In today’s Artist Spotlight, we dive into the journey of rising artist Lost Until Monday, whose music reflects the raw experiences of his upbringing in Peoria, Illinois. Drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Juice WRLD and J. Cole, he infuses his work his authenticity, matching powerful lyrics with resonant instrumentals that speak to personal growth and resilience. Following the release of debut single Burn, Lost Until Monday is ready to make his mark on the hip-hop scene.
You started making music at such a young age—how did your environment growing up in Peoria influence the way you approach your music today?
I love this question as I feel my environment has a lot to do with my music. Growing up I saw how hip hop and the surrounding culture affected my peers. My middle school experience consisted of a lot of privileged people wanting to put themselves into worse situations in order to fit into this ideology that hip hop presents; Kids with parents that own businesses and gifted cars for their birthdays selling drugs. I wasn’t as gifted in what my parents were able to offer me, from them I heavily learned what not to do, instead of looking at them for what to do. Mainly due to them being heavily influenced by drugs. Thanks to my granny I was protected and didn’t have to follow in their footsteps. But while I see these kids having things I wished for as a kid falling into these patterns I have tried so hard to stay out of, to seem “cool” and while they were being influenced into this life of crime and rebellion, I was inspired by artists like Juice WRLD. Telling me I could do anything my heart desired, and to capitalize on that. So that is what I did, putting my all into music since the 6th grade. In this I want to inspire the same in my music. Showing them that no matter where you come from, being yourself, keeping authenticity, and doing what you love will get you where you need to be.
Artists like Juice WRLD, J. Cole, Drake, and Lil Yachty have had a big impact on your sound. What specific elements of their music have inspired you, and how do you incorporate that into your own style?
All of these artists have inspired my music in different ways. I’ll start with juice as he has had the largest impact on my music. When I was the most impressionable I had ever been, 11-12 years old, I grew up without a male role model, without a father, no older brother. I was searching for someone to guide me. As I grew a little older I fell in love with Juice WRLD’s music. The tops of love and heartbreak and the way they affect your everyday mental state. I was experiencing a lot of this heartbreak myself, not only with girls my age but also my parental relationship with my mother. Falling in love with his music and related topics, I started to invest in his personal life like interviews, breakdowns, and anything related to Juice WRLD. The message that he was spreading during this time was nothing but motivational, telling me through a screen I can be just like him, a superstar. A kid just like me, from poverty and drug abuse, that lived 2 and a half hours from me, telling me I could do the exact same thing. This immediately set me onto a better path of music, wanting to inspire kids the same way I had been. Tell my story, where I come from.
The way J. Cole inspires me is just as important as the rest. J. Cole has shown me what it means to be authentic, tell a story without putting up a front even when it makes you look vulnerable. That’s what really makes you strong. He has taught me how important it is to present yourself truly, especially in the world of music and fame. J. Cole talks a lot about his time studying the greats, creating intricate flows and melodys to slowly become one himself. As you can imagine I greatly relate to this. J. Cole’s diverse flows and melodies have always inspired me to better my penmanship, his one of the best to do it in my eyes so when I write a song, I write it hoping it would impress Cole.
Drake has shown me the come up, literally starting from the bottom and rocketing to the top and then holding that position. Whilst doing all this taking care of the people he loves, his homies, his mother, his father. Drake may be arrogant and a little cocky but in my opinion it’s nothing short of deserved and extremely humble. He has done things people like me dream of doing and he doesn’t stop working, exactly as I want to be.
Your music reflects the harsh realities you’ve witnessed, like drugs, violence, and other challenges. How do you channel those experiences into your lyrics and sound?
Every song that I make is about an experience I’ve seen or dealt with. Music is my therapy. If no one listened I would still make music, in fact, that’s what I’ve been doing for years perfecting my craft before I deemed myself ready for the world. When I’m writing my music it’s in hope that anyone who has been through something similar can relate. Sometimes it’s hard to be vulnerable, express the things deep down in your soul. I dig up these things and I face these challenges while writing music to show people it’s okay.
You’ve said music is like therapy for you. Can you describe what it feels like when you’re in the studio, and how creating music helps you process everything you’ve been through?
In every way music is therapy for me. Most of my best studio experiences are after an emotional event or breakdown. Being in the studio is like a high. Separating myself from the situation and being able to make art from it. It heals my heart. When I look back on events in my life to begin writing a song, it’s like looking at my life as a narrative, seeing it from different angles and being able to reflect in a way I think a lot of people don’t get to experience.
With so much negativity often surrounding hip hop, how do you aim to flip the narrative and use your platform to inspire positivity and change?
I think the negativity in hip hop comes from the wrong people, but also so does some of the glorification. When someone comes from a life of crime being all they know to survive, coming up out of that situation is extremely respectable and deserves to be praised. But through hip hop it has turned into wanting to be in that situation. Like I’ve said in previous answers, I’ve watched very privileged kids put on this front of stealing, even killing to survive because due to pop culture it has been glorized. I want kids to understand that no matter where you come from, your problems are valid. You don’t have to be a murderer to be seen, or deemed respectable. I want kids to want better for themselves instead of inflicting worse upon them and others because that’s what they hear their idols are doing.
Your goal is to show kids that they can be anything they want to be. What advice would you give to young people who feel trapped by their circumstances, especially those in similar environments to yours?
There are people who care about you. People who WANT to see you succeed. Not because they want something from you but because they want to see you do good. But even if there are none of those people left, if you want better for yourself, you will do better, be better. Everyday is a stepping stone to your future, use your resources, learn, stay calm, and I promise you will make it where you want to be.
What lies ahead for your label in 2024 and beyond?
Our first project together dropped the 25th of October, a single titled Burn. This song means a lot to me as it talks about my relationships with drug abusers and how hard it is seeing yourself fall into those same patterns. I really hope someone can relate to it. As for the future I am very excited to continue working with MN2S and to see what opportunities are presented.