What’s your stage name and where are you from?

I go by the alias Missoury which is pronounced as misery and I’m from East London, South Africa

What’s the story behind your stage name?

When I was starting out making music I was still in Highschool in a group of four individuals known as the MavericcsSA and under the group my former artist name was Lizerick, which was an alias I did not admire because I wasn’t confident of who I was at the time and I also felt like the music I made under the alias was average, not relatable and seemingly not good enough. When I finished highschool around 2020 I decided to release music solo around 2023 with Ditto to see my full potential as an artist and that’s when I came up with the alias Missoury which to me marks rebirth in my career as an artist. The first reason I chose Missoury was because at first it was a marketing strategy because I felt like everyone knew the city Missouri which is why it made sense and I also felt like the music I was making was more international than local, basically I believed and still believe that I was more of a international artist than a local one. The second reason would be because I felt like the name Missoury pronounced as (misery) defined my struggles, trials and tribulations as an artist and also says a bit about my background as an artist and the journey it took to get to where I am right now, as it is a true fact that I was born from misery because I never had nothing growing up, I wasn’t the only child and didn’t talk much about my problems, so creating music for me is therapy and is basically my canvas and what I say is the paint brush I use to paint what I’ve been through and how I’m changing the narrative.

Describe your musical journey in three sentences.

I started with a deep curiosity for sound, exploring how music can evoke emotions and tell stories beyond words. Over time, my passion led me to experiment with different styles, blending dark, atmospheric textures with melodies that carry a sense of mystery and depth. Now, my focus is on creating music that feels immersive and transformative, drawing listeners into a world where light emerges from darkness.

Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.

I remember a few days after I released a single last year, I received a DM on Instagram from a woman in USA, saying how much she loved the song I recently released and how she related to it, we even got to chat about how long I’ve been making music, where I’m from and why people from SA don’t support underground artists as much as the people from overseas do and she even asked when I was going to release again. Which made me feel like I was actually doing something right due to the fact that I caught her attention. So it’s like with every track I make going fourth I always have in mind that someone is always listening and might just become either a superfan or a new listener and that’s the drive that just keeps me going.

What message do you want to convey through your music?

Through my music, I want to convey the idea that even in the darkest places, there is light waiting to be found. It’s about transformation—turning struggle into strength, mystery into understanding, and shadows into something beautiful. I want listeners to feel like they’re on a journey, discovering something profound within themselves as they move through the soundscapes I create.

Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.

One challenge I faced during production was achieving the right balance between darkness and clarity in my mixes. I wanted the music to feel deep and immersive without losing definition, but at times, the low-end would get muddy, or the details in the higher frequencies would be lost. I overcame this by refining my sound design, using subtle EQ adjustments, careful layering, and dynamic processing to carve out space for each element—allowing the music to feel both atmospheric and precise.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

If we’re speaking locally I would say K.Keed because of her raw energy, unique flow, and ability to push creative boundaries. She brings an authentic, fearless approach to her music, blending underground hip-hop with alternative sounds, which could add an unpredictable and dynamic edge to any collaboration. Working with her could open up new sonic possibilities, merging different influences to create something fresh and unconventional.
If we’re speaking internationally Don Toliver would make sense because his sound bridges mainstream appeal with experimental, atmospheric production. His ability to craft moody, immersive melodies over genre-blending beats could complement my raw artistry and unfiltered creativity. The collaboration could push both me and Don into new sonic territories—giving me a wider audience while also allowing Don Toliver to tap into fresh, unconventional energy, honestly speaking.

Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?

In the next year, I see my music evolving into a more refined and immersive experience, reaching a broader audience while staying true to its deep, atmospheric roots. I want to experiment with new sonic textures, collaborate with like-minded artists, and push the boundaries of storytelling through sound. Ultimately, I hope my music creates a strong emotional connection with listeners and opens doors for more opportunities in both underground and experimental music spaces.

What’s the next big step for you as an artist?

I fell like the next big step in my career as an artist is creating a space for a community of creatives whereby people could just be themselves, uplift each other, help each other and also share inspirational ideas, building fan engagement, performing in local shows, attending podcast interviews, attending radio interviews , creating better music videos, collaborating with more underground artists and I’ve also been looking into the fashion scene, I think it would be dope if I convinced myself to start my own clothing line but who knows only the future will tell, I just can’t wait to do more you know, it’s really exciting not gonna lie.

Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?

https://open.spotify.com/album/7yJ7xh1yvsTaoX2wqP9tDM?si=ot491Pm1TFWOEQhT1-ASfw