SUPREME PERSONNEL VS. SLUM CHILDREN
The New York City creative scene is on fire right now, with new collectives emerging across the boroughs ready to tell stories, create, and celebrate life. Nearly five years after COVID emptied the streets and reminded us how fragile opportunity can be, this resurgence of Black creativity feels like a collective revival — a refusal to hold back. Collaboration has replaced isolation, and collectives like Slum Children and The Supreme Personnel are leading the charge, blending music, storytelling, videography, and fashion into a wave of artistry that’s as bold as it is undeniable — talent levels officially over 9000 (shoutout to my DBZ fans). JINXX sat down over video chat with both groups to talk about building community, creative freedom, and what it means to be young, gifted, and in New York right now.
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TUNDEE IMAN: The NYC creative scene feels unstoppable right now. Between the music, visuals, and community energy, there’s something real happening. Let’s start simple — why start a collective? How has it shaped your artistic expression?
MARLON (FXLSE / SUPREME PERSONNEL): We started SP back in high school — just four kids rapping for fun. As we grew, we realized how important it is to have like-minded people around. Community is everything — it protects you, pushes you, and keeps you grounded. My first project was all about building something with friends and planting seeds for growth. Even outside the collective, I keep good people around me. It’s about trust.
BRYCE (SLUM CHILDREN): For me, community has opened up so many opportunities I never imagined. I’ve run sound for short films, learned boom op work, even edited audio for projects. It’s pushed me to try new things and trust my skills. For our shows, I handle everything — inputs, amps, mics, the whole system. School helped me learn the basics, but real-world experience has been the best teacher.
ANTHONY (SUPREME PERSONNEL): Community helps you grow and keeps you grounded. Being part of SP pushed me to step up my game. I’m grateful for the support — it’s why I give my all every time.
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TUNDEE IMAN: I love that. Would you say you’re addicted to music — or did music choose you?
BRYCE (SLUM CHILDREN): Absolutely. Music is my whole life. I can’t do anything without it — making breakfast, driving, whatever. If I ever went deaf, it’d be over for me.
ISAIAH (SLUM CHILDREN): I think art chooses us — it’s impossible to ignore when it calls. Music is how I express what I’m feeling, what I’m going through. It’s a constant evolution, and I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to. But I wouldn’t say I’m addicted — it’s more like a deep connection. I have to keep experimenting to stay in love with it.
MARLON (FXLSE): I think music chooses us too. It’s this never-ending drive to create and share. But I wouldn’t call it an addiction — it’s a partnership. I’m grateful I get to create and live off of it.
ANTHONY (SUPREME PERSONNEL): Yeah, I’d say music can be addictive — for me especially. It’s helped me through tough moments. You can’t escape art. It’s a movement, and if you don’t share it, that idea will just pass to someone else.
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TUNDEE IMAN: Who are your top three flyest musicians of all time?
BRYCE (SLUM CHILDREN): Tyler, the Creator, Prince, and Kurt Cobain. Their style has had such a big influence on me.
ANTHONY (SUPREME PERSONNEL): Kanye West during the polo era, Brent Faiyaz, and A$AP Rocky. They mix high fashion with streetwear so effortlessly.
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TUNDEE IMAN: What’s your favorite song to perform right now?
ANTHONY (SUPREME PERSONNEL): My favorite song to perform is Smoke My Way. It’s wild when people sing back lyrics I wrote in my room — it’s humbling. Another one is SP Joint 2. When I first joined, they made a song without me, and it inspired me to write one of my best verses. Performing that felt like reclaiming my space in the collective.
ISAIAH (SLUM CHILDREN): My favorite song to perform right now is Clouds. It’s unreleased, but I love how soulful it feels live. It was one of the first songs I made when I shifted from R&B back into rap.
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TUNDEE IMAN: What’s next for you guys — what’s on the horizon?
MARLON (FXLSE): My project Ukyo explores yearning — whether it’s for success, love, or fulfillment. It’s about growth and accepting who I am now. I want it to feel open-ended so listeners can interpret it their own way. There’s definitely a theme of transformation and the growing pains of life.
ANTHONY (SUPREME PERSONNEL): I want to make something timeless — like Channel Orange or Faces. A cult classic that stands the test of time.
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