Artist Interviews
Mar 9, 2025
Produced by: Tadeáš Jánoš
Edited by: Rudy Manager & Andrej Aroch
Boslen – “Only you know what you want for yourself, and that’s where your truth lies”
In this exclusive Studio Talks interview, we sit down with Canadian artist Boslen to discuss his creative journey, upcoming projects, and the evolution of his sound. Known for his genre-blending approach and bold storytelling, Boslen opens up about the inspiration behind his latest album, DUSK to DAWN, and teases new music from his highly anticipated project, DALI. He also reflects on the influence of his Indigenous heritage, his approach to experimentation, and the challenges of balancing artistic integrity with mainstream appeal. With a major hometown show set for March 15th at Vancouver’s Hollywood Theatre, Boslen shares what this moment means to him and what fans can expect. Read on as he gives us an inside look at his creative process, collaborations, and what’s next in his career. This interview was conducted by Tadeáš Jánoš via video call on February 21st, 2025.
You’re from Vancouver, a city not always associated with hip-hop. Do you feel like you have something to prove for the city? And does Vancouver influence your music in any way?
Early in my career, I moved to Vancouver, but I wasn’t living in the city itself. I was on an island outside of Vancouver, in a small town on the outskirts. Vancouver was the closest major city, and I think it influenced me by showing me a higher version of myself. It exposed me to a higher caliber of people, specifically those in the field I wanted to pursue. I’m not talking about life in general—just my industry. Being around professionals and people who shared my vision really helped me grow.
When you grow up in a small town, you tend to learn everything from that environment. Stepping out of your comfort zone is important, and for me, Vancouver was the closest place to do that. Building my team there was key, and it had a huge impact on my sound. It taught me so much more than I could have learned just from my environment.
As for what I want to prove about Vancouver, I think it’s simply that we’re here. Some might say it’s too late, but I think it’s still early. There’s so much untapped talent, and so many more stories from this city that need to be shared. Personally, I have thousands of stories—funny, good, and bad—that I want to tell. Vancouver has taught me a lot, and I hope the world gets to hear it, because I think many people can relate.
Your Indigenous heritage plays a role in your music. How has that shaped your artistry and storytelling?
My mother is Indigenous, from the Haisla Nation, and my stepfather is Métis. Growing up in that household really grounded me at a young age. When you’re young, you don’t really know much about yourself, and for me, self-awareness came a little later. I had to grow into it and find my place. Having that heritage at the forefront of my life early on gave me the confidence to look deeper into myself—to understand who I wanted to be, what I wanted to represent, and what my values were, especially as a young man.
That foundation helped me, and it naturally translated into my music. It shaped my earlier songs, as I wanted to share my truth.
How do you choose the producers you work with? Is there a specific producer or style of production you gravitate toward? And if you could collaborate with any producer, who would it be?
Some of the best producers I’ve worked with in the room are great conversationalists. They don’t just walk into the studio and say, “Let’s get right to it.” For me, it starts with a conversation—talking about where we’re both at. What are we doing today? Are we even going to make a song today? Sometimes, the goal isn’t even to make a song or a finished product. Sometimes, it’s just about talking about music or figuring out where we’re at creatively.
Obviously, we want to make music—that’s why we’re coming together. I like your craft, you like mine. But to find that muse, you can’t force it. I prefer working with people who are open and collaborative. People I can talk to, who are willing to hear my thoughts, and who aren’t just focusing on the snare for hours. Not all producers do that, but the best ones I’ve worked with are more focused on the collaboration—on the songwriting and structure of the song. It’s a true collaboration.
As for a producer I’d love to work with, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I really admire Louis Bell—his artistic integrity and versatility are incredible. I’ve watched a lot of his interviews, including Mix With the Masters sessions, and the way he navigates a session is like a director. It’s like Christopher Nolan. He’s not just a producer; he’s not just handling one part of the room. He’s the guiding force.
I admire producers who take that approach. I also tell producers who reach out to me wanting to send beats or samples that they should get in the room with people. You can only learn so much by working alone and sending things out. Going to your city and working with local producers is important. There are different types of producers, but those who get into the room and keep working —those are the ones truly in the game.
You’ve collaborated with a range of artists. Can you share who you’ll be working with in the coming months and maybe tease any new songs?
The new music is going to be DALI. I’ve been teasing this project for a long time. I was originally supposed to make this album before GONZO, but in hindsight, the timing now feels perfect—I truly understand what it needs to be. We’ve already dropped a couple of singles—“Whitney” and “Dancing in Dubai.” Another single is coming very soon. I’ll say it here first: the next single we’re dropping is “Life Of the Man.” I’m really excited about that one.
That song asks the question, “What does it mean to be a man?” Especially in this day and age. I’ve been talking to some girls, and they’re saying, “Lately, every guy wants to be treated like a girl.” And, that’s funny, but what I’ll say is I’m looking back in time. I’m reflecting on the Martin Luther King and Malcolm X days, especially as a young Black man in today’s world. What does it mean to be a man, and what’s my story? I don’t want the stories of young Black and Indigenous men like myself to be lost. I want us to hold on to that confidence. It’s not that it’s missing—there are more voices than ever—but what’s my take on it?
In terms of collaborations, I plan to collaborate a lot more with Canadian artists. Earlier in my career, I kind of skipped over that and went international right away. Now, I definitely want to tap into the Canadian music scene more and see where it takes me. I can’t drop any names yet, but I’m very excited.
