MVTE | CHICAGO ARTISTS TO WATCH RECAP

Chicago artist MVTE is carving out her own lane with a one-of-a-kind voice, effortless flow, and deeply relatable lyrics. Blending sounds across genres, her music moves seamlessly from jazz-infused slow burners to hard-hitting anthems and dance floor-ready records, creating a dynamic and immersive listening experience. Inspired by icons like Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, Anderson .Paak, and Amil, MVTE delivers a sound that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly original—fun, expressive, and full of feeling.

Since 2023, she’s been building steady momentum through consistent releases, including singles, visuals, and her EP Mama’s House. On stage, MVTE has already made her presence felt at some of Chicago’s most notable venues like The Promontory, House of Blues Chicago, and Reggie’s Rock Club, along with major city celebrations such as Chicago Pride Parade and Northalsted Market Days.

With every release and performance, MVTE continues to elevate her artistry and expand her reach, positioning herself as one of Chicago’s most exciting and versatile voices to watch.

Q&A WITH MVTE (May 2025)

• When you started your music journey, what was your confidence level?
  • Honestly, my confidence level was low. I always felt like I was a bit of an odd personality when it came to music. I had a very distinctive voice, but I just didn’t know where I fit in. Over the years, though, my confidence has grown. I still have my off days, but I believe in myself much more now than I did when I first began.
• Who was your biggest inspiration while growing up?
  • You know what’s crazy? It wasn’t a rapper; it was Bruno Mars. I wanted to be a singer before I started rapping. So for me, Bruno Mars was a major influence. Of course, I also listened to Lauryn Hill since my mom always played her music around the house, but I was more drawn to singers like Bruno Mars.
• Did you ever want to give up during the process?
  • Yeah, a couple of times. It was just a lot of doubt. But I’m a firm believer in God. Every time I thought, “I don’t think I want to do this anymore,” I felt like doubt gave me a sign saying, “No, this is for you.” That kept me going.
• What would you say is something you need to work on as an artist?
  • Believing in myself a little more. I still have moments where I think, “Okay, I believe in myself,” but it’s usually only about 90%. I want it to be 100% all the time.
• Where do you see yourself in the future?
  • This question is always tough because it’s hard to pinpoint. I see myself somewhere in music, as I want to pursue that. But I also feel like I’ll explore more avenues, like fashion, acting, or voice acting, since I can play with my voice a lot. So, I see myself in the music industry, as well as in acting and fashion.
• Are you seeking a secure record deal, or would you prefer to remain independent, and why?
  • Honestly, I think I want to stay independent. Looking at the music industry now, and being 28, I used to think I’d sign in a heartbeat. But I wouldn’t do that again. There are a lot of messed-up things happening in the industry, so I believe independence is the best route.
• What was the process of creating your last project?
  • My last project was “Mama’s House with Rhea II,” which was my first collaborative EP. It was honestly a lot of fun. When I go into the studio, I like to just enjoy the process without overthinking it. We finished the EP in one day, and then we had to get it mixed and mastered by our engineers. Overall, that process was really enjoyable and not stressful at all.
• What are some of your favorite visuals that you have created, and why?
  • One of my favorites is the music video for “MVTE.” I like it because it turned out exactly how I had envisioned it. Also, I was pregnant during the shoot, so I was cleverly hiding my pregnancy in the video. Overall, it was a fun experience.
• What are your favorite visuals that you have created, and why do you like them?
  • MVTE. I like that one because it’s fun, and it perfectly captures how I want to present myself. Efficient Chips is another one of my songs. The process for that was enjoyable as well. I love the outfits and everyone who was involved in the video. The entire experience was just a lot of fun.
• What is a highlight in your career that motivates you to continue making music?
  • I would say before, around 2018, when I first started rapping. At that time, I didn’t have much compared to how people view my music now. In 2018, I was featured on **Hot New Hip Hop** as one of the “Three New Artists You Should Listen To.” It was a blog that was quite popular at the time, and being recognized like that was significant for me. The other two artists had professional pictures, while I just had a selfie. Despite not being as polished as I am now, being acknowledged at that level encouraged me to keep pursuing music and pushed me to aim higher.
• Do you write your music?
  • Yes, of course.
• Do you think having a ghostwriter is beneficial for artists?
  • To some extent, yes. If an artist needs a ghostwriter, then they should use one. If anyone’s interested, they can reach out to me, and I can write for them too!
• Would you be interested in collaborating? If so, who would you like to work with? 
  • With anybody? 
• Yeah. 
  • Yes, of course! I’m always interested in collaborating. I would love to work with Anderson Paak. I just love his music and style, especially his collaboration with Bruno Mars. I feel like he and I are kind of in the same lane. 
• Are there any specific Chicago artists you would like to work with? 
  • I’ve always said Chance the Rapper. He was one artist who inspired me when I started. I also have a friend who is an artist, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with Oxymoron. We have a couple of projects coming up. I feel like I’m missing someone else; there are a lot of Chicago artists I wouldn’t mind working with, but those two stand out. 
• What is your favorite thing about being an artist? 
  • That I’m unapologetically myself. I don’t hide anything, whether it’s in conversation, my music, or even how I present myself. I’m very open. I didn’t realize that just being myself would be relatable to so many people, so that’s something I appreciate. 
• What’s an exclusive fun fact about you? 
  • An exclusive fun fact? Ooh, that’s a good one! I used to play basketball. 
• What is a guilty pleasure of yours? 
  • Oh! Now that you mention it, I do have a shopping addiction. My husband would tell you that I shop a lot! I’ve gotten a little better, though… just a little. 
• So, your Amazon cart goes crazy? 
  • It goes crazy! Amazon, Shein, Fashion Nova, all of that!
• What never fails to make you smile?
  • Waking up every day. That’s a blessing, you know? Just having the opportunity to live life. I try to focus on the positives and stop thinking about the negatives, whether they are big or small.

HIGHLIGHTS SINCE MAKING THE WATCHLIST

• Joined the Art of Perseverance Tour, expanding her exposure to wider audiences
• Created her own lane with melodic vibes and creative visuals
• Built a loyal fanbase through consistency and originality
• Seen as part of Chicago’s new wave redefining the sound
• Completed her “Trimester” EP series, a deeply personal body of work inspired by her pregnancy, and received a strong response from listeners.
• Released her new single “Gold Teeth” along with a music video, generating major engagement and bringing in new supporters.
• Regained momentum in the Chicago music scene as more people began reaching out and tapping in with her music.
• Returned to the stage after pregnancy with a 25-minute live set, earning a strong crowd response.
• Used that momentum to build toward her upcoming solo project, with everything starting to align for her next chapter.