What does survival sound like? If you ask Munchie, it’s not polished, overproduced, or carefully planned. It’s raw instinct, unfiltered emotion, and the urgency of someone who’s seen too much, too soon. His debut album, A Bastards Vol. 1, is a sonic punch to the gut—a journey through the depths of greed, addiction, and depression that somehow still manages to hold onto a flicker of hope.
Munchie, also known as Mason Quest (or MCM Malice for those in the know), hails from Billings, Montana’s south side—a place where dreams are often crushed before they can even take shape. Growing up in the chaos of gang life, witnessing addiction tear apart his family, and losing friends to violence, his music isn’t just storytelling; it’s survival. Yet, he didn’t agonize over this album for months, meticulously crafting verses to impress the industry. He walked into the studio and recorded it all in an hour—no notes, no second takes, just straight from the gut.
If you’re a fan of XXXTentacion’s confessional style or the moody, dark soundscapes of $uicideboy$, A Bastards Vol. 1 will feel like home—if home is a dimly lit room where your demons sit beside you. The beats are eerie and melancholic, the lyrics cut deep, and there’s a sense of urgency in his voice, like he’s exorcising pain with every bar. You don’t listen to this album casually. You feel it. Tracks unfold like journal entries from someone teetering on the edge yet refusing to fall. The production isn’t about perfection; it’s about emotion. Every track bleeds with authenticity, capturing the chaos and clarity that come with staring down your past and deciding to move forward anyway.
Here’s the thing—this album isn’t just about pain; it’s about pushing through it. Munchie doesn’t glamorize the struggle. He lays it out, bare and brutal, but his message is clear: no matter how dark it gets, there’s always a way out. That’s what makes A Bastards Vol. 1 more than just another emo-rap album—it’s a battle cry for anyone who’s ever felt like giving up.
Munchie is still figuring out his next steps. He’s at Job Corps, learning a trade, and trying to carve out a future beyond the streets. This isn’t an album designed to fit industry standards—it’s an artist spilling his truth, unfiltered. And in an era where authenticity is rare, that’s exactly what makes it worth listening to. A Bastards Vol. 1 isn’t for everyone. It’s dark, heavy, and doesn’t sugarcoat anything. But if you’ve ever found yourself drowning in your own thoughts, questioning whether you’ll make it out, this album might just be the reminder you need—you’re not alone, and you’re not done yet.
Stream A Bastards Vol. 1 now on all major platforms.