From His Workspace: The Suicide Rascal Perspective

Originally published in TITLE Magazine.

In a white bathtub with about a dozen packs of Newport cigarettes on his lap, Suicide Rascal (@suiciderascal)—born Kaytlen Lindsey—pulls one out and lights it. A$AP Ferg and Brockhampton can be heard throughout the apartment. Lindsey wears a cream colored, 90s sweater with black pants, high top white converse, and a Cleveland Indians hat.

He has been interested in music since his teens and in 2019 had his first album release titled “The Damned Don’t Cry”. Despite 2020 being quite possibly one of the hardest years to be positive and productive, Lindsey dropped six singles be he “ran out of shit to say”. His music is heavily influenced by his favorite rap artists and 70s music. His spontaneous attitude plays into his creative process and he finds himself writing whenever inspiration comes. Sometimes a cigarette break in the front lawn is the best place for creating.

Lindsey’s love of clothing and thrifting also contributes to his self-expression. His style is inspired by y2k fashion, the 60s and 70s, and androgyny. Along with his music career, he runs a Depop (@suiciderascalfoundation) on the side where he sells vintage clothing. Although this past year was a shitshow to say the least, Lindsey found that getting dressed in a look that makes him feel “like a bad bitch” was a good way to start each day. He says most quarantine days were spent thrifting, smoking weed, and hanging out with his dog.

When did you first start making music?

Around the age of 15, but I quit for a few years and started back up when I was 19.

While songwriting, where do you draw inspiration from?

I partake in reckless behavior such as taking drugs and unprotected sex hahaha. But music wise mostly oldies and songs from like the 70s and 80s. I try not to listen to too much rap, so I don’t sound like those people. But my main rap inspirations are Gucci Mane and Danny Brown.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

King Krule, Virna Lindt, The Gorillaz, Gary Wilson, I could go on for days.

Where do you like to do most of your writing/working? At home? In a studio?

Mostly at home and I kinda just pace around my front yard while smoking or I sit on the floor in my living room.

What does your creative space look like? How do you utilize your space?

My creative space looks like my brain cause my thoughts are scattered. But I utilize my space mostly by just existing in the moment of it all.

Has COVID had an impact on your songwriting and creating?

Hell yeah it has, I can’t go outside and do anything now so I have nothing to talk about. I already wrote as many songs as I could about just sitting inside.

Do you create or express yourself in other ways?

I have a passion for fashion! I love to look like a bhadd bitch on the regular and that also helps me with my confidence and writing. I wanna dabble in painting one of these days.

How have you spent your time in quarantine?

Getting high and selling clothes on Depop. I’ve also been learning more about myself and I’ve cut a lot of people off cause when people get bored, they show how crazy they are.

How are you taking care of your mental health during this time? Self-care? New hobbies?

I’m not really taking care of my mental health at all hahaha, but I do my skin care almost every day and I try to always get dressed. I have clinical depression so the least I can always make myself do is shower and dressed every morning.

What is your biggest takeaway from the year so far?

Don’t take things for granted and always go with the flow. Keep good people around you and save your fucking money.