MandieX has always been a music lover, with her family having "karaoke nights" and her leading roles in High School musicals. From playing the clarinet, to starting out on the Rapchat app, MandieX has made music in almost every genre imaginable. She has a passion in her vocals, 808s in the mix, and swag mixed all together. She loves networking with people, and making music to help heal people through a hard time.

MandieX has opened up for Blueface and is Co-Headliner for Three 6 Mafia in July at CoughFest 2023. She has a huge fan base in Brazil and has been featured in a Brazilian Magazine. She has faced obstacles such as cyberbullying, and advocates for people who face similar issues.

MandieX has big plans for the coming months, and even a surprise collaboration in the works.

You can find MandieX's music on her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWT0j1ki9dx_EbrZDVJzgPA

You can contact her on Instagram: https://instagram.com/therealmandiex

You can join her Discord Server: https://discord.gg/replaymuzic

The Interview

Q: What is your Artist Name?

MandieX

 Q: Provide a link where people can contact you.

https://instagram.com/therealmandiex

Q: What was the role of music in the early years of your life?

Music has always been a huge part of my life since my family is very musical. My sister and dad both sing & I learned to play piano around 12 years old. My mom and dad would have "karaoke nights" where me and my little sister would sing Karaoke and they would record us with a video camera (back when they had VCRs). It's awesome always having those home videos to look back at. As I got older and into High School, I landed the lead roles for our musicals & was also in Honor's Choir. Music has been a part of me for as long as I can remember.

 Are you from a musical or artistic family?

Yes, very much so.

 Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?

It wasn't until I got on an app called Rapchat - that I ever thought I could turn my dreams into a reality.

 How did you learn to sing/write/play?

I have been singing my whole life. As far as recording a song from start to finish & really getting a song completely done - I learned that through networking with other artists on the Rapchat, Rapfame and BandLab apps.

 What was your first music teacher like?

My papa. My dad's father. Taught me a lot about playing piano as a young girl. He was always so patient with me as I tried to learn. Miss him dearly.

 What was the first instrument you learned to play?

Clarinet. It wasn't for me. haha

 What is the story behind your band/artist name?

MandieX: Well when I got on the Rapchat app, I tried typing in "Mandie" and it was already taken (figures). So, I decided to add a little period at the end in the form of an "x." mandiex NOW that I have established myself as MandieX -- I have decided that X really means #XGenre. In algebra, the letter 'x' is often used to represent an unknown quantity or variable. #XGenre means you don't know which genre you will get with me because I have made music in almost every genre imaginable.

 What was the first concert that you ever went to?

Justin Timberlake

 How could you describe your music?

I like to think I'm different with it. Passion in my vocals, 808s in the mix & swag mixed all together.

 Describe your creative process?

Oh, that's an interesting question. Honestly.. I have a few producers who are my "go-to" producers. If I hear a beat of theirs and I'm feeling the vibe of the music - I typically start writing immediately. As of lately I have been participating in these Rap Fame contests and they are thematic contests, so a lot of my recent music has been based around these since there is prize money to be won.

 What is your main inspiration?

I am inspired by my mess of a life. Music is therapeutic to me so getting all of my emotions out in my music helps me keep my sanity.

 What musician/artist do you admire the most?

Justin Bieber. The hell that man went through as a young artist in this industry is insane. I respect him, his craft and how strong he was to get through all of the disrespect he went through.

 What is one message you would like to give to your fans?

I'm sincerely thankful for their support.

I make music so that people can relate to it. I want my powerful music to help heal someone through a hard time -- where they are singing along with me or even yelling along with me when they are going through shit in their lives..

...or dancing with club banger type music

...or just vibin' ya know.

Life is so short so if my music can heal someone because it was therapeutic to cry it out to my song or someone to laugh because they had a good time dancing with their friends -- then that to me is what I would consider "making it in this industry."

If I knew that my music touched people's lives -- that to me is better than fame & fortune would ever be.

 How would you describe your fans?

Well, all over the place. Depending on the genre. lol I do have a nice fan base in Brazil which is totally dope. I was on a Rapchat ad and next thing you know - my spotify count not only went up with fans from Brazil, but I had a few reach out to me on Instagram & they have been actively following my journey ever since. There was even a nice article that someone did on me & my music for a Brazilian Magazine.

 Do you create for yourself or for your fans?

