Strive Times US Online Magazine Feature
The Sound of Revolution: From Roseland Roots to Global Vision
In the ever-evolving world of music and art, few names resonate with the spirit of innovation and cultural reinvention like F13YRST G!FT. Born and raised in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood, this multi-dimensional artist has turned his life’s story into a blueprint for a new generation of creators — one built on independence, purpose, and fearless experimentation.
Origins: The Church, The City, and The Calling
Growing up in a home filled with soulful melodies and church harmonies, F13YRST G!FT found his creative spark early. Under the mentorship of Stephen and Candy LaFlora, he mastered live sound engineering and learned how to “hear” music both spiritually and technically. Surrounded by future stars like One Chance (writers for Usher & T-Pain) and producer Obie Brown III (touring with Will Smith and Ty Dolla $ign), G!FT was immersed in a scene where excellence was the standard.
Beats Before Diploma: The Making of a Young Innovator
By high school, G!FT had already earned a reputation as “the kid known for sound.” Inspired by his older brother from the band Dual Styles, he began producing his own tracks in high school. Many of the creatives he met during those years — including DJ Ayo, Ryan Foster, Wholelottaleeko, and Stony P — would later become his collaborators after graduation, once each had begun building their own careers
He recalls vividly, “Ayo was literally making Polo G beats in my house. History was being written right next to me.”
G!FT’s early partnership with rapper Cee Stackz — son of Don Russell, who once managed R. Kelly — gave him a rare glimpse into the business side of music. By the time he graduated, his sound had already traveled far beyond Chicago.
Chicago Meets Atlanta: Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers
Before even finishing school, G!FT’s beats were already circulating through Atlanta’s vibrant underground. Social media shoutouts from Zip K and co-signs from Key!, Ca$h Out, and producers from 4L & Slaughter Gang solidified his cross-city influence.
His 2023 compilation Tax Season featured collaborations with Foreverband, HD Beats, Waltfromthe.Future, Wholelottaleeko, and Slick Da3rd — while his earlier 2020 collaboration with Lil B The BasedGod marked one of his first major moments of internet recognition.
Innovation as a Weapon: Beyond Music
To F13YRST G!FT, independence means creating an entirely new system. Having released over ten projects on his own, he’s now shifting from streaming platforms toward a new physical technology for music playback — an invention his team is actively prototyping.
His creative vision doesn’t stop with music. He’s pioneering two movements under his expanding empire:
- Urban Farming: bringing sustainable agriculture and food access to underserved communities.
- Fashion: through his viral streetwear brand EXPENXIVEGFTS Global Trend, where style meets social consciousness.
Cultural Shockwaves: From ‘Nitro Re$$urrection’ to ‘ALL POWERFUL NEGRAZOID’
In 2024, G!FT released “Nitro Re$$urrection”, featuring the viral anthem “Happy Day.” The track caught global attention when Kanye West tweeted its lyrics — “I’m having my way” — shortly after release. Soon after, Erykah Badu joined the fun, tweeting, “I’m about to vandalize my Tesla to stay on trend,” in response to G!FT’s line “Nitro smashing that Tesla.”
Then came the 2025 conceptual epic “ALL POWERFUL NEGRAZOID — Chapter 1: C☉ded Language.” This project established the mythos of G!FT’s creative universe — bold, intellectual, and culturally rooted.
M!AHRT2U / M!AHRTIN2 — The Magnum Opus
Set for release in 2026, G!FT’s two-part album “M!AHRT2U / M!AHRTIN2” explores the intimate journey of living in love with art — the triumphs, heartbreaks, and revelations of creative purpose.
Collaborators include Foreverband, Wholelottaleeko, Ziwase, Modella, Mango, Terry, and Raine Christian. The single “Make You Dance” — sampling the Shop Boyz classic — sparked a viral moment that even inspired original member Shop Boy Meany to film a sequel video 15 years later.
Legacy Loading: A System Rewritten
For F13YRST G!FT, this is only the beginning. His mission is far bigger than music — it’s about engineering a self-sustaining creative economy that empowers artists to own their art, their impact, and their communities.
In a time when art and technology are converging faster than ever, F13YRST G!FT stands not only as an artist — but as an architect of the future.