Q&A With Rising Canadian Hip Hop Artist Panax
Whats Up Panax! We really enjoyed your new EP “Sheer” , especially your track Movement!! How long have you been making music? How did you get your emcee name?
I started rapping when I was about 19. I was super late getting into hip hop. I started getting more serious about it when I was 23.
It’s a funny story how I became Panax. When I first started rapping my handle was D Mac because of my government name, Dylan MacPhee. Panax used to be on the rim of Monster Energy drink cans. I remember seeing it and thinking that it would be a cool band name. Because D Mac was so common, and it worked with all my wack ass little rhyme schemes that had D Mac in them, I just went with Panax.
Tell us how you were able to form your sound? Any Canadian music influences??
I would say the biggest influencer of my sound is my boy AstroLogical. I really didn’t think of hip hop as “music” before I linked up with him. I always thought of it like raps on beats. In retrospect I definitely undervalued what being a rapper is. Astro is also an incredible musician as well as beat maker and instilled a lot of confidence in myself.
Tons of Canadian influences as far as MC’s. Even just Vancouver. Anonymouz, Kapok, A-Ro, Moka Only. Moka for sure. Legend with the beats and the rhymes.
Lets face it, social media since 2015 has grown tremendously, especially IG!!! Tell us how is your IG grind is looking, and how have you been able to keep up with the high demand on social media? Do you have a website??
A website is something I should have. As far as Insta, I try to keep it genuine. My page represents my real life. I have a really hard time pushing my art. I feel weird with the whole thing. Almost like I’m begging people to listen to it. I rely on the quality of my music and my belief in it.
Please breakdown the creative process to your latest EP “Sheer”?
I have been really busy this past calendar year stacking up. Music was kind of on the back burner. So “Sheer” was kind of half a rework of unreleased material and half new stuff. It was my first project since 2013 to not be entirely produced by AstroLogical. It was cool to get down on other homies production. But same process as usual, Astro and I in the studio putting it together.
How often do you perform live?? Any indie DIY tours in the works?
I am still working out-of-town a lot at the moment trying to get my loot up, so I am not performing as frequently as I want too. I’m going to be opening for Caleborate on February 25th at the Biltmore in Van if anyone reading this is around. I play probably 10-15 times a year around Van. As far as a tour hopefully I’ll get something together after the full length gets made later this year. We’ll play it by ear.
How do you feel about the whole MUMBLE RAP XAN & LEAN trend these kids nowadays are on!!!..LOL??? Be honest, do you use some of that stuff??..LOL
Man it’s hard to say. I was a young person once who was influenced by the people I idolized. If you’re really living it who am I too tell you to stop. If I can quote a lyric from “I’m Yours”, “Never underestimate the power of a microphone/ If you do that you should probably leave that mic alone”. A voice is the most powerful instrument in music. Everyone can understand it on some level and influencing people, especially young people, can be easy. If you’re preaching that shit you have to be aware that some kids will do that shit because of you. I am always cognizant of the fact that my words can inspire people and that’s why I push that love shit. I used to party, but I ain’t on that no more.
What you got cooking next? Any special for the new year 2018!!??
I am going to put out this full length finally. It’s going to be titled “Launch Complex”. No release date as of yet but it’s coming!
Where do see yourself in 5yrs? (2023)?
Chilling with my wife and kids, drinking juice, bumpin Madlib.
Where can fans find your music? Drop all links!!
soundcloud.com/panaxish
panaxish.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/panaxish
instagram.com/panaxish
twitter.com/panaxish
Any new shout outs?
My crew ILLeague. All my peoples on the Vancity scene in 2018. Anyone spreading that love. Also shoutouts to Deli Records.
