Q&A With Milwaukee’s Rising Hip Hop Artist McGuire is God

DoomstwinMay 11, 2021

What was the earliest hip hop memory you can recall?

Listening to a lot of nas, wayne , 50 cent , the 2000s and 90s Era I heard a ton of in the car or on TV.

When was it when you realized that making music was your calling?

2007 Dj Xo wanted me on this song called “Swag poppin” and I knew I knew how to write but when I finally performed it I fell I love with music and the bond grew stronger ever since.

Where did your moniker originate?

I have been though many of name changes from DKP to Lysten Devon to Travis Burke it was about finding myself. I wanted a new name and I was playing 2k13 wanting the announcer to say my last name cause my last name isn’t on the video game and McGuire stuck with me. At that time in 2k it was a new feature for the announcers to say your MyPlayer name at all. McGuire just sticks and its familiar and the “is God” part comes partly from my religious background which is basically being an atheist and a mix of knowing you can achieve anything with a deep and fond belief in one’s self .

Growing up in Milwaukee, WI, tell us a little bit about the local underground Hip Hop scene out there?

The Milwaukee music scene is something to behold, I tell you. It’s like any other scene filled with talented hard workers with purpose and desire but you got fakers scammers and over shady people in this scene too. The real thing about it is everything is smaller compared to other more reputable scenes. And I don’t like to say it but it is a lot of hate in the city. It’s just about how you move and who you know. But I love my city I just know it’s not the best place to explode as an artist that’s not super hood or rich.

What was the first track you ever pushed? Is it still out?

The first track I ever published is still on datpiff. I released it under the name “Lysten Devon” in 2012 on a EP called “The Introduction, vol 1” (p.s. There was never a vol 2) I even made a beat too on the 5 track project. Now I primarily rap over only my own beats. And my music is widely available instead of being only on datpiff.

How are you coping with this whole Covid 19 situation? Has it delayed any new music production by any chance?

Delayed any new music? No, not at all I have a goal to make 100 songs in a years timespand. As of now I have 50 of the beats completed and 23 songs written. As for Covid it has hit hard for my performances cause of social distancing and etc. It effects streams too because of the economics of DSPs but that’s some in depth analysis from that point forward.

Please breakdown the creative process of your new album “The BlackOut”. Also Tell us a little about the album cover concept!

The blackOut was recorded from Jan 2021 to March 2021 with intrumentas from as far back as 2016 and as early as the March 2021. I always like rapping over my own instrumentals so I complied a plethora of my unreleased beats and just started writing relentlessly. I always start with the beats, the writing, then recording, mixing, mastering, cover art and etc. I also promote throughout this whole process to create hype from the day the first lyrics to the release on all streaming platforms. I had the idea for the cover art and the name at the same time. It was kinda a nod to Kendrick Lamar’s “Untitled Unmastered” project. For me it was like I can drop some fire and make it look good with minimal visual representation on the cover but full of substance in the guts of the project . But I do know that a banging single or album cover can make or break the composition at hand.

Who is your personal favorite all-time best UK Hip Hop artist? Also, who is your ultimate MC/PRODUCER collabo?

To be honest I haven’t gotten too into the UK DRILL scene but I fuck with the sound heavy with the late clap or snare on the 4 and the distinct hi hat pattern. It’s very unique compared to regular trap and drill. But I do mess with the Grime rapper LowKey heavy. He did that alphabet assassination which put me on to the papoose version and to be honest without those 2 pieces of artwork I wouldn’t be as lyrical as I am today because they push the boundaries of lyrics and the alphabet and aimed to make it the most cohesive and banging songs they could possibly be.

What is your advice to a new Hip Hop artist coming out in 2021?

PROMOTE, PROMOTE , PROMOTE. You don’t know where to put your money in your budget? PROMOTION. Also own your masters.

Where can people find you on the web? Drop all the vital links.

Email: McGuireisGod@Gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0wPBC9MgNcrU6YOCxi24Gn

Website: www.McGuireisGod.com

Twitter: Www.twitter.com/McGuireisGod

Instagram: Www.instagram.com/McGuireisGod

Facebook: Www.facebook.com/McGuireisGod

Tiktok: McGuireisGod

Snapchat: McGuireisGod

Cashapp: $GodMcGuire