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1) VENTS: We’re excited to be speaking today with celebrated musical artists extraordinaire Sean Links and HXLYSMXKES; greetings and salutations you two! Before we dive down the proverbial Q&A rabbit hole, how have the final weeks of 2022 been treating the two of you?
SEAN LINKS: 2022 has been an amazing year for me overall. I dropped two fire projects this year, Bolo Yeung and Mad Max. Mad Max just dropped about 3 weeks ago and there’s been a lot of good feedback. I gained some new listeners, a few new doors opened for me, so these last few weeks of the 2022 have been good to me.
2) VENTS: Major congratulations on the absolutely brilliant LP Mad Max which officially dropped on December 4! Sean, let’s start this first question off with you: What was the genesis of Mad Max, how did this gem of an LP come into being?
SEAN LINKS: I’m a big movie buff and like to name my albums after movie characters. Mad Max is the 3rd project I named after a character. My first was Radio Raheem because just like him I’m always with my music and doing music. (You never seen him without his boombox just like me). I live for this music. My second character project Bolo Yeung was chosen because he was a bully, and on that album I bullied the game lyrically. Mad Max came into being because where I am in this stage of my career, I don’t have a team and I’m not apart of a group. I’m in this shit alone, killing shit lyrically, while staying in my own lane and doing music how I do music…Like Mad Max.
3) VENTS: HXLYSMXKES, what was your collaboration like with Sean on Mad Max?
HXLYSMXKES: The collab was super easy & organic. I’d post a beat to my page, he’d ask me to send it over. Most times Sean would send it back the next day. The turnaround was pretty quick.
4) VENTS: Sean, many outlets are proclaiming that Mad Max is the album of the year. How do you feel when you hear that sort of praise?
SEAN LINKS: I feel honored and it makes me feel like my music is appreciated. That’s a dope compliment. I appreciate ALL of my supporters. And I’m going to continue to drop that fire for them.
5) VENTS: HXLYSMXKES, what makes Mad Max different than anything else on the 2022 music scene?
HXLYSMXKES: Well, I’d say it’s authentic. This is pure, no frills hip hop. Nothing is cookie cutter or commercial about it. I also believe this LP has reply value in this landscape of microwavable music. Well, I’d say it’s authentic. This is pure, no frills hip hop. Nothing is cookie cutter or commercial about it. I also believe this LP has reply value in this landscape of microwavable music.
6) VENTS: Sean, the Pennywise track off of the Mad Max LP was selected as being one of the singles off of the new album. What makes Pennywise the perfect choice to be released as a single versus any of the other amazing tunes on the Mad Max LP?
SEAN LINKS: I thought Pennywise would be perfect as the first single because of timing. I like to do a little promo run for my albums for about a month before they drop to build up some hype for my drop. Pennywise was the perfect single because I dropped it on Halloween Day. My son was in the video with the Pennywise mask, it was a night video and the was scary. It just made sense.
7) VENTS: HXLYSMXKES, we’re huge fans of the Mystery Gang tune off of Mad Max. How did this unforgettable and fun tune come into being?
HXLYSMXKES: Just being creative! I’m an 80’s baby/90’s kid. I grew up watching all those Saturday morning cartoons. I always thought Scooby-Doo had one of the funkiest soundtracks. So I decided to sample it.
8) VENTS: Sean what made Loungeboy Music the perfect record label for Mad Max?
SEAN LINKS: I am completely independent and Lounge Boy Music is my own label. Can’t get more perfect than that lol.
9) VENTS: HXLYSMXKES, on the heels of the release of Mad Max, what does the touring schedule look like for you and Sean? Can fans look forward to seeing the two of you tearing up the stage in a town or city near them in the coming weeks and months?
HXLYSMXKES: I’m always down for touring or an opportunity to give the fans live performances. I’m sure Sean is as well. So any promoters out there reading this should definitely reach out!
10) VENTS: A question for both of you: Who inspires you musically?
SEAN LINKS: To be honest I still listen to artists from the 90’s. I’m inspired by 90’s rap. But as for some of my top emcees, Raekwon, Nas, Black Thought, Gza.
HXLYSMXKES: I’d say the initial influence to want to make beats started with 36 Chambers. RZA’s production on that LP planted the seed. Beyond that I’m inspired by the greats (DJ Muggs, Alchemist, J Dilla/Madlib) to name a few.
11) VENTS: Sean, can you talk about some of the special musical guests who contributed to the Mad Max album?
SEAN LINKS: Definitely. Salute and big appreciation to the dope artists that contributed to making my album fire. Salute to Bloo Azul, super dope emcee from NY. Salute to the Church! My g Mondo Slade from Atlanta, he’s different and keeps that heat a dope emcee. My guy New Villain from Canada has an unorthodox style. Make sure y’all tap in with all their music. They have some dope work out.
12) VENTS: HXLYSMXKES, any final thoughts that you would like to share with our readers about Mad Max?
HXLYSMXKES: I’d say if you’re a fan of aggressive beats & rhymes, no fluff hip hop…then this LP is right up your alley!
More Info: https://instagram.com/seanlinksofficial
