GOON DES GARCONS* is committed to the grind. The Arkansas-born rapper has never done things the easy way. He’s always dedicated himself to forging genuine artistic partnerships, to working hard, and it’s resulted in a stunning and singular body of work. Across the 2010s and beyond, he’s made increasingly progressive rap—over crushing, astral production—that resonates with listeners and peers who’ve struggled too. “I speak for the DIY spirit, for anyone who takes pride in their craft,” he says. “Everything these days is so manufactured, but my music is exactly what it is—a kid from Arkansas doing it himself.”

Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, a small town outside Little Rock, Goon had trouble finding himself amidst the city’s virtually non-existent music scene. His grandmother’s gospel music didn’t resonate, and his playing saxophone in the school band was short-lived. But watching the video for Snoop Dogg and Pharell’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot” was tantamount to a spiritual awakening. Goon became enamored with N.E.R.D., Kanye West, and Kid Cudi, artists who brought left-field, melodic, and introspective rap music into the mid-’00s mainstream.

After dropping out of college, Goon moved to Little Rock and cultivated a creative community, shooting album covers, editing music videos, and throwing shows for local artists. He credits one psychedelic drug experience for unlocking his musical potential. Following that trip, Goon spent every waking hour crafting early independent projects like 2014’s Meanwhile and Young Dirty Bastard. After a few years of networking online and traveling for in-person label meetings, Goon emailed his music to Anthony Kilhoffer, the Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter, and engineer who worked with both Kanye and Cudi. It wasn’t long until his boldness paid off.

Goon dropped everything, moved to L.A. to work with Kilhoffer, and created Sore Loser (2017). Though he had studio access, he was broke. On the verge of homelessness, Goon called some friends in New Zealand and left to work on music out there. When he returned to the states, Swiff D reached out to collaborate and introduced him to his manager. Goon’s signing to Def Jam in 2019 was a long overdue acknowledgement of the music he struggled so hard to make.