Timothy Francis Lee, aka Yxngxr1 , is a singer and rapper from Cardiff, currently signed to American record label EMPIRE. Yxngxr1 talks about American artists Tyler, the Creator and Dominic Fike are people he admires, and inspire his music.He started gaining on SoundCloud in early 2019 with singles like “Tyler” and “RockStore.” In March 2020, he released an eight-track project entitled I Don’t Suit Hats. Carl Marsh finds out more about this Generation Z internet rising star.
First things first, your name, Yxngxr1; quite possibly a work of fucking genius as it creates an impact and makes people talk about how to say/spell it but what’s the real story behind you choosing it?
I actually can’t remember where the name came from. I knew I wanted it to be similar to XXXTENTACION and Scarlxrd, but I have no idea why I chose Yxngxr1. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and see what I was thinking at that time, but I’m so glad I stuck with it now because nobody knows how to pronounce it properly.
What made a guy working in Footlocker pull his finger out and start to create his own style of stripped-down ‘DIY’ music?
I used to listen to so much music on the train to work, but there were some songs I’d listen to and think I could do that so much better, so I just had a go. I didn’t put anything out for two years. It was mad. Then when I started putting it out, I’d start telling my friends in drips and drags until eventually people just found naturally.
Like yourself, I live just outside Cardiff, and I know the community spirit is quite strong, is that what motivated you to create an online community around your music?
Not gonna lie, I just felt more comfortable online. Nobody knew who I was, and I didn’t know who was listening. I liked the sense of me being able to put music out online and not being judged for it by anyone in my area. Cardiff does have a mad music scene going on though, and it will blow up soon as fuck though.
The memes created with your music in the background has been a masterstroke, who inspired you to go down this path?
I remember seeing this other small artist do it and the promos back then were cheap as fuck, you could promo on 12 different pages for less than $200. The meme pages are so calm though. I’ve made friends with people across the world who run meme pages, and I’d say they’re genuinely the nicest people I’ve spoken to!
It’s paid off! When did you realise that you were proving to yourself that all the hard work was paying off?
I still don’t feel like it is, hahaha. I have so much more I want to prove. I always set targets, but by the time I’ve reached that target, there’s already a next one set. Although when DJ Carnage messaged me saying he likes my music, then when I knew I was doing something right.
Your new EP, what is the theme around it, is it based on any relationship or something else?
It’s more or less about relationships and my childhood going through school. I like to bring that nostalgia theme into it because that’s just the type of music I like and it didn’t seem like anyone else was doing the sound the way I wanted to do it. But it’s mainly about relationships I’ve had and been through.
Which track on the new EP means the most to you, and why?
Born Into Pain. It’s so sad. I LOVE IT! The Lily Potter feature on it is so nice too. I talk about my childhood on there, and the sample is so beautiful. I mention my teachers who like to talk about me even though I left about three years ago. It’s just a nice song, I think.
The Generation Z crowd seem to get a lot of bad press from ‘us’ oldies, why do you think that is?
It’s a different humour. Kids are becoming millionaires from their own bedrooms these days, and it’s crazy. Maybe it’s just the internet and the way the news loves to portray it, but if you stay on the right side of it, there isn’t anything to worry about with it. I like that question, though.
How has Lockdown been for you, made you more creative or just drove you nuts?
A bit of both. I’ve had more time making music, but then it just means that there’s a certain pressure to put something out where I now like to take time in what I do. Luckily this EP was pretty much finished before we went into Lockdown, so it’s just been like glossing it and adding final touches during the time we had off.
Once things get back to some normality, do you think that Cardiff can creatively keep you here?
100%. I do want to travel and live somewhere else for a little, but this is where everything I know is. My friends, my family and my home. I could never leave this beautiful place for good. There’s too much to miss if I go forever.
Words: Carl Marsh