Entertainment
5 Fast Facts with Mir Mir, the unsung teenage audio engineer and artist out of the Chicago-land area
As one of our LEONARD Magazine CO. production members was observing an “Upcoming R&B/Soul Rap ” playlist on spotify, he stumbled upon the oddly deep voice of one of the most interesting and underrated artists we’ve encountered; Mir Mir. Temptingly diving deeper into his discography, we noticed multiple single releases over the past year that all sounded thrillingly disparate from each other, leading us to reach out to Mir Mir for what appears to be his first exclusive artist interview.
His music can’t be boxed
We were intrigued when guessing Mir Mir’s age, having just recently turned 18. judging by his production we would have been on the fence in terms of assuming his experience level and his dab upon both old and modern style production. His follow up wasn’t a shock.
Mir Mir came across a random set of songs on youtube that felt like an eye opener to him. These songs, made by other young artists, are identified as Hyperpop. Hyperpop is by far one of the most unique genres in the music industry. Many don’t knowingly come across it. It’s influence is driven from a wide range of sources that often contain glitch effects, heavy basses, high voices, and PC music inspiration. This spectrum-lacking genre felt fitting for Mir Mir because it caused him to try new things and download soundcloud and instagram, where he got to meet and build a bond with some of the artists he claimed to have listened to for years prior. He began receiving follow backs and even features from artists he used to only listen to.
“I never knew how making weird sounds into the mic or slapping the desk could turn into an 808 or even a fire adlib.”
Public platform release was limited to Mir Mir. When asking how many songs he’s made so far, he couldn’t get an estimate at the top of his head. It was unfortunate to hear how often he trashed his finished work. He explained that he would often make tracks only to end up throwing them away out of embarrassment. Considering the rate Mir Mir is moving at, we’re certain that these tracks would have been like a memorabilia recollection compared to his current production.
Blew up in private
Over quarantine Mir Mir helped produce a song that he’s kept unsaid. His friend at the time had created a song with him and multiple people (which unironically was hyperpop), and it became popular months later. The sound on tiktok has over a hundred thousand videos uploaded to it, primarily for it’s distinctive glitch effects and lyrics.
“I felt like I had a secret inside me that no one would believe if I said it out loud. How do you explain to a person that the song that’s potentially stuck in their head was something I took part in making? I mean, we practically started off as jokes and memes at our school and being called soundcloud rappers. Next thing you know everyone was plagued by the sound of ‘Pressure’. Not even knowing who Novagang was. Not even knowing who we were.”
Inspirations and Influences
Mir Mir, known by his family and peers as Emir, claims that like most artists he has become addicted to music at a young age. He used to download free apps on his Ipad where he was able to listen to every song he wanted while watching the music video or lyrics on youtube. His concept on genres was broad even as a child, listening to whatever he’d find on Vevo, hear on the radio, or even any song he heard his mom play while cleaning. Mir Mir says that whatever he listened to always had phases. “I’d casually go from listening to music about tractors and love to hardcore songs about like 4th degree manslaughter. I literally would innocently shift from Keith Urban to NWA.” Mir Mir states that these were some of his favorite artists growing up, along with 2000’s mainstream artists like Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, and even Albanian artists like Noizy, who he was exposed to by his cousins back home. His sightless absorption of genre wasn’t a surprise to us, as these different sounds are likely what shapes him to create his own style of music.
Describing his discography as his own style of music isn’t even an exaggerated description. Mir Mir literally implements sounds that would feel exotingly out-of-pocket to your average listener. Like the next guy is one of the songs by Mir Mir that our executive writer came across, whom described it as a 3 minute shift from a high-reverb Emo/EDM style to a deep voiced vocal, soulful, Kanye West type beat.
Social media prescence
Interestingly enough, music isn’t what Mir Mir thrives mainly off. Tiktok has been a partial outlet for him during the Covid-19 pandemic. He states that his friend practically forced him to install Tiktok and as he was scrolling through he came across a funny Albanian video. This opened a path for him as he was urging to take part in it and upload his own sense of humor themed through his culture.
“I almost never met people from my country [Albania] at my school. I didn’t think there were that many of us, so I really looked up to these little creators across the world who shared this line of blood in common with me.”
