Formerly known as Maxsta, Ian Leone is a multifaceted artist adding to his seasoned soundscape with a brand new banger “Basquiat”, hacked from his new EP “The Ian Show”. Marking a new era for the musician, producer and model, “Basquiat” comes with hard-hitting lyrics which pound over a hair-raising beat. Honing his ability to immerse his listeners within his sound, the track comes alongside a music video pulsating with energy. As black and white video clips distort in and out of reality, the visual is at once unsettling, mesmerising and completely addictive.
Starting his new chapter with finesse, Ian Leone has signed with ForeverGood, a platform bound by new movements, new ideas and new points of view. Entering his new community on a high, Ian put on a live performance at ForeverGood, with pop up brands including BadFriends, Corteiz and Motherlan.
Only just getting started, there is so much more to see of Ian as he prepares for the debut of “The Ian Show”, as well as cultivating his modelling career. Ahead of this, we spoke with Ian himself alongside the founder of ForeverGood Sebastian Downing to find out more about the exciting events which will follow their recent partnership. To read the interview and to stream Ian Leone’s leading single, scroll below…
Sebastian, what would you say ForeverGood is able to bring to the London scene right now?
SEBASTIAN: We are bringing a breath of fresh air to the scene as a whole. There are no other classic car garages/management/event spaces/brands in London that exist, let alone allowing full creative control matched with support, structure and an actual connection to the lifestyle we live.
Ian, your new single is called “Basquiat” which you have also made a music video for. What was the concept behind this?
IAN: It was basically me giving ode, paying respect to art and to Basquiat: two things that I feel like have dramatically shaped the person I am. I really wanted to celebrate art, friendship, the vibe that I have with the people that I love. That is the concept.
Sebastian, how do you choose which artists you want to collaborate with for ForeverGood?
SEBASTIAN: We work with people we admire. I have been ben following Ian for about 6 years now, from the BBM days where you had to Tubidy music videos off YouTube to your phone. It is just seamless connections and vibes, being nothing but ForeverGood
Ian, is there a date set for your anticipated EP release? This is your first project since being Maxsta. What is it about for you? What can listeners expect from your new sound?
IAN: Look for me at the end of May. We’ll be announcing the date with the next single. I would say listeners can expect new sounds, and no two songs really sound the same in the way that my career is right now, but also, expect a rawer more honest portrayal of where I’m at with things and my life, almost no filter. The little filter I do apply is just to protect people in my life you know, not me. It’s me talking about things that anyone alive can reach out and touch and see with their friends.
Ian, you recently performed at a ForeverGood event in collaboration with some pop-up brands (Corteiz, BadFriend, Motherlan.). Is it important for you to work alongside other up-and-coming creatives?
IAN: It’s incredibly important because what we are living within as creatives is spiritual man, it’s about being personable. Music art and fashion are all one thing, the more I work with young sick energy, whether they make clothes or paint, I always find new inspiration. Right now, there is a revolution happening and as a product “Ian Leone” lives in times that will be written about, a-lot of these other dudes and girls out here working under the name of art and love, those are my avengers, my fellow superheroes
Ian, tell us about your evolution as an artist, and what has inspired you to make the change in your artist name (from “Maxsta to Ian Leone”) and direction?
IAN: Reality and humanity man, I wanna give a special shoutout to KID Cudi, Jaden and Tyler, the Creator and Kevin Abstract. I grew up in a time where black culture in the UK is quite early on, we’re still behind America in a lot of ways but man, seeing the extent that guys like that were expressing themselves. I had got to a point where I was really upset about the music I was making, I felt I had got caught up in “playing the game” trying to give the people what they want rather than listen to Ian. People might see me skateboarding in a dress right, I feel like that’s not what the “Maxsta” brand is for the people who enjoyed it, I knew it was time to change my name and just do what I wanna do on some trill shit.
How has working with ForeverGood impacted this change?
IAN: Working with ForeverGood put me in a position that I haven’t been in for a while, I can just be an artist you know, I’m connecting at a rapid rate with other creatives, getting the opportunity to perform a lot, I’ve got a space I can throw my own event. I’m bumping into some of the coolest people in London every week. People who felt far away before.
What do you hope to achieve this year?
IAN: I’m going to drop three projects under the name Ian Leone, kick this sh*t off real legendary like, and fall in genuine honest love for four-weeks, hopefully in the peak of the summer in any country, picnics and that, red dress.