COUNTDOWN TAKEOVER: FRESH MIND

This week Fresh Mind takes over Dynasty Radio's Countdown!

New York, January 14, 2025, Kim Dynasty

In a music industry driven by algorithms, virality, and fast consumption, Fresh Mind stands firmly on a different frequency. Based in Brooklyn and built on family, discipline, and creative freedom, the collective represents a lineage as much as a sound—one that pulls from jazz musicianship, underground hip-hop tradition, and a relentless commitment to independence. Led by a deep respect for craft and an even deeper belief in longevity, Fresh Mind doesn’t chase trends or moments. Instead, they build catalogs, relationships, and ideas meant to endure.

Rooted in soul samples, breakbeats, layered production, and lived experience, their music reflects the duality of Brooklyn itself—history and urgency, struggle and abundance, rawness and refinement. With contributions from Kid Blitz, Mr. Alleyne, and a trusted circle of artists including Durgaveli, CityTheKing, Jade Goddess, Fela D, and T Dot, Fresh Minds operates less like a collective and more like an ecosystem—organic, intentional, and self-sustaining.

In this conversation, Fresh Mind opens up about their creative process, production philosophy, the evolving state of hip hop, New York’s enduring influence, and why direct connection with listeners matters more than ever. This is a look inside a collective that’s not waiting for permission—only building what’s real.

1. For those just discovering Fresh Minds, how would you describe the collective’s sound and mission in your own words? Freshmind is family first. My brother Kid Blitz, my pops Mr. Alleyne who's a jazz guitarist, and a crew of talented artists we work with closely: Durgaveli, CityTheKing, Jade Goddess, Fela D, and T Dot. Our sound is rooted in underground hip-hop but we don't box ourselves in. We sample soul, jazz, breakbeats, whatever speaks to us. The mission is independence and longevity. We're building something that outlasts trends, creating from genuine expression while staying business-minded. It's about abundance, fecundity of thought and output. We're not chasing what's hot, we're channeling what's REAL.

2. Brooklyn has a long legacy of shaping hip hop—how does your environment influence your creativity and storytelling? Brooklyn taught me contrast. You see wealth and struggle on the same block. That duality shows up in my music: light and shadow, commercial viability and pure artistry. The trains, the energy, the diversity of sound and culture, it all feeds into how I think about production and lyrics. The city's rhythm is in everything I make. It moves fast but it's got history, layers. That's the frequency I create from.

3. How do the different personalities and artistic backgrounds within Fresh Minds come together during the creative process? It's natural because there's real connection. My pops brings musicianship from his jazz background. Kid Blitz and I push each other in different directions. He might hear something in a beat I don't, or I'll flip a sample that sparks a new idea. The rest of the crew, Durgaveli, CityTheKing, Jade Goddess, Fela D, T Dot, they all bring their own perspectives and energy. We don't force it. We let things develop naturally and come out when they're ready.

4. What usually comes first for you: the beat, the concept, or the lyrics—and does that change from track to track? It changes every time. Sometimes I'm digging through samples and a loop just hits, and the beat builds itself. Other times I'm journaling or experiencing something and the concept comes first, then I find sounds that match. Lyrics usually come last because I like the instrumental to tell me what it needs. I don't force words onto beats, I let the beat speak and respond to it.

5. Can you walk us through your production process, from the initial idea to the final mix? I start with the sample or the drum break, that's usually the anchor. I'll chop it, rearrange it, add layers like keys, bass, extra percussion. I keep it raw and don't over-produce. Once the structure is there I sit with it, see if it needs vocals or if it stands alone. Mixing happens as I go. I'm adjusting levels and EQ throughout so by the time I'm done it's pretty much ready. I'm not chasing perfect studio polish, I'm chasing feeling.

6. How involved are the artists in the technical side of production, such as engineering, mixing, or mastering? Very involved. I handle most of the production and engineering myself because that's how I maintain the vision. Kid Blitz is hands-on too, he knows the gear and understands the process. We're not outsourcing unless we absolutely need to. Independence means understanding every part of the chain. That's how we keep control and keep costs down.

7. What role does experimentation play in your music, and how do you avoid sounding repetitive while staying true to your core sound? Experimentation is everything. If I'm not trying something new I'm just repeating myself. I'll sample weird stuff, old jazz records, obscure funk, ambient or electronic, just to see what happens. The core sound stays consistent because it's coming from me, but the textures change. I'm not afraid to make something that doesn't fit a mold. You avoid repetition by staying curious and trusting your instinct over formulas.

8. Who are some producers, engineers, or artists—past or present—that have had a major influence on Fresh Minds? J Dilla, Madlib, 9th Wonder, Q tip, Organized Noise, Alchemist, Southside, Lex Lugar  on the production side. Hendrix, Prince, Michael Jackson for their fearlessness and work ethic. My pops for showing me that musicianship and discipline. I study the greats not to copy them but to understand the principles they operated from.

9. Hip hop is constantly evolving—how do you stay connected and relevant without chasing trends? I don't try to stay relevant in the algorithmic sense. I stay connected by creating consistently and authentically. I'm in tune with what's happening, listening to new artists, the sexy drill movement, all of it. Trends come and go but substance lasts. I'm not changing my sound to fit what's popping right now. I focus on building a catalog that represents my voice. The right people will find it. Relevance comes from being undeniable, not from being trendy.

