With more than 200 songs to his name, this Los Angeles-based artist has built a reputation for consistency driven by instinct rather than calculation. His music doesn’t come from a place of overthinking or rigid structure, but from capturing real moments as they happen, allowing emotion to lead the process. That approach is fully realized in his latest single “FACETIME,” now out, where raw energy and unfiltered expression take center stage. Recorded in his home studio, the track reflects a space free of pressure, giving him the freedom to create impulsively and authentically. In this interview, he speaks on the mindset behind the record, his decision to embrace imperfection, his organic collaboration with Wifisfuneral, and how his evolving sound continues to take shape without forcing direction.
Q: You’ve built an extensive catalog of over 200 songs. What continues to drive your consistency and creative output as an artist?
What keeps me consistent is honestly just not overthinking it. I’ve never really treated music like something I can “turn on and off.” It’s more like a daily reflection of whatever I’m going through or observing. I’ve built up a big catalog because I don’t block myself creatively, I just record when something feels real, even if I don’t know what it’s for yet.
Q: Your latest single, “FACETIME,” carries a raw and unfiltered energy. Can you speak on the mindset and creative approach behind the record?
“FACETIME” came from a very unfiltered place. There wasn’t a heavy concept behind it at first, it was more about capturing a moment and letting the emotion lead. The record feels raw because I didn’t try to smooth anything out. I kind of let the imperfections stay in the take because that’s what made it honest.
Q: The track was recorded in your home studio. How does working in that environment shape your sound and overall creative process?
Recording it in my home studio changed everything about the process. There’s no pressure, no clock ticking, no outside energy influencing the direction. It lets me move impulsively, if I feel something at 3 AM, I can just lay it down. That environment makes the sound more instinctive and less calculated.
Q: You’ve mentioned that you don’t force meaning into your music. How important is it for you to let the emotion and moment naturally guide a song?
When I say I don’t force meaning into my music, I really mean I don’t start with answers. I start with emotion. The meaning usually reveals itself later, sometimes even after I’ve already moved on from the song. If I try to control it too much in the moment, it loses that natural weight.
Q: How did your collaboration with Wifisfuneral come about, and what did he contribute to the overall dynamic of “FACETIME”?
The record with Wifisfuneral came together pretty organically. There wasn’t a long setup or anything, it was more like mutual energy aligned at the right time. He brought a certain edge to it that complemented the mood I was already in, almost like he mirrored the chaos in his own way instead of trying to tame it.
Q: “FACETIME” blends melodic elements with a slightly chaotic structure. Is that a deliberate artistic choice, or a reflection of your natural creative flow?
The melodic but slightly chaotic structure in “FACETIME” is less of a strategy and more of how I naturally build. I like contrast, smooth emotion over unstable structure. That tension feels closer to how real thoughts actually move, not everything is linear.
Q: As an artist based in Los Angeles, how has the city influenced your sound, perspective, and approach to the industry?
Being based in Los Angeles definitely shaped my perspective. You’re surrounded by a lot of movement, ambition, and noise. It pushes you to find your own lane quickly or get lost in what everyone else is doing. That pressure actually helped me refine what I don’t want to sound like.
Q: With such a large archive of unreleased material, how do you determine which records are ready to be shared with the public?
With a large archive, I don’t really judge songs by how “finished” they feel in a traditional sense. I judge them by replay value and emotional weight. If I can come back to it weeks later and still feel something, it usually means it’s worth releasing. If it feels too tied to a moment I’ve already outgrown, I’ll let it sit.
Q: “FACETIME” serves as a bridge to your upcoming project Neural Order. What can listeners expect from that body of work in terms of sound and direction?
“FACETIME” being a bridge into Neural Order is intentional in the sense that it represents a shift in transparency. The project itself goes deeper into structure, identity, and digital-era emotion, but still keeps that raw foundation. It’s more focused, but not more controlled.
Q: Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision within hip-hop, and what do you ultimately want your artistry to represent?
Long term, I don’t just want to be seen as an artist who made a lot of music, I want the work to feel like it documented a specific emotional era. Something that influenced how people think about blending genres, vulnerability, and structure without over-explaining it. At its core, I just want the artistry to stay honest enough that it ages with people instead of being tied to a trend.
Throughout the conversation, a clear theme emerges: authenticity over perfection. His process is rooted in feeling rather than formula, allowing each song to exist as a reflection of a specific moment rather than a calculated outcome. With “FACETIME” already resonating and serving as a glimpse into what’s ahead, he continues to refine his approach while staying true to the instincts that built his catalog. As he looks toward Neural Order, his focus remains on creating music that holds emotional weight and replay value, rather than chasing trends or expectations. Ultimately, his long-term vision is to leave behind a body of work that not only captures a distinct era of emotion, but also grows with listeners over time, maintaining its honesty and relevance well beyond its release.
Connect With CJ Stowklyn:
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- YouTube: @cjstowklyn
- Apple Music: CJ Stowklyn
- Spotify: CJ Stowklyn
- All Links: https://link.me/cjstowklyn
