Blxst is having one of the best years of any R&B artist currently in the game, and let me tell you how.

The rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, newly minted CEO, and L.A. mainstay has been on a hot streak since the release of his debut project, 2020’s No Love Lost, which instantly made him a star. The 10-track effort proved that he was more than just a behind-the-scenes player in the West Coast music scene due to his silky melodies, catchy adlibs, and dance-inducing rhythms and rifts.

Taking advantage of those strong moments and engagement with his fans, the artist born Matthew Burdette would go on to boost his cred by collaborating with a who’s who in the music game from legends (Nas, Snoop Dogg) to future Hall of Famers (Rick Ross) to fellow rising superstars (Buddy, YG, Mozzy) and show out on each track. 

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That consistent effort mixed with his own brand of star power earned Blxst his first Billboard Hot 100 entry, with “Chosen” peaking at No. 51 this past January. Refusing to go unnoticed, Blxst even received his first award show nomination for Best New Hip Hop Artist at last year’s BET Hip Hop Awards, was recognized as a member of XXL’s Freshman Class of 2021, and won the first-ever Rising Star Award at Billboard’s virtual R&B/Hip Hop Summit that same year.

With his second project, Before You Go, already making waves, Blxst can also be found alongside fellow South Central native Kendrick Lamar on “Die Hard” from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which instantly should boost his own stock. Unconcerned with the dreaded sophomore slump, the 29-year-old spoke with BET.com about the project, how he and his “sheesh” adlib have impacted pop culture and talked about some of his favorite hip hop hooks of all time.

BET.com: The album has been in my rotation since its release. I had actually had to press stop at “Couldn’t Wait For It” ahead of our sit-down. For new and returning listeners excited to dive into your new work, what’s the story or message that imbues these songs on Before You Go…?

Blxst: I’d say that the album — in totality — just acknowledges my transition to leaving certain things behind and only taking certain things with me. [Before You Go] is more like a note or letter to myself. You’ll find that these messages hit differently throughout the project.

BET.com: Brotherhood and collaboration are two of the messages that I took away from Before You Go. It also feels rooted in a down-home appeal. There are a few close ties on this album, from Arin Ray to Rick Ross to Zacari being on the album. What was it like to work with these artists? Any takeaways to share?

Blxst: As far as the features, those are three artists that I am a great fan of personally. Arin Ray, man, I would listen to his Platinum Fire album on repeat. Whenever I was on the plane, that was my go-to whenever I pressed play on my playlist. For Zacari, the same thing. Our chemistry was in sync from day one. It was effortless when we locked in the studio in Malibu, California. With Rick Ross, he is just somebody who I aspired to be like — from being an entrepreneur to how he handles his artistry. So, to have his stamp of approval on Before You Go was extremely dope.

BET.com: Can you also delve into the production side of Before You Go? Who did you work with? What were you trying to go for when it came to style and sound?

Blxst: I wanted to elevate the sounds from my last project, No Love Lost. I wanted more live instrumentation, so I brought in my boy Grandmaster Vic, who, funnily enough, I met at a Chipotle. I was a fan of his, and he used to post videos on Instagram, doing covers with his violin. I linked up with him and said we needed to work together on a record, which was “Pick Your Poison.” Then Felix, who pretty much came up with me early on, would play live saxophone on this.

My homie Joe Mo is on Before You Go, too, playing a lot of live guitar throughout the project as well. I just wanted it to feel like how a live show would be with me and a band. I am elevating the sound overall, but Before You Go, much like with No Love Lost, needed to have that West Coast vibe in it.

BET.com: Throughout this album’s process, one must ask if you’ve also learned anything regarding care for your mental health from the Big Homie Snoop Dogg or fellow artists like Buddy that you use in your own practice?

Blxst: For sure, for sure. That is most important to me as a human being and an artist. Self-care was one thing that my mom instilled in me early on in my life. She’s actually a mental health therapist, so I apply those tools I learned from her while on the road, which has been a challenge for me this year. I made it a personal point to get a therapist and be proactive with my self-care for sure.

BET.com: What are your thoughts on how “sheesh” has impacted pop culture specifically through your music?

Blxst: [Laughs] Man, it’s crazy! I feel like it is coming from different angles. I think it is dope, and it is a form of expression that will continue to grow outside of my music and how I do it. I saw how it filtered into TV shows like Bel-Air, and on Instagram, so that’s crazy that you mentioned “sheesh” like that. It is inspirational indeed, but I need a check with how it’s used now [laughs].

BET.com: Last question, Blxst… Next year will be the 50th anniversary of this thing we love called hip hop. Ahead of the celebration, I wanted to ask you what are some of your favorite hip hop hooks of all time?

Blxst: [Laughs] That’s funny. I would say “Lose Yourself” by Eminem, which is a legendary hook to me. 50 Cent’s “How We Do” is an impactful one. Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” with Pharrell Williams, is a pretty fire one to include. Oh, “Many Men” by 50 is another dope record, and I’d have to say “I Wish” by Skee-Lo is also a song that has an incredibly classic hook.

Before You Go is currently available for playthrough via all digital streaming platforms. Blxst has just announced his first headlining tour, which you can buy tickets for here.

Kevin L. Clark is a screenwriter and entertainment director for BET Digital, who covers the intersection of music, film, pop culture, and social justice. Follow him on @KevitoClark.