The Purple List Interviews: mynameisntjmack

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The state of Virginia has produced some fine musicians in their time. This is a stacked list including legends like Ella Fitzgerald to modern-day icons like D’Angelo and Dave Grohl. One of the latest talents to come out of the Old Dominion is mynameisntjmack. He made waves last year with his debut album ‘mynameisnt‘, which attained critical acclaim.

Not one to rest on his laurels, he has released three singles since that project came out. This includes the recent single ‘argue typing‘. He’s already got another project on the way and is supporting rising star and fellow Virginian, Tommy Richman on his U.S./European tour.

Ahead of what is a big year and as the first of our chats with our Purple List 2025 alumni, we spoke to him. He told us how Virginia made him, why his face is hidden, and who is next up from the area.

The new single ‘argue typing’ looks at how the modern relationship has these barriers as a result of an overreliance on talking through the medium of texting. Do you feel the human experience in a relationship is being lost? Also, as a rapper, do you feel you have the opportunity to get across your thoughts better through music, than someone limited to social media and texting?

I definitely feel like the human experience has been lost in some regard due to texting. But, at the same time, we’re more connected than ever. I think that’s what I was poking at with ‘argue typing‘, the fact that I’m “too connected” with the person in the song to the point of arguing over this imperfect medium. 

In all honesty, I’ve been struggling to put down my thoughts as of late. But, I think social media and those on it do a good enough job of getting their thoughts out there, hahaha. 

As someone born in Virginia, what about that area helped define your music taste and who you are as a person?

I think the biggest thing it shaped was my values and the way I like to treat people. It greatly influenced the way I see the world in the sense of what’s important to me. In terms of music, Virginia is so spread out that if I could impart anything, its music scenes are all completely different from each other. So ultimately, it forced me to be curious and gravitate to all types of genres.

What is one live performance that has made you think about how you bring together your own live show?

MAVI and (with) the way people talk about Cisco Swank shows (him as well). I still need to catch one.

Tommy Richman is someone you’ve collaborated with and are about to tour with. How has he helped you as an artist and does seeing someone from your state doing the music game and garner success give you more confidence?

Tommy’s been family at this point. We’ve been through so much together that in all honesty, I’ve learned more from him in terms of how he’s managed to remain the same person despite all of the noise and rapid attention. It gives me more confidence in my ability to not only continue gaining success but handle it as well.

I notice you like to hide your face behind your hair in your music videos and photos. Is this for anonymity reasons or so that your words do the talking?

My hair grew over my face from the years 2021-2023 while I was really going through it and I never really stopped it. I think that’s the biggest sign of depression in me personally, (was) just letting things remain the same. So I let myself go for two whole years and the hair just sort of grew that way. We looked up one day and decided that maybe I should keep it for “the brand”. But, it never started out that way. You could probably find my face on the internet, but people seem to be more interested in the music regardless. Like I think Spotify is our biggest social platform, so I guess the music does most of the talking.

Having gone to rehab back in 2021, what did that do for you as a person and artist? Furthermore, when looking back now, how did that time help create who you are today?

I think it gave me a broader perspective on humanity and taught me that some struggles truly are universal. There were people in there that I saw myself in, and people who saw themselves in me. It was hard because I was the youngest one there and they kept calling me “college kid”. It rubbed me the wrong way because I didn’t want to just do that, ya know, go back to college. I wanted to make music. So rehab as a whole put both me and my surroundings into perspective. 

What is one lyric that after you wrote it or rapped it took your breath away?

“And it mess with my cerebral what you see in other people / What I thought you saw in me, this love a picture painted easel / There’s a desert eagle to my temple, make a hobby out of overkill / Throw a lil shoulder to the throttle, how the motor feel?” 

Your debut album was very introspective and got a lot of love both from fans and critics. How are you planning to elevate what you did on that record with your next project?

I’m honestly looking, less so, to elevate and more so to show people where we’re at. The next project really is some of my best work from a song-making perspective and rapping perspective. But, there’s no congruent theme or grandiose idea. It’s more so a little bit of insight into where I’m at. 

The music videos released in tandem with your music seem well thought out and cinematic. Do you have a vision for how they will look or does the director take the credit there?

I started working with Ian Anthony Chew like a year ago for the ‘mynameisnt‘ rollout. We’ve worked on everything together since. He deserves a majority of the credit for how this all comes together visually, but we always sit down and write stuff out. 

Who are some Virginia artists that our readers need to know about?

Aside from Tommy, Shaboozey, and Nettspend, I would say Kwajo, donnie killjoy, Sækyi, and The Cure (Ashlee White).

mynameisntjmack is on Instagram, X, and TikTok. Read more interviews here and stream his music below.

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