We were lucky to catch up with Mitchell McCain recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mitchell, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was around 13, I heard Electric Relaxation by A Tribe Called Quest and I was hooked! I was already growing up in the golden era of hip-hop, but had never heard it done quite like that before. Around that same time, I saw the video Jump by Kriss Kross and thought “oh kids can do this too?” From that point on, I began writing my own wraps and looking for ways to record them. Before long, I was making pause tapes on my karaoke machine, and taking the BART train to a friend’s house to record my music in his studio.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a multidisciplinary creative and digital strategist who has spent years bridging the gap between culture, technology, and community. My journey started in music—first as a rapper turned producer and engineer, eventually building a name through my beats, collaborations, and deep understanding of artist development. But over time, I realized that the traditional industry model wasn’t built to serve artists like me or the communities I came from. That realization led me down a path of entrepreneurship and the constant exploration of digital innovation.

Today, I wear a few hats, all centered around empowering creators. I’m the founder of Moodswingz Cryptomedia Group, which helps independent artists transition from the legacy music system into a more decentralized, sustainable model. We partner with platforms like NEWM.io to help artists tokenize their streaming royalties, build direct relationships with their supporters, and turn fans into stakeholders.

I also operate What’s Next Radio, a new take on terrestrial radio where the listening community vote on the songs added to the rotation and stream the music simultaneously. It flips the traditional gatekeeping model on its head and ensures that lesser known artists not only get heard, but get paid—through streaming revenue multiplied by the number of simultaneous listeners.

Our services range from music production and digital strategy consultation to custom content creation and augmented reality merchandise through our clothing line, CEEN Apparel. Whether it’s designing an immersive AR shirt that plays music when scanned or helping an artist launch their first Web3 campaign, we specialize in building experiences that are interactive, community-powered, and built to last.

What sets us apart is our ability to move seamlessly between creative, technical, and strategic lanes. I understand the grind from the artist’s perspective, but I also know how to build systems that scale. It’s not just about selling products—it’s about shifting mindsets and reclaiming ownership in an industry that’s long exploited creativity.

What I’m most proud of is creating platforms and opportunities that uplift and help others. Every project we launch is rooted in collaboration and culture. In this attention economy, I’m building for longevity, ownership, and impact. Whether you’re a fan, a client, or just curious, I want our work to make you feel like there’s room for you to win too.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

To truly support artists and build a thriving creative ecosystem, society has to start valuing creators not just for their output, but for the systems they power. Art shapes culture, drives innovation, and connects people across boundaries—yet artists are often the last to get paid and the first to be exploited. That has to change.

I think the most important change we need is to restructure compensation models. Artists should have more control over how their work is distributed, monetized, and licensed. That means embracing tools like blockchain, smart contracts, and decentralized platforms—not because it’s trendy, but because it ensures transparency, fair royalties, and community ownership. When fans become stakeholders, everybody wins.

Also, education and access are key. Most creatives don’t fail from a lack of talent—they’re just navigating a system that was never built for them. We need more mentorship, financial literacy, and accessible tech tools designed with creators in mind. That includes demystifying business basics and offering real resources, not just inspiration.

We have to elevate diverse voices too—not just in representation, but in leadership, ownership, and narrative control. Supporting a thriving ecosystem means investing in infrastructure, not just individuals. Platforms, labels, and institutions should be built by and for the communities they serve.

Finally, we need to shift the cultural mindset around art. Buying from artists, sharing their work, showing up to their events—those are not handouts; they’re investments. And if society can understand that creativity is an economic engine, not just a hobby, we’ll start to see artists thrive, not just survive.

At the end of the day, supporting artists isn’t just about art—it’s about equity, innovation, and the kind of world we want to live in.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

To be real, I didn’t come up reading all the classic business books. However, what shifted everything for me was listening to the “Think and Grow Rich” audiobook. That’s what cracked open my door to self-awareness and personal development. It was the first time I really started questioning where my beliefs and habits came from—not just around money, but around identity, success, and purpose.

I realized that a lot of what was driving my choices came from my environment—what I was taught growing up, what society told me was possible for someone who looked like me, what I saw (or didn’t see) in my community. But none of that was me. That wasn’t based on my own values, thoughts, or vision for the future. It was a perspective I inherited, not one I created.

That realization changed my life. It made me pause and start asking better questions. Who am I outside of what I’ve been told? What do I actually want? What’s the life I would build if I knew I had the power to do it? And once I saw that, I couldn’t unsee it.

I believe a lot of people get stuck in perspectives they developed in as a child or in their early 20s. They never challenge that lens—they just keep reacting to the world instead of consciously shaping their place in it. What I’ve learned is that your mindset isn’t fixed—it’s programmable. But you have to be intentional! Most decisions are made on autopilot, from your subconscious. But when you take the reins, slow down, and decide from a new perspective…everything shifts.

So for me, it’s not about having all the answers or credentials. It’s about staying present, doing the inner work, and realizing that your perspective—your lens—is the root of every outcome you’ll create. That’s the foundation of how I move in business, creativity, and life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.AbyssBeats.com
• Instagram: @officialabyssbeats

Image Credits

Moments By Miles