Exclusive Interview: MXWI Delves on His Creative Tastes, His Inspirations & His Latest Album “Toxicity”

It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story? How did you get to where you are today

Ali: This story is actually pretty funny. My mom always wanted me to play the piano because it was a dream of hers. I hated the idea of playing the piano and thought it was useless. But my parents and piano teacher didn’t give up on me. They kept pushing me until I suddenly fell in love with playing the piano and this was where it all began. It was a love-hate type of relationship the piano and I had.

After years of learning how to play I finally decided to try producing and creating my own music. That was during quarantine when COVID was still starting in March 2020. I would spend most of my days in my room just learning non-stop by watching YouTube videos. It got to the point where my parents were like “why isn’t he coming out of the room all day? Did he forget about us?”

Congratulations on your latest album “Toxicity”, how do you feel about the newfound success?

Ali: Thank you so much. I’m honestly still reeling from the amount of support I’ve gotten on this new album. I remember when I used to have about 3-4 monthly listeners on Spotify, even though it was a very small amount, that didn’t stop me from working hard to make more and better songs. But now with this new album, all of a sudden I have 10,000+ monthly listeners, 8,000+ streams and I’m like how the hell does that even happen so quickly. It hasn’t even been a week since the album came out.

5 years ago, if someone would’ve told me I would be making music and hitting a million streams over one song, I would’ve called you crazy. A lot of my friends and family know I’ve always had a dream of being a pilot when I was a little kid, but of course, as you grow older, you realize what matters most to you and what’s something you want to spend the rest of your life doing.

I would not trade this for anything else in the world. I feel so so grateful for having all these amazing people supporting me and pushing me to do my best, especially my family.

What was the inspiration behind the album?

Ali: The main thing that inspired me to make this album was my first album. It was terrible, I can’t even describe how bad it was. And so every time I’d listen to it, I’m like what was I even thinking back then. So ever since then, I put in my mind that I want to make an album that’ll make anyone who’s heard the first, forget about it.

I wanted to make an album that I can rebrand myself with as an artist and an album where I can explore new instruments, new vocal styles and new sounds. I didn’t want to make an album with just one genre in it. I wanted to mix between pop, ballads, R&B and more so that listeners can have a variety to choose from

What single off the album “Toxicity” do you anticipate taking off both on charts and with listeners/fans?

Ali: So far the most listened to songs on the album are “For You (Ft. Lakeith)” “Monster” and “Hold Me Close”. So If I’d have to pick, I’d go with “For You”.

Wow! Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

Ali: That is really hard to pick. I have 2 favorite songs, “The Night We Met” which was released last year, and in which I’m re-recording again to improve it, and “Nineteen”

But I think “Nineteen” is my top favorite because it’s really personal to me. It’s a song about questioning how your future will go, will you achieve your goals, what’s next for you, are you on the right path and etc. Many of us could really relate to this song.

Which title or hat are you most proud to wear outside of being an artist, and why?

Ali: I’d like to think of myself as kind and compassionate. Someone you could turn to who would be there for you and someone you can rely on.

If you had one message to give your fans, what would it be?

Ali: You guys are the incredible, and I cannot wait to share more projects with you soon.

For our final question, is there anything else you would like to add?

Ali: I’d like to thank my mom, my dad and my brother for being so supportive and for always believing in me, and I’d like to thank my friends as well for pushing me to do my best.

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