GHOST, Releases a Mix Called “MR. X!,”
The story of recorded music is one of advancement: from analog phonograph to digital streaming, from massive studio consoles to accessible DAWs, technology pushes music forward by leaps and bounds.
When he released his song “Heart On My Sleeve” in 2023, singer-songwriter GHOST presented the next seismic shift in music technology: he used A.I. vocal filters to accurately recreate the voices of Drake and The Weeknd to bring his song to life.
Now, armed with co-signs from legendary producers like Timbaland and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who called GHOST one of the “most talented songwriters” he has ever encountered, the mysterious and game-changing artist is ready to prove that he has enough talent to rival any of his idols, sharing “MR. X!,” a new single, which will appear on his debut album.
Inspired by a spate of notable reconciliations between rappers and their exes, “MR. X!” is a digitally-created “posse cut,” inspired by some of GHOST’s favorite artists: DJ Khaled (on the intro), Drake, Future, Migos, Gunna, and Lil Wayne.
“When I started my career, I used to consciously make songs in the style of certain artists,” says GHOST. “But now, I write to follow my own muse. I come up with the music, melodies, and lyrics, and then experiment to see which artists fit best with each particular song. ‘MR. X!’ wasn’t written with a particular artist in mind, which is why I felt inspire to make it a posse cut, combining several styles in a way that shows my songwriting versatility and makes one of my dream collaborations come true.”
“When I started my career, I used to consciously make songs in the style of certain artists,” says GHOST. “But now, I write to follow my own muse. I come up with the music, melodies, and lyrics, and then experiment to see which artists fit best with each particular song. ‘MR. X!’ wasn’t written with a particular artist in mind, which is why I felt inspire to make it a posse cut, combining several styles in a way that shows my songwriting versatility and makes one of my dream collaborations come true.”
GHOST’s “Heart On My Sleeve” caused a tidal wave in the music industry, earning coverage in The New York Times, Variety, HYPEBEAST, USA Today, The Verge, and many others, even drawing official comment from Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr. GHOST finally told his side of the story in September, speaking with Billboard in a wide-ranging interview.
Despite the firestorm, GHOST never intended to court controversy, only to follow his muse and understand what makes his favorite artists so special.
“I don’t write songs for people that I’m not fans of,” says GHOST. “All the artists whose voices I emulate, I absolutely love and have a deep connection to their music. You have to be a true fan to understand the artist and help them tell their story.”
With his upcoming debut album, GHOST looks to immerse listeners in an alternate universe of his own creation, all the while proving that he has the chops stand up to the world’s biggest stars.