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.
Billboard Top Hip-hop
Marc “Mayjah” Payne Elevates in the game with New Album Levels of Payne, Featuring Rap Icon Shorty T and Kung Fu Rasta Sifu Bosco
LOS ANGELES, CA – Rising hip-hop artist and social media influencer Marc “Mayjah” Payne unveils his latest studio album, Levels of Payne, a boundary-pushing musical journey that blends West Coast lyricism, Southern grit, and Caribbean soul. With high-profile features from New Orleans rap legend Shorty T and St. Lucia’s reggae ambassador Sifu Bosco, this project solidifies Mayjah Payne’s position as one of the most dynamic new voices in global hip-hop.
Hailing from the West Side of Los Angeles, Mayjah Payne built his reputation not only as a gifted lyricist but also as a multi-talented producer and storyteller. Known for using hip-hop as his artform to speak on life, struggle, and ambition, he’s no stranger to growth. Levels of Payne reflects that evolution—a matured, sharpened sound fused with international influence and raw authenticity.
The album’s standout track, “Don’t Mean Nothin,” pairs Mayjah’s slick bars with Shorty T’s Southern bounce and storytelling, forming a gritty anthem about surviving through adversity and rising to the top. Meanwhile, “Ashes To Ashes, Dust to Dust” brings a melodic twist as Sifu Bosco’s reggae harmonies flow effortlessly with Mayjah’s laid-back delivery, celebrating heritage, unity, and peace through music.
With Levels of Payne, Mayjah Payne continues to expand his creative legacy. His previous projects have earned airplay on over 72 radio stations and charted Top 40 on 34 of them, and this latest release is already generating buzz across streaming platforms. Known for his high-energy performances and verified Instagram reach, Mayjah is taking this project worldwide to connect with audiences from California to the Caribbean.
Critics are already calling Levels of Payne his most complete and ambitious work to date. “This is for the art – this is for the culture,” says Payne. “It’s not just about where I’m from—it’s about where we’re all going. Music should bring people together. That’s what this album is all about.”
Levels of Payne is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and TIDAL. For fans of authentic hip-hop with a global heartbeat, this album is a must-listen.
Follow Marc “Mayjah” Payne on Instagram and other social media platforms @MayjahPayne and visit www.mayjahpayne.com for interviews, bookings, and press inquiries.
Watch “The Streets Don’t Love You” from the project “Levels of Payne” here below on the @MayjahPayne instagram page.
https://www.instagram.com/
In a world where many struggle with health, wellness, and financial challenges, Oldskool Funktionz stands as a beacon of hope and community empowerment. This organization is dedicated to raising public awareness on crucial issues such as autism, cancer, teen pregnancy, and financial literacy. By providing support to individuals in need, regardless of their circumstances, Oldskool Funktionz fosters a spirit of unity, education, and social growth.
Founded by Raul Atayde (Mr. Oldskool) and managed by Ernestina Rivera, Oldskool Funktionz believes in giving a voice to the voiceless. The organization strives to elevate cities by bringing communities together and supporting local and small businesses. Their mission is to inspire individuals to embrace a path of productivity, motivation, and direction. By organizing educational and entertaining events, they create an atmosphere where people can experience the strength and beauty of a connected society.
One of their key initiatives is the 4th Annual Autism Awareness Community Event, a free event designed to educate, bring understanding to autism, and give back to families in need. This highly anticipated event will take place on Sunday, April 13, from 12 PM to 6 PM at the Saddleback Hotel, 12500 Firestone Blvd, Norwalk, CA 90650.
Attendees can enjoy a variety of engaging activities, including:
Sensory Activities tailored for children with autism
Haircuts for attendees
Games and interactive fun
Reptile Show for an exciting experience
Pet-Friendly Atmosphere so families can bring their furry friends
Raffles and Giveaways offering exciting prizes
Food and Music to bring the community together
Live Performances by talented entertainers
Family Resources providing essential support and information
Painting Station for creative expression
Oldskool Funktionz ensures that families receive support through gifting stations that distribute sensory toys, snacks, and other helpful items. Collaborating with respected organizations such as Harbor Regional Center and other medical and educational businesses, they bring essential services and free activities to those who need them most.
This initiative thrives due to the generosity of small businesses, companies, and individuals who donate resources, sponsor goods, and volunteer their time. Oldskool Funktionz continually seeks partnerships with businesses and compassionate individuals who want to contribute to this noble cause.
By standing together, fostering awareness, and building strong community ties, Oldskool Funktionz continues to make a lasting impact—one event, one person, and one city at a time.
For more information or to contribute, reach out to Oldskool Funktionz and be part of a movement that uplifts and transforms lives.
Javon Everett, professionally known as Visionz2turnt, is a dynamic American rapper, songwriter, producer, and actor hailing from Washington, D.C. Born on November 11, 1989, Everett’s journey into music began at the tender age of eleven, transforming his early poetry into compelling lyrics that resonate with many.
Growing up as the middle child and the eldest male among five siblings, Everett faced numerous challenges that deeply influenced his musical narrative. His upbringing in a single-parent household exposed him to hardships that he adeptly channels into his art, offering listeners an authentic glimpse into his life experiences.
In 2019, Visionz2turnt gained significant recognition with his single “IDK,” which was featured on WorldStarHipHop. This track marked a pivotal moment in his career, showcasing his unique style and lyrical prowess to a broader audience. citeturn0search0
Beyond music, Everett ventured into acting in 2022, swiftly securing notable roles that highlighted his versatility. Among these was a lead role in the upcoming film “Cutz,” set to begin filming in January 2023. citeturn0search3 This transition underscores his multifaceted talent and dedication to expanding his artistic horizons.
A retired military serviceman, Everett’s experiences have profoundly shaped his artistic endeavors. On Veterans Day 2022, he released the poignant track “Come Back Home,” dedicated to the struggles faced by soldiers. This song reflects his deep respect for fellow servicemen and women, blending his past experiences with his current artistic pursuits.
Visionz2turnt’s discography is a testament to his relentless work ethic and creative evolution. Notable releases include “Better,” “Combo,” “Scorpio Vibe,” and “Embers,” each offering a unique perspective and sound that resonates with his audience. citeturn0search0
His official website, visionz2turnt.com, serves as a comprehensive hub for fans and newcomers alike. Visitors can explore his biography, music releases, upcoming film projects, and a gallery showcasing his latest endeavors. The site also provides links to his social media platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, IMDb, and Instagram, ensuring fans stay connected with his latest updates.
In essence, Visionz2turnt embodies relentless dedication and hard work, poised to make a lasting impact in both music and film. His journey from a young poet in Washington, D.C., to a recognized figure in the entertainment industry is a powerful reminder that dreams are achievable through perseverance and passion.
For a visual glimpse into his artistry, you can watch the official music video for “IDK” below:
Marc “Mayjah” Payne Elevates in the game with New Album Levels of Payne, Featuring Rap Icon Shorty T and Kung Fu Rasta Sifu Bosco
Oldskool Funktionz: Elevating Communities Through Autism Awareness and Support
Visionz2turnt: The Rise of Javon Everett – From Poet to Multifaceted Star**
NALA, 23-YEAR-OLD MILLIONAIRE WHO LIVES BY PASSION
NOMADS are changing the landscape of the music business
