By Rose Miami 
HangupsMusic.com – New York City,
Destroy Lonely, born Bobby Wardell Sandimanie III, is more than just a musician; he’s a curator of a distinct aesthetic, a fashion provocateur, and a leading voice in the evolving landscape of contemporary hip-hop. His latest creative endeavors, centered around the upcoming album Drop Dead Gorgeous, showcase a meticulous dedication to pushing artistic boundaries, a philosophy that has cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase and solidified his position as a significant cultural force. The atmosphere within his New York City recording studio, illuminated by flickering candelabras and draped in blackout curtains, evokes a gothic, cinematic ambiance, mirroring the dark, alluring soundscapes he is currently crafting. This meticulously designed environment serves as the crucible for the "Young Vamp Life" movement, an ethos championed by Opium artists and spearheaded by Playboi Carti, which Destroy Lonely embodies with every facet of his artistic expression.
His personal style, a seamless fusion of high fashion and street edge, is a testament to his commitment to the "Young Vamp Life" aesthetic. Adorned in a black leather ensemble, layered with a dazzling YVL chain that complements his facial piercings, and a skullcap perched atop his vibrantly dyed dreadlocks – a kaleidoscope of silver, blonde, grey, purple, and black – Destroy Lonely projects an image that is both formidable and undeniably cool. His stated ambition to create "the evilest sht possible" is not an embrace of negativity, but rather a reframing of the dark, unconventional, and often misunderstood as inherently potent and captivating. This approach is evident in the previewed tracks for Drop Dead Gorgeous, which are poised to transcend the sonic and thematic achievements of his 2024 release, Love Lasts Forever*.
The past year has been a period of intense growth and elevation for the 24-year-old Atlanta rapper. A significant portion of his time was dedicated to extensive touring, including the European leg of his Forever Tour and the fall’s Antagonist 2.0 Tour, alongside labelmates Playboi Carti, Ken Carson, Homixide Gang, and Apollo Red. These forty-five days on the road were more than just performances; for Destroy Lonely, they represented a collective celebration. "It’s just the first time that me and all my brothers really get to navigate this space," he shares, reflecting on the camaraderie of touring with his Opium family. He likens the experience to a grand festival, an expansive opening of possibilities for each artist to present their unique worlds in a shared space, creating a vibrant and dynamic showcase.
Beyond the stage, Destroy Lonely has continued to enrich his discography. His September release, the Broken Hearts 3 mixtape, followed a trajectory of acclaimed projects that includes his albums If Looks Could Kill (2023) and Love Lasts Forever (2024), alongside a substantial collection of EPs and tapes dating back to 2019. The 19-track Broken Hearts 3 is described by Lonely as a reflection of "a lot of change, progression and growth within my skill of making music." The mixtape features collaborations with long-time production partners Clayco and Cxdy, as well as new contributions from CADE and Icemn. It masterfully encapsulates the genre-blurring sounds and the moody, futuristic take on experimental trap that has become the hallmark of Destroy Lonely’s artistic brand. In his work, vibe, cadence, and tone often take precedence over conventional lyricism, creating a signature sound characterized by distorted, spacious production and melodic flows, exemplified in tracks like "Bane," "No Stylist," and "If Looks Could Kill."
Central to refining this distinctive sound is his collaboration with engineer Ellantre “Tré5” Williams. Their partnership, forged in a 2020 Atlanta studio session and continuing through projects like No Stylist, has been instrumental in shaping Destroy Lonely’s sonic identity. Tré5, responsible for all aspects of recording, mixing, mastering, and even the live playback and Auto-Tune execution for Lone’s performances, elaborates on the artist’s appeal. "Everything always boils down to music for me," Tré5 states. "And as you can see, he has influenced a lot of artists after him, but it’s just like he created his own sound, bro. Him and the producers, Clayco and Cxdy in them early stages, they just created their own sound. From the beats, his vocal cadences, his raps, his flows, but really just the whole sound entirely is just something new. And just took fans by storm. Plus, he just got like a cooler look. He’s just a cool dude. You never know what to expect from him. It’s a journey you take the fans on.”
This journey is vividly illustrated in "Ain’t Hard," the opening track of his latest mixtape, a track imbued with intoxicating, guitar-licked energy. On it, Destroy Lonely confidently declares, "I’m the god of flows, I’m the god of drip, I’m the god of swag.” As a keen student of hip-hop, with a lineage that includes his father, I-20, and influences ranging from Tyler, The Creator and Earl Sweatshirt to Playboi Carti, Lonely possesses a profound appreciation for the art of flow. He articulates this passion by drawing a parallel between flow in hip-hop and style in fashion: "If you don’t have your own distinct handbag of flows or your own way that you come on the track, then you don’t really have an identity." This philosophy underscores his belief that true artistry lies not just in vocal delivery, but in the unique approach and presence an artist brings to their craft.
The influence of Destroy Lonely’s innovative sound is not lost on him. He acknowledges hearing echoes of his distinctive flow in the work of other artists, a testament to his growing impact on the genre. "I feel like what I brought to culture and hip-hop music, and my swag and my flow in the state of hip-hop right now, is for the kids that come after me," he asserts. He recognizes that while his current accomplishments are significant, the true depth of his influence will become more apparent in the years to come, seeing his artistic fingerprint imprinted on the emerging generation of musicians.
