BrokinPaper Talks About Music & Fashion With Us
BrokinPaper is a completely independent producer out of NYC who Gucci booked twice in one month because his music is fit for the runway but also underground warehouse parties. He’s out with “Antidote Remix” is a formal collaboration between Gucci–championed underground artist BrokinPaper and Jenasi, an artist out of Minsk, Belarus. The music video is being shot simultaneously in New York and Minsk in the vein of ASAP Rocky and Skepta’s “Praise the Lord.” We also had an opportunity to sit down with BrokinPaper to go over what is next, fashion week, and more!
TGR: If you could describe your musical style in just 3 words what would they be and why?
BrokinPaper: I’d describe my music as dark, industrial, and visual. Most of my tracks have an essence of visual storytelling that is futuristic and gritty, and I try to use sounds that feel ‘organic,’ which gives the music a sort of cinematic quality.
TGR: What has pushed you to become an artist?
BrokinPaper: I’ve always wanted to create, and to inspire others to do the same. I think that’s why I try to make sure my music is inherently visual—to give listeners the opportunity to paint their own images when they listen.
TGR: Why choose the name “BrokinPaper”? Is this significant to you? What’s the story here?
BrokinPaper: ‘BrokinPaper’ comes from my first music project—a metal band I started with a friend in high school called ‘Broken Paper Wings.’ After I decided to produce music, I adapted that moniker with the intention of changing it later. I never did, and it’s become my identity now.
TGR: Who/what is your biggest inspiration for your musical journey?
BrokinPaper: I like to look at artists who incorporate a unique visual identity into their brands for inspiration. I really like it when you get a glimpse into an artist’s identity through their purposeful creative decisions; I think of artists like Gesaffelstein and RL Grime, as well as graphic design and visual media that convey a message in an unconventional way.
TGR: Your single “Antidote Remix” sits at the intersection of UK garage, industrial techno, and electro-punk. What do you hope fans get out of this single?
BrokinPaper: Most of all, I want ‘Antidote Remix’ to highlight the collaborative nature of the track with Belarusian artist Jenasi—I want to put a spotlight on how electronic music from two very distinct regions of the world can come together to produce a track. The music video also makes sure to put NYC and Minsk front and center, comparing and contrasting the two cities and showing how they’re different in some ways but similar in others.
TGR: What was the experience like performing in front of high profile celebrities at The Gucci Cruise’s official afterparty in New York City?
BrokinPaper: Having the opportunity to be part of the Gucci Cruise show was truly an honor and an incredible experience. Playing for guests at the afterparty pushed me to lean further into curating a special vibe based on the natural progression of the night, and allowed me to be more experimental by playing songs I created specifically for it.
TGR: Your album “Function over Form” releases this September. If you could give fans a sneak peak into the work that’s gone into this, how would you describe it as a whole?
BrokinPaper: Function Over Form is a direct response to my most recent experiences DJing. I used to plan my sets very meticulously, down to the second, to craft the ‘perfect’ set. But I realized that it’s ultimately more enjoyable to go in blind and play to the room and the crowd. The album has tracks that explore the concept of ‘functionality over everything’; they’re meant to fit into a set and create special moments that cut through.
TGR: What do you want fans to learn about you as an artist through “Function over Form”? What do you wish fans take away from this release?
BrokinPaper: I hope listening to the project gives listeners an idea of what it might be like to go to a BrokinPaper show—that it could be unpredictable, with each song having its own unique energy that makes a set feel dynamic. This release also marks what I feel is the start of a new era; the work I’m known for most is on the slower side, whereas these tracks are faster and carry more energy that translates well in a live setting.