We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Madness Maddi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Madness Maddi below.
Madness Maddi, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
My mission as an artist is to create music that resonates deeply with people, offering an emotional outlet and a sense of connection that reminds them they’re never alone. I write and perform from a place of raw vulnerability, often exploring the emotions and experiences society conditions us to suppress, such as grief, trauma, healing, self-discovery, and transformation.
This mission is meaningful to me because it’s rooted in my own personal journey. I started writing poetry in middle school as a way to make sense of my emotions and experiences, and music later became an extension of that, my healing language. After moving away from Baltimore, my hometown on my 23rd birthday and facing the trials of starting over, I experienced a rebirth into my most authentic self. That period inspired my debut EP, Make Room For Me, which chronicles those early years of self-discovery and growth.
As someone who knows what it’s like to feel lost, silenced, and unsure of where they belong, I aim to be a voice for others navigating those same struggles. My music blends genres like pop, indie and alternative, R&B, and rock, and I use literary devices, wit, and emotional storytelling to draw listeners in and encourage introspection. Whether it’s a ballad of resilience or a party anthem, I want every song I release to help people feel seen, empowered, and inspired to embrace their truth!
Madness Maddi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hi, I’m Madness Maddi, an artist passionate about creating immersive and emotionally charged experiences through music, performance, and storytelling. While music is the heart of what I do, my creativity flows into multiple forms including poetry, visual art, and live stagecraft. I’m based in Las Vegas now, but my creative journey began in Baltimore, where I first connected with my voice as a poet and expressive soul.
I create original music that blends genres in unexpected ways, combining rich emotional lyrics, layered instrumentation, and a dynamic vocal range that moves fluidly between soulful lows and classical highs. I often include elements of dance and color guard, using movement and visual storytelling to bring the emotions of each song to life.
I offer more than just music. I offer moments of connection and emotional release for people who are navigating life’s complexities and need something that truly speaks to them. My work provides clarity, empowerment, and a sense of being understood. It is for people who feel deeply and are seeking art that reflects their truth.
What makes my work stand out is how I integrate raw vulnerability with artistic polish. Every note, every lyric, every performance is designed to resonate on a soul level. I lean into emotional honesty while delivering a sound that is both unpredictable and intentional. I also love weaving in poetic devices, visual elements, and theatrical expression to create something that feels both intimate and cinematic.
I am most proud of the courage it has taken to stay true to my vision. Pursuing this path as an independent artist, relocating across the country, and building something authentic from the ground up has been a powerful journey. It has brought me closer to myself and allowed me to create music that truly connects with others.
For those who are just discovering me, I want you to know that my work is a safe space for honesty, emotion, and growth. Whether you need something to cry to, dance to, or simply feel seen by, my art is here for you. I create with the intention to inspire, to heal, and to remind you that your story matters.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that I needed to shrink myself or play it safe in order to be accepted. For a long time, I thought that being too emotional, too ambitious, or too different would make people uncomfortable. I believed that if I wanted to succeed or belong, I had to tone myself down.
Growing up, I was always expressive. I felt things deeply, wrote poetry, asked big questions, and dreamed beyond what was expected of me. But over time, I learned that those traits were often misunderstood or dismissed. I began to dim my light, hide my creativity, and settle for spaces that could not hold the full weight of who I was. Even when I started making music, I still caught myself wondering if I needed to filter my truth to fit what the industry might want.
Everything changed when I moved across the country by myself. That experience forced me to sit with the parts of myself I had spent years trying to quiet. In the silence of starting over, I finally heard my true voice again. I realized I was never meant to blend in. I was meant to stand out, to take up space, and to speak honestly, even if that made some people uncomfortable.
Unlearning the need to play small gave me the freedom to show up fully in my art and in my life. Now, I write songs that are emotionally raw and honest. I perform with my voice, my movement, my presence. I no longer seek approval by becoming less. Instead, I trust that the right people will see me, hear me, and connect with me when I am being my fullest self.
This shift has changed everything. It has helped me create art that holds space for others who are trying to reclaim their voices. It has taught me that being too much was never the problem; forgetting my worth was.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is giving a voice to people who are afraid to speak or who have not yet found the words for what they are feeling. There is something incredibly powerful about turning emotion into art and watching someone hear it and say, “That is exactly how I feel.”
As a creative, I have the privilege of making space for the feelings we are often told to hide. I get to bring unspoken stories into the light and remind people that their experiences matter. I know what it feels like to be overwhelmed by emotion, to feel silenced by fear or shame, or to believe your voice does not carry weight. That is why I create—to remind others that they are not alone and that their truth deserves to be heard.
When someone tells me that a song helped them through something they could not put into words, that means everything. That is the reward. To help people feel seen, to give them language for what they are holding inside, and to inspire them to speak up and trust their own voice. That is the heart of my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madnessmaddimusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madnessmaddi/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fxCWv4XVr8xoYu7kBLZLg
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5RdvvRAb3CIAbgb9Gr0M39?si=QTq96qbIS6-J8gjhhTmLLA
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/madness-maddi/1672790104
Image Credits
Ariana Genilla
Sarah Samira Yancey