Bailey welcome to Nefarious Supply, to get this interview started tell us about yourself who is Bailey Straughn, and how long have you been a musician? 

Imma 25 year old blue collar bandit. Was born in Baltimore and lived in Pasadena/Baltimore County for most of my life. I’ve been doing music since I was about 8 but I was 12 when I recorded my first song.

What artists would you say have inspired you on your journey as an artist, and what albums have been in your daily rotation? 

If we’re talking from the beginning it was Outkast, Mobb Deep, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Wayne and whatever else was around it’s really so much to pull from. As far as my current rotation: Valee, MIKE, this salsa playlist I found on YouTube, all my friends stuff they made recently and Ice Spice (Sorry Cadeem).

Tell us about your experience as an artist within the DMV, what’s the area like for underground and emerging artists in the area, who are some of the biggest artists making waves, and what artists you hope to work with within the area. 

It’s probably the most complex area for any industry if we’re being honest. I’ve been consistently active in the space for about 6 years. It feels like everyone is emerging rite now in their own ways whether its numbers wise, live shows, quality of music or marketing. It feels like everyday somebody breaks through and successfully translates what they were always trying to express.. Right now I'm perfectly fine with working with my friends. They are probably the most talented people I know and I'm proud to be a part of this shit with them.

Right now you have two albums “Sadaboutit” and “Onedayatatime.” tell us about both including the meaning behind the names, what inspired both projects, and what the creative process was like around both?

Not to be cringe but Sadaboutit. was made during the most important point of my life. I really had no drive to make music before, it felt like I was in a work sleep cycle. I locked in with Luke Herold one of the best engineers in the world and pretty much made a biography about the last 2 years of my life with extreme vulnerability. Onedayatatime. doubles down on that with better beats, mixing, verses and is just overall the best thing I’ve ever made that’s been released so far. (By the way RIP BBE Chinaman he was on  Onedayatatime. He passed away about 2 years ago and I really think the DMV missed out on one of their most talented artists and aside from the music just a truly authentic/genuine human being.)

What is your favorite thing about being an artist and since your start what are some things you’ve learned on your journey? 

The creating/recording process is always the best part. I learned you gotta be comfortable with yourself and remain composed while trying to achieve the insane goal of making music your full time job. 

If you could go back in time and give yourself some advice from when you first started what would you say? 

After the bar closes GO HOME! 

So what’s next for you in 2023 where do you hope to be by the end of this year, and where do you want your career to be? 

Well for starters last month I dropped a song/video “Whenthehomieslink.” Shot by Jarett Loeffler and produced by Cadeem LaMarr. I’m just putting out stuff randomly for the first half of the year and then I’ll work on dropping another album in the fall. I can tell you that I got a EP coming in the spring with me and Lil Paq that we just recently put together and that project is groovy as hell, real Saturday Night Fever vibes.

Any last words?

BE SAFE KEEP PACE (I know it’s cliche to say drink more water but seriously… do it.)