INTERVIEW: cmfrt. drops new single “Gangsta Party”

Coming out of St. Louis, Missouri, a rising artist by the name of cmfrt. has been making waves in the music scene since his debut track “Life Jacket” featuring Dareios hit the airwaves in 2021. This young talent quickly followed up with tracks like “FUCKNIGGAFEE” alongside Bigbruhking and “Facelift” featuring Jaheem and Jay Coast. With influences ranging from neo-soul sensation Raphael Saadiq to rap icons like Kendrick Lamar and Kanye West, as well as underground talents like LUCKI & 19yearold, cmfrt. has crafted a unique and captivating sound in the sphere of electronic hip hop.

In his latest offering, “Gangsta Party,” cmfrt. teams up once again with his label mate Dareios, the same vocalist who lent his talents to “Life Jacket.” This track showcases cmfrt.’s knack for blending slick hip hop vibes with the smooth, sultry tones of alternative R&B.

The journey begins with lush synth textures and cleverly placed vocal shots that immediately set the tone for what’s to come. As the beat kicks in, it brings with it an infectious groove that’s impossible to resist. cmfrt. and Dareios enter with alluring melodic leads that effortlessly blur the line between rhythmic rap flow and the graceful energy of melodic R&B.

The song’s core is built around an instantly catchy and hook-filled hip hop sound, wrapped in a spacey ambiance that creates a unique listening experience. One of the standout elements of “Gangsta Party” is the chemistry between cmfrt. and Dareios. Their collaborative efforts result in a track that’s not only catchy but also emotionally charged. You can feel the energy and emotion in their delivery, adding depth and energy to the music.

As an emerging artist, cmfrt. is undoubtedly one to watch. His ability to draw inspiration from a diverse range of musical influences and infuse them into his own creations makes him a compelling act. With his captivating sound and clear talent, cmfrt. is on a trajectory toward greater recognition and success. As we look to the future, there’s no doubt that cmfrt. will continue to surprise and delight music enthusiasts with his genre-blending creations.

We caught up with cmfrt. to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “Gangsta Party” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with cmfrt. below.

Hey cmfrt., how’s things?

Things are going well! Life has definitely been on the up and up.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I wrote a song about my girlfriend at the time to an instrumental of Don Trip’s “Letter To My Son”.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?

On a mainstream level: Yeat, Baby Keem, ICYTWAT, Alex Wiley, Sango, A$AP Ant and Xavier Omar but the majority of my inspiration comes from other St. Louis artists. Currently my favorite local act is Korron Ramirez and Jordan Ward.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

I live life. Frank Ocean said that’s the best thing to do for himself and I’ve found that to work for me as well.

What do you love about the Saint Louis music scene?

The amount of untapped talent that goes under the radar.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

It honestly depends on the song, but I would say under the stars.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I used to make a lot of “type beats” to make an impression on artists, but around 2017 I started shifting away from that to create my own sound which consists of obscure samples and eclectic sounds.

How did you find making your new single “Gangsta Party”?

Around the time we were pumping out Facelift, Darios and I had begun working on GP. I had sent him the same sample from GP but with an entirely different sound. Though he didn’t like the beat he was hooked on the sample! We made a demo and on the same day we recorded Facelift we also recorded GP in the same studio which is how Jay Coast came to be on the remix.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

You never know where you may meet her or him.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

ICYTWAT, Lancey Foux, A$AP Ant and The Szns.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

That’s up to them. Everyone has experienced my music differently and I love that. Being out of control of how the listener views my music is what makes it more special to me.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

I performed “Why The Mad (Money Hungry)”, “Facelift”, and “Gangsta Party” with FooAssVick, Jay Coast and Dareios respectively.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Baby Keem, ICYTWAT and Young Nudy (ideally they wouldn’t play any mainstream hits – all their best songs are the underground ones).

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

1000 no’s will equal one yes that outweights all the rest. Keep pushing and never give up. Learn from yourself and know your worth as an artist and individual in life.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?

Nothing! Building towards next year. I plan on hitting the ground running. Stay tuned.

Listen to Gangsta Party below