I create music for myself. Unless fans request things (which they have requested I do certain country song covers and post to my IG, etc.) but the majority of my music I create from a genuine place in my heart that I want to express and turn into a song for others to relate to.

There have been so many times that a fan was going through the exact thing my song was about and they had voiced to me how much it helped them.

To answer the question, I make music for myself with the hope that I impact someone else's life through what I create.

 Do you prefer to listen to music or create it?

Create it.

 Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career?

Oh yes. I went from Pop to Hip-Hop to Rapper to Country Singer to EDM back to Hip-Hop to Yodeling to R&B to Rock music.

As far as my style of music goes -- I love to automate my delays & usually always have some kind of pulse gate in my mix.

 Who do you see as your main competitor?

Ahh see I don't really have that mindset. I literally want everyone to win. No cap. I run a discord server of over 1000+ artists & producers and literally set all my focus on helping everyone elevate and win. There's a way for us all to eat... just have to be willing to share your food, feel me.

My discord: https://discord.gg/replaymuzic

 Would you agree that it is very important to learn, study and understand old music and

music history?

Eh, yes & no. I think respecting where music originated is one thing, but I don't think studying it and understanding old music history is really THAT important to your success as a music artist TODAY. What ya'll should be studying is how AI going to either help you or hurt you in this industry. Haha jk, but really.

 If you could have a musician tag along with you on tour for one month , who would you

choose?

Rihanna

 What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

I enjoy networking with people. The number of genuine connections I have made from being an independent artist has been incredible.

 What skills are most useful in the music industry?

Networking skills. Marketing skills. You can have all the talent in the world, but if no one hears your music because you aren't promoting your music or networking and collaborating with other artists, producers, and promoters --

-- you aren't doing a damn thing different than Karen who thinks she can sing as good as Beyonce in her shower.

In fact, Karen may have a better shot at getting her music heard because she sang so loud her neighbor could hear her.

You have to put your music in front of people, or it will just sit there....... unheard.

 How do you handle frequent travels and being away from home for long periods of time?

I don't handle it well. lol so next question. :)

 How do you handle working evenings and nights?

I just stay focused on my goal. Music isn't work to me though -- it doesn't feel like work. I enjoy everything that goes into making music so this doesn't feel like a job to me. Plus time runs together as a musician anyway haha - IYKYK.

 When was the last time you performed in front of a huge audience?

I opened up for Blueface in Oklahoma City, OK November 2021 at the annual CoughFest event. My next live performance I am Co-Headliner for Three 6 Mafia in July at CoughFest 2023. Looking forward to that!

 Do you experience stress before going on stage?

Yeah. When I am stressed, I tend to talk a lot. I learned the hard way not to hop on Instagram Live before a performance and just talk, talk, talk because my mouth was dry asf when it was my turn to hit the stage. Haha.

 What would you do if the audience looked bored during your performance?

I'm funny as shit. I'd make them laugh or something. lol

 How do you energize the audience?

I like to energize the audience by performing at least one cover song that they are familiar with so they can sing along with me. I feel that gets them engaged.

 What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?

I feel we all have obstacles that come into our lives or people who want to see us fail -- but this music industry has opened my eyes to a whole new level of fuckery where people literally will defame your character and tarnish your image in hopes that they bring you down & are the reason for your downfall. (Long story that I won't get into involving harassment & stalking, fake Instagram accounts with false information spread across the internet about me & contacting of my family, employer etc.) Essentially, cyber bullying to the max degree.

But I would like to say publicly (and they know who they are)... that I really appreciate them for being such big fans. They watch me more than any other fan does - I know for a fact. So thank you!

 If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

I just feel like everything is becoming oversaturated. Like there are levels to this shit & some people need to remember that. Some artists' releasing their first song ever on all platforms (yes, I was guilty of this haha so I can't really talk) but it's like bro, no... You're not there yet. You just picked up a mic yesterday for the first time. Keep working. You'll get there.

Wish someone would've stopped me from releasing my first song on all platforms. It's not up there now, but lawd have mercy... I shouldn't have been allowed to do that. Haha

 What are your plans for the coming months?

I have the Three 6 Mafia concert coming up that I am preparing for. I have a busy schedule ahead of me. I also am the Founder of Replay Muzic (which we always have events going on in there) and a Senior Moderator for BandLab Discord. I definitely stay busy.

 Do you have any artistic collaboration plans?

I do, but I can't speak about them yet until they are finalized, and the single has been released. It's a surprise, but it will be my biggest collaboration to date.