#197 - Backxwash INTERVIEW

2025-07-02

In recent years, the Canadian hip-hop scene, particularly in Montreal, has been growing in size and quality. Backxwash, today’s guest, may be the scene’s most captivating act. Sporting an eclectic sound that pulls from metal, industrial noise, trap, horrorcore conscious hip-hop, and pop... Backxwash can, and really has done it all. Her latest record, Only Dust Remains, showcases the latest evolution of Backxwash’s artistry, featuring boldly melodic songwriting, climactic hooks, and a lucid meditation on death. In this episode, we walk throu...

In recent years, the Canadian hip-hop scene, particularly in Montreal, has been growing in size and quality. Backxwash, today’s guest, may be the scene’s most captivating act.

Sporting an eclectic sound that pulls from metal, industrial noise, trap, horrorcore conscious hip-hop, and pop... Backxwash can, and really has done it all.

Her latest record, Only Dust Remains, showcases the latest evolution of Backxwash’s artistry, featuring boldly melodic songwriting, climactic hooks, and a lucid meditation on death.

In this episode, we walk through her artistic journey, key influences on her musical style, the importance of identity in her music, and the making of her magnum opus, Only Dust Remains.

The Plug (0:46).

The Interview (2:00).

Her musical journey from Zambia to Montreal (3:36).

The creative community in Montreal (7:26).

Trans representation in hip-hop (12:46).

Blending rap with heavier styles of music (18:42).

Production inspirations for Backxwash’s genre-bending style (21:54).

The extended break between Only Dust Remains and His Happiness (29:39).

The musical vision for Only Dust Remains (32:56).

The narrative arc of Only Dust Remains (35:34).

The inspiration behind the melodic sound of Only Dust Remains (40:54).

The core message behind Only Dust Remains (45:18).