Summary

• Introduction and Background

◦ Mattsuuii introduces the podcast and guest, Darnell Bolton, also known as EMO from Fort Worth, Texas.

◦ EMO, Darnell Bolton, introduces himself and mentions his love for music and Texas.

◦ Mattsuuii shares his location in Redding, California, and asks about Darnell's upbringing.

◦ Darnell describes his musical influences from his family, including classical music, 1980s music, hip hop, R&B, and gospel.

• Musical Journey and Early Projects

◦ EMO shares his early musical experiences, including singing with his father and attending the same high school as Kirk Franklin.

◦ He then mentions his big break on American Idol, where he performed as the "Jigglypuff" guy, earning 2.1 million views.

◦ Suuii shares his own musical journey, including founding a record label and being a college-educated music producer and sound engineer.

◦ Matt discusses his early writing and publishing success, including selling songs to a band and becoming a published poet.

• Influences and Writing Style

◦ Darnell talks about his writing journey, starting with poetry at age 12 and transitioning to songwriting.

◦ Both speakers discuss their influences, including Chester Bennington and Neil Peart from Rush.

◦ EMO shares his love for rock music and his admiration for Chester Bennington's professionalism.

◦ Mattsuuii mentions his inspiration from Neil Peart and his early experiences with classic rock music.

• Current Projects and Collaborations

◦ Darnell discusses his current project, an EP album tentatively titled "Emoshunall," reflecting his emotional journey.

◦ Suuii shares his upcoming album with 21 tracks, set to release on New Year's Eve, and his need for singers for some hooks.

◦ EMO expresses his interest in collaborating with Matt and working on different genres.

◦ Suuii mentions his experience making beats and his recent success in making $17k from one beat.

• Defining Artistry and Genre Differences

◦ Mattsuuii and Darnell discuss the difference between rap and hip hop, with Matt emphasizing rap's focus on mainstream themes and hip hop's emotional depth.

◦ EMO explains the evolution of rap from gangster rap to more emotional and personal themes.

◦ Both speakers share their definitions of true artistry, with Darnell highlighting the importance of business knowledge in addition to musical talent.

◦ Mattsuuii emphasizes the emotional impact of artistry, comparing it to the work of painters and sculptors.

• Upcoming Releases and Personal Beliefs

◦ EMO announces his new single "Cowboy" and plans for a music video in January, his birthday month.

◦ Matt asks about Darnell's religious beliefs and whether he believes music is part spiritual.

◦ Darnell expresses his belief in music's spiritual aspect but also his openness to all genres of music.

◦ Mattsuuii shares his preference for old-school country music and his admiration for artists like Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash.

• Closing Remarks and Shoutouts

◦ Mattsuuii asks EMO to choose a song to play at the end of the podcast.

◦ Darnell selects his song "Cowboy," and Matt plays it for the audience.

◦ Darnell thanks his team, including his sound engineer, management, and streaming platforms, for their support.

◦ Mattsuuii asks for Darnell's social media handles and plans to send him some tracks for collaboration on his upcoming album.