Pastel Is Painting Outside the Lines
- Semeyer sutton
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
The genre-fluid artist redefining confidence, creativity, and control
Pastel doesn’t make music for the sidelines. His sound lives in the after-hours, somewhere between crowded house parties, dimly lit clubs, and the quiet reflections that follow when the night finally ends. It’s energetic, abrasive at times, freeing at others, and always intentional. However, More than anything, it’s honest. Long before he was producing his own records and building a loyal community, Pastel was just a kid with a pen.
“I started writing poems in third grade,” he says casually, like it was inevitable. Raised by parents who encouraged creativity, he explored everything from cello and violin to school orchestra. Sports never really stuck. Music did. Hip-hop, especially, felt like home.
That early curiosity never faded, it evolved.
A Sound Without Borders
Pastel’s music refuses to sit in one lane. He began in alternative R&B, but today his catalog leans toward abrasive hip-hop with flashes of pop sensibility.
The through line? Freedom.
“I produce everything myself,” he explains. That independence gives him full control over his sound—no outside limitations, no need to compromise. Every track is a reflection of where he is creatively in that moment.
His process is fluid and collaborative. Studio sessions are built around energy, not rules. Surrounded by trusted creatives and guided by his close collaborator Stitch, Pastel starts most songs with melodies. From there, he simplifies, finds a flow, and freestyles his vocals rather than writing them down.
“I love beats more than lyrics,” he admits. “But I really love song-making as a whole.”
That approach keeps his music raw and alive, never overworked, never forced.
Music Made After Midnight
Lately, Pastel has been drawn to nightlife sounds: club music, house-party energy, records meant to be played loud and felt in the body. His influences pull from artists like Don Toliver and Aminé, music that’s fun, freeing, and carefree, but still grounded.
“Inspiration comes from life,” he says. “Every track reflects something real, even if it’s exaggerated.”
After-parties often turn into studio sessions. Moments become melodies. Experiences become records.
That philosophy is especially present in his upcoming project Shordini, a playful term referring to someone you’re not particularly serious about. The idea sparked an entire body of work, capturing fleeting connections and the emotions that come with them.
Building in an Overcrowded Industry
When asked about today’s hip-hop landscape, Pastel is thoughtful, and honest.
“Music is more accessible than ever, which is good,” he says. “But we’re losing quality.”
He believes originality suffers when anyone can release anything instantly. His solution? Artists taking more ownership, especially through production.
“If more artists produced their own music, we’d hear more original work people could really relate to.”
That commitment to ownership extends beyond the studio. Pastel and his team have sold out shows independently, built community organically, and proven that success doesn’t always require industry validation.
“You don’t have to rely on everyone to be great,” he says.
The Meaning Behind the Name
Pastel isn’t just a stage name, it’s a mindset.
The idea came during a conversation with Stitch while rebranding. Pastel colors appear throughout his wardrobe, his visuals, his online presence. To him, pastel represents alternative boldness,soft colors with confidence.
“I want it to be an adjective,” he says. “Anyone can be pastel.”
To Pastel, the word means being yourself fully and unapologetically.
More Than the Persona
Despite how he’s perceived, Pastel is far from larger-than-life offstage. He’s a gamer. An anime fan. Socially awkward by his own admission. Laid-back. Observant.
“I think people assume I have an ego,” he laughs. “But I’m really chill.”
That contrast, between high-energy music and grounded personality, makes his artistry even more compelling. His fans feel it.
From kids blasting his music in a quiet neighborhood to drunk club goers yelling “PASTEL 2026 LET’S GO” into the void, the connection is real, and growing.
What’s Next
Over the next year, Pastel is focused on expansion: bigger events, more collaborations, experimental releases, consistent singles, and stepping into streaming and Twitch. Dream collaborators include Smino, Samara Cyn, and BKTHERULER, artists who push boundaries while staying authentic.
Wherever his sound goes next, one thing is certain: Pastel isn’t interested in fitting in.
He’s painting his own world, and inviting everyone else to color outside the lines with him.
Where to Find Pastel
🎧 All platforms: SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Music
📸 Instagram: @thepastelrapper
💬 Join his Instagram Broadcast Channel to stay connected
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