Mvstermind
Mvstermind GREAT
Mvstermind's new EP, GREAT, drops October 5.
A fluorescent, neon pink staged set, adorned with artificial greenery growing out of a car tire, rocks, and rusty planks, stands in the midst of an urban wasteland. All around is derelict, burned down infrastructure. A blurry figure in motion poses against the vibrant, glowing backdrop. In the background is the Arch and St. Louis’ faraway cityscape, completely outshined by the allure of Mvstermind’s constructed reality.
The album cover for Mvstermind’s new EP, GREAT, captures the St. Louis musician’s world-building ambitions. With his music and brand, the artist wants to create an alternative universe for himself and his community—a safe haven and creative hub that nourishes individuality and creation. At the core of his project, however, is something much more elemental than growth and creativity: survival.
“As a young Black father and creative musician, this place wasn't created for me to flourish the way that I do,” Mvstermind says. “This place,” he specifies, can be St. Louis, Missouri, the United States, or society at large. “Society is fucking crazy,” he explains, “It is dishonest; it is filled with trickery, with false illusions, with obstacle courses for not only Black people, but almost any other.” His music, which often conveys a message of resilience, community, and faith, is his way of empowering and protecting himself and those he loves. “Mvstermind’s world,” in contrast to the hostility of the world, “is the beautiful virus that allows us to create what we want, when we want and how we want.”
GREAT is about his pursuit of greatness in spite of the obstacle courses. The EP is scheduled to release on October 5, followed by a release concert at Delmar Hall on October 9. With six tracks, co-produced by Mvstermind and St. Louis producers Owen Ragland, Namesake, and Micah Minatai, the EP showcases a different Mvstermind than previously seen—someone able to inspire and uplift others, but who also has to battle his own insecurities. “Nightwatch” and “Promises,” the first two singles released from the EP, exemplify these two sides of the artist: “Nightwatch” shows his vulnerable side as he grapples with self-doubts and who he wants to be as an artist, whereas “Promises” conveys a sense of determination and optimism about the future.
Mvstermind
In 2019, Mvstermind was named by NPR as one of the top 20 emerging artists to watch. The honor, he felt, came with expectations and pressures that he was not able to fulfill at that time. Those feelings became the foundation for “Nightwatch.” “[That song] was me putting my skin on the track,” Mvstermind says. “You’re gonna see the lowest of my lows, and that situation of rock bottom made me the sturdiest person, gave me the sturdiest foundation, so what you’re seeing is me evolving through the music. This is the evolution stage of Mvstermind.”
The EP release party at Delmar Hall is a much-anticipated event, starring guest musicians KV The Writer, KP Kano, and Sir Eddie C. The three will be performing live alongside Mvstermind and his band, which features drummer Dhoruba and DJ/guitarist Michael Franco. Mvstermind will perform his entire new EP, a few classics, and previews of upcoming songs. Tickets are on sale now on Mvstermind’s website.
The EP is the second in a series of three—BE, GREAT, and FOOL—culminating in the release of the full LP, BEGREATFOOL. The name’s play on words gets at the balance between striving for success and being grateful for what you have. The series has 23 songs total, all of which were recorded in 2019 and later divided into three EPs. FOOL is expected to be released in early 2022.
Out of the six tracks on GREAT, Mvstermind’s favorite is “Foot on Kneck.” In it, the artist describes growing up in St. Louis—his journey forging his own path from the ground up. “Business as usual, except for the fact I don't work in a cubicle,” he sings, “Came from the dirt, and it’s still on my cuticles.” The song conveys a message about grit and perseverance and contains quotes from conversations Mvstermind had with his father, in which “a Black man [tells] another young Black man how you need to move in this city, before you end up a martyr.”
Those who listen closely will notice that, throughout BEGREATFOOL, there are snippets from a recorded conversation Mvstermind had with his family about a particularly powerful encounter. “In the fabric of the album, I embedded a really beautiful story,” he says, “and that story to this day is the only reason I can stand the way that I stand.” The story serves as a spiritual guide for Mvstermind, a miracle and a testament of faith. But it is one that he wants listeners to piece together for themselves.
