Pop has always moved in cycles, and few artists understand that dynamic as well as MkX. With his new single “UP,” the singer, producer, and performer takes a bold step forward: revisiting the sounds of the early 2000s while reshaping them into something fresh and distinctly 2025.
A Berklee graduate with credits that include collaborations with TWICE, Kim Petras, and 6arelyhuman, MkX has built a reputation as a multi-dimensional creator.
On “UP,” produced by the artist himself and co-written with Myah Marie and Brandon Colbein, his obsession with detail shines through. The track fuses the ultra-hooky pop style of the Max Martin era with the experimental textures of hyperpop, drawing inspiration from pioneers like SOPHIE.
The single takes cues from iconic names such as Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and Janet Jackson, but it avoids being a mere throwback. Instead, MkX reimagines the Y2K aesthetic through futuristic sound design, creating a song that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. Adding to the concept, he even featured the same robot dog from Janet Jackson’s “Doesn’t Really Matter” video in the artwork and visuals for “UP.”
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That balance between nostalgia and futurism is central to MkX’s creative process. “I’m such a late nineties and early two-thousand fanatic. I’m completely engulfed and immersed in the culture and memories I grew up with. My music is a mix of pop and electronic with intricate, ear-catching sound design, incorporating different samples of gadgets and pieces of technology from my childhood. There’s a very nostalgic quality to my music, but I always put a modern, futuristic spin on it. I love sprinkling unique sounds and effects throughout my songs to keep the listener enticed,” he said.
At World Pride 2025 in Washington, DC, MkX commanded the stage before an audience of nearly 30,000, marking a career-defining moment as he opened for Doechii.
Beyond the music, MkX’s artistry is also about identity and self-expression. “A long time ago, I decided to create this persona that embodied everything I wanted to be as a person. From auditory/visual art and fashion to attitude and confidence, I developed an identity that represented the best version of myself,” he explains. “After pushing my boundaries and stepping out of my comfort zone, I eventually became that person. The ‘X’ stands for self-expression through art. I want everyone to find their own ‘X’. I found mine and ran with it.”
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