Following on from a string of impactful offerings throughout last year, rising rapper 'Stro Ifidon is back for 2025 to deliver his stunning new single 'Divine Minds'.
Adopting more of that smooth and passionate aesthetic he has been crafting over the years, 'Divine Minds' makes for an incredibly warm and inviting listen throughout. With its bold and driven textures, sweeping atmosphere, and his own killer flow at the helm, he continues to shine as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I was the “Little Drummer Boy” growing up so I was always tapping on something. Around 10 years old my parents got me my first drum set and I self taught myself to play to an intermediate level.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Growing up I didn’t listen to much music besides what my dad would play when I was around. Lots of old soul music, Marvin Gaye, The Commodores and lots of Lionel Richie, Rufus, etc. Paired with my interest in battle rap as a kid, I would say my sound comes from the blend of lyricism with soul.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I knew it the day I got my first record player, I was about 17 years old when my Dad had bought a new one and passed me the old one. I spent around 6 hours driving across my city just to 2014 Forrest Hills Drive. I found a lot of other records that I wanted to purchase first but I knew it had to be that one. Mainly because G.O.M.D was the first rap song I had discovered myself, and it was the catalyst that started my hopes for the mic.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
“Few Good Things” By Saba on his album of the same name is, in my opinion, one of the best rap songs ever written. From the opening line to the soliloquy-like rant he goes on after the beat switch, I aim to craft the syllables of a verse as purposefully as he did in that song.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I like to write as if I’m free styling because it believe it breathes more creativity into the verse. So these days, I actually don’t “write” at all. Rather, I load the instrumental into Ableton, loop an 8 bar section, and perform my ideas out loud, memorising the previous line at every step before restarting from the top to add the next.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Recently I found myself jumping around a lot of genres of music, as most do. When I’m feeling lyrical it’s lots of the Dreamville roster, Griselda roster, and Rapsody for perspective. If I’m looking for some vibes theres lots of Smino and Gambino in my rotation. When the mood calls for something calming I’m playing Coltrane, Marvin Gaye, Al Green. And when I’m tryna get active its Cash Cobain, Yachty, and bunch of underground artists.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I gotta say J.Cole just to put on for my younger self. But I’d also love to pop out with Kendrick or Tyler on an album tour because they always have the most layered themes and personas with their projects and performances.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I think it’s being able to comprehend music on a deeper level. You couldn’t fathom how insane certain flows, cadences, bars, and melodies are unless you’ve done it yourself. On top of that, being able to give someone stank face with one sentence or scratch the right part of their brain with one note is an immaculate feeling that is esoteric to say the least.
And what is the most frustrating part?
There's so much good music out there and I’m easily influenced by all of it. The hardest part is trying to find the time to craft my sound when theres so many different things I want to try. Especially as someone who does most of the post production myself it feels like theres not enough time in a day to make what my brain is fiending for.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
It wasn’t direct by Tyler the Creator once said something along the lines “You don’t know who could be watching”. So with every song, video, or project I work on, I’m not doing it for the purpose of fame. I treat every song, video, or project as just another entry on my resume. Proof to both myself and anybody who may stumble across it that I’m ready for whatever, just need to find my platform.
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'Stro Ifidon's new single 'Divine Minds' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.