A lot of people ask me what music I listen to, and I think it's one of the best ways to get to know an artist. My sound is a blend of everything I've ever been inspired by, and the 'Unalive' project wouldn't exist without these core influences.

​Here they are, starting with who's on top of the world right now.

​1. Tyler, the Creator (The Artist)

​When I think of Tyler, I don't just think of a rapper—I think of a complete artist. He's a perfect example of what it means to build a whole world. It's not just the music; it's the production, the visuals, the videos, the brand, and how he’s evolved over time. That's a huge inspiration for what I want to build with Unalive: a full, cohesive vision.

​2. Eminem (The Lyricist)

​As a songwriter, you have to respect the craft. And for me, Eminem is the top-tier benchmark for the craft of lyric writing. The way he can bend words, build complex rhyme schemes, and tell a raw, honest story is unmatched. That commitment to pushing the limits of lyricism is something I try to bring to every track I write.

​3. T-Pain (The Innovator)

​T-Pain honestly changed the game. He took Auto-Tune, something people used as a subtle correction tool, and turned it into a full-blown instrument. He proved that you could be an incredible songwriter, producer, and melodic genius while using vocal effects in a bold way. He paved the way for so many artists who blend R&B and hip-hop today.

​4. Justin Timberlake (The Pop/R&B Fusion)

​JT is a master of blending R&B smoothness with perfect pop structure. He showed how you could take raw R&B influences and create massive, undeniable hits without losing your credibility. His sense of melody, his performance, and his willingness to experiment with producers like Timbaland and The Neptunes set a standard.

​5. Stevie Wonder (The Master)

​You have to know the history, and Stevie Wonder is just timeless. You can't talk about modern R&B, soul, or pop without talking about him. His mastery of melody, chords, and pure, raw emotion is on another level. When I'm working on the R&B and melodic side of my music, he's the standard for pure musicality.

​6. Parliament (The Groove)

​And then, you've got to have the funk. Parliament (and Funkadelic) is all about the groove. It’s that deep, undeniable bassline, the raw energy, the rhythm that just hits you in the chest and forces you to move. It’s a reminder that music, even when it’s dark or lyrical, should have a physical vibe.

​It's this combination—the artistry, the lyrics, the innovation, the pop-R&B fusion, the melody, and the groove—that all gets poured into the Unalive sound.

​Now I want to hear from you.

​Music is all about discovery. Who are your biggest influences? What's one artist or album that shaped your taste?

​Drop them in the comments. I'm always looking for new stuff.