Beyond his musical output, Destroy Lonely is actively engaged in personal growth, seeking to foster more positive interactions. His lyrics on "Show You How" from Broken Hearts 3 reflect this introspection: "Been working on my problems, I’m not tryna be too toxic." He describes the past year as a period of "grounding myself and just making sure that I’m just treating people the way I wanna be treated," emphasizing a conscious effort to approach situations with greater leniency and self-compassion. The studio has become a sanctuary for this process, serving as a space for creative expression and therapeutic release.
The genesis of Drop Dead Gorgeous is rooted in a deep dive into diverse musical influences. Lonely has been dissecting Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, drawing inspiration from Lauryn Hill, classic 90s rap, DJ Screw tapes, and the experimental sounds of the EDM duo Snow Strippers. His eclectic taste is evident in his extensive phone library, which spans from Lil Wayne and Marilyn Manson to Ken Carson and Lil Durk, and Black Sabbath. The forthcoming album will feature collaborations with Snow Strippers, alongside the continued production contributions of Cxdy and Clayco, as they collaboratively forge a "new sonic" landscape that Destroy Lonely describes as "deep" and "heavy." His current studio fuel of choice? French fries, sans ketchup or sauce – a quirky detail that highlights the human element behind his artistic intensity.
The album’s title, Drop Dead Gorgeous, is a phrase Destroy Lonely considers the "ultimate compliment," a sentiment that drives his ambition to construct an entirely new artistic world. He views the creation process as a challenge, akin to playing video games on "hard mode," a practice he’s engaged in since his childhood gaming streams. The satisfaction derived from completing a song, especially one that pushes his creative boundaries, is profound. He anticipates Drop Dead Gorgeous will be his most definitive artistic statement yet, a project that will offer an unprecedented listening experience for his audience. The construction of this sonic universe begins with meticulously selecting and blending textural elements, much like a fashion designer curates fabrics for a runway collection. He describes sending references to producers like Cxdy, not to replicate sounds, but to capture specific audio textures that can then be reinterpreted into entirely new sonic territories.
Fashion remains a cornerstone of Destroy Lonely’s artistic identity. His personal style, often characterized by dark, avant-garde aesthetics tailored to his slim frame, frequently features brands like Rick Owens. His No Stylist era saw a successful collaboration with 1017 ALYX 9SM, resulting in a capsule collection. His presence in the fashion world extends to walking the runway for Vetements and making notable appearances at Paris Fashion Week, often alongside his girlfriend Shannade Clermont. His commitment to fashion stems from a deep-seated belief in self-expression. "Fashion is really important to me because I’m just the person that’s really big on self-expression," he states, emphasizing its power to allow individuals to embody elevated versions of themselves. He views fashion as a limitless medium, where one can adopt any persona, from a literal clown to a ninja, highlighting its untamed and liberating nature.
Looking ahead, Destroy Lonely aims to expand his creative reach beyond music, venturing further into fashion and film. His aspirations in filmmaking are inspired by West Coast rap veterans who have successfully translated their artistic vision into cinematic classics. He envisions himself writing and directing his own films, much like Ice Cube, but with a focus on impactful narratives rather than pure comedy. While a release date for Drop Dead Gorgeous remains unconfirmed, it is anticipated this year. Furthermore, the highly anticipated joint project with longtime friend and collaborator Ken Carson is nearing fruition. The release of their track "The Acronym" in December offered a glimpse into what fans can expect from their collaborative efforts, with approximately 20 tracks reportedly in the vault.
Destroy Lonely and Ken Carson’s shared history, from their parallel beginnings in the Atlanta rap scene to their simultaneous signing with Opium, has forged an unbreakable bond. "We started our careers at the same time," Lone recalls. "Me and Ken kinda like both got signed at the same time, both got thrown into this sh*t. That’s my brother." Their collaborative project is a testament to their individual growth and their enduring creative synergy. Lonely believes that he and Ken Carson, alongside Playboi Carti, are among the most innovative artists of their generation, leading a new wave of artists who are shaping the future of hip-hop.
The relationship between Destroy Lonely and Playboi Carti transcends a mere label owner dynamic. "Carti to me is a lot more than a label owner or a music partner or a peer," Lone explains. "He’s genuinely my big brother, like, as if we shared the same blood." He relies on Carti for life advice, viewing him as a mentor and a source of inspiration. This respect extends to all his collaborators, including Ken Carson and the members of Homixide Gang and Apollo Red, whom he admires for their individual talents and contributions.
Currently, Destroy Lonely is in a state of profound optimism and creative fulfillment. The solace he has found in his personal growth has translated into a more positive artistic output. "I feel the best I ever felt, and that’s what’s keeping me motivated," he shares. This newfound spiritual clarity is fueling his creative process, providing him with a continuous stream of ideas for his album and other ventures. He feels a strong sense of purpose, believing he is exactly where he is meant to be.
In the atmospheric glow of his studio, amidst the nascent sounds of his upcoming album, Destroy Lonely stands at a pivotal juncture. Fresh from a year of extensive touring, viral fashion moments, and the steady expansion of Opium’s cultural footprint, he is channeling his growth, influence, and introspection into what he confidently declares will be his most authentic artistic statement to date. Tré5, describing Lone as "dynamic," foresees him not only continuing to evolve but potentially becoming a leading figure in the future of rap. Drop Dead Gorgeous represents an artist refining his craft, embracing experimentation, and meticulously designing a world that extends far beyond music into the realms of fashion and film. His ambitions are monumental, and he is resolutely prepared to achieve them. "I wanna be the biggest, I wanna be a f**king legend, but not even in just music," he declares. "I wanna be something that people ain’t never even seen before." His unwavering drive to excel in every endeavor, whether music, fashion, or film, underscores his determination to be the absolute best at whatever he pursues.