An intentional lyricist, Milwaukee-born rapper Myquale effortlessly glides on beats. Showcasing a true MC’s essence by blending poetic prowess and mind-blowing wordplay. Influenced by legendary artists like Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, and Kanye West, Myquale fell in love with hip-hop in high school and shortly after manifested his own unique sound.
In 2023, the rapper released the singles “forty four4’s” and “North” featuring Trapo as a preview of his upcoming debut album “Above All” scheduled for release this fall. Myquale sat down with Whats the Word to discuss his goals for the year, upcoming summer releases, his love for hip-hop, and his hope to impact and educate the culture through his music.
WTW: Where are you from?
Myquale: I was born and raised on the Northside of Milwaukee, but I’m based in Chicago.
WTW: You fell in love with hip hop when you heard what?
Myquale: I would say my earliest for real, Kanye, I remember hearing late registration and that, like, changed everything because I didn’t even know people could make music like that.
I was like, “Oh, he’s different,” and I didn’t even like it, but I liked it because it was different. Like I remember the first song when I heard “Gold Digger.” I was like, “This is so weird, but like it’s so raw.”
WTW: Who are some artists that have shaped your voice and or that you feel like have played a monumental role in creating your sound?
Myquale: I would say, I sound like such a backpacker saying this, but I would say: Black Star. I really love them. I really loved A Tribe Called Quest, and mind you, I’m referring to, like, when I was a teenager because I started making music when I was 14. Okay, those were like the early influences.
Fugees, I love The Fugees. I was really enamored with the 90s. And then, you had kids like Pro Era that was making music, and then TDE came around. So, I can say that the entire wave, like UMT early TDE, Pro Era, and even before that, I mean, still to this day I play some Black Star, most definitely my favorite; one of my favorites in general.
WTW: Who has your style been compared is there anyone they’ve compared you to or said you remind them of?
Myquale: You know, in the past, but I’m gonna be honest. I hate it when I get compared to people, and it’s never like bad people. But yeah, in the past, I’ve gotten compared to like Kendrick, which admittedly, when I was a teenager, I was inspired. So, a lot of what I was doing was biting, bro. And I think just through the journey of discovering myself, like, you know, 1st move to Chicago and be like ohh you gotta deep voice, you sound like Kendrick or you’re rapping like Saba or whatever it is. But over time, I’ve developed my own sound.
But you know, I think it’s inevitable. Folks are gonna compare. But I’ve never been compared to anybody I didn’t really rock, where I think it’s just more so than like, you know, I wanna form my own voice and have my own identity.
WTW: What would you consider your voice to be or your identity to be in music?
Myquale: Shit, I’m just? I’m just me. I don’t really know how to answer that. Umm, I think it’s very cerebral; I psychoanalyze things. And I don’t know. I just know how to create thought-provoking music, and I am very intentional and strategic with my approach. I am someone who studies the past, and not even just in music, but in black culture in general.
WTW: How do you want to impact the culture?
Myquale: I would hope for people to just engage in conversation. And it doesn’t even have to be with another person. It can just be with yourself, because oftentimes that’s how I’m writing. It’s like, “Darn, I have these thoughts.” And I feel inclined to express myself in the most creative way possible, which is like a gift within itself… But, you know, beyond that, I guess I would hope to inspire other people the same way, you know? I would hope that it hits you the way it hits me. And what should happen from there, you know? Only God knows.
WTW: I know some artists who love to just put their art out and then let it go where it goes, and then there are some artists who have the goal of becoming the next big whatever. Do you care if you become this big, huge artist? What goals do you have for your music?