He explains that his very first upload got 50,000 views and the next one got a whopping 300,000. Within less than a week he hit one thousand followers. He states that having been only 15 at the time, his parents did not want him to pave that aspect of life through social media so he took a long break from uploading content. Although, he states that he privately made an account that had over 400,000 followers, and eventually got banned with supposedly no evident reason. Fortunately, he felt motivated to start fresh and continued uploading on his current Tiktok account, emirnoballer, which he created months ago and already reached 3 videos with over 1 million views.
Mir Mir does not often collide Tiktok with his music, for the reason being an interesting term he uses; “pity streams”.
“I don’t want people listening to my music because I made it. I want it to be something I emerge from because people actually like it from a music standpoint. On God I never want to be one of those guys that begs people to listen to their songs. I’m just still trying to find a way I can blend my tiktok with my music in a way that doesn’t make it seem like a phase or me trying to act ambitious. I don’t wanna be classified as a musician or a tiktoker, I just want to make whatever comes to my mind cuz I know I’m fortunate enough to be able to do that.”
Polyglot
At the end of the interview, we topped it off with our classic and often most surprising question.
“Give us a fun fact about you. Outside of music… something people wouldn’t really guess.”
A polyglot is a person that can speak 4 or more languages, and Mir Mir seems to top that off. He claims that his mother did not allow him or his siblings to use electronics on weekdays up until his Freshman year of high school in order to focus on education. He’d use his school device to often watch youtube or use garageband, the digital audio workstation he started with. He had an interest in cultures and languages, being born first learning Albanian and English, then eventually taking Spanish at school. He learned some Arabic from his prayers and felt inspired to pick up German through his peers and online. Musically, he even has 2 featured songs in Albanian and Spanish.
What’s next for Mir Mir?
Having dived deeper into his character, we project Mir Mir to continue growing and producing. We would be saddened to hear Mir Mir privately denounce credit of himself by not promoting his talent to the max capacity. His blend of Soul and Bubblegum Bass provides a unique, jumpy style of music that is too extraordinary to be held quietly. Mir Mir is definitely a respective artist and someone listeners should adapt into consideration for a new taste in music production as he continues to release.
Some artists entertain. Others inspire. But every so often, a singular presence emerges—one who does both, and so much more. Leilani Kristina is that presence: a fearless creative, a truth-teller, and a living bridge between culture, art, and justice.
A true polymath in the modern age, Leilani is a published model, gifted singer-songwriter, dancer, and passionate Indigenous rights advocate. Her path is not just one of performance—it’s one of purpose. She isn’t simply chasing fame; she’s building a platform for expression, healing, and impact.
Ancestral Legacy, Artistic Fire
At the heart of Leilani’s artistic expression lies her deep-rooted Indigenous heritage. Her performances aren’t just acts of creativity—they’re acts of remembrance. In Nanyehi, a musical staged by Tulsa Theater, she portrayed Betsey Ward, a descendant of her own ancestor, Nancy Ward (Nanyehi), a revered Cherokee woman and peacekeeper. Sharing the stage with Hollywood icon Wes Studi, Leilani brought her family’s history to life in a way that was both emotional and empowering.
This wasn’t just a role—it was a reclamation. Through her portrayal, she honored the resilience of her lineage and connected her audience to stories often excluded from the mainstream narrative.
Runways with a Message
Leilani’s influence stretches far beyond the theater. On the catwalk, she brings her cultural pride and commanding presence to international fashion weeks in Milan, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Her look is striking, but it’s the message behind the walk that truly sets her apart.
She doesn’t just model clothes—she models courage, authenticity, and representation. Leilani challenges narrow beauty standards by standing unapologetically in her identity. With each show, she redefines what it means to be seen and celebrated in an industry still learning how to embrace diversity.
A Sound that Speaks Volumes
In the music world, Leilani Kristina delivers more than catchy hooks—she delivers truth. Her original songs, distributed through United Masters, are rich with emotion and intention. Themes of strength, healing, love, and resistance pulse through every lyric, creating a soundscape that resonates deeply with listeners navigating their own struggles.
Her upcoming album promises even more depth, offering sonic experiences that serve as both refuge and rallying cry. Through her voice, Leilani isn’t just singing—she’s speaking directly to those who feel unheard.
