Stevie Merciless Perspective on Ain't On None

Stevie Merciless is a rap artist from Saint Cloud, Minnesota, My life story fuels every bar I spit. Adopted at a young age, I grew up navigating identity, emotion, and survival  all of which found their outlet in music. From early on, hip-hop wasn’t just a sound to me it was a language, a form of expression, and eventually, my purpose.

Influenced by real-life struggles and the hustle of everyday life, I began writing lyrics as a way to tell my story. My flow is raw, my wordplay sharp, and my message clear: resilience, realness, and never backing down. Whether I'm calling out fake love, reflecting on life’s challenges, or hyping up those who grind with purpose, My music hits with depth and authenticity.Representing Saint Cloud with pride I'm  more than just another rapper I'm a voice for those who had to fight to find theirs. My music is truth, therapy, and power for anyone who listens.

I turned to music when life had me at one of my lowest points. I could’ve chosen the streets, but instead, I chose the studio. I started producing my own beats and rapping on them — not just as a way out, but as a way to survive, to cope, and to express everything I was holding inside. Music became my therapy, my outlet, and my purpose. Every bar I spit comes from a real place.

My track "Ain’t On None" is more than just a song  it’s a statement. It’s about everything I’ve learned from dealing with fake love, phony energy, and people who only show up when it benefits them. In my life, I’ve had to cut off the snakes and stand on my own. This song is my way of letting it be known: if you’re not real, if your energy ain't solid, then you ain’t on none with me. I’m not chasing clout or validation I’m moving with purpose, and only real ones can come with me.

One of my earliest memories of music is my mom cleaning the house with Al Green and Koko Taylor blasting through the speakers. The soul, the blues, the raw emotion in their voices it filled the whole house and hit something deep in me, even as a kid. I didn’t know all the words, but I knew I felt something real. I remember watching my mom move to the music and thinking, "I want to do what they do. I want to make people feel like that." That was the moment the seed was planted. Music became more than sound it became purpose.

y music is rooted in that old school rap energy   raw lyrics, real stories, and beats that hit with soul. But I put my own new school twist on it. A lot of the new stuff out today just doesn’t speak to me. It’s missing that feeling, that authenticity. So instead of trying to fit in, I created my own lane   a blend of classic hip-hop and modern style. I call it old school / new school rap, because it brings the best of both worlds. I’m paying homage to the legends while still moving the culture forward   in my own voice, on my own terms.

In the past 3 years, I really found myself through my music. It’s real   it comes from pain, growth, and everything I’ve been through. This ain’t just music, it’s post-trauma expression. Every track is a piece of my story, my healing, my truth. That’s why it hits different because it’s good music with soul behind it. I don’t make it to fit in, I make it to feel free.

WU TANG HANDS DOWN... a raw group with nothing but talent so why not 

My favorite artist isn’t even a rapper  it’s Amy Winehouse. A lot of people are surprised by that, but to me, music is about soul, pain, and truth, not just bars. Amy had this raw, unfiltered way of pouring her life into her songs. She wasn’t afraid to show her flaws, her heartbreak, her struggles — and that made her powerful.

If you’ve never heard of her, Amy Winehouse was a British singer with a voice that sounded like it came from another era — jazzy, soulful, full of grit and emotion. Her music blended jazz, soul, blues, and R&B, and she wrote from a place of deep honesty. She had a classic sound but spoke on real-life pain that hit home in any generation. Amy wasn’t just singing  she was living in her music. That kind of realness? You can’t fake it. That’s why she’s one of the greatest to ever do it, no matter the genre.

Stevie Merciless represents a different kind of sound coming out of Minnesota  raw, real, and rooted in experience. My music comes from pain, growth, survival, and truth. I’m not chasing trends or trying to sound like what’s hot  I’m building my own lane. It’s a mix of old school energy with a new school twist, storytelling with depth, and beats that carry weight.

While a lot of the scene might be chasing the next viral wave, I’m focused on creating timeless music that speaks to people who’ve really been through something. Whether it’s post-trauma expression, messages about loyalty, or cutting through the fake — this is authentic Midwest hip-hop with substance.

I represent Minnesota proudly, but my sound and message go beyond borders. This is music for the real ones  for anyone who's ever had to pick themselves back up and keep pushing.

when a random stranger on the street heard me listing to my music and asked for my autograph

Amy Winehouse in concert, I would’ve gone without a second thought  because that wasn’t just a show, that was an experience. Amy didn’t just perform songs  she lived them on stage. Her voice was raw, soulful, full of pain and beauty all at once. You could feel every word she sang like she pulled it from somewhere deep.

In a time when a lot of artists put on polished performances, Amy brought the kind of imperfection that made it real. Watching her live would’ve been witnessing true emotion, vulnerability, and musical talent all in one. Her sound was timeless, her presence unforgettable and I know that kind of energy can’t be duplicated.

Seeing Amy live would’ve been like watching someone bleed art right in front of you. That’s why I would’ve been there  front row, locked in.

method man 

My dream rap performance? It’s a powerful mix of raw energy and real connection. I’m on a stage that feels intimate but electrifying — the crowd is locked in, vibing with every beat and every word. The lights hit just right, not blinding but setting the mood  gritty yet soulful.

I’m dropping beats I produced myself, with that signature old school / new school fusion. The bass hits heavy, the lyrics cut deep — real stories, real struggles, real triumphs. The fans aren’t just listening; they’re living the moment with me, chanting the hooks, feeling the passion I put into every bar.

No gimmicks, no distractions  just me, the music, and the people who get it. Maybe there’s a live band blending in with the beats, adding that extra layer of soul. The energy is raw, the vibe is authentic, and by the end of the night, everyone feels like they were part of something real  a movement, not just a show.

That’s my dream performance  where the music speaks louder than anything else, and every person there leaves knowing they witnessed something genuine.

a mexico back street concert she was dope

free and inspired

real, inspiring, unforgetable

spotify and on the streets to be honest

I’m here to be a gamechanger  not by following trends or copying what’s already out there, but by being original. In a world full of the same sounds and recycled styles, I’m carving my own path with music that’s real, raw, and unapologetically me. Originality is my power, and through it, I’m ready to shake up the game and leave my mark.

I want to change the narrative for all these young folks who think they have to kill or bring violence to make it in the rap game. That’s not the path. There’s a better way through realness, creativity, and hustle. I’m proof you can rise up and make your mark without that darkness. Music should be a platform for growth, expression, and unity not pain and loss. I’m here to show that you can succeed by being true to yourself and your craft, not by living a dangerous life.

My favorite work of art has to be the Edfu Hieroglyphs those ancient Egyptian carvings tell stories that have lasted thousands of years. They’re more than just symbols; they’re a powerful form of communication, history, and culture all etched into stone. The detail, the mystery, and the way they connect us to a time long gone but still alive through art  that’s what fascinates me. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about looking good, it’s about preserving stories and legacies for generations to come.

My sick mother is the reason I make music. She’s always believed in me, even when things got tough, and that faith keeps me going every day. I don’t just want to make music for myself  I want to use it to build schools, feed the hungry, and give back in ways that matter. There’s so much I want to do, and her strength inspires me to keep pushing, keep creating, and keep dreaming bigger.

just myself 

i does not matter what people think just do you