For C-Ciety, music has always been an outlet.

On this episode of Original Minds: Artist Spotlight, Benlo sits down with C-Ciety to talk about the person behind the music, how his sound has evolved, and why creating has become such an important form of expression in his life.

C-Ciety opens up about growing up as a competitive swimmer and how constantly trying to beat his own time built a drive that eventually followed him into music. That same mindset shows up in the way he creates — experimenting with his sound, learning how to do things for himself, staying persistent, and continuing to push even when he’s his own biggest critic.

We also talk about finding confidence in your own voice, taking yourself seriously before expecting anyone else to, and the freedom music gives you to express something without immediately questioning whether you should.

His one word for his “why” is Outlet — because sometimes creating gives you a place to say what you couldn’t say anywhere else.

This is C-Ciety’s story while it’s still being written.

Original Minds — an Intrisio podcast.
Original minds of one kind.

Viktoria.XO has spent much of her life feeling misunderstood. Her word, Discern, reflects her desire to be heard clearly—and to create art that says what spoken words sometimes can’t.

In this Artist Spotlight, the Louisiana-born, Dallas-based pop artist and photographer opens up about growing up undiagnosed, experiencing selective mutism and finding it easier to express herself through writing. She explains how those experiences shaped her music, her attention to detail and her need to build visuals that show people exactly what she means.

Viktoria.XO also takes us inside the creative worlds behind her music—from the circus-inspired Big Top era to the church imagery and personal healing of her upcoming project, Rebirth. She talks about turning anger, anxiety and being underestimated into dark pop wrapped in pastel colors, vintage fashion and childlike imagery.

She also gets honest about sobriety, performing through anxiety, letting go of old grudges and learning that standing up for yourself doesn’t make you difficult.

This is a conversation about being misunderstood, reclaiming your voice and refusing to let other people decide who you are.

Her word is Discern.

Artist Spotlight is part of Original Minds — an Intrisio podcast.

Follow @intrisio and stream the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

TrippyChidi doesn’t make music just to express himself. He makes it to survive.

In this Artist Spotlight, the Oak Cliff artist opens up about using music as a “medkit” through his darkest moments—and as an outlet for people who don’t always feel heard. He breaks down the mix of dark plug, trap, ethereal sounds, pop and alternative rock behind his music, along with the inspiration behind Arkham and his upcoming project, Bruce Wayne.

TrippyChidi also gets honest about losing momentum after his early success, working long days to fund his vision, rebuilding without chasing numbers and leaving old habits behind as he becomes a stronger artist and more balanced person.

From the work ethic passed down by his Nigerian parents to the Spartan mentality that keeps him moving forward, this is a conversation about identity, discipline and continuing when quitting isn’t an option.

His word is Survival.

Artist Spotlight is part of Original Minds — an Intrisio podcast.

Follow @intrisio and stream the full episode on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Content note: This episode includes an honest discussion of suicidal thoughts and mental health.

In this Artist Spotlight, Studio.E sits down with Benlo and Big B to talk about the journey behind his sound and why the word at the center of it all is peace.

Studio.E shares how music became a universal language for him—something that can hold every emotion, bring different people together, and create a sense of calm even when life itself doesn’t feel peaceful. For him, music isn’t limited by language or background. It’s a connection almost everyone can understand.

The conversation follows his growth from making music wherever he could, freestyling and learning through experience, to developing his identity as a producer, engineer, and artist. He talks about his appreciation for real instrumentation, creating music that feels authentic, and pulling inspiration from different sounds, genres, and even the immersive worlds created through video-game soundtracks.

They also get into collaboration, listening closely to an artist before deciding what a record needs, finding purpose in your creative gift, and the growth that comes from staying committed to the process. Studio.E explains the joy he feels when someone hears his music and genuinely connects with it—not just because they listened, but because it made them feel something.

Studio.E’s one-word why is Peace because music is more than what he creates. It’s how he processes life, connects with others, and puts more peace into the world.

88Killa is an artist who thinks beyond just making songs. From music and clothing to performance and presentation, every part of the process matters to him.

In this Artist Spotlight, 88Killa talks about creating on his own terms, the Fort Worth music scene, and why independent artists still have to hold themselves to a high standard. He also opens up about the work injury that changed how he viewed his relationships, a label situation that pushed him toward independence, and why success means having freedom over his time.

