24-year old Chi-town hip hop artiste and record producer MODSi is building his career on a good note, mixing music production with rapping and singing on his own melodies.
MODSi, who is originally known as Dominique Johnson, was first introduced to the world as a producer. On his new song “I’m Broke”, he outdoors his other music talent which is rapping about vivid life stories in an entertaining way. He takes his listeners on a sonic journey which is different from the norm of what is expected of a rapper these days. According to MODSi, he got inspired to write the song to address his financial struggles. It later dawned on him that his reckless spending and irresponsibility with money was the main reason why he was broke.
“I like fine cuisine/ But I’m accustomed to that Ramen taste/ Gas went up a dollar/ So I’m not gon’ drive my car today”, the relatability and integrity in these lyrics proves MODSi’s lyrical prowess as well as his awareness of his surroundings and everyday occurrences.
In the past, hip-hop culture was mostly about rapping about the truth regardless of appearance. Somewhere throughout its many stages of evolution, the genre became notorious for projecting an exaggerated lifestyle of riches and fame through not only its imagery but more pointedly its lyrical content. Since the mid-nineties, the consistent intention has been to create an oftentimes unmet illusion of success most listeners may aspire to but very few can actually relate. Even at the beginning of their careers, good luck trying to get contemporaries such as Tyler the Creator, Lil’ Tecca or Roddy Rich to cop to a problem related to not having enough money. It would completely negate the trance of materialism that has bulldozed audiences into a definite and intermittent daze. Ironically, the magic of MODSi’s lyrics lies in his ability to casually lament upon the pulsate of the head-bopping, digital backdrop with a story that reflects what most of the world is really experiencing globally- a desire for freedom.
In an interview with Unorthodox Reviews, MODSi sites Ice Cube, Andre 3000, Scarface and Quincy Jones as major musical influences. This balance of music and school has created a mindset that has become a message in MODSi’s music. He emphasizes the drive to keep persevering when situations get tough, the motivation to become a better person and, ultimately, to be able to influence people positively with his music.
Currently, MODSi is signed to NiVe Entertainment Group, headed by Nikia Shanard. Nikia who had worked with MODSi in the past but only as a producer was amazed by the song so much he gave him an instant deal. According to Nikia, he loved that MODSi had the balls to go after a very real and sensitive subject that we all can relate to whether you’ve made it or not. He embraced his reality and turned it into something special. He also loved how catchy and memorable the song is. “It’s the type of track that definitely stays with you even after first listen,” says Nikia.
Stream MODSi’s “I’m Broke” below:
https://open.spotify.com/track/39brzMFL4RiZPMfs3LCbr3?si=b9360a18474f406f