10. How do you feel about the current state of hip hop as a whole compared to the golden eras that shaped New York’s identity? The current state is oversaturated but also full of opportunity. The golden era had gatekeepers but it also had standards and intention. Now anyone can drop music, which is beautiful and chaotic. There's incredible talent but also a lot of noise. I don't romanticize the past but I do think we lost some intentionality around the craft. That said, the tools we have now, if you use them right, give independent artists more power than ever.

11. In your opinion, what separates New York hip hop from the rest of the country today—and is that distinction still important? New York hip-hop has always been about lyricism, grit, and layered production. That distinction still matters as a standard of quality. But regionalism is less important now. What matters is authenticity and skill. A dope artist from Atlanta can make New York-style beats, and vice versa. The internet dissolved those boundaries. What I care about is keeping that New York mentality: sharp lyrics, hard beats, no shortcuts.

12. Do you feel underground artists are getting the recognition they deserve in today’s industry? Why or why not? Not enough, but that's always been the case. The industry rewards what's marketable and easy to package. Underground artists are making the most interesting, boundary-pushing work but they don't always fit what's trending or the playlist. That said, there's more opportunity now to build directly with fans without needing a label. Recognition is shifting. It's about having a loyal base that supports your work long-term.

13. Streaming dominates the music business—what are the pros and cons of streaming platforms for independent artists like yourselves? Pros: global reach, low barrier to entry, passive income potential if you have volume. Cons: the payout is trash unless you're getting millions of streams. The algorithm decides who gets heard, not necessarily who's best. It trains people to skip and consume fast instead of sitting with an album. For independent artists it's a tool but not a solution. You still need direct relationships with fans.

14. How do you compare streaming to direct-to-consumer approaches like merch drops, live shows, and fan-supported platforms? Direct-to-consumer is where the real value is. Streaming is supplementary. If you can sell merch, sell beats, do live shows, build a Patreon or Bandcamp following, you own that relationship. Streaming platforms can disappear or change their payout structure overnight. Your email list, your live audience, your merch buyers, those are yours. That's sustainable income. I use streaming for visibility but I'm building the business around direct connection.

15. What strategies have you found most effective for building and maintaining a loyal fan base outside of algorithms? Consistency and authenticity. Show up regularly, whether that's posting beats, sharing your process, or just being present. People support people they feel connected to. I'm focused on sharing and documentation, then leveraging that for business. Quality matters too. If your music is undeniable people will tell their friends. Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing. And treating your fans like family, responding, engaging, valuing their support.

16. How important is live performance to Fresh Minds, and how does your energy change on stage versus in the studio? Live performance is crucial because it's where the music becomes physical. In the studio I'm in my head, crafting, refining. On stage it's about energy exchange with the audience. That's when you see if the work resonates in real time. We're working on building that side more, live sets, showcases, performances that match the studio quality. The energy on stage is more raw, more spontaneous. The studio is meditation, the stage is celebration.

17. What challenges have you faced as independent artists, and what lessons have those challenges taught you? Biggest challenge is balancing creation with the business. I'm the artist, the producer, the marketer sometimes. It's exhausting. Another challenge is visibility, getting heard in a crowded space without a major label push. But those challenges taught me self-sufficiency and patience. I learned that sustainable growth beats viral moments. I learned that if you don't understand the business side people will take advantage. Independence means full responsibility but also full control.

18. How do you balance artistry with the business side of music in an industry that moves faster than ever? I keep them separate but connected. I create from a pure place, no compromise on the art. But once the music is made I switch into business mode: how do I get this heard, how do I monetize it, who's my audience? The key is not letting the business corrupt the art but also not being naive about the industry. Both matter. You need the soul and the strategy.

19. What message or feeling do you hope listeners walk away with after experiencing Fresh Minds’ music? I want them to feel something real. Whether it's introspection, motivation, nostalgia, or just a head-nod, I want them to know this came from a genuine place. I want them to hear that you can be independent, family-oriented, and uncompromising. I want them to feel the ancestors in the samples, the intention in the production, the thought in the lyrics. And I want them to know they can do it too, whatever it is for them.

20. What can we expect to see from Fresh Minds in 2026? More music, more consistency. We're building out the studio, refining our sound, and preparing to release a body of work that represents where we're at right now. Expect more content, beats, videos, behind-the-scenes. Expect live performances. Expect us to keep pushing the underground sound while staying business-smart. We're not rushing anything but we're moving with intention. 2026 is about claiming our space, not asking for permission.

Fresh Minds’ perspective is a reminder that, at its core, hip hop has always been about intention, ownership, and truth. In an era where attention is fleeting and content is disposable, they are choosing patience over pressure, substance over shortcuts, and family over fame. Their approach to music—hands-on production, direct fan relationships, and a refusal to compromise their sound—speaks to a deeper understanding of both the art and the business.

Rather than measuring success by streams alone, Fresh Mind measures impact through feeling, connection, and longevity. Their vision isn’t just about releasing music—it’s about building infrastructure, cultivating community, and creating work that carries spirit, history, and forward motion.

As they continue refining their sound, expanding their studio, and preparing their next body of work, one thing is clear: Fresh Minds' is moving with purpose. No rush. No gimmicks. Just consistency, curiosity, and conviction.

2026 isn’t about asking for a seat at the table—it’s about claiming space and standing firmly in it.

Follow @freshmindmusic on Instagram for new music.