Lights, Camera, Impact
Hollywood is beginning to recognize what audiences already feel: Leilani Kristina is a star in every sense. She’s performed at major industry events like the BET Awards Weekend and Big Game Weekend, capturing attention from influential circles in film and music. With auditions for high-profile roles such as Moana and Juliet in a musical adaptation, she’s poised for a breakout in film and television.
But Leilani’s rise in Hollywood isn’t about fitting in—it’s about breaking through. She represents the stories and voices that have long been missing from the screen. Her presence is not just refreshing—it’s necessary.
An Advocate First
Beyond the spotlight, Leilani is a powerful voice in advocacy. Drawing from her lived experience, she speaks on the realities of human trafficking, gender-based violence, and human rights abuses with rare honesty and conviction. Her activism is informed, urgent, and deeply personal.
Whether on stage, in interviews, or through her social media, Leilani uses every tool at her disposal to raise awareness and inspire action. She doesn’t seek attention—she seeks justice.
Defining Her Own Legacy
With representation by ADR Agency and Urge Management, Leilani Kristina continues to blaze her own trail—on her own terms. She’s not following trends or chasing validation. She’s telling stories, amplifying truths, and holding space for those often left out of the conversation.
Leilani isn’t just rising—she’s lifting others as she climbs.
To witness her journey and join her growing movement, follow her on Instagram: @lotus_pua
Because Leilani Kristina is more than a name.
She’s more than a performer.
She is a living movement—a beacon of culture, creativity, and change in a world hungry for all three.
In a musical era often consumed by clout and commercialism, Kyng Pariah steps onto the scene with something more enduring: truth. Not the kind filtered for algorithmic favor, but an abstract, spiritual, and fire-forged truth rooted in faith, pain, and purpose.
Keeping It Abstract, Keeping It Real
“I want to keep the abstractness in my sound and creativity—if that makes any sense to you like it does to me,” Kyng explains.
And it does make sense—for those listening with more than just their ears. His music isn’t designed to be overly polished or industry-molded. It’s made to breathe, to sting, to heal. Every beat carries his fingerprint, every lyric shaped by both chaos and clarity. His upcoming releases aren’t just albums; they’re experiences—spiritually charged expressions of survival, soul, and sound.
Vulnerability Meets Resilience
There’s no performance in Kyng’s pain. Just presence.
Balancing vulnerability and resilience isn’t a contradiction—it’s a calling. “My father always told me, ‘Never tell someone anything that will hurt you.’ So I don’t,” he shares. “But I still want people to know they’re not alone.”
This isn’t trauma for applause. It’s truth for connection. Kyng’s vulnerability is sacred—shared only to bridge, never to break.
Collaborations & Creative Alignment
When Kyng talks dream collabs—Tupac, Kendrick, Lupe, Pharrell, Nas—you understand his ethos. “It’s the poetry behind the human spitting the bars,” he says. “They redesigned Hip-Hop with intellect and soul.”
As founder of Team Dork Nation, Kyng takes collaboration seriously. “Authenticity, transparency, communication—those are my non-negotiables. The energy has to be right.”
This is art with intention, not ego.
The Message Behind the Music
Kyng doesn’t write from ego. He writes from spirit. Every track is a message in a bottle—reaching out to those who’ve battled doubt, trauma, identity, or silence.
His mission? To speak life into people who feel like outsiders. The misfits. The dreamers. The survivors. “It’s about the story behind the human who creates it,” he says. And Kyng’s story is one of redemption, resistance, and relentless faith.
Upcoming Releases to Watch:
- Brown Skin Kids – June 19, 2025
- Finna Trip – September 12, 2025
- F.A.F.O. Starter Pack – January 30, 2026
- God Given Gift 2 – TBA
Plus, new beats and visuals dropping monthly on YouTube @TeamDorkNation
“Kyng of Pariahs” – A Title Reimagined
“I’m the reject but the original design.”
That’s how Kyng defines the phrase “Kyng of Pariahs.” It’s not ego—it’s empowerment. A bold reclamation of identity. The “Y” in Kyng? That’s not just style. It stands for youthful spirit, eternal creativity, and nonconformity.
