When producer and singer BIIANCO began writing their recently-released project Mixtape #2, they were propelling into bad love—in their words, “faster than an eighth grader on a Six Flags roller coaster.” Between the good, the bad, and the trauma, BIIANCO’s experience built their latest project.
“With Mixtape #2… I was writing to process what was happening in real time and as a result, it became an excruciatingly raw look at how trauma sets the stage for self-perpetuated cycles of wrong turns and heartbreak,” BIIANCO says. They broke the mixtape into four chapters, during each of which they’d written the respective songs—love (or as they refer to it, denial), grief, rage, and rebirth. “But Mixtape #2 is about more than just overcoming heartbreak—it’s also about a producer overcoming imposter syndrome and stepping into their style. It’s about a non-binary person discovering their gender identity. It’s about community and collaboration. And, ultimately, it’s about finding my voice.”
Mixtape #2 is the first body of work released by BIIANCO—written, engineered, and produced by them featuring collaborations by artists they are inspired by. “I am honored to introduce you to Mixtape #2, my firstborn child,” BIIANCO says.
Below, check out Mixtape #2 and BIIANCO’s response to the Youth Questionnaire.
Question 01: How do you help others?
I love sharing the things in my mind with others—whether it be teaching skills I know or sharing art that’s bursting from me.
Question 02: What will your greatest impact be on this earth?
Probably creating music that people ugly cry and dance to.
Question 03: Where are you most free?
When I’m making music…. Or making love.
Question 04: When were you recently perfectly content?
Anytime I am performing.
Question 05: What do you dream of?
I have pretty wild dreams. Last night, I dreamed I solved a murder mystery with an orca whale.
Question 06: What does pride mean to you?
It means you have something you worked your ass off for.
Question 07: Describe something that inspired change in your perspective.
In physics (and in life), you can’t have momentum without friction. I learned that and I stopped being scared to get uncomfortable.
Question 08: What is your coolest trick?
Dislocating my shoulders on command.
Question 10: Describe your relationship with your ego.
I murder it daily.
Question 11: What is your favorite flower or tree, and why?
Eucalyptus and lavender (which I grow in my yard) because they’re exceptional tools for salt baths and casting spells.
Question 12: To you, what is the most soothing sound?
Someone I love telling me goodnight.
Question 13: What is your most useful affirmation?
Jump and the universe will follow.
Question 14: If you could encourage others to support something you believe to be universally beneficial, what would it be?
Stop eating animals.
Question 15: What is your personal goal for this year, month, or day?
My personal goal for today is to get out of my studio (where I’ve been since 8 a.m.). My personal goal for this month is to release my mixtape (which came out October 28). My personal goal for this year has been to welcome abundance into my life and destroy my scarcity complex.
Question 16: What song lyric, lines of a poem, or other excerpt best describes your outlook?
“Come on now. Feed my hungry heart.”
Question 17: What colors your view of the world?
I am a relentless optimist which either leads to great success or great disappointment
Question 18: Which is richer: your inner life or outer? Why?
Outer. My inner life can be a harsh, cold bitch.
Question 19: If your energy were visible to others, what would it look like?
I’ve been told I have a yellow orange aura which just happens to be my favorite color.
Question 21: What’s required to achieve true unity?
Empathy for others.
Question 22: Is it necessary to have things in common with those who you love?
Yes, but enough differences to find them enthralling.
Question 23: If you could unite two or more people, concepts, etc, what would they be?
Why? I wish I could unite youth and wisdom cause damn did I spend a lot of years with one and not the other.
Question 24: What does it mean to find yourself?
Your saturn return.
Question 25: Who are you when you’re free to dream?
Relentlessly unstoppable.
Question 26: What does it mean to live your truth?
To step into your power.
Images courtesy of BIIANCO
