Interview: Agxny

[L-R] Agxny, KayBThe1st

16 year old rapper/vocalist Agxny has been going hard since releasing his debut project, Before The Storm in 2020. Based between Bradford and Leeds, there weren't many opportunities for up and coming artists, so Agxny carved his own lane independently. Dropping two singles so far in 2021, Bones & Real Recognise Real alonside KayBThe1st, Agxny reveals more music incoming and exclusive insights into his journey so far.

Growing up, music was always around Agxny as his Father was a musician. When he became older, Agxny decided to write music because he wanted to tell stories. “That is what really motivated me bro,” nodded Agxny. “Just to tell a story for me and my people, to have a voice.” Fully independent, Agxny began making music aged 14. “That is when I started to take it serious,” continued Agxny. “With the music thing as a whole, I am not trying to fit in with any scene, for me I just enjoy the music thing as much as possible.” Without the assistance of any musical crews around him, Agxny records his own tracks and edits his own videos, whilst funding any extras himself. “I like having creative control,” shrugged Agxny. “This is the only way for me at the moment.” 

Although the majority of Agxny’s singles are lyrically defined as Trap music, his debut album Before The Storm displays multiple styles over a variety of instrumentals, demonstrating Agxny’s versatility as an artist. “When I started it was more the generic Trap stuff, but I don't have a certain type of beat that I go for,” explained Agxny. “Sometimes I will do a bit of Drill stuff, sometimes I do Trap - you know, it's just different styles bro, that is all I can say.” With instrumentals, Agxny came up practising over YouTube beats before he recently began working more personally with producers. “One of them is called NJBeat Plug,” said Agxny. “He is from Leeds down here, but I met him through YouTube.” Other collaborations include Sofu, a Bradford based rap group. “But that is a friendship thing, you get what I'm saying?” added Agxny. “Other songs, but not released... I've worked with Temz, I've worked with a guy called Sengi, another called Henri, and my most recent song was Real Recognise Real with KayBThe1st.”

[L-R] Agxny, S Dog

Agxny has evidently been busy, however he refuses to rush anything and is being patient before releasing his highest quality material. “Around the time I was dropping my album,” continued Agxny. “I was dropping videos every two weeks but now I am trying to take it a bit different, doing quality over consistency.” This change in direction has paid dividends, as Agxny’s latest single Real Recognise Real has achieved his highest figures to date. “I didn't expect it to do as well as it did,” replied Agxny, humbly. “Originally that video was never even meant to come out - I was meant to do a music video for a different song, then I ended up doing a video for a different tune and I chose Real Recognise Real.” 

“I am not trying to give away too much, you know?” continued Agxny, asked about his plans for 2021. “ I know exactly what I am going to do for the next year, it's just that I don't want to say too much just in case it's either not finalised. But I have got big things coming, that is all I can say - I have got big things coming and I am excited for them.” 

Nonetheless, Agxny was happy to reveal insights into his upcoming single alongside S Dog, ‘Landline’. “It has a video that is going to be dropping quite soon,” said Agxny. “S Dog made that connection happen.” An experimental track, Agxny had to adjust to S Dog’s preferred instrumental styles. “I didn't mind bro, the tune that we got coming out is sick,” said Agxny. “But it was very experimental.” Although Agxny is unsure how fans will receive him on the track, he personally believes it is one of his hardest tunes to date - or else he wouldn’t release it. “I wanted to make sure that it comes out sick,” confirmed Agxny. “I am not the type of artist to just release something if I don't like it, even if it's official.” With the video shoot done, Agxny could reveal a release date for ‘Landline’ single. “At the moment,” continued Agxny. “It is looking like it's going to be May 1st.”

Agxny, thank you for your time.

Words by Evo
Photography by Reef aka camera.papi & Super OG