Meet Madhi, The IE’s Modern Hip-Hop Jazz Man
by Travis Erwin
Society is littered with dreamers and schemers hellbent to grab ahold of fame. This isn’t a new phenomenon, though these days successfully chasing the limelight is usually more about boldness and personality than cultivating an actual talent.
Modern fame is too often an illusion, an ode to algorithms manipulated by social media influencers and so-called content creators desperate to sell only themselves.
Rarely is there an actual product, or even talent behind the smoke and mirror flash of outlandish stunts, ideas, and of course, a dazzling array of fakeness rooted in the most superficial of aesthetics. All of this has rendered fame more plastic and fleeting than ever before.
And then you have young men like Madhi, carving his place out in the world the old-fashioned way, via talent, discipline, and hard work.
But Madhi isn’t seeking fame. No, this savvy and intelligent young man has established his presence in the musical landscape by chasing something far more elusive and lasting than fame.
Madhi is seeking perfection.
Yes, Madhi has set his sights on perfection, but he’s also sharp enough to be pragmatic. No one is perfect, not all of the time and not with every step, but the drive and determination is tangible from the moment you meet this young man.
After we moved beyond the initial pleasantries, and started diving into the music, I realized the full depth of Madhi’s talent and passion. I was lucky enough to spend a few hours talking melodies, beats, lyrics, and all things music -- from the art to the business, but for those of you not yet acquainted with Madhi and his diverse talents and skill set let me formally introduce you.
From Fontana to Boston
Madhi grew up in Fontana, California as Samad Grays. The stage name Madhi comes from a nickname bestowed on him by his mother, and family is at the heart of who Madhi is both in and out of the studio.
As a former MC with old-school roots, Madhi’s father is no stranger to the mic or demands of the music industry. His watchful eye has certainly played a role in his son’s calculated career path, but like most kids, Madhi has shown a stubborn streak to also do things his own way. Though he is quick to acknowledge that stubborn streak with a smile, Madhi is just as eager to express love and respect for the guidance and sacrifices both his parents have made.
Piano lessons began at four, and like so many talented artists, school band and orchestra programs played a large role in fostering Madhi’s musical obsessions. Particularly his high school jazz band. For one of his earliest piano recitals, Madhi played Duke Ellington’s, Satin Dolls and throughout his musical education he continued to tap into those old standards for inspiration.
Madhi is among other things an old soul, at least musically, but he also draws inspiration from more commercial artists like Anderson Paak, Kendrick Lamar, and Smino. And during live performances he and his talented band put their own spin on such hits.
Originally, Madhi had little interest in straying far from home for college, but his mother in particular encouraged him to expand his horizons. While still in high school and accompanied by his father, Madhi established strong ties to the Southern California jazz scene at places like The York in Highland Park and The Rhythm Room in DTLA.
As a senior, Madhi was able to play alongside some of Southern California’s best jazz artists and while he held his own, each time he left the stage, Madhi knew he wanted to be better.
He wanted to be perfect.
In talking about that period of his life, Madho said, “Jazz is a progression sport, and I was driven to do better.”
All of these early interactions with players in the Southern California Jazz scene led Madhi to be drawn to the music program at Cal State Northridge. With CSUN in his sights and in his heart, Madhi considered other schools more to appease his mom than anything else. Still, he kept his eyes and mind open to all possibilities. He asked questions and investigated and soon, another school began to emerge as a candidate, The Berklee School of Music.
Here in California the word Berklee usually conjures thoughts of UC Berkely and while both are fine schools in their own right, The Berklee School of Music happens to be in Boston and boasts an alumni pool that has taken home more than three-hundred Grammy Awards.
Despite his initial reluctance to leave California, Madhi applied anyway. As you can imagine, the application process for such an esteemed school is not easy, but Madhi took on the challenge and was accepted with a full scholarship. It was then that a mixture of pride excitement, and yes fear took hold, because for a West Coast California kid to pack up and venture off alone to Boston is one hell of a leap.
But Madhi had some connections from playing on the West Coast and that made the transition easier. Thanks to creative friendships already forged, Madhi hit Boston as an active member of his new community. He, along with his roommate and some other members of the same dorm formed a band.
A band that has quickly taken off after their humble beginning busking on the streets outside their dorm.
Busking in Boston
Of course, they were not the only talented music students attempting to earn a few dollars from their talents so standing out in a unique way was key to gaining people’s attention.
Making anyone stop and listen on Boston’s streets was no easy feat, but Madhi had a plan.
He began freestyling lyrics about those strolling by, and in doing so engaged his audience on an entirely new level. Madhi forced his audience to stop and listen.
There on the streets of Boston, Madhi took his jazz-influenced musical talent and distilled it into a digestible elixir for the masses passing by. He did not do this alone. His multitalented bandmates were every bit as essential to creating their group soon to be called New Bounce Collective.
Along with Madhi the band is comprised of Devan Thai (keys), Caden Lagman (drums), and Cyrus Baygents (bass) and this talented quartet is capable of so much as a group or as individuals. “I can’t envision a future where the four of us do not continue to come together and create as New Bounce Collective,” Madhi said.
Despite his solo efforts I definitely detected a spark in his eyes when talking about the band.
From the streets to the screen. New Bounce Collective began pasting covers across social media and soon the band had more than a million views. The momentum has kept humming along and the band is poised to start unveiling their original works now that the fall semester is in swing and they are all back together in the same room.
Here at LA on Lock we pride ourselves on introducing music lovers to new artists across a wide spectrum of genres and sounds. Madhi and New Bounce Collective fit that bill. Watching all four of the talented individuals grow not only together, but as solo musicians and artists will certainly be intriguing as they each chase their idea of musical perfection.
Madhi plans to spend his next three years honing his craft at one of the best places on the planet to do so, but don’t expect this young man from the Inland Empire to forget who is or where he comes from. Expect him to continue to rep the West Coast sound and style, just with a touch more jazz flair. And if that doesn’t sound like a perfect plan, I don’t know what does.
Here is a sneak peak at a demo Madhi has been working on with some of that West Coast juice.
