We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Exxe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Exxe below.

Exxe, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Truthfully, I think I knew I wanted to make music on the inside way before I ever started saying it out loud, It just didn’t seem like an option at first. I was told the usual, after highschool go to college and get a degree so I just figured that was the path I had to take. I had been making music for a while and doing shows even but it took me making my something I was really connected to, my Never Knows Best Ep, to realize that I should be taking it more serious and I could make it into a profession.

Exxe, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I got into the industry just following a passion. I had been in choir all my life and writing my own music was beginning to look like the next logical step. So once a friend of mine suggested I start writing raps and I just took off with it. Eventually that grew into recording music which grew into doing show and writing for other people and now I have my own label, KYN Collective with some other artists and friends of mine, CRXSH, Suite and Pelly.

I really like to tell stories with my music, which is pretty easy with hip hop(though I do a lot of experimenting with other genres too) but I like everything to be kinda cohesive. Usually I try to let the beat guide and inspire me toward the type of song and then I fill it with my own ideas and experiences. I try to make things that people will relate to but I also need to be sure I’m making the music for me as well. At the end of the day I just want my music to be quality and to be heard.

My goals are still to make my own music and move my own career forward but also to help and support the other artists on the label in any way I can. The label is built of the idea of supporting each other and the ones around us our Kyn(kin) or family that includes our blood relatives and beyond that. We want to shed light on all of the amazing artists from the Twin Cities so eventually once we’ve gotten things figured out for ourselves we can bring more people in and help them too.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Not too long ago a friend of mine recommended I read a book by another Hip Hop artist named Russ. The book, It’s All In Your Head, talks about the mindset that is needed to succeed in the music industry as an independent artist. It taught me that at the end of the day it’s all up to me and how much I put into it. Before anyone else believes in me I have to have an believe in myself first to succeed.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my opinion the best thing society can do to help creatives would be to open up and explore music beyond the billboard hot 100 artists they hear on the radio. Check out a local show, give a local artists album a shot, you might be surprised at what you find.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kyncollective.com/exxe
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/edoublexe
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/edoublexe
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/edoublexe
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@exxe

Image Credits
@bearkingphoto @meancuisine @writeroflight