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Exclusive Interview with ML Underwood

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Artist Spotlight: ML Underwood

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.

In a career defined by reinvention and resonance, ML Underwood takes us through the chapters that made them who they are today.

HipHopNow: What has remained most consistent about your creative identity over time?

ML Underwood:
The Quality of my music has been the most consistent

HipHopNow: How has your relationship with music changed as your career has developed?

ML Underwood:
The older I get I feel a sense of responsibility to put out music that will spark the minds of the youth who can change the world

HipHopNow: How do you usually know when an idea is worth developing into a full song or project?

ML Underwood:
My spirit lets me know what’s worth putting out into the universe

HipHopNow: What part of the writing or recording process challenges you differently now than it did earlier on?

ML Underwood:
Making sure that my voice matches the beat selected

HipHopNow: How do you approach growth creatively without losing what feels authentic to you?

ML Underwood:
I follow a process of true expression, I don’t follow no one else’s agenda but the agenda God put on my heart

HipHopNow: In what ways has your sound evolved most noticeably over the last few releases?

ML Underwood:
I have been able to connect more to my audience and more with the youth with the last release which is completely incredible in these times we live in

HipHopNow: What have been some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned from releasing music so far?

ML Underwood:
The most valuable lesson I learned in releasing music is that it’s imperative to have a marketing budget and to choose wisely by using Spotify ads, YouTube, Radio, and TikTok because these are the platforms that matters the most now.

HipHopNow: How do you balance the creative side of being an artist with the realities of building a sustainable career?

ML Underwood:
By focusing on reaching hearts of the fans 

HipHopNow: What kind of growth feels most meaningful to you at this stage of your journey?

ML Underwood:
Worldwide recognition has been surreal to me right now “Still I Rise” is being recognized all over the world people are inboxing me from all over the world telling me how powerful my new single is and how it has reached there hearts.

HipHopNow: What do you want this next phase of your work to be defined by?

ML Underwood:
I’m the uncle of hip hop.  The young and old need music that they can be inspired by and the lane we created called “ motivation music” is exactly what hip hop needs now.
 
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  • AL99 sees the future in new Aisha Hall featuring single “Addictive Visions”

AL99 sees the future in new Aisha Hall featuring single “Addictive Visions”

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AL99 (pronounced “Al nine-nine”) is an artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist on a mission to do more than just make music for people to listen to. He wants people to get inspired and motivated by it. He wants to be an example for young people and show them that being authentic leads to success. His latest track, “Addictive Visions" features Aisha Hall of Yapp City Music/Ghostface of Wu Tang, and demonstrates his desire for new experiences by achieving his goals through not only his music but all of his entrepreneurial endeavors. 

Written in 2025, “Addictive Visions” is a laidback rap track with an entrancing melody where AL99 and Aisha Hall bring different flows but both discuss what they want and what they’re trying to achieve. AL’s flow is more relaxed but still confident as he slides from his verse to the hook. Meanwhile, Aisha Hall brings her confidence to the forefront with her verse which packs a punch but keeps the relaxed atmosphere of the track intact.

“I’m trying to see things I’ve never seen before. I’m trying to go places I’ve never been before. And I want to do that through the music path I’m on.” he said. 

AL99 wants to lead by example through the authenticity in his music. And with that authenticity, comes diversity in the booth and in the boardroom. He’s earned degrees in Audio Production and Music Business and releases music through his company, TPC (To Progress the Culture) Music Production, whom he has a distribution deal with via Universal Music Group/Bungalo. He wants people to see that he’s an example of how to navigate the music world on your own terms by making the business decisions that are best for your music and everyone else on your team.

The diversity continues on the music side too with AL99 being a fan of music of all kinds and wanting young people to be inspired to live their truth and be themselves. As a multi-instrumentalist he plays the guitar, drums, and keyboard, giving himself a wide-ranging musical ear. This comes in handy not only when he produces his music but when he mixes and sometimes masters it too.

AL sees himself as a voice for those who may not have one because he himself was once the child that was interested in things that were not as popular with his peers. With age came the confidence to fully embrace these interests and now he’s built a career on musical diversity. 

“I’m trying to bring something new to the industry. I feel like today people are more open to that in the rap world because people are starting to stray away from what we’ve been seeing for years. They’re embracing the new creative ways people are doing things and I’m a part of that.” he said. 

With AL99 pursuing multiple paths that branch out from his music, motivation to keep moving forward is key. Motivation comes from his love of music and his love for sharing his journey in real time while people witness it with him. He feels as he grows in life his audience is growing along with him and they’re navigating life together. And the through line for this is his aforementioned authenticity and accountability. 

AL99 has big plans for the future which include expanding his TPC brand and making movies since he already takes a cinematically intentional approach to his music. In addition to more music, he’s also got something special and unique planned to truly illustrate his story but listeners will have to stay tuned to see more about that.

“Addictive Visions” by AL99 featuring Aisha Hall is available on streaming services now. 

You can see more of AL99’s authenticity and journey by keeping up with him on these platforms.

LinkTree | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

The Starlight PR Team thanks AL 99 for taking the time to speak with us. 

Tap in and stream “Addictive Visions” now!

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