XCAM Interview
Photo by XCAM
modrNation: Where are you originally from?
XCAM: I’m originally from Houston, Texas, but I moved to LA when I was twelve.
modrNation: How did growing up in LA and Houston push you into making music?
XCAM: When I was in Texas growing up with my mom, I was around a lot of Country, but when I moved to the sugar Land area most of my homies were listening to Youngboy, Lil Baby, and stuff like that. Those artists are really cool but that just wasn’t really my thing, but when I moved out to LA I got into the indie and alternative style like Mac DeMarco and people like that, and I realized that people in Texas where I grew up didn’t listen to that kind of music and it was just a huge culture shock for me.
modrNation: Who have been some of your biggest musical influences?
XCAM: Jaden Smith, Tyler The Creator, A$AP Rocky, Mac DeMarco, and Vacations definitely. Those are the ones I can think of right now.
modrNation: You recently dropped your debut project Xids on Neptune, what was the inspiration behind that project?
XCAM: I just really wanted to make a psychedelic project that would take you to another planet. I’ve recently been getting into astrology, and reading about Neptune made me realize I connect a lot to Neptune in a way. Each song on the album gives you the feeling that you're in space. I wanted to make a project that conveyed everything I thought, every feeling I had, and just transfer that to the planet neptune if that makes sense.
modrNation: What was the creative process like with that project?
XCAM: I made songs in December of 2020, we were in quarantine and I felt really isolated and alone. Everytime I felt that way and I had a negative thought I would write it down in my notes. I make music off my phone, so I just recorded it in my room at night. Every song I made was around 2am, just some late night thoughts that I recorded. This project was made while I was going through the battles of depression and anxiety.
modrNation: How would you compare it to some of the singles you had dropped before?
XCAM: The singles I dropped before were very indie and radio-sounding, I feel like this project is very different. There’s a lot of things I experimented with on the project. I expanded my range and I didn’t want to be known as just a rapper or a rapper who’s trying to sing. I played with melodies and harmonies a lot, and I was just really experimental throughout the whole project.
modrNation: Do you have any future drops in the works?
XCAM: I might be dropping an EP on Valentine's Day called Fever Dream, I’m still thinking about it but I’ve definitely been making hella music. I’m dropping very soon.
modrNation: What would you say is the importance of finding your identity and individuality when making music, rap especially, is so popular right now?
XCAM: I feel like the more you know yourself, the better your music will be. For me, making music was the key to finding myself. Music gives me the independence of making and creating whatever I want and not letting people box me in. EVeryone tells me that I’m weird or whatever, but making music and art in general made me emphasize my weirdness and use my individuality as a strength.
modrNation: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
XCAM: Just being as big as I possibly can be. Making lots of art and inspiring people to do the saem. Hopefully I’m filling out shows and stuff which would be tight. I expect a lot of success to come with my music and people just enjoying what I make.