M1RZA first things first welcome to Nefarious Supply, just to get the interview started introduce yourself, who is M1RZA and what led you to become a musician?
Well you already know my name. I’m a 24 year old artist from Toronto with South-Asian roots. I’m just a man trying to navigate this crazy world and tell my story while I can. Hopefully people can relate and find some comfort in my words.
Your moniker M1RZA is amazing bro tell us about how you came up with it, and how it fits into your overall image and discography?
Mirza is my family name. It’s something that was always a part of my identity. The “1” represents a few things. I’m the first son of my immediate family, first person to move out before marriage, first person to pursue a career in the arts… the list goes on. “Mirza” also directly translates to “Prince by Blood” in Persian. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with a name like that. I don’t consider myself to be royalty in the traditional sense where I have power over others. I try to carry myself with honesty and humility. Share whatever power I have with the people around me. Lead by example.
So where are you from, how has this played an influence on your sound, and most importantly how is the area for underground talent?
I was born and raised in the Upper-beaches community of Main and Danforth. Early on in my life I was very sheltered and the only music I would hear would be soundtracks from Bollywood movies and religious music from Pakistan. The religious music in particular had a way of pulling you in and taking you to a different place. Almost a transcendent experience. The Bollywood movies and music played a role in what I thought entertainment was for a very long time. The different colors, textures and patterns, the over the top dance routines were all very influential and eye-catching.
When I finally started elementary school the music that would score my childhood is the likes of Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Akon, Eminem, The Game, 50 Cent, Marques Houston, and Omarion to name a few. Rap and R&B immediately became an obsession of mine. I would go home every day after school and watch the same handful of music videos I knew on loop. “Riding Dirty” by Chamillionaire, “Smack That” by Eminem and Akon, and “Drop it Like it's Hot” by Snoop Dogg and Pharrell to name a few. Eventually my siblings and I would watch 106 & Park, BET and MTV on the weekends like a ritual. I don’t know of many artists/ creatives from Main and Danforth. I haven’t been back in a very long time.
What would say are some important lessons you’ve learned since you’ve started, and what is some advice you would give a new artist looking to start?
I've been making music for about 6 years now and have met a lot of amazing (and questionable) characters. Some have become what I hope to be lifelong friends and some were just visitors in my story. I came into the game expecting everyone to be as hungry and respectful as I was and I learned very early on that this isn't the case. This business is a very ugly one and can turn you into a monster in the process. It also has a tendency to bring out the best and worst in people. My journey always brought me back to self awareness and analyzing my actions/words. I've learned that I can never control my environment or the actions of others, however what I do have control over is how I choose to carry myself and how I react.
1. Patience is key
2. Always write from the heart
3. Be open to collaborations
4. Learn what is for you, and what isn't for you
What artists would you say have had the biggest influence on you, and your overall sound?
This answer changes the older I get. Every year I find new sources of influence. Its a pattern of shielding myself from the outside world and knit picking through the oversaturated market. Growing up I listened to the artists mentioned above a lot. Particularly Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Akon and Omarion. I was always attracted to anything melody and groove driven. I also have immense respect for incredible writers. Later on around highschool I got into the hometown heros like Drake, The Weeknd, and Partynextdoor. Travis Scott, Young Thug, and Frank Ocean were also huge influences.
In college I opened up to different genres and learned to appreciate music completely different than what I was used to. Dived into music history and learned about my idols influences. Learning about what made the artists I love who they are was an eye-opening moment for me. Music history is very interesting and there is a lot to learn about our past as a western society. Music has always been a catalyst for expression and change. I think it's really important to remember that and for artists to contribute to the conversations we're having as a society.My sound is always evolving and changing. I'm very inspired by my friends and peers like Kafaye, Abscond, Moel, M.I. Blue and Deelo just to name a few. They are unapologetic with their self-expression and that pushes me as a creative to do the same.
Tell us about TOPLEF?
TOPLEF is an umbrella brand I founded with a few friends to allow for full creative freedom and support any future endeavors we wish to pursue. The meaning behind TOPLEF stems from the Toronto slang term “Top left.” It is a term to display honesty and is used to place a promise. Over the top left of your chest. The heart. TOPLEF represents an ideology of always operating from a place of self-awareness and honesty. It’s not about trying to be the realest or most “woke” person in the room. Self awareness can look like admitting to one’s faults or shortcomings. It’s all about accepting yourself for who you are. All you’re capable of and your limitations. It also represents the idea of being proud of your heritage and displaying your love for it unapologetically. Anyone that lives their life to the fullest and strives to be better for themselves is a part of the TOPLEF family.
Okay so music bro, your discography is amazing. Everything is quality but the cuts that stand out the most to me are “Clairvoyance” produced by Super Miles, “On and On” produced by Laughty, and “Fantasy” tell us what inspired each of those songs?
