Chicago made him, but Arizona is where he learned to breathe. where funk-laced grooves meet sharp-edged wordplay. Since 2016, the desert’s endless horizon has been his canvas, a place to paint outside the lines and reimagine what hip-hop from a Chicago-born, Buddhist-raised artist can sound like. His single Glasshouse calls for introspection, so we sat down to go more in depth on his journey so far.
Background and Origins
KB: What is your name and your artist moniker?
CS: My Instagram is commonsynse. My artist name is Syn—with a dash, like the prefix “with” or “together.”
KB: Where are you from, and how has that influenced your growth as an artist?
CS: I’m from Chicago. Growing up there shaped the type of music I make. Chicago is known for its drill sound, but my mom was born in 1965, so I grew up with a lot of older school music, especially house music, which is more funk and upbeat. I try to incorporate that vibe into my music.
KB: When did you move to Arizona, and what has your journey been like here?
CS: I moved to Arizona in 2016. At first, it was rough because I expected just desert and cacti, but over time, I matured and fell in love with the place. Arizona is a blank canvas with a lot of untapped opportunity, and that motivates me to stay and create.
KB: When did you start making music, and what made you take it seriously?
CS: I started making music around age 11, making diss tracks about friends on Roblox. I was always musically inclined, singing and doing Broadway. In high school, seeing what my influences were doing made me want to take music seriously.
Musical Influences and Style
KB: Do you use a lot of metaphors and symbolism in your work?
CS: Yes, I use a lot of wordplay and metaphors in my music. I try to keep my lyrics clean and meaningful.
KB: Do you have a background in poetry, or have you always leaned toward metaphorical writing?
CS: I started writing rap music early on, influenced by artists like Thouxanbanfauni , who used a lot of imagery. I tried to apply that to my own music, adding my own wordplay and metaphors.
KB: Who are your biggest musical influences?
CS: My influences include Thouxanbanfauni, house music from Chicago, Travis Scott, Kanye West, and Pierre Bourne. I also draw from pop and old-school music I listened to growing up.
Creative Process
KB: How does your music reflect who you are?
CS: My music is about relating to others, especially those who feel misunderstood. I write from different perspectives to connect with people, showing that we all go through similar things.
KB: What draws you to music—connection, therapy, or something else?
CS: My goal is to create something interesting and unique, but also to relate to my audience. Every song has a message; it’s about connecting with people beyond just a fun, quick listen.
KB: Do you see yourself as a teacher to your audience- what role do you play?
CS: I see myself more as a friend or a mirror, not a teacher. My music is about self-reflection and seeing yourself and your environment.
KB: What is your songwriting and production process like?
CS: I write my music rather than freestyle. I look for a good beat, then come up with the concept and write the lyrics. I want the visuals to be as powerful as the audio, so I’m careful about releasing music videos.
Personal Philosophy and Well-being
KB: How do you maintain your peace and stay grounded as an artist?
CS: My foundation keeps me grounded. I don’t drink or smoke, and I surround myself with people who accept me as I am. I grew up in a Buddhist household, which taught me self-reflection and self-awareness.
KB: What are your goals for the future? How do you see yourself growing?
CS: My growth comes naturally as I make more music. I’ve been developing my sound for about five years and am becoming more comfortable with my singing voice. I’m releasing a project called “Prolog” in August, which will showcase some of my older music and how my sound has evolved.
KB: Can you tell us about your recent and upcoming projects?
CS: I released a project called “Non-d” (now or never) in January, which has three songs that showcase my songwriting and vocal ability. “Prolog” will be out in August, featuring some of my favorite older songs. After that, I’ll be releasing more new music and visuals.
KB: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today, do you have any closing words for our audience?
“Life is a mirror, serving as a reflection of what you choose to wear and show…”
SYN- 2025
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