Upon meeting him, gangsta rapper isn’t the impression that most would get from buzzing Houston emcee, Maxo Kream, age 27. He has a surprisingly goofy and playful demeanor, often cracking self-aware jokes and displaying a smile which showcases either his gold grin or his trademark gap in the upper row of this teeth. But, make no mistake, Maxo’s backstory is a tale consisting of crime and death that would catch the attention of the most jaded followers of gangsta/trap rap.

Born Zarif Wilder, theMIND is an alternative R&B and hip-hop artist from Philadelphia. He began writing music when he was 9, as a means to cope with being in and out of different foster homes; eventually, he was taken in by a teacher, who supported Wilder's dreams of pursuing a music career. He moved to Chicago to study music business at Columbia College in 2007, and subsequently forming the production group @THEMpeople the following year with 4 other friends. Though a Philly native, Chicago has adopted Wilder. Since moving here, the singer has worked with a handful of notable Chicago artists, including G- Herbo, Mick Jenkins, Noname, and Chance the Rapper and so many more. As theMIND, Wilder released his latest tape Summer Camp in 2016, and recently released the single "Miss Communication" with Soulection producer @Da-P, via Zane Lowe. Wilder's forthcoming project "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" is out now.