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

MADD, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

My most meaningful project so far is my first studio album Villain Arc which released on October 8th, 2023! This album, not to be confused with a debut album, came about after a significant rebrand as I changed my stage name and moved to Houston from Memphis. I went through a significant breakup, so I began drastically changing my life uncovering unconscious patterns I received or created from my trauma and this influenced the music I created. The album dived into my people pleasing tendencies, the breakup I experienced, the way I moved out if desperation, and my need for female validation due to how I was raised. It’s a cautionary tale of me taking my self love more seriously in hopes that the listener will follow suit! I created the album with the intention that the production and sequencing would take the listener through the chakras from the root to the crown and activate a huge emotional release! When you begin to prioritize yourself, people who benefitted from your lack of boundaries will treat you like the bad guy making everyone a villain in someone’s story.

It’s super impactful to me because I was able to show off all of my talents within a higher quality environment than I was previously used to. I randomly met the previous owner of the recording studio outside an office building where I was delivering an Uber Eats order. Later, he moved back to Detroit and gave me the keys to the studio. Since I had my very own studio space, I had no limits to what would be expressed. Every musician longs for that moment where they can prove their valor in a recording studio, so that’s what Villain Arc became for me. I produced my very best beats, rapped and sang with my entire soul, and engineered that album all while facing eviction and poverty! So much was going on in my life to the point that working on Villain Arc became my therapy. The album was so well received, that a deluxe version was released on April 23rd! Villain Arc has been played across the US and in 19 other countries! I’m very proud of what I created and how it impacted people around me!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am MADD KEYS, a musician and creative born and raised in Memphis TN! My life has always been surrounded by music and art. As a toddler, I had a keyboard , child drum-set, and a toy saxophone. I was in band and choir from elementary to college and even received private training. I participated in theater during high school as a male ensemble member for Sweeney Todd, and I had the most solos in the ensemble during that performance. I was also voted “Most Musically Inclined” in my graduating class, so music was my entire life!

I grew up freestyling with my parents and cousins as a fun way to bond. During middle school, I began writing poetry and lyrics as a way to decipher the new emotions I was feeling as I never received guidance on how to process them. This later transformed into full blown songs in high school. I began making beats and recording myself at 16 because I couldn’t afford professional beats or studio time, and I couldn’t find anyone to help me either. Thus, I went to college to study music theory and composition with a focus in jazz studies. By the time I left college in 2021, I had released 4 projects and over 80 songs. When it comes to music, my work ethic and hustle is unmatched!

In 2023, I redefine myself and my music as I wanted to release the limitations I placed upon myself. I wanted my music to represent something bigger than me that other people could relate to, so I created the brand “Making A Dreamy Day” which is the acronym for my moniker “MADD KEYS”. I became an example for other people who want to empower themselves and live their dream life however it looks for them personally. It is time we the people take our power back and explicate our lives! Now, I create music, fashion, and visuals that express universal love, empowerment, and a new perspective to consider within your own life. I stand for authenticity and aim to help others become more of their authentic self!

I am extremely proud to find purpose within what brings me fulfillment. I’m grateful to impact the world with my art and unique vision! I have been performing for well over 15 years, so I’m happy to be recognized. I have discussed music and learned from the likes of David Porter, Memphis legend DJ Zirk, and DJ Dilemma. My music spans across multiple genres with my most notable influences being Three Six Mafia, Kendrick Lamar, Parliament & Funkadelic, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Musiq Soulchild. I have really dedicated myself to crafting music that will bring the listener healing and maybe just maybe make a moment a little longer. I eat, sleep, and dream music.

I also aim to be a creative within multiple mediums. Being in character is custom within music and I’m known to stay with a fly fit, so I create fashion as another avenue of authentic expression. I find that it’s hard for me personally to find clothes that represent who I am and who I am becoming, and it’s been a dream of mine to create my own clothing line. Fashion also pushes my brand to greater heights as it enters new sectors. I have created several designs, but could never find anyone to help me bring them into fruition, so I found the information myself. I released a “madd in love” hoodie earlier this year as my first real release. I will be releasing my “EYE AM” line later this fall, so be on the lookout for that!

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

In all honesty, we need more protections and a minimum wage for artists and creatives. Corporations are stealing from artists in every industry. There should be insurance that isn’t connected to a brick and mortar job. There should be regulations that will help artists provide proof of income for housing since most income from creative jobs aren’t always consistent. I also believe society lacks appreciation for art and artists because of consumer culture, so the arts need to brought back into the schools, easily accessible to low income homes, and fully funded.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect is really those moments when I’m performing and the audience is singing my lyrics word for word, or we’re dancing on the stage together, or when someone says my song is their favorite song! Those moments where I really connect with somebody through the music or I create an impactful memory with someone.

There was this one time where my homie, Phillgoodgaming, was crying about some personal life stuff and went nonverbal. Then he started playing “Morning Praise” off my Berry Fusion Tapes Vol. 2. The whole time he was just quieting nodding his head until he later said he didn’t know what it was about the song, but it saved him from spiraling and made him feel better. Seeing that happen in realtime touched my heart so purely that I almost cried myself! I knew in that moment, I created something special that can impact someone else exactly how I intended.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2efsCD2AWgz4o4lECWLYo3?si=Tf7SyzxOQzWv8i-QjmyXEw
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madd.keys?igsh=dDR0c3Rhd21zbWdo&utm_source=qr
• Twitter: https://x.com/maddkeys_
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@maddkeysmusic?si=KylDZLMmpHdS0E6s
• Other: https://share.amuse.io/track/madd-keys-back-in-my-mode
  https://share.amuse.io/album/madd-keys-villain-arc-madd-d-luxe

Image Credits

All credits to MADD KEYS