The music industry is full of artists who come and go, but few leave a lasting impact quite like Contridium Corde. Formerly known as Gustie, this Minnesota-born artist has spent years crafting a sound that is as aggressive as it is emotionally charged. With a career spanning over a decade, Contridium has evolved from a rising star to a force of nature in the underground music scene. In this in-depth feature, we dive into his creative process, influences, struggles, and what fans can expect from him in the near future.
Contridium Corde’s journey began when he was just 12 years old, experimenting with beat-making software and developing a unique production style. Under his previous moniker, Gustie, he built a strong fanbase with his hard-hitting beats and infectious hooks. However, his abrupt disappearance in 2019 left fans wondering what had happened to the promising artist.
Fast forward to late 2023, and Contridium Corde made his long-awaited return with The Revenant, an album that showcased a completely redefined sound. His monotone yet fierce delivery, combined with raw emotion and self-produced beats, resonated deeply with listeners, marking a new chapter in his career.
A New Sound with Deeper Themes
While Contridium’s signature dark and grungy aesthetic remains intact, his latest work delves deeper into personal struggles, emotions, and real-life experiences. The themes in his music have matured, touching on mental health, personal growth, and raw storytelling, making his art more relatable than ever.
In his own words:
“It’s still got that dark grungy heavy-hitting style, but with more emotion and much deeper topics that dive into themes like mental struggles and personal feelings I’ve dealt with. It’s definitely something people can relate to while still giving you that fire the rest of my music gives.”
The Creative Process: Unpredictable Yet Powerful
Contridium’s approach to music creation is both structured and unpredictable. Some songs take just minutes to write, while others evolve over months. His process is deeply connected to the emotions he wants to convey.
“Writing for me can take me 10 minutes or 10 months—it really depends on the concept of the song, the emotion I’m going for, or the message I want to give off.”
He starts with a feeling, which then inspires the beat. Once the instrumental is created, he works on lyrics, often rewriting entire songs to ensure they hit the right emotional tone. However, despite experiencing writer’s block, he has never once struggled with producing beats in his 15-year career.
“There’s too much that changes and too much you can do production-wise to really get stuck in a sense. The beauty of doing both is the full control and the inspiration both give. A good beat can fuel an amazing song, and a good song can fuel more beats to mimic that emotion.”
Musical Influences: Shaped by Legends
Contridium’s production style is heavily influenced by Kanye West, known for his ability to create emotion-driven instrumentals. Kanye’s use of soul samples and innovative production techniques have played a significant role in shaping Contridium’s approach.
On the writing side, he cites Donny Hathaway as a major influence. Hathaway’s ability to construct vivid, relatable lyrics has inspired Contridium to create music that paints a picture while remaining accessible to listeners.
“He constructs his songs in a way that is descriptive and paints a picture, but also keeps them basic enough to allow the listener to relate the lyrics to their life experiences and emotions.”
Another influence is Downtime, an underground producer known for his hard-hitting beats. The raw energy in Downtime’s music has pushed Contridium to refine his production skills even further.
Overcoming Challenges: The Hardest Battle
Contridium’s biggest challenge was rebranding himself. Disappearing at the peak of his career was a risky move, and returning under a new name meant he had to rebuild everything from the ground up.
“Watching all of my fanbase I worked incredibly hard to build just forget about me was both tough and humbling. I knew the new music would be different. And gain even more traction than before, and I have yet to be proven wrong.”
Despite the struggle, his hard work has paid off. He now boasts more monthly listeners, more plays, and a more dedicated fanbase than ever before.
One of the most memorable moments in Contridium’s career happened during his hiatus—hitting 10 million total plays across all platforms. This milestone was a testament to the lasting impact his music had, even in his absence.
“It actually happened on my break. Just a funny coincidence.”
Contridium’s passion for music remains strong, fueled by his constant desire to learn and grow. Networking with other artists plays a crucial role in keeping him inspired.
“Working and networking with other artists also helps a ton because they do things differently, and I can learn from them. That’s also the reason I do features and work with other artists for free. It benefits both of us in many different ways.”
Contridium wants listeners to feel his music. Whether it’s a song that makes you feel invincible or one that speaks to deep emotions, his goal is to create a lasting impact.
“Most of my music makes you feel like the shit, in my personal opinion, but I do frequently dive into my own personal struggles. I feel like I have a good range of emotion I convey.”
What’s Next? The Future of Contridium Corde
Fans can expect a steady stream of new music, with singles dropping every 5-8 weeks. Additionally, behind-the-scenes videos, podcast appearances, interviews, music videos, and live performances are all on the horizon.
A full-length album is also in the works, but Contridium is taking his time to ensure it meets his high standards.
“I do have an album in the works as well, but that won’t come out for a year or two due to how much this album means to me and could mean to other people.”
Where to Find Contridium Corde
If you’re looking to dive into Contridium’s music, check out his profiles on major streaming platforms:
- Apple Music: Listen Here
- Spotify: Listen Here
- SoundCloud: Listen Here
- YouTube: Watch Here
Contridium Corde’s journey is a testament to perseverance, growth, and passion. From his early days as Gustie to his reinvention and resurgence, he has proven that real artistry lies in evolution. With a unique sound, deeply personal lyrics, and an unrelenting drive, Contridium continues to carve his path in the music industry—one powerful track at a time.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering his music, one thing is certain: Contridium Corde is here to stay, and his best work is yet to come.
