AKTHEPROD captivates audiences and draws fans into a world of fresh sounds and vibrant energy. His latest album Personal is an honest look at the artist’s internal landscape, tackling struggles of self-worth, love, and mental health. Hailing from Woodbury, NY, AKTHEPROD has carved out a unique space for himself, blending genres and unafraid to lay bare his vulnerabilities. More than just catchy beats and polished production, Personal is shaping to be a compelling narrative of self-discovery and resilience. We sat down with AKTHEPROD to discuss the journey behind the album, the challenges of creating such a personal work, and the message he hopes resonates with listeners.
How does your upbringing in Woodbury, NY, and your family’s musical background influence the themes and soundscapes in your album Personal?
I consider myself to be a fluctuating blend of all of my family’s talents. My grandfather on my dad’s side was an operatic. My parents performed with their choir at Carnegie Hall. One of my 5 siblings (Abby) released an album of her own. There are layers to my family’s musical history. Woodbury, NY, is considered the entrance to the Hudson Valley, which is filled with rich scenic mountainous areas. I draw a lot of inspiration when I’m outside in nature, whether that be from my backyard or one of the many hiking trails that surround the town.
You’ve evolved from being a producer to a multifaceted artist who also writes lyrics. What inspired this transition, and how do you see it impacting your music?
Prior to and during the time that I started entering the music producer scene, I would write a lot of random lyrics down anywhere that I could. A journal, iPhone notes, and school notebooks would be filled with any words that I could structure in a rhyme schematic. The inspiration came from within; I realized that I could be making these beats for me as an artist instead of marketing them to others. The realization was that I could pitch these beats to myself with my own storyline.
Your album explores self-worth, love, and mental health. Can you elaborate on what inspired these themes and how they connect throughout the album?
The inspiration behind these themes comes from the journey within myself and what I see within my inner circle of friends too. I notice a lot of my peers, and I struggle with seeing how valuable they are, which impacts their self-worth. The theme of love seen in seeking relationships or identifying toxic ones ties into knowing your own worth and loving yourself. If you cannot find love for yourself, that can reflect on your mental health. Each song on the album displays a connecting storyline of one of the themes.
Your music combines elements of hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music. How do you balance these genres to create a unique sound that reflects your artistic identity?
Growing up, I became drawn to the storytelling and tempo of hip-hop. With that came the introduction of vocal strategies behind R&B. We then combined those art forms with the sounds and manipulated instruments of the electronic genre. Bryson Tiller’s “Trapsoul” has a heavy influence on my vocal design. Kaytranada’s style is another influence on the tempo and BPM (beats per minute) of my tracks. The storytelling through various figures of speech comes from Kendrick Lamar.
Tracks like “Passionate” demonstrate the vulnerability of love and rejection. How important is vulnerability in songwriting for you, especially when exploring personal experiences?
Being vulnerable in your art adds to its expression of it. Vulnerability is very important when it comes to telling your life’s story and experiences. How can one understand the full effect of what you’re saying if you cannot express the emotion behind the lyrics? Tracks like “Passionate” explain the story through raw feelings and emotions to better articulate the message.
The closing track, “Bliss” seems to encapsulate self-acceptance and personal growth. What message do you hope listeners take away from this journey through your album?
The message that I would want the listeners to take away is to understand that the situations that life throws at you aren’t always meant to go perfectly or smoothly. For example, one day I may feel really great about myself, and another day it could differ. At the end of the day, it will be you fighting your own internal and external battles, and it is up to you to voice yourself to be heard.
With Personal marking a pivotal moment in your artistic evolution, what can fans expect from future projects? Are there any new directions or collaborations that excite you?
When it comes to my artistic style, I am always looking for new ways to elevate my craft. Personal told my story and the evolution behind it. I’m looking for a different canvas for the next stream of projects. Perhaps gearing a shift towards something more exciting and sensual. The themes seen through personal will be applied to future projects, just with additive enhanced concepts as well. I love the idea of exploring new sounds too and designing different melodic patterns and drum breaks.