In February, RMR released his debut single “Rascal” and prompted waves of intrigue. He was wearing an embroidered ski mask in an accompanying video—and hasn’t been seen publicly without it since, so far as we know—along with a bulletproof Saint Laurent vest. Named for Rascal Flatts, the song is a melodically loyal rendering of the country band’s famous cover of “Bless the Broken Road,” but with sweetly sung repudiations of cops and exes for lyrics. In a phone interview on Wednesday, RMR emphasized his interest in depicting realities. He said that a few weeks ago, in Minneapolis, he saw turmoil, beauty, and “people sick and tired of being sick and tired” as he joined the protests against police brutality and racism after the murder of George Floyd.
The mystery and spectacle around RMR’s (pronounced “rumor”) music have continued over two more songs since, and on Friday he released his debut EP Drug Dealing Is A Lost Art. Such was the rapid online spread of “Rascal” that reporting about his possible identity and speculation about the music industry’s role in it immediately followed. RMR has committed to remaining masked, and while the EP doesn’t set out to resolve questions, it does expand on the possibilities of his rich, elastic voice. If his self-presentation is tightly controlled, his music is more freewheeling, veering nimbly through emotional modes and styles. In the interview, he discussed the music he’s made so far and the effect he hopes it has.
Vanity Fair: What was your experience of seeing “Rascal” blow up the way it did?
RMR: That had to be God. It was God and preparation meeting opportunity. It was an amazing process to see exactly how fast it blew, ’cause I didn’t expect any of that. With that coming I had to obviously prep myself for post-“Rascal.”
When were the rest of the songs on the EP written?
Two of them was written before “Rascal.” And the rest of them, I went in the studio with [Timbaland,] the first song he put on was “I’m Not Over You.” And I wrote that on the spot, in like 35 minutes.
It came natural. All three of the records actually. We was trying to knock out 18, but we gon’ get there. I go off the energy. His energy was amazing, my energy was amazing.
How did the success of “Rascal” impact your writing? Did you feel like you needed to double down on that sound or show new ones?
I’m just a very diverse artist. I don’t like sticking to one sound. I don’t see the need to really stay in one lane. I don’t see lanes. While everybody else is driving, I’m flying. I’m in the plane.
I’m not trying to come off arrogant or nothing, but I just feel like the new artist of a new generation—maybe I’m a blueprint for it. Artists don’t have to stick in a box. They can do whatever they want. Maybe more artists will start creating new music and walking down that path.
How did the pandemic affect your recording process?
I’m an artist of the pandemic. I never got the chance to touch my fans. I’ve never actually been able to go to a real radio station and do a real interview. I’ve been able to do none of that. All I’m used to is the pandemic.
Did you have any hesitations about releasing the music at this time?
I feel like people need this for the simple fact that they’re so divided now. There’s such a lack of understanding. Ignorance isn’t a bliss anymore in the world. It’s not cool to be ignorant. It’s not cute to be ignorant anymore. Put yourself in somebody else’s shoes, and that’s exactly what my music does; it raises consciousness. On a minute level, but it’s raising the consciousness.