By: Natalia J
Dead Hendrix, Levi Zadoff, and AAnarchy collaborate on “DEAD,” a new single that fuses pop-punk and hip-hop and offers them each an outlet to confront their hardships and explore their unique relationships with death. Each artist brings their own interpretation and musical expression of “DEAD,” sewing their individual parts of the song—and their lives—into what listeners may find to be a powerfully raw narrative.
But first, some backstory. Levi shares that for as long as he can remember, he’s been an artist. From drawing anime to composing his own music or painting the inside of his mind, he shares that music is just another extension of his muses. Influenced by cross-genre and generational music from ’70s funk, ’80s rock, ’90s rap, and 2000s pop-punk, Levi’s latest evolution nestles hip-hop within pop-punk. Meanwhile, Dead Hendrix, a Canadian-American punk-rap artist, says that music was always an art form he kept coming back to. He’s a talented writer and lyricist and resonates with music’s ability to draw out creation, self-expression, and introspection. He uses writing as a way to confront and express traumas from substance abuse, heartbreak, and suppression. The two artists met each other a few years back when Dead Hendrix was releasing a track that sparked Levi’s interest. After exchanging work with one another, they discovered they shared similar music styles and tastes. With Levi’s background in hip-hop and the alternative scene and Dead Hendrix’s punk-rock meets rap vibe, they eventually wrote and produced an EP, “Dead Summer,” which touches on themes from the COVID pandemic.
Similar to the metaphors within “Dead Summer,” their newest single, “DEAD,” continues exploring themes of loss and destructive coping mechanisms, which sets the stage for their upcoming EP “Out The Grave.” At the start of creating “DEAD,” AAnarchy, formerly known as Son of Arc, originated the track with a jarring hook. He brought the initial version to Levi Zadoff and Dead Hendrix, which kicked off their recent introduction to working together. Both Levi and Hendrix share that AAnarchy is a very talented and diverse artist, and he elevates the projects that they work on, whether through composing, producing, or vocals.
Setting the pace for the track, AAnarchy sings, “Was it something that I said, ‘cause this girl wants me dead,” a powerful line that opens the floor for questioning. Agonizing over being stuck in his head, and not understanding why he’s reaping such hatred, AAnarchy, Levi Zadoff, and Dead Hendrix, all add their own interpretation to what “DEAD,” means, in terms of surviving in their own lives.
After the hook draws us in, Dead Hendrix lays a verse that joins hip-hop and hard rock rhythms, totally flipping the track on its axis. Levi calls it the power play within the track, as Hendrix’s verse boldly claims ownership of his pain. “I’m the King of the Dead” lyrics reflect his journey through the toxicity of relationships, battling trauma, or succumbing to and overcoming addiction. Despite feeling alienated, Hendrix declares, “I’ve been on my shit; I’m different.”
Following this section Levi Zadoff counters with a bridge, in the lyrics, “I’m a dead man walking,” he owns his own trials of darkness, suffering from physical and mental health challenges. Much of the track evokes questions like, “What if there’s nothing coming out on the other side? Or what if there is, but no one expected you to…”
“Now I’m in the back of the club, top of the stage, bet they all see me when I’m up, I’m the DeadHead General,” lyrics that posture their resilience because, as they noted, too many people didn’t expect them to overcome their hardships. Levi shares one of his favorite quotes from Tech9, “Winners are not people who never fail but are people who never quit,” because it represents perseverance. Each of these artists, in their own ways, has faced significant challenges and demonstrated perseverance, and they hope this will resonate with fans in their own way too.
Stay tuned on social media for updates about “Out The Grave” EP release and Levi Zadoff’s upcoming single “Zombie.”
Social Media
- Tiktok: @boymisery @deadhendrix @s.o.a_music
- IG: @levizadoff @talk2thedead @s.o.a_music
- Spotify: Listen to “DEAD” here
Published by Nicholas A.