His one-word why is Balance—between ambition and peace, taking the work seriously and enjoying life, and representing a different side of his city without losing who he is.

Honest, hilarious, and full of perspective, this episode captures 88Killa exactly where he is right now: still building, still evolving, and doing it his way.

Stream the full episode of Original Minds—an Intrisio podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Don’s love for rap started early, secretly listening to K104 and 97.9 on a small radio at his grandmother’s house. Even when he wasn’t allowed to listen, he couldn’t stay away from it.

In this Artist Spotlight, we sit down with Don from Sound of Nebula to talk about the years he spent developing his craft, building alongside producers Coast and Dr. T, and the intention behind his latest project, Spin the Block. Don opens up about learning from criticism, finding confidence in his voice, putting God first, and creating music that helps people believe they can keep chasing their own dreams.

His one word was “Passion” because no matter what job he’s working or what life looks like around him, he still sees himself as an artist. Music stays on his mind, and that love keeps bringing him back.

This conversation is about hunger, patience, authenticity, and loving what you do enough to keep growing.

Listen to Spin the Block, available everywhere.

Original Minds — an Intrisio podcast.
Original minds of one kind.

Clearlanes is a Christian rapper, actor, and former college basketball player whose creative journey is rooted in one word: Purpose.

In this Artist Spotlight, Clearlanes shares how developing a real relationship with God changed the direction of his life, led him away from his dream of playing professional basketball, and called him toward music as a way to reach people. He opens up about the childlike faith it took to begin again, the faith and discipline that carry him when motivation fades, and what it means to create Christian hip-hop that can speak to people both inside and outside the church.

From making high-energy, message-driven music and learning to produce his own beats to pursuing faith-based films, Clearlanes is determined to use every gift with intention. For him, music is more than self-expression—it is a vessel meant to uplift, inspire, encourage, and remind people that God has a plan and purpose for their lives.

Your story matters before the numbers do.

In this episode of Artist Spotlight, we sit down with JAHMEEL—a creative, energetic and naturally entertaining artist whose music is deeply connected to his life experiences.

His one-word “why” is Therapy.

JAHMEEL opens up about his background in singing, the different sides of his personality and the emotional roller coaster that comes with being an artist. He shares how the beautiful, chaotic and unexpected moments of his life become inspiration for his music—and why, no matter how difficult the journey gets, he could never step away from it.

This conversation explores the mind behind the music, the freedom JAHMEEL finds through creativity and how creating has become more than a passion—it has become a way for him to process, express and heal.

Your story matters before the numbers do.

In this episode of the Original Minds Artist Spotlight, we sit down with multidisciplinary artist and cinematographer Adrian Peace for an honest conversation about creativity, purpose, and the lifelong search for truth.

Adrian’s “why” in one word is Truth—a word that reflects both the music he creates and the person he continues to become. He opens up about his journey as an artist, the experiences that have shaped his perspective, and what it means to create from a place that feels genuine rather than performative.

Outside of music, Adrian works as a full-time cinematographer and runs his own creative business, RVLCNT. We explore how filmmaking, entrepreneurship, and music influence one another, along with the challenges of balancing multiple creative identities while building a life around his passion.

We also dive into his song “Immaculate,” the meaning behind the record, and how his music has become a space for self-discovery. This conversation is about more than finding success—it is about removing outside expectations, trusting your own voice, and continuing the search for who you truly are as an artist.

This is Adrian Peace’s Artist Spotlight—a conversation about truth, vision, independence, and creating a path that is completely your own.

Original Minds — an Intrisio podcast.

In this Artist Spotlight episode, we sit down with Tito Strange, an alt-rock and multi-genre artist whose music is rooted in emotion, experimentation, and honesty.

Tito’s “why” in one word is healing. He takes us back to the moment music first became more than entertainment and started to feel like something powerful—something that could help him process life, connect with himself, and create meaning out of what he was feeling.

We also talk about the reality of being an artist today and why making great music is no longer the only part of the job. Tito shares his perspective on content becoming the driver behind the music, helping artists build a story, reach new listeners, and give their songs a life beyond the studio.

This conversation explores the magic that first pulled Tito toward music, the healing that continues to keep him creating, and what it truly takes to grow as an independent artist in today’s industry.

Tito Strange — My “why” in one word: Healing.

Artist Spotlight is a series from Original Minds: An Intrisio Podcast, highlighting the stories, purpose, and creative journeys of artists who are still in the process of becoming.