In a world where music serves as both an escape and a reflection of our innermost truths, DSTRCT shines as a raw, relatable voice in hip-hop. Crafting what he calls “life music”—tracks that resonate with life’s highs and lows—DSTRCT aims to create a soundtrack for real experiences. “I want to make music people can ride to at night, party to, cry to, or get turned to,” he explains, capturing his mission to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level.

This mission caught the attention of GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Mustard, who signed DSTRCT to 10 Summers Records in 2022. Since then, his rise has been swift, marked by his gritty debut Installation 001 and the hit single “O.T.” With Installation 002 and the powerful Installation 003—a visceral journey through a single night—DSTRCT has solidified his place as an artist unafraid to turn life’s realities into compelling music.

Each track on Installation 003 unveils a new facet of DSTRCT’s artistry, creating a vivid journey through a single night. Opening with “Close To Me,” the EP sets a dark, magnetic tone, drawing listeners into an unpredictable experience. “No Way Out (Right Now)” follows as the project’s anthem—a raw declaration of DSTRCT’s self-confidence and defiance, perfectly capturing his belief in staying true to himself.

In “Strip Appeal,” DSTRCT paints a picture of nightlife with all its impulsive decisions and allure, while “Call Me” shows a more vulnerable side, reflecting on fame’s toll on personal relationships. The mood deepens with “In My Veins,” a haunting, introspective track inviting listeners into late-night reflections, balancing the thrill and suffocation of ambition. “Murphy’s Law” then counters this tension with resilience, marking his readiness to face any challenge. Finally, “Rather Me Than You” closes the EP on a reflective note, as DSTRCT takes stock of his journey and expresses gratitude to those closest to him.

Throughout Installation 003, DSTRCT confronts themes of loyalty, ambition, love, and resilience with unfiltered honesty. Tracks like “No Way Out” and “Call Me” tap into universal emotions, tackling self-worth, betrayal, and the sacrifices required by success.

Here’s a Q&A where DSTRCT and I dive deeper into his journey, creative vision, and the inspiration behind his latest EP.

Cox: Thanks for sitting down with me! Let’s start at the beginning—how would you describe your approach to music? What drives your creative process?

DSTRCT: As an artist, I think I do my best to make life music, like soundtracks to people’s lives. I want to make music people can ride to at night, party to, cry to, or get turned up to. I just want to make lifestyle music. So, I try to be as relatable and conversational in my music as possible. I just make life music.

Cox: It sounds like authenticity is central to what you do. Why is that important to you?

DSTRCT: Yeah. It’s important because that’s how you’re relatable. The more honest and vulnerable you are, good or bad, the more people can connect. That’s the everyday emotion that everybody identifies with—that’s just being human. The more transparent you can be, the more you open doors for others to relate.

Cox: When it comes to telling your story, what do you draw from? What kind of experiences shape your music?

DSTRCT: I’m just telling my life story as I go through it. Whether it’s going out, staying in, relationships, whatever—I’m talking about my life. And if people can identify with that, then great. That’s my approach.

Cox: When did you realize music was the path for you? Was there a specific moment?

DSTRCT: The first line I ever wrote was probably when I was eight or nine. My cousin, who was always good at everything, helped me write it. But when I really started to feel like music was for me was around sixth or seventh grade. I used to record on my mom’s laptop without her knowing—I downloaded GarageBand and would just mess around. But it wasn’t until 10th or 11th grade when I really went all in. I’d been into sports, but I started to hate practice. Then I put out my first song, “New Things,” in 11th grade. It was on SoundCloud, and getting a thousand plays in the first few days? That response was all I needed to commit to music.

Cox: You’ve talked a lot about going all in as an artist. How does that approach translate to the business side of music?

DSTRCT: What I’ve learned about being an artist is that you really have to go all in, just like with anything else in life. You have to be relentless in pursuing what you want, not taking “no” for an answer. You’ve got to be almost annoyingly, even delusionally confident in yourself and whatever you’re aiming for, because you’re essentially walking a bridge of blind faith every day.

But as a businessman, that’s something I’m learning even more as I go deeper into the industry—understanding how the business itself works, how people work, and how to connect with all kinds of people. I’m realizing the importance of knowing what’s actually going on with your business, which is something a lot of people overlook. People forget that the term is music business—there are two parts to it, and neither can work without the other.

If the business isn’t strong, it doesn’t matter how good your music is; it just won’t reach where it needs to go. And if the music isn’t up to par, you won’t even get far enough to make the business side relevant. Both have to be in sync, working hand-in-hand. That’s been one of the biggest lessons for me.

Cox: Who are the ones in your life that serve as your sounding board right now?

DSTRCT: That’s everybody I still have around me—my best friends, my collaborators. WBD is our creative collective. It’s been the same core group since high school, though we’ve added people along the way. They’re my sounding board; they’ll tell me if something’s good or bad, or if we should go for it or not. More than anything, they share my enthusiasm for everything we’re doing, so it just works.

Cox: So it’s a team effort, not just an individual journey?

DSTRCT: Yeah, absolutely. An opportunity for one of us is really an opportunity for all of us. I love it.

Cox: Let’s talk about your trilogy of EPs. How would you describe each part?

DSTRCT: Well, all the EPs are one long story. This last one is just closing out that chapter. The first EP is who I am, the second is how I feel, and the third is what I see. It’s an environment check of everything happening around me, and I’m being brutally honest about those experiences.

Cox: Do you have a favorite track from this latest EP?

DSTRCT: “No Way Out” is probably the pinnacle of the whole EP for me. It’s the second song, but it’s the centerpiece. I produced it myself, and we just put a video out that’s doing great. Another one I’d key in on is “Call Me,” which I did with Mustard. Those two are definitely some of my favorites.

Cox: You seem very sure of yourself and your path. How did you get to that point?

DSTRCT: I think it’s just about going through life and learning to not care what people think about what you’re doing. At this point, I know who I am, what I’m capable of, and how good I am. It’s beyond confidence—it’s about the work I put in. As long as I know that, I don’t care what anyone else says.

Cox: Before you go I would like to ask you one last question. What does success look like to you?

DSTRCT: Success, for me, is doing everything I’ve set out to do with the people I’ve been doing it with. It’s subjective, but it’s really about the journey. Winning together, taking things as far as we can—that’s success.

As DSTRCT reflects on his journey and the team that’s helped him along the way, it’s clear he’s more than just a rising artist. Grounded in authenticity and driven by an unstoppable work ethic, DSTRCT is crafting a legacy that is as much about staying true to himself as it is about pushing musical boundaries. With each release, he invites listeners into his world, creating music that resonates deeply while tackling universal themes. And with a solid foundation in both artistry and business, DSTRCT is poised to make an indelible impact on the industry for years to come.

Photography Credit: Nick Rufo