Some artists wait for permission. They chase label meetings, assemble production teams, follow the traditional playbook step by step. Nodust isn’t one of them. He’s been making things in his bedroom until something clicks, and he’s not interested in shortcuts.
The rapper, producer, mixer, and visual artist has been quietly stacking a catalog of bass-heavy, melodic tracks that split the difference between the raw energy of early Chief Keef and the experimental edge of the emoplugg underground. His latest single “Numbers,” released November 28, runs just over two minutes but hits like something twice its length. It’s the kind of track that rewards good speakers and punishes weak ones.
What makes Nodust worth paying attention to isn’t just the music itself, it’s the fact that every piece of it comes from him. He writes, records, mixes, masters, designs his own artwork, and edits his own videos. In an era where artists often outsource everything but their voice, he’s decided to learn every part of the process himself. We caught up with him to talk about his DIY approach, the Toronto scene, and why making music feels like the only time he’s actually present.
How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you?
2013 Chief Keef but he has ADHD and a hyper-fixation with Chrome Hearts hoodies and stimulants.
You do literally everything yourself. Writing, recording, mixing, mastering, cover art, video editing. What part of that process makes you lose track of time the most?
I couldn’t pick, I have a really fun process. I pick my beat, throw it in FL, put my baseline vocal preset on and then I literally spit gibberish in the mic. At this point I’m just trying to create the melody and find key points for vocal emphasis and effects. Then I listen back and write lyrics to the gibberish, get back on the mic and record the real lyrics, then I start mixing. I’ll spend 14 hours straight on a song, a good 50% of that is mixing. If I don’t finish it in one go it’ll never get finished. The whole process is so fun and it’s so easy to get lost in it because it’s really the only time I can actually be in the moment and I’m not worrying about the past or the future. That’s the main reason why I do it and why I love it so much. It makes me lose track of time.
When did you feel like your sound actually became yours?
My first two years making music I was really into emoplugg, heavily inspired by artists like D1v and all of BNO, Bladee, Caspr, and one of my best friends Kill Red. I really liked the music I made but then late last year I started discovering artists like Nettspend, esdeekid, Xaviersobased, and Feng. I was blown away by how original and new the genre was. Each of them are all so unique and they have these ultra technical flows that have never been done before. So I decided to start experimenting. I wanted to get out of the genre I was in and create something new. I noticed that no one was really doing anything melodic over those trap and jerk beats that got popular last year. It was kind of an untapped market to add the emoplugg influence to the genre. That’s how I made Clairvoyance with 999ines. That was the first time I actually felt like I might have a shot at making it.
Is there a specific song that taught you what that emotional high is supposed to feel like?
“Sound of Silence” by D1v and “Notice” by Kill Red. I swear they put drugs in those songs. I’ve had full days of only listening to those songs on repeat all day. Like 8 hours straight of streaming the same song. I have ADHD. Anytime I feel like I need inspiration I listen to those two songs and then it’s impossible for me not to get in the studio. I just get so motivated.
What do you want people to feel when they hear your stuff?
I just want to make people feel something. I want to make music that makes people feel the way I feel when I listen to my favorite songs. You know those songs that can make you feel like you’re seen, or you’re important, or the ones that make you feel like you’re untouchable. There are some really great songs out there that honestly are like drugs, they give you a high like you genuinely feel high listening to them. I want that. I wanna make music that makes people feel like they’re on drugs.
Dream collaboration?
Definitely Nettspend. He’s my favorite new artist right now and I think our styles would blend really well. Hit me up, Nett!
What’s next for you?
I have a few songs ready to go and I’m in the final stages of editing another music video. I’m going to be doing a lot of shows in Toronto this year so tap into my IG so you don’t miss any date announcements.
Nodust wanted to shout out his producers, especially Sheepy, his day one collaborator c0ll!e, and his girlfriend SuziWithAnUzi, who shoots most of his visuals and has been instrumental in pushing his sound forward. He also wanted to thank his mom, who apparently gets genuinely upset now if he drops something without sending it to her first.
That last detail says a lot. When you’re making music in your room with no team and no guarantee it’ll ever lead anywhere, having people who care enough to get mad when you forget to share is the kind of support that actually matters. Nodust isn’t betting on luck. He’s betting on the hours, the process, and the people who show up.
Keep up with Nodust on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Music.
