio biography, if you will. Lol. I guess I would call my current work a snapshot of my current state of mind as of that recording.
As far as what has changed or stayed the same I don’t like to think of my sound as having “changed” I prefer to say “evolved”. I may talk or discuss my mental state, but maybe I’m using a more clever reference instead of being so blunt. I like to discuss what’s going on around me or relationships I may have and not just romantic relationships, but family relationships or friend relationships, etc. Of course I gotta pop my sh*t when I need to. Lol. I guess the universe I create for my listeners is expanding as I get older and continue to create music.
Mental health is a key part of your story. How has that journey influenced your creativity, and what has kept you grounded along the way?
Mental health is always an ongoing journey for me. One of the biggest things I’ve had to learn about myself in the more recent years is really how my own brain operates. It’s one thing to understand mental health, it’s another thing to understand what your own situation is like, and then another thing to understand how to manage it. Lol.
I have severe anxiety and occasionally go through bouts of depression. So, first I have to understand what that even means. Then I have to understand “okay this is what it is, now how do I manage it”. What I like to do is take it a step further. I don’t believe mental health issues or disorders are disabilities. I look at them as my superpowers.
There have been many times where I leaned on my anxiety in order to create objectives and get tasks done. There have been times where I have tapped into my depression to write more compelling lyrics and infuse emotion into my production. Not everything has to be an issue or defect there are many cases where those can be your greatest asset.
Your music strikes a beautiful balance between introspection and energy. How does your spirituality and self-awareness influence that balance in your sound?
I always create from a standpoint of the here and now. So, whatever I made was a glimpse into how I was feeling at that exact moment. I don’t like going into a song thinking “okay this is what this is going to be about and this is what I’m going to say”. No, I let the beat determine what I’m going to say. Is this beat speaking to me? What is it trying to say? What does it want me to say? Does this feel forced? What would feel more natural? These are the questions that I ask myself when writing a song. This way I can never be mad at what I come up with because it’s how I genuinely feel or at least felt at that moment.
What is one thing people might be shocked to find about you outside of music, like a hobby, philosophy, or daily ritual?
I meditate daily. I’m hugely into meditation, I feel like when my mind is at peace it gives my other senses the opportunity to expand.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from you this year? Are there any projects or collaborations you're excited to share?
I have more shows planned for this year. June 21st in LA and July 19th in Chicago are currently upcoming and I’m looking to add more shows for the Fall season. I have a documentary dropping in mid-June that I shot with the group AudioSpaces which is going to be crazy. And of course, I’ll be releasing new music and a new project. I’m eyeing a July/August release.
What gets you Hype Off Life?
Doing what I love and utilizing my God given talents gets me Hype Off Life!
