Once upon a time, an overgrown, punk-loving Disney princess was scrolling through the feed (as one does), minding her own musical business, when something entirely unexpected brought her scroll to a screeching halt.
It was new, standing in high contrast to the guitars and poppy melodies of her go-to playlist.
It was .. rap?
Except not quite, because there was something captivatingly familiar about it. Driving hip hop rhythms alongside bold, impassioned vocals, and a melodic texture that sounded like it could have run away from a Paramore record. This punk rock princess had stumbled her way into the world of alt rap, and she was completely blown away.
When I first came upon Multifaceted Monster’s music, I will admit I didn’t know what to make of it. Quickly though, the deeply meaningful lyrics, delivered with precision and intensity overtop of hypnotic, layered melodies and a satisfying sprinkle of dissonance had my full attention. A brief chat with Michael Smith, the artist behind it all, cemented my admiration for the work. Michael’s story is one of resilience; walking through the depths of addiction but refusing to let it take him down. Now in recovery, Multifaceted Monster’s music carries messages of optimism and hope but doesn’t shy away from addressing the shadows that loom in the background of even the happiest of lives. He illuminates the full scope of the human experience in a way that is both poetic and infinitely relatable. Rather than demanding society “normalize” this thing or that, he just says the hard things without hesitation, offering unfiltered validation to those sitting in their own difficult feelings.
Musically, the sound is brilliant. I cannot hear a Multifaceted Monster song and not dance to it; it’s simply impossible. As a stage right girlie by-default, I cannot wait for the day I can stand barricade-center to take in the immensity of a Multifaceted Monster live show. Friends who are already well-initiated to the alt rap scene, I’m sure you will find so much to love in this artist’s discography. Those who, like me, are new to the sound… give it a try. You may be surprised by how well these tracks fit in with your favorite playlist.
Keep scrolling to check out my lightning round interview with Multifaceted Monster. Be sure to follow along on socials (@multifacetedmonster on Instagram) and tune in to Spotify. Don’t forget to save the Under Exposed playlist on Spotify to listen to my favorites from Multifaceted Monster and the rest of the Under Exposed lineup!
Interview
Cameron Conrad sits down with Multifaceted Monster
What’s your dream venue, the place that will feel like you’ve “made it” once you've played there?
The Super Bowl Stadium
If you could pick any band or artist, past or present, to tour with, who would it be?
Tech N9ne, Lindsey Stirling, and Amy Lee. Each represents a different side of my artistry. Tech N9ne’s technical lyricism and independence, Lindsey Stirling’s cinematic creativity and genre-bending musicianship, and Amy Lee’s emotional depth and powerful storytelling. My dream collaboration would be the four of us creating something that blends hip-hop, orchestral production, rock, and raw emotion into one unforgettable record.
If you were a Disney character, who would you be?
I’d probably be Beast. On the surface I’m pretty calm, reserved, and keep to myself, but I’m passionate about what I care about. If someone pushes the wrong buttons or threatens the people I love, I’ll stand my ground. The bigger lesson from his story is learning to channel that intensity into growth instead of letting it control you.
What’s the craziest, cringiest thing you’ve done for the sake of your music?
I actually think the craziest thing I’ve done for my music was getting sober.
When I first considered recovery, it honestly felt unrealistic and even a little “cringe” to me. I had bought into the idea that alcohol, drugs, and self-destruction were somehow part of what made great artists creative. I was afraid that if I got sober, I’d lose my edge, my inspiration, or the ability to write music that connected with people.
It turned out to be the exact opposite.
Sobriety didn’t take away my creativity—it gave me clarity, discipline, consistency, and the ability to actually build a career instead of just chasing moments of inspiration. I realized there isn’t much longevity in self-destruction. The best art doesn’t come from destroying yourself; it comes from having the courage to be honest about your experiences and still keep growing.
Looking back, getting sober is the craziest decision I ever made for my music, but it also turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made—not just for my career, but for my life.
If we gave out high-school superlatives today, what would you win?
Most nerdy
Any new music or upcoming tours we should know about? Anything brewing behind the scenes you can give a hint about?
My next major release is “Resentment,” featuring Austin Carlile and Dylan Jenet (out NOW!), and it’s one of the most personal records I’ve ever written. The song explores how unresolved resentment can keep us trapped long after addiction, trauma, or difficult relationships have ended. It’s about learning to confront those emotions instead of letting them control us.
Having Austin and Dylan on the record helped bring that emotional weight to life in a way I couldn’t have accomplished alone. Their performances add a level of intensity and vulnerability that perfectly matches the message of the song.
Beyond the release, I’m continuing to perform nationally while building new collaborations that push my sound further into the space where hip-hop, rock, and cinematic music intersect. There’s a lot more on the way, but Resentment is the project I’m most excited for people to experience because I believe it’s the strongest representation yet of what Multifaceted Monster stands for.