mcgwn moves with the kind of emotional precision that turns confession into currency, and his music, including songs like, “SORRIES AIN’T ENOUGH” prove exactly why his voice is rising beyond the DMV. Released through Sincerely Yours, the track captures the quiet breaking point where apologies lose their meaning and self-worth takes the lead. With melodies that linger and delivery that cuts clean through the noise, mcgwn channels the weight of modern relationships into something both vulnerable and unshakably assured — a statement of growth, distance, and the power of finally choosing yourself. Check out our full mcgwn interview here.
Parlé Mag: “SORRIES AIN’T ENOUGH” feels like a bold statement—what’s the story behind that track, and what moment in your life pushed you to create something so emotionally raw and confident?
mcgwn: I wanted to throw up a non-bitter middle finger to those who didn’t believe in what we had going on. That’s really the gist of it. This past year has been the year that I really fleshed out my vision and got a taste of what I can do, and I feel confident enough now to tell those who didn’t believe that I never needed them. I still got everything to prove, but I plan on doing so.
Parlé Mag: You’re blending rap, R&B, and experimental sounds effortlessly—how do you approach the process of crafting a record that feels both authentic to you and fresh to your listeners? Are there any new sonic territories you’re itching to explore on your upcoming project?
mcgwn: My process certainly varies, but what remains consistent is that I’m always trying to put out what I want to hear. I believe in my ear more than anything. I think it’s important for an artist to be as much of a curator of their own sound as a creator of it—and to do it with confidence. For me, that means making music that excites me, that I’d want to listen to. I’m so glad that sound translates to other ears.
I’m psyched to start experimenting with more choir and orchestral elements. I think you can hear the groundwork in what I have out now, but it’s got nothing on what’s new.
Parlé Mag: Your breakout single “motion sickness” struck a chord with so many—what was it about that song that made it resonate so deeply, and how did its success influence your mindset going into your debut EP?
mcgwn: I think it just has that swag, to be real. A lot of tangible references. Not overly produced or written (I’d like to say). Honestly, the song almost never dropped. I can’t say my team was as high on it as I was in its demo phase, but they still confidently encouraged me to drop what I believed in. You’ve got to listen to your heart. I’m taking that confidence in my taste and ear to every project I’ll ever work on.
Parlé Mag: As a 19-year-old making waves from Maryland, what does the regional scene mean to you, and how does your hometown influence the stories you tell and the sounds you create?
mcgwn: The DMV is such a hub of art and culture and just dope stuff in general. Having it in proximity was and is everything. Where I grew up in Calvert County, there isn’t a ton going on. That really encouraged me to explore what I could see in the distance, you feel me? I think this, along with taking the time to appreciate what was around me, gave me a lot to draw from.
The Chesapeake means a lot to my process. Growing up on the cliffs and the beach cemented my identity and, therefore, my music, for real. That being said, I always carved my own unique path in my area. There’s nothing like me coming out of where I’m from. I hope they’ll feel proud of me when I finish.
Parlé Mag: You recently performed at the Locally Grown Festival—what was that experience like for you as an artist who’s used to connecting through headphones? How did that live energy compare, and what did it teach you about your relationship with your audience?
mcgwn: Locally Grown was a blast. I’ve done about five or six sets since. I love connecting with my listeners face to face—I try to sing right to them. It makes you realize that the real music is living and breathing in spaces where we’re all experiencing it together. It’s an honor to contribute to that.
Parlé Mag: Your music pushes boundaries—how do you stay true to your artistic voice while also navigating the industry’s pressures to fit into specific genres or trends? Is there a line you refuse to cross?
mcgwn: I don’t care about the industry’s pressure to do anything right now—I don’t really think about it. Right now, I’ve been blessed with an opportunity to make what I believe in with people who support my vision. I’m going to stick that out for the foreseeable future and see what happens. If the day comes where I’ve got to feed my kid with this, I’ll consider trying to appease the industry.
I refuse to abandon Hip-Hop. It’s given me the confidence to stay alive in this wild world, and it’s done so much more for art and culture. It’s given powerful voices to the voiceless.
From the jump, I’ve experimented with genres and I never plan on stopping, but I’ll never fold on the medium that gave me the faith to get after it. I’ll just work my other muscles simultaneously.