Oh man. My memory is terrible but I’ll try my best. “Clairvoyance” was inspired by my first trip to LA in the summer of 2018 (Exactly around this time two years ago). I was invited to a writing camp by Ty Senoj at the KIDinaKORNER mansion. One night we went to a party Director X was hosting to celebrate the release of his movie “Superfly.” His house was at the top of a hill and you could see the entire valley. “Clairvoyance” was a continuation of a night spent partying in LA. Just the dark side of what always seems to be a good time. People love talking about the high but brush the comedown under the rug. Super Miles is also one of the best producers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and he's doing some amazing things right now.
“On and On” was a cut Laughty produced for me back in 2017. I feel like my best work has surfaced when I was going through a heartbreak or have troubles in my romantic relationship. On and On was a moment of admitting faults but also understanding that it's time to move on. You can’t wait on anyone or anything because time doesn’t either.
“Fantasy” was recorded in 2018. Another Laughty cut. Infidelity has been somewhat of a common theme in my music. Something about secrecy and doing something you’re not supposed to has always been something I’m drawn to. We finished that song in the SOCAN studios and I knew it was a special record as soon as it was complete. I waited 2 years before releasing that song. I’m very proud of that one.
So you’ve worked with Kafayé, abscond, Super Miles, S.L.M.N, Laughty, Twigg, Hudson Alexander, THEMXXNLIGHT. What led to you guys meeting and working together?
I started my musical journey with Laughty. We both went to the same high school in Toronto and moved to Pickering around the same time. We also decided to continue our education at the same school in Toronto so we would end up taking the GO Train together everyday. Two years later we started making music together because we were bored with suburb life. There was nothing to do so we found a common interest and started creating.
I met THEMXXNLIGHT via soundcloud. We were both coming up around the same time we started making music (Early 2016). I became a fan of theirs as soon as I heard their music. Laughty and I reached out to collaborate and they were very easy to work with. We ended up with “Addicted” and Laughty produced a song called “The Man” for them. We met once when they came to Toronto and they actually shot a video for The Man. Not sure if it still exists somewhere. They had just started working with Taylor Gang around then. Shortly after, they took off and I’m very proud of them. They deserve all the success they find.
I met S.L.M.N through a mutual friend in December 2017. We had two sessions together. The first time we met we got acquainted and just chopped it up. The next time we met he made me a beat on the spot and that song ended up being “Running”. That record just dropped a few months ago. S.L.M.N is an extremely humble and talented creative. He just released his debut EP “Late Bloomer” so make sure you go check that out.
I met Hudson Alexander at a random studio session he was having with Boy Pape and Ty Senoj at his home studio in Toronto. Also an extremely talented individual. Works with a lot of dope local talent. We’ve had a handful of sessions together and always make some cool records whenever we link up.
I met Twigg at a SOCAN writing session in 2018. I was working out of the SOCAN building a lot around this time and my friend Aidan D’aoust invited me to these sessions they hosted with a producer and two writers. A year later Twigg and I reconnected at Soleil Sound (RIP) where we made “G2G”.He cooked up the beat in less than 20 minutes and we finished the song in a few hours. Lovely fellow also doing some incredible things.
I met Abscond many years ago when he worked at a hat store at Queen and John called BRIMZ. I would see him DJ around the city as well but we never became friends until years later. Myles Maximme (founder of Half a Concert) reached out to me at the top of 2019 to discuss any possible collaborations. I was working on a listening party set for mid March and Myles agreed to help coordinate the event. On the day of the party he introduced me to Kafayé. Myles also booked Abscond to DJ the event and this was the first time all three of us were under the same roof. After the event was over Ab, Kafayé and I started freestyling over some beats and Director X invited us to perform at the AGO Massive XV, a yearly fundraising gala that X was creative directing. Since then we’ve become very close friends and have created a lot of music together. I have nothing but undying love and respect for Ab and Kafayé.
What are some things you look for before you work with another artist or producer?
I like to look at their catalogue of released music. If I like what I hear, then I continue to get to know the artist or producer. What matters the most to me is their drive. I need proof that music is your life and you do this because you love it. I like to work with people that push me creatively or I can inspire to be like. I don’t like being around people who are uncertain or only do music part-time.
When can fans expect some new music?
I have a lot of unreleased music at the moment. By the time this comes out there should be a new single available. This year is very weird due to the COVID situation and I’m adjusting accordingly. I can’t tell you when more music is coming but what you can count on is that it will be quality work.
What’s next for you in 2020, what are some goals you hope to accomplish?
Learn. Unlearn. Learn. Experiment. Create. I want to learn how to play guitar and piano this year. Other than that I just want to be a better person.
Who should we feature next on Nefarious Supply?
Kafayé, Abscond, M.I.Blue, Moel, Deelo, Myles Maximme. Take your pick.
Any last words?
Stay safe and be kinder to one another.
Big thank you to M1RZA for interviewing with Nefarious Supply. If you enjoyed this interview and want to stay up to date with him you can find him on Instagram, and Twitter and his music is available on all streaming platforms.
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