Exclusive Interview with TheDonRRRM

In the opening frame of the music video for ML Underwood’s “Still I Rise,” the camera pans across the facade of the historic ruins of City Church in Gary, Indiana. Soon, a pristine white Rolls Royce pulls up in front. 

The driver of the Rolls opens the door, and out steps Underwood, looking fresh in his black designer jacket and shades with platinum jewelry dangling on his chest. He enters the crumbling, graffiti-covered church, and the contrast is clear: surrounded by ruin and pain, here is a man of resilience. Here is a man who will rise.

Everything now is literally in chaos
People on their knees praying looking for a way out
But Underwood doing for the hood
The downtrodden, disenchanted, and misunderstood
You’ve gotta pivot so you don’t ever become a crook
Lead by example or do something good so we all rise 

The positivity of “Still I Rise” is resonating, as seen in video comments like “This one hit different,” or “Very uplifting song.” One calls the song a “new black anthem.” Says another, “These bros have saved hip hop.”

And the numbers don’t lie. Radio rotation on Chicago’s 92.3, nearly three million views on YouTube, and viral success on TikTok have helped to drive the track to number one on the global iTunes chart. And with 30,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Underwood’s success — and positive message — cuts across all platforms and audiences.

Underwood says, “Despite everything we’ve been through, we rise. And that message applies to everybody.”

The impeccably produced “Still I Rise” features singer Danny Boy (Daniel Steward). Danny Boy, signed to Death Row Records in the 1990s, and whose voice has graced records by 2Pac and many more, elevates the hook, helping the track sound like an instant classic.

Underwood says, “We knew we needed a voice that could elevate the message, and Danny Boy took it to another level.”

Underwood created the track over a year. His process includes meditating on the lyrics and working with longtime collaborator Damon Jones (Young Khan Tha Don). With a beat from Grammy-winning Tone Jonez, he also got input from a cousin, Ivy (Ivana), who developed the melodic idea in the hook.

With the track and team in place, Underwood headed to Pressure Point Recording Studio in Chicago to record with Slavic Livins, an audio engineer known for his work with everyone from Gucci Mane to KeKe Wyatt.

The result is a track that could have been made during the heyday of 1990s rap, but that tells the true story of a 27-year veteran of the music industry. As Underwood says, “I don’t talk about things I didn’t live. Everything in my music comes from real experience.”

If you really wanna cry, look through my eye
In this game I seen way too many guys die
Envy and jealousy shot ’em down like a drive by
All I’m doing is speaking facts, why would I lie?

ML Underwood’s ties to the Gary, Indiana music scene, cut deep. The “visionary from Gary” was even named after Marlon Jackson of the Jacksons, the royal family of music in Gary. In the 1980s he was a beatboxer and performer with Le Boiz, the first rap group from the city signed to a label (Pharaohs Records). Later, he became a promoter for everything from music to boxing. 

Now, he is focused on his own career as a rapper and a positive light in the community. Like a fighter, he has gotten back up. He wants to inspire others to do the same. Like the video for “Still I Rise,” it is possible to turn ruin into inspiration, dark into light, crumbling walls into creativity. 

“Life is going to hit you,” he says. “But the key is, you don’t stay down. You rise.”

“Still I Rise” is out now with promotional support from Starlight PR. Follow ML Underwood at the links below.

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