Up and coming hip-hop artist UNTDLD (short for untitled) is reigniting his passion for music through smooth lyricism and gratefulness. He served 6 years in the military as a signal support specialist. After completing his assignment in the army, UNTDLD ran after his dream to go to Full Sail University and obtained a bachelor's degree in Show Production. With a passion for the Lord and an ear for timeless music, UNTDLD is doing what he loves unapologetically.
“I do not attempt to emulate anyone but I want to create a sound that will impact the world. In a world where depression and suicide is at an all time high amongst the youth I wanted to reach them right where they are at and provide through rap.”
-UNTDLD
UNTDLD newest release “Off Pause” is a confident track about his accelerated success story. It's the perfect motivational anthem. UNTDLD strives to create music to tell his story and life experiences while spreading positivity. His vocal versatility and in your face lyrics are contagious. Listeners can vibe and relate to every verse of UNTDLD’s music. Upbeat tempos fused with catchy bars will have you blasting this track on repeat. UNTDLD spits bar after bar of raw and powerful energy. As a lyricist, UNTDLD boasts an abstract skill of allowing his listeners to interpret his music however they can. “Off Pause” is proof of this though it’s many layers and changes. I highly recommend you add it to your summer bangers playlist and stay on the lookout for UNTDLD.
Check out “Off Pause” here and read more below in our exclusive interview.
Hi UNTDLD! Can you start by introducing yourself to our readers? How did you come up with your stage name?
Yo so my name is Joseph Johnson from Philadelphia, by way of Orlando by way of Chicago lol. My stage name is pretty unique to me. One of my good friends from church wrote a poem a few years ago and she named it Untitled. That poem spoke on how dangerous it is for people in the church to get caught up in their "titles" for example pastor, bishop, etc. We should not be focused on those temporal things because they won't matter when we leave this earth. While I was thinking of a name for myself that popped in my head and I ran with it, I just took the vowels out and made it unique. "Untdld, no titles needed. Untitled without the vowels because I can't be bought."
How did you get started in the music industry?
I got started making music while attending Full Sail University but I had no skill or content. I had a lot of work to do so I'm glad none of that music made it to the internet because it was trash. When I moved to Philly I connected with my pastor and I rapped for a new years celebration in 2016. After that I was inspired and started working on my craft again.
Who are your musical influences?
I grew up listening to a lot of christian rap so I was influenced by Cross Movements, Da Truth, Lecrae, currently Ruslan and a group from my local church in Chicago who went by the Holy Culture(RIP Jameel Harris). Outside of church I absolutely loved everything Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def and Black Thought.
Can you tell us the meaning behind “Off Pause”? Where did you get the inspiration to write it?
Off Pause means that everything we ever dreamed of can happen now, no delay. It was inspired by a message my Pastor, Pastor Earlie James of Liberty Temple Philly West ministered a few months ago and he specifically stated that God has taken us off pause and is accelerating Gods people. After hearing that I found this dope beat produced by Tone Jonez and started writing.
What are you currently listening to on repeat?
Yo right now I got Ruslan's latest album Indie Jones III on repeat. If you don't know about this dude you need to do yourself a favor and go listen to it. It is a masterpiece from production all the way down to content.
Stay connected with UNTDLD though his social media!