A Quick Chat With Mr Elusive

Emerging hip-hop artist Mr Elusive has just unveiled his latest single, "Blue Lakes." The track is a bold blend of pop-punk energy and emotive rap that captures the raw emotions of heartbreak, alienation, and self-discovery. Written during a solo trip through New Zealand, it offers a deeply personal look into his journey to find strength in solitude.

We sat down with Mr Elusive to dive deeper into the story behind "Blue Lakes," his music journey, and what's next for this local artist.

You’ve just dropped a new single, “Blue Lakes,” which blends pop-punk with hip-hop in an interesting way. What drew you to combine these genres, and how does it reflect your identity as an artist?

I've always been drawn to hip-hop, with Eminem being the first artist I became a true fan of when my mate's brother introduced me to all the classics. Over the years, my taste has expanded to include various genres—metal, psytrance, rock, pop, and punk. I’ve always loved the sound of bands like Blink-182 and Sum 41, so when it came to "Blue Lakes," I wanted to push my boundaries as an artist and explore what I’m truly capable of.

Hearing people say they didn’t think the screaming vocals were me is incredible. It just shows how versatile the track is and how far I’ve been able to stretch creatively. Experimenting with the blend of hip-hop and pop-punk energy while expressing so much emotion has been a rewarding experience.

Heartbreak plays a central role in the narrative of “Blue Lakes.” Is channelling experiences into music your outlet for processing emotions?

I strive to keep my music authentic. Every lyric I write comes from real stories and personal experiences. While rap can be fun for flex bars, I never stretch the truth beyond reality. Music acts as a journal, helping me process emotions I might not otherwise voice out loud.

That said, my primary outlet has always been mixed martial arts. I fight my demons in the gym and then talk about them in songs like "Blue Lakes." It’s a balance of physical and emotional release that keeps me from living on a mountain alone somewhere—haha.

Personal struggles are also a theme in “Tell Me.” Did it impact the song being one of your most popular releases of 2024?

I think it’s because the song feels relatable to so many people. We all love a good flex banger to cruise around to, but many people are navigating tough times and heartbreaks. Hearing someone else’s story can help them process what they’re going through.

I’ve had people around the world reach out, saying "Tell Me" has helped them so much and that they listen to it daily. That’s been a fantastic experience for me and has inspired me to create more songs like this, sharing my struggles to connect with others.

Opening yourself up emotionally must be difficult. What do you hope listeners take away from these tracks?

I want listeners to know they’re not alone, especially the younger ones. Heartbreak feels more common than ever, but it’s important not to let yourself spiral into those dark pits that lead to rock bottom. Stay strong, face your demons, and focus on improving yourself daily. Set goals and stay focused. Be the main character of your life!

You wrote the song on a solo trip to New Zealand, but you’ve visited 47 countries. Do you think travelling shaped you personally and creatively?

For sure! Backpacking worldwide was one of my life’s most transformative periods. I lived out of a carry-on-sized backpack, hitchhiking, couch surfing, staying in hostels, hiking, and camping. I did it all. Each country brought something new: different cultures, languages, people, and challenges.

When you live that way, you strip away all the comforts and influences of your everyday life—family, friends, and your usual environment. It forces you to get to know yourself on a deeper level and builds a huge sense of independence. I found myself in situations I never imagined, leading to experiences, relationships, and stories I now draw from when writing music.

“Tell Me” wasn’t your only song to gain an online presence; you had a few big wins in 2024. Your other track, “Sad Boy Feeling,” stayed on Spotify’s "Local Hype" for over a month and got played on Triple J. How did these milestones affect you as an independent artist?

It was an incredible sense of accomplishment. I'd been working tirelessly—and still am—to get my name out there while staying true to creating my best music. Reaching these milestones marked the first time I felt that all the hard work was paying off.

As an independent artist, I do everything possible myself—marketing, video editing, artwork, writing, recording—and at one point, I even mixed and mastered my own songs. A lot of time and effort has gone into developing myself as an artist, so to see it all come together in such a big way was a huge validation.

If you could collaborate with any musician, who would that be and why?

Juice WRLD would be my dream collaboration if he were still alive. His influence on my music has been immense, and his creativity and energy were next-level. Other dream collaborations would be with artists like Eminem, Hopsin, and Scorey.

On a more local level, teaming up with Mason Dane would be dope. He’s doing incredible things with his hip-hop and pop blend, and being from Newcastle, not too far from me, we could make something solid together.

Lastly, let’s talk about the future. Your music so far is a blend of rap, pop, pop-rap, and pop-punk tunes. What’s next for Mr Elusive? Are we going to hear more of your raw, pop-punk vocals or catchy bars?

I’ll always focus on showcasing my versatility and continuing to grow as an artist. I’m definitely going to explore more pop-punk tracks, but I’ll also be bringing the bars. I’m still figuring out the sound I want to lock in for the future, but one thing’s for sure—it will be an exciting journey, and I guarantee it’s something you won’t want to miss.

I’ll also be gearing up for my first officially announced live show, which will be happening early to mid-this year. In the meantime, you might catch me at a few secret gigs here and there as I work to ensure my performance is worth the wait.