What’s your stage name and where are you from?
My stage name is Pai Napple, and I’m from Antwerp, Belgium. I’ve always drawn inspiration from my roots and experiences here, which heavily influence my music.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
Pai Napple comes from my early high school days when I was bullied and called “pineapple head” because of my big hair. It was hard at first, but I flipped it into something positive. Now it’s a name that represents my journey and my resilience. It’s a reminder that I’ve grown from those moments and turned it into something unique that stands out.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
I started making music as a form of therapy, just as a way to release what I was feeling. Over the last 3 years, I’ve really focused on honing my production and experimenting with different genres, eventually finding my voice in rap and R&B. It’s been a journey of growth, learning, and connecting with people through the music I create.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
One of the craziest moments in making my latest track The Flame was collaborating with Conway The Machine and Don Michael Jr. They’re legends, and to be honest, I was nervous they’d think my stuff was trash. But I sent them the beat and explained my vision for the track, and they ended up loving it. Don even wanted the track for his own album. Their verses took it to a whole new level: The Flame became literal flames.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
I want my listeners to feel something real, whether it’s finding comfort, feeling empowered, or just getting lost in the music. I hope my tracks reflect their own experiences and emotions, creating a connection through the feelings I’m expressing.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
I recently hit a creative block with one of my tracks. I had this vision, but nothing I did seemed to make it work… It just wasn’t good enough. After struggling with it for a while, I stepped away, took some time outside in nature, and let myself just listen to the world around me. That reset my mind, and when I came back to the track, everything started flowing again. Sometimes you have to step back and breathe to move forward.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
It would be Kendrick Lamar or The Weeknd for sure. Kendrick is a master at storytelling and diving into real, thought-provoking themes, which is something I admire. And The Weeknd’s blend of dark pop and R&B inspires me. His sound is both haunting and catchy, which resonates with my musical style.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
In the next year, I want to continue growing as both an artist and a producer, while collaborating with more artists across different genres. I’m aiming to create music that connects deeply with people and find my own space in the hip-hop and R&B culture.
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
I’m working on an EP that’s coming out next year. It’s a very personal project, so I’m excited to share it. I also want to be more active on social media and really connect with my audience in a bigger way.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
The Flame with Conway The Machine & Don Michael Jr. is out on all streaming platforms. Listen on Spotify.
What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
Instagram DM or email: painapplemusic@outlook.com
