Exclusive Interview with NASIR MF.

nasir mf. is a Brooklyn-based electronic musician who aspires to maintain the tradition of Black artists that came before him while pushing the limits of sound and expression. Moreover, he endeavors to continue queering and diversifying the electronic world. His most recent song, “fucking lonely,” is a homage to hopeless romantics and obsessive lovers everywhere. This song combines hyperpop with a drum and bass breakbeat and an anthemic, angst-ridden chorus. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

NASIR MF.: Hii! I’m nasir mf. I’m an electropop artist who lives in Brooklyn. I started to dabble around with music in college, and I was part of a duo named Prince$$ Ozzie for a bit. After college, I stopped making music and traveled the world, then ended up at a corporate job. Corporate has recently been a bit soul sucking, so that has inspired me to reignite my creative side and to make music again.

2. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

NASIR MF.: As a recovering people pleaser, I used to be part of the “keep the peace” crowd. Now, I’m a menace. I fight with people in the comments – especially if they’re being homophobic or racist. Luckily, most folks have been very kind though.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘NASIR MF.’?

NASIR MF.: Oooo! I love – and am extremely inspired by – the 80s and 90s freestyle movement in NYC, also known as “Latin Freestyle.” I remember hearing the synths and songs from artists like Exposé, Rockell, Stevie B, and others and feeling super liberated. There was something about the pulsating beats that really spoke to me as a child.

More recently, a lot of my inspiration comes from PC Music and PC Music-adjacent artists like Charli XCX, Namasenda, Caroline Polachek and SOPHIE. I really appreciate the ways in which they’ve relentlessly bent and distorted sound to craft an entirely new world. They’ve inspired me to realize that music – and myself – are limitless… and to just go for it!

The name nasir mf. is simply my first name, and my middle and last initial.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

NASIR MF.: My music is emo and honest as fuck. As social beings, it’s only natural for us to fixate on how we present ourselves or to shy away from certain topics because we don’t want to come across a certain way. Not me. I’ll tell you about the man I’m simping over, the situationship that mentally fucked me up or how I tend to feel isolated. But on the other hand, I’ll also give mindless bangers that are just fun. My music encapsulates a range of emotions. My listeners seem to appreciate this.

I would describe my sound as animated, glitchy emo gay shit.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?

NASIR MF.:

I’m so new to my artist career, so it’s a bit difficult to answer this question. I’m learning and growing every day. In terms of originality, is anyone truly “original” or are we all subconsciously inspired by similar creative ecosystems? For me, I try not to let my ego get in the way of being the most “original,” but more so using art as a way to learn more about myself. In return, I’ll naturally create things that are aligned with me.

In terms of style, I’m all for experimentation – that’s what electropop and “hyperpop” is all about. Then again, I’d definitely be down to hop on other style records too. At this point, I’m just trying to strengthen my songwriting skills (regardless of the genre or style).

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

NASIR MF.:

My identity as a queer Black person is inherently political, cultural, spiritual and social, so these themes are naturally in my work whether I realize it or not. Queer Black boy joy – especially in the electronic space – is powerful in and of itself.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

NASIR MF.:

Absolutely! Honestly, simply putting a song out is more than enough. Like, you poured your heart and soul into a project and released it into the world – that’s iconic! I’ve been trying to focus on the joy of creating, rather than getting stressed out from the beast that is streaming culture. Granted, of course everyone wants streams and new community members, but I often remind myself that in due time my music will find the folks it was meant to find.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

NASIR MF.:

I tend to journal a lot. So oftentimes, I’ll find a beat or collaborate with someone on a beat. Then depending on the vibe I get from the track, I’ll turn my journal entries or poems into lyrics for the track. So far, I’ve recorded all of my vocals in Logic X myself. From there, I’ll send the stems to a collaborator or engineer with my vision for the sound of the vocals, then let them work their magic. But completing the song is just the beginning, in terms of marketing and creative direction for music videos, so far I’ve tackled all of those myself. It’s definitely a big task, but it’s rewarding and fun.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

NASIR MF.:

It’s been rather difficult to figure out how to market music. It would be so easy if I could just create, but I always have to remind myself that this is technically a “business,” even if I’m just doing it for fun. Despite working in content marketing as my day job, music is a beast of its own!

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

NASIR MF.: Honestly, simply putting out my first single back in December. Putting out the first track is always the hardest. Then from there, it gets way easier. My best advice for anyone is to not focus on making sure that everything in your music is perfect. Simply show up authentically, and you’ll find the folks who you’re supposed to find.