His identity holds duality—masculine and feminine energy, light and shadow, seriousness and play. It’s not a brand. It’s a movement.
Words for the Warriors
To every artist hustling through hardship, Kyng has this to say:
“Stay invested in your health—physical, mental, and emotional. Stay authentic. Allow yourself to forgive… especially yourself. Stay eager to learn and grow. Take time for yourself. You owe it to YOU to be great. You will achieve your goals. Don’t stop working—it’ll pay off. Be blessed.”
A Movement, not a Moment
In a world thirsty for something real, Kyng Pariah offers the Abstract Truth: Hip-Hop is still holy. Still healing. Still evolving. And with Kyng behind the mic, the genre’s future sounds spiritually raw, unapologetically Black, and beautifully fearless.
Stay tuned. The revolution is real—and it’s wearing a crown.
Follow the Movement
📺 YouTube: @TeamDorkNation
📱 Instagram / X / TikTok: @KyngPariah
🎧 Streaming Platforms: Coming Soon
The revolution is real — and it’s wearing a crown.
From modest beginnings in Augusta, Georgia, Curstin Andrews has carved out a name for himself in the competitive world of acting. Now based in Atlanta, this 25-year-old artist is not just building a career—he’s building a legacy.
Starting from the Ground Up
Curstin’s first foray into acting came in late 2022 when he stepped onto set life as a background extra. While these early roles were silent, they were far from insignificant. They gave him a front-row education in the rhythm of filmmaking, helping him absorb the nuance, discipline, and dedication it takes to thrive in the entertainment world.
By March 2023, Curstin was landing speaking roles—stepping out of the background and into the spotlight. With each new project, his sense of purpose grew clearer: storytelling through character is not just a passion but his calling.
Sharpening the Craft
Determined to evolve as a performer, Curstin began formal training at Mann Robinson Studios under the instruction of Dale Jennings. His journey continued under the guidance of respected acting coaches like Louis Stancil and Lucky Johnson, both of whom helped him refine his emotional range, presence, and authenticity on screen.
On-Screen Journey
From emotionally charged dramas to intense thrillers, Curstin’s growing résumé speaks to his versatility and drive.
🎬 Feature Films
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Pure Pain (Lead) – Directed by Toine South
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Trapoligy (Lead) – Directed by Micheal
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My Killer Ex-Girlfriend (Supporting) – Directed by Johnathan Milton
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Ryder The Movie (Supporting) – Directed by Jaloni Jackson
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Illijah (Supporting) – Now streaming on Tubi
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House of Hope (Supporting) – Directed by Marques Womack
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Additional credits: Twisted Love, Bottle Girl, Callie, Three the Hard Way, and more.
🎥 Short Films
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Who’s There (Lead) – Directed by Alexis Morrison
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Blooming Hearts (Supporting) – Directed by Jasmine Alexander
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Love on Delay (Supporting) – Directed by Jayla Re’Shon
📺 Television
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Ms. Pat Settles It – Co-starred in an episode by 495 Productions
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BMF (Season 3) – Stand-in role on STARZ
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The House & Collective Trust – Co-starred
📣 Commercial & Music Appearances
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Appeared in an Old Spice commercial as a prom-going teen
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Starred in Derrico’s music video Do Not Disturb
Beyond Acting: A Visionary with a Business Mindset
More than just a performer, Curstin is an entrepreneur in the making. He’s the founder of a film production company and has future plans to build a full-service studio. His mission? To create access for underrepresented voices and open doors for new talent across the South.
What’s Ahead
With fame looming, Curstin remains focused on the bigger picture. While he strives for A-list status, his deeper goal is to be a catalyst for change—both on and off the screen. Whether through impactful stories or mentorship, Curstin Andrews wants to shape a more inclusive and dynamic entertainment industry.
Curstin Andrews is not just acting—he’s architecting a future. From breakout roles in Illijah, House of Hope, and Blooming Hearts to his ambitious behind-the-camera pursuits, this rising star’s journey is just beginning. And it’s one the film world will want to follow closely.
Leilani Kristina: A Force of Art, Activism, and Ancestral Power
Kyng Pariah on Faith, Fire, and the Future of Hip-Hop
Curstin Andrews: Redefining Success in Film, One Role at a Time
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