Parlé Mag: Looking ahead to your upcoming project later this year, what themes or messages are you most eager to communicate? Are there personal stories or wider social messages you want your fans to take away?
mcgwn: I’ve always wanted to share my explorations of my own coming of age and my adolescent experiences. Growing up and watching my world change has been one of my biggest sources of inspiration. The naïve arrogance, the raw emotions, the random bits and pieces of me—I hope they can evoke something within my listeners. I want them to think about their own experiences. That being said, I feel like I’m in my own little world in my music. I invite everyone to join me, though.
Parlé Mag: Your sound is described as genre-blurring and innovative—do you see yourself as part of a new wave of artists redefining what it means to be a singer, rapper, or producer? How do you want to influence the next generation of creatives?
mcgwn: I see myself as a product of my influences, which have been all over the spectrum. I think the same can be said for my generation of artists. There’s never been more dope art to be inspired by—it’s so hard to only be inspired by one genre or medium. It’s also just way less fun.
I want them to listen to their gut. I want them to drop what they believe in, what they think is cool. Someone out there is going to rock with it, and that’s so much more than enough.
Parlé Mag: What’s been the most surprising lesson you’ve learned about yourself through this journey—whether it’s in the studio, on stage, or navigating the industry?
mcgwn: I think this music journey has proved to me that life is truly what you make it. Nothing is fair or handed to you out here unless you’re in the top 0.05%. Therefore, you have to obtain the life and the platform you want—from sunup to sundown. This past year, I think I proved to myself that I’m willing to do that.
Parlé Mag: As someone still discovering his artistic identity, what advice would you give to other young artists trying to carve their own space in a crowded scene?
mcgwn: Block out the noise without refusing inspiration and collaboration. It’s a Herculean task, I know, but it’s what separates us from the rest. Nobody is going to give you permission to do your thing. Nobody has an opinion valuable enough to make you stop doing your thing.
Parlé Mag: The emotional honesty in your music is compelling—how do you summon that vulnerability during the songwriting process, and what do you hope your listeners feel or gain from your honesty?
mcgwn: I have nothing to hide. I am mcgwn, and mcgwn is me. I’m just trying to communicate all the versions of myself, not just the confident rapper. I wish everyone was comfortable sharing more facets of themselves, myself included. Honesty and communicating my vision in an authentic way is something I’ll never stop working at.
Parlé Mag: Maryland often claims a rich musical history—how do you plan to contribute to that legacy, and which stories from your region do you want to tell through your art?
mcgwn: I couldn’t be more proud to be from Maryland. If my home can consider my art as legacy-worthy, I’ve already won in a huge way. I hope my debut EP, I’ll Be Here All Summer, encapsulated my love for growing up in the Chesapeake. I hope it’s in a way other Marylanders can relate to. Growing up there was such a unique experience—it’s a privilege to have it breathe through my art.
Parlé Mag: If you could collaborate with any artist—whether they’re on your radar or a legend you admire—who would it be, and what kind of project would you love to create together?
mcgwn: I’ve always wanted a Thugger feature—because who doesn’t? I feel like I grew up on Young Thug features. That being said, I’d love to work most of all with Mike Dean. I’d also share the room with my producers, of course. I feel like he created some of the most legendary moments in music. If I shared just one with him on a track, it would complete me.
Parlé Mag: As you prepare to release more music, what’s one thing you want your fans to understand about your artistic evolution and the message you’re trying to send with your work?
mcgwn: My confidence is as much a manifestation as it is a reality. We must will the versions of ourselves that we want to be into existence. I hope my art can embody that sentiment and the soul of who I’ve always wanted to become. Thank you for letting it be a part of your life.
Parlé Mag: Finally, what’s a wild or unexpected place you see your music taking you? Are there new sounds, collaborations, or even non-music ventures you’re excited to explore?
mcgwn: My team knows I’m getting on that big screen whether they like it or not. It’s always been my dream to act in film and TV, like so many others. I also love to write—I’ve been writing and fleshing out a couple of TV show ideas just for the hell of it; I know, I’m sure y’all are dying to hear about this, and I hope music can be my gateway to the world of entertainment in general, to be honest.
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Instagram: @mcgwn
