If you’ve been paying attention to music the past decade, you’ll understand me when I say that Blxst has been one of the most consistent artists to emerge from Los Angeles. Since releasing No Love Lost, he has built a loyal fan base, and even as his profile grew and opportunities expanded, there was always a sense that he understood exactly who he was as an artist.

His new album, Labor Of Love, feels like a return to his early days. For the first time, Blxst handled the writing and production from beginning to end, giving him complete ownership over the creative process. While speaking with him ahead of the release, it became clear why taking that route mattered so much. After spending years collaborating with producers, executives, and other creatives, “I wanted to be intentional and tap back into my roots,” he said.

Ahead of the release of his second studio effort, Blxst sat down with ESSENCE to talk about legacy, the lessons he’s learned from parenthood, and why influence is his top priority. “At this stage of my career, I’m thinking more about impact than anything else,” the 33-year-old noted. “I want my kids to be proud of what I put into the world.”

ESSENCE: I wanted to talk about the new album, Labor of Love. How are you feeling in the days leading up to the album’s release? 

Blxst: Man, I’m super anxious and excited to drop this body of work. It’s the first time I 100% produced something front to back—written and produced to be exact. So I’m excited that the fans can get that. And then also just connecting back to the roots of why I even started making music, me as an artist producer and being able to tell my own story.

So talk to me about the aspect of you producing and writing the entire album yourself. What went into that decision and what were some of the challenges that you faced?

So, when I first came into the game, a lot of people started knowing me for the Sixtape series and my first project, No Love Lost, which I produced heavily on. And people start getting familiar with my sound. And then my second project, I started getting involved with the industry, working with different producers, tapping in with different studios and meeting different people. And then I made my next album, I’ll Always Come Find You, which was executive produced by SoundWave. So I pretty much felt like I was just going through the ringer of meeting different people and I kind of felt like I got a little lost in the sauce, just working and being disconnected from me. So for this one, I wanted to dive into myself, and lock myself in a room—that’s where it all started. 

How do you think becoming a father has influenced your craft and your creativity? 

I think more so just the context of my music, the intent behind every lyric that I do. I think about the next generation outside of my kids. I think the kids open up my eyes to want to leave something behind as far as legacy and things that they can learn from my lyrics. If I was to go early, knock on wood, I kind of look at how certain artists that I used to look up to like Tupac, it’s certain lyrics you can become a man off those pivotal lyrics. So that’s kind of how I approach it now. I think fatherhood kind of opened my mind to that because it’s bigger than me. 

You’re LA born and bred. I think Kendrick’s run has put more of a spotlight on California recently. How do you feel about the increased visibility of West Coast and West Coast artists now?

I think it’s kind of weird for me from the perspective that I’ve been—I mean, obviously we got King Kendrick, he’s been at the forefront of everything and then he’s shedding light on a lot of the local artists as well. I think just on that level, those artists, me, and the artists that come from my generation, we kind of work closely together, but I still feel like there’s a little gap between the OGs and the YGs coming up. Maybe that’s just my perspective, but the exposure, I feel like that’s what’s missing, just those collaborations and having that OG, the mentors to steer us through whatever trials and tribulations we may face. A lot of times artists that come from where we come from feel like we’re just figuring it out day by day as we move through the industry. 

So I wanted to talk about the new single, “Just My Type.” What inspired that record and the vibe behind that record, man? 

Man, that was one of the ones tapping back into the original Blxst classic sound, that West Coast vibe as far as the production, but as far as the storytelling behind it that lives within the album, it’s just appreciating the moment in real time, loving somebody unconditionally in that moment and not letting no distractions distract you, you feel me? Just being spontaneous, having fun and being present. 

After the album does come out, what does success look like to you?

Success to me is impact. I think I kind of shifted my mind from looking at numbers to actually making an impact within my community, even the shows that I go to. A lot of times we get distracted from social media until you go on tour and then people tell you certain stories that connect to your album. And it could be like, “Yo, your music got me through college.” Little moments like that mean more than any number or any comment or any like could ever mean. So I kind of base my success on the impact when I’m moving around my city and how people treat me, and how my family treats me. That’s success for me. 

Looking back on your journey from No Love Lost to now, what does this album represent for you personally and professionally? 

This album is a true piece of who I am. A lot of my albums had different characters and short films and movies attached to it. I think the biggest part of this album is no filters, it’s no characters. It’s strictly me and it’s coming from a real place. I represent real people. I come from a real city and I just want to put it out in the right way with integrity and do something that makes my kids proud when they come of age too.