You have a live show coming up on March 15th in Vancouver. Tell us a little about it—are you excited?
I’m very excited. It’s been about four or five years since I last performed a show in my hometown. I’ve mostly performed at festivals here, so this show is a huge milestone for me. This has been on my mind for a long time, and finally deciding to do it was a big moment for me and my team. Everything we’ve worked on over the years has led to this.
More than anything, this show is a celebration—for everyone who has supported me, my friends, my family, and the people who stood by me through the tough times, even when no one else could see it. They kept me going. Even being here, doing this interview, takes a village. Everyone faces their own trials and challenges. I just want to send love and gratitude to my team, my family, and my friends.
March 15th at the Hollywood Theatre—it’s going to be a special night. I’ll be performing with a live band for the first time, so we’ve been rehearsing. It’s definitely an interesting experience. It’s surreal to hear my hard-hitting tracks with 808s and modern drums come to life with a live drummer. It’s taking some getting used to, but it still hits just as hard. I’m excited to have a great night, soak it all in, and celebrate.
With social media shaping how people discover music, how do you balance making songs that feel authentic while also reaching a wider audience?
I’ve definitely struggled with that. I won’t pretend I haven’t. I think maybe everyone has, to some degree. It’s been harder for me to transition between maintaining artistic integrity and sharing the songs I want to make, like slower songs, and balancing that with what social media and the audience seem to want.
At certain points in my career—like when I dropped “Santa Muerte”—I wanted to put out something completely different. I spent months teasing and pushing that narrative. But then I’d share a 10-second snippet of another track, and it would blow up. People would say, “Okay, we should drop this one.” It’s that constant push-and-pull—you need to be self-aware and listen to your audience, of course. But at the same time, I don’t think creatives should listen too much to their fans—because fans don’t always know what’s best for you. Only you know what you want for yourself, and that’s where your truth lies.
You’ve got to stick to your gut feeling and push that narrative. When too many opinions come into play, that’s when artists lose their way—and I’ve been there too. I’ve learned to have confidence, respect others’ opinions, but ultimately trust that I know what’s best when it comes to releasing my music. In the end, everything will come out—it’s just about timing and pace.
I’ve found a good balance now—sometimes I create something to capture attention and draw in a wider audience. Once they’re here, I can share something that’s more me—something slower, more personal.
You’ve spoken about mental health in your music and opened up about personal struggles. What helps you stay grounded and true to yourself in such a fast-paced industry?
I work on that every day. Every day is a battle. You wake up and have to check in with yourself again. Instead of jumping on your phone right away, you have to pause and ask yourself, “How am I actually feeling today? Why am I upset? Are these thoughts really mine, or are they just passing through?” That’s something I’ve learned recently is that my thoughts don’t define me—they’re just thoughts.
I’ve been listening to a YouTube channel called Profound Pondering every day—it’s really helped keep me grounded, and I’d recommend it to anyone. Talking to my family, especially my mom, and staying connected with people who are facing their own struggles helps a lot too. Being a musician, a creative—it can be a lonely journey. It’s a hero’s journey, and not everyone can truly relate to what you’re feeling. On the surface, it might seem like “first world problems”—like I’m facing things someone working a nine-to-five wouldn’t. But everyone has their own struggles, and that isolation is real.
To get through it, I watch different interviews and try to put myself in a frequency or vibrational state where I’m reminded that I’m not alone. There are creatives out there going through the same things— or even worse. That perspective helps me refocus and appreciate where I am. It reminds me, “I wouldn’t trade my problems with anyone else—I’m happy with where I am.” That shift in perspective brings gratitude.
Gratitude is huge in this industry. Appreciating what you have, not comparing yourself to others, and staying true to your own journey—that’s what keeps a smile on your face through the hard days. Bad news will always come, but your perspective on it is what helps you keep going.
So for any artist or creative, watch a few interviews with your favorite artists. You’ll be okay.
If someone is discovering your music for the first time, which song should they start with and why?
Wow, that’s a great question. I think they should start with “Whitney.” It’s one of my most recent songs, and I feel like it has a universal vibe. The drums in that track are incredible—they speak an international language. You don’t need to understand English to feel the energy I’m trying to convey, but if you do, the message will hit even harder.
“Whitney” came from a place of growth for me. Lately, I’ve been maturing a lot. Growing up as the youngest in my family, with three older sisters, an older brother, and now nieces and nephews running around, I realize just how much influence I have. I didn’t fully get it earlier in my career, but now, it’s becoming really clear. I get videos from my sister showing me that little Rosalie is singing the song, and I think, “Man, she shouldn’t be singing that song!” But that’s when it really hits me.
The song is also a message to the kids growing up in today’s world, where screens and social media can sometimes dictate our moods. I want them to understand the values and morals I stand for now—“Whitney” speaks to that. If you listen to it, you’ll get a sense of where I’m at in this stage of my life.
Any final words for your fans or upcoming artists reading this interview before we wrap up?
New music is coming very soon. It’s been a while, but I took my time to make sure it’s the best it can be. The next project is DALI, and “Life Of the Man” is coming very soon as well. That song hits close to home for me—it’s honestly my favorite.
I just want to say thank you for your time today. The questions were incredible and thank you for creating a platform like this for creatives, producers, and artists to share their stories and connect.
Follow Charles “Boslen” Stephens on Instagram: @boslen
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