Checking Back in with Perry Maysun

Allison Kirk

Music Journalist

Perry Maysun, an upcoming rapper from New York, is rewriting the norms for rappers today.

The Beginning of Maysun

Maysun began his music career at just 13 years old as a form of self-expression. In an interview with TheVuse, Maysun recalled that growing up, he wanted to do just about everything… but poetry, painting, and music creation have always called him. Now, at only 23 years old, he has released over 25 projects as his form of self-expression. His lyrics are expansive, relating to experiences from substance abuse, mental health, existential pain, sexual abuse, and even surviving cancer. He’s truly been through it all, and he uses his pain as inspiration. With songs like “Roll with the Punches” written after his 8-hour surgery. He writes from his own experience coming “back from the dead” after his fight against cancer. After almost loosing his leg, He uses his music as a creative outlet and inspires his audience to never stop fighting when things kick you down.

Rise to Fame

Over the years, he has gained lots of popularity, with over 40M+ streams on music platforms and selling out shows across the country, including a New York art gallery and clothing line in late 2024.

Maysun is blowing up, and it’s because of his unwavering honesty and dedication to his own destiny. Maysun is reshaping the popular sound of hip-hop/rap music in our generation. With inspiration from the top hip-hop voices of our generation – Kid Cudi, Earl Sweatshirt, Wiz Khalifa, Kanye, Chance the Rapper, Mac Miller, and Frank Ocean, He has the ability to blend with the popular music nowadays while standing out in his own voice and style. Maysun is undeniably himself and always has been. With experimental sound, including instrumentals, techno beats, unique backtracks, and lots of beat drops, paired with heart-wrenching lyrics and interesting riffs, Maysun is truly creating his own unique sound.

BYOBF

Not only that, around 2021, Maysun created a brand for himself, writing music under the name BYOBF (meaning, Be Your Own Best Friend). This movement inspires his listeners to care for themselves just as much as they care for their loved ones. To take all the punches and find comfort in the support of oneself. To trust that everything will work out the way it’s meant to, and to be confident that no matter what, you will survive. BYOBF is branded as a way to live your life; their ethos is “a family that welcomes all that welcomes all,” promoting an exceptionally accepting community.Over the years, Maysun has partnered with Zionat as his producer and other artists in his community to create an official, self-owned record label. These artists, such as Marika Sage, Zionkat, Isaiah Poet, Ahk Sair, Indigo Mak, and others, have been hard at work, self-releasing true, authentic music that relates to listeners and inspires others. This organization is a true example of the blueprint for independent, self-owned music. Bringing back the importance of human art.

Where is he now?

Maysun has been writing new music, releasing 6 singles and 2 full-length albums all in 2026. Most recently, on June 5, 2026, he released Pathetic Beasts, an album that’s been a long time coming. This album took over 2 years to write, through his battle with cancer. It was written in and out of hospital beds, with the fear and uncertainty of whether he’d make it out alive, and the feelings that come after recovery. This album exemplifies everything Maysun stands for: true strength. After everything he’s endured in this life, he put everything into this album. The album cover features a dismembered leg on a hospital bed, signifying his fight against the cancer in his leg. Maysun also created a music video series to represent his songs visually, which can be viewed on YouTube. Maysun is now on his first national tour, showcasing his newest album, with shows in Philly, Toronto, Seattle, New York, Houston, and a sold-out Dallas show. Maysun is accompanied by Isaiah Poet and other artists from BYOBF.

My favorite songs on the album are “Lacuna Inc.”, “Sometimes”, “Is It Raining By You”, “Don’t I Know It”, and “Inman Shumpert.” I love the way he mixes different sounds and voices to create something that I have never heard before. His lyrics are creative and relatable. Listening to Perry Maysun excites me. I highly recommend checking out his music, and especially his newest album.