Hip-hop artist, author, and motivational storyteller, ML Underwood is a visionary looking to help others through the musical rendition of his life experience. His recent single, “Still I Rise,” has proven to resonate with listeners across generations and continents as it continues to climb the charts and draw international praise.

Some artists entertain. Others inspire. ML Underwood has built a career doing both.

Hailing from Gary, Indiana, ML Underwood is the authentic storyteller we’ve been waiting for. Through his music and literature (his memoir is My Life B4 & After Entertainment) ML Underwood connects with everyday people through his stories of overcoming adversity. Together, the book and the music paint the portrait of an artist whose purpose reaches beyond entertainment.

Underwood’s music –rooted in hip-hop culture – represents perseverance, faith, and determination while showcasing Underwood’s authentic storytelling and commanding lyrical style.

At a time when authenticity matters more than ever, ML Underwood continues to build a legacy grounded in real-life experience. His growing audience across streaming platforms and social media demonstrates that positive, purpose-driven hip hop has a place in today’s music landscape—and listeners are embracing the message.

“All my work is forever music — it’s not the type that would die out 20, 30, 50 years from now,” shares ML Underwood. “I’ll be dead and gone and the song will still be playing somewhere.”

While all of Underwood’s music is designed to be timeless, “Still I Rise” is “more forever than my usual forever music.” According to Underwood, “This anthem is not just Black – it’s a human anthem. For all races. That’s what I love. People from all races and countries are streaming this song.”

“Still I Rise” stems from ML Underwood’s interpretation of Maya Angelou’s famous poem, “And Still I Rise.” During Black History Month, Underwood found himself counting his blessings and realized the potential of writing around the theme of rising again, laced between current events and issues in our country. The result is the chart-topping single, “Still I Rise.” As Underwood reminds us, “all of us have fallen, gone through something. Then we rise at the end.”

Released at the end of February, the single has already amassed over 3 million views on YouTube. Backed by international radio play, viral momentum on TikTok, and more than 30,000 monthly Spotify listeners, “Still I Rise” climbed to the No. 1 spot on the global iTunes chart, proving that music with a meaningful message continues to resonate with audiences around the world.

Feedback from his new single has been heartwarming and a gentle reminder of the good energy Underwood is putting into the world. “We’ve gotten the most respectful, amazing, beautiful comments a human being can give a human being,” tells ML Underwood.

“I’m proud of this song. It represents my personality and struggle. Now I can encourage the world to do what I do — still rise. Get back up and rise better than you ever have before.”