Some creatives are destined to be artists – as if their path led down no other route. Landon Barker offers the perfect example of that theory. From the moment he was born, Landon was in the public eye. The time he spent in the studio and on tour growing up meant that he was surrounded by creative energy, and sure enough both fashion and music were ingrained in Landon from his adolescence.  

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It didn’t take Landon long to put that creative aura into practice. In 2018, he released his debut single ‘Don’t Need Her’, under his OTG Landon moniker. Since then, he’s released three singles - ‘Trust’, ‘I’m Sorry’, and ‘Holiday’ – with each delving into the sonic realms of alternative hip-hop and R&B. At the time of his initial offering, he was just 15 years old, and was the perfect display of the kind of power an early introduction to music can have on an artist. It’s certainly something he’s aware of and feels it’s very much been a blessing, as he states: “My dad’s career has always had an impact on me since I can remember. His impact has always been a consistent source of inspiration for me.”

 

Not only did he learn the science of music production and taste-making but having such an influential father also gave him a rare insight into the business side of the industry as well. For any emerging talent entering the world of music, it can be a grueling place, with sharks waiting to take advantage at every turn, but with Travis at his side, Landon would never fall into that trap. So, he chose to release independently – allowing him to put his ideas at the forefront of everything he creates. “It was very helpful and educational.” The artist proclaims, “It definitely helped put me in a position to be successful and ensure I do things the right way.”

 

Despite not releasing any solo material in two years, Landon has been busy working behind the scenes. The artist spends a lot of time working on his artform, and the delay has been mainly caused by an important moment in his personal life – graduating from high school. For everything that he’s already achieved, it’s important to remember that Landon is still only 18 years old, so at points it’s necessary to take a step back, recalibrate and focus on what’s vital at that time. Although, for fans out there eagerly waiting for new music, it might not be too far away. “Over the last couple of months, I have been focusing on finishing school, and getting in sessions along the way.” He explains, “Now that I've graduated my foot is on the gas and I am constantly in the studio. As far as an EP or single, let's just say I am excited for everyone to see what's next.”

 

However, the world got a glimpse of Landon’s potential in March, when he appeared on Machine Gun Kelly’s single ‘Die In California’ alongside Gunna and Young Thug. The track was a standout track from Kelly’s critically acclaimed album, Mainstream Sellout, racking up over 16 million streams on Spotify alone. Landon not only delivered an emphatic vocal display but he was also credited with co-writing the song. Quite an achievement for someone who was juggling school at the time, and it really showed that he’s the real deal – and really showed his fans that there’s so much more to come. But the story of how the feature ended up is an intriguing one, and the power of the internet run true, as he says: “It was a song I had created, and later MGK heard a leak of it on YouTube. MGK had asked to put it on the album after hearing the leaked version, and we got together to finalize what it became today. It was a huge accomplishment for me, and I enjoyed the experience.”

 

Not only did we see Landon hold his own alongside some of hip-hop’s most notorious artists, but ‘Die In California’ also gave us a unique insight into his mind as he’s maturing. The track’s a deeply personal one that tackles themes of self-loathing and depression. As a songwriter, he tackles these issues with ease, whilst simultaneously drawing links to his home state that helps bring the story to life. There’s a rawness to Landon on this single that we hadn’t seen from him before, and it looks like the artist will continue to venture into similar themes in the future. “I’ve dealt with mental health problems from years and still go through it. I think it’s a helpful song for it.” He proclaims, “My approach to writing is almost always sourced from my personal life. I feel that’s what makes the best music is when you’re able to be vulnerable.”

As he’s reached his latter teenage years, the artist has realized that the roots behind these mental health struggles aren’t something to be ignored. Instead, they’re incredibly important to his development, not only as a person but as an artist too. He knows he isn’t the only person fighting demons, but if he channels what he’s feeling into music, then something beautiful can blossom from the dark. It’s an approach that speaks a lot about Landon’s temperament and his willingness to delve deep within. “I feel like general life is challenging, and it is unique to everyone's circumstances. That being said, like any human being there were definitely challenges, but those challenges are also what help me discover who I am.” He explains, “Those same challenges are helping carve out the direction I would like life to go and ultimately who I want to be. I am thankful for the challenges I faced and look forward to overcoming those that might be in the future.”