Music has always been one of the purest forms of storytelling. For 31 Slime, his latest EP Villain is not just a project—it’s a diary, a confession, and a chapter of personal evolution captured in sound. Pulled together from tracks recorded between 2021 and 2023, Villain is deeply reflective of who he was, what he endured, and the lessons that reshaped him into the man he is today.
This article dives into the meaning, process, and impact behind Villain, highlighting 31 Slime’s creative journey, personal revelations, and vision for the future.
What Villain Represents
When asked what the EP means to him personally, 31 Slime doesn’t hesitate.
“These songs consist of tracks that I made in 2021 to 2023,” he explains. “It was really the motion of how my relationship at that time was going. I was definitely living for myself on autopilot, not caring about anybody’s feelings. But in that time, I was also learning so much about myself. I didn’t really see a template for the person I am today, but that time helped me evolve so much. I don’t need to be like anybody else—I just feel like I’m a different type of man than I’ve ever seen.”
In essence, Villain is an honest reflection of a turbulent period. It’s an emotional time capsule that captures the duality of reckless decisions and necessary growth. While the songs document pain and mistakes, they also showcase resilience, awareness, and evolution.
Why “Villain”?
The title itself is layered with meaning.
“I chose the title Villain because when I looked back at my actions and the overall outcome of my situation in that relationship, I didn’t really do the best of things,” Slime admits. “And in that person’s story, I could be considered the villain.”
At first, he planned to release Villain as a set of singles, but he realized the story had more weight when told collectively. “I wanted to revert back to what I was doing before—putting together the stories of my life. I’ve got so much of a back catalog right now, but this one needed to live as a complete story.”
The word “villain” becomes symbolic. It’s not just about being painted as the bad guy—it’s about confronting the choices, emotions, and flaws that shaped him.
Describing the Sound in Three Words
Slime keeps it simple but effective: “Versatile, melodic, relatable.”
The versatility shows in his sonic experimentation, the melodic choices elevate his emotions, and the relatability anchors the project in real human experiences.
The Track That Means the Most
Every project has a centerpiece, and for Villain, that is “Mylene”
“That’s definitely my favorite song because it glued everything together,” Slime says. “The sample that starts in the beginning just hit me so hard. It really reflected what was going on in my situation. In the hook I’m saying, ‘Tell me that you feel how I feel.’ That was the last time I was gonna sit there and ask for that validation.”
It’s a song of realization—the moment he recognized that chasing validation in a broken relationship was never worth it.
The Listener’s First Play
When people hit play, Slime doesn’t want them to just hear his story—he wants them to feel it.
“I want them to feel like, ‘Damn, I’ve been through this before’ or ‘Damn, I’m going through this right now.’”
It’s about creating a mirror for the audience’s own experiences.
The Creative Headspace
The emotional backdrop of the EP was heavy. Slime was in the midst of a breakup, while also watching his cousins start families of their own.
“The things I was stressing about—like my relationship—those are things that usually come and go. But in real life, big things happen like having a family, creating stability. All that was running through my mind while I was making this EP.”
That perspective made the music feel like a diary. “Absolutely, it was more like a melodic diary to help me navigate how I was really feeling.”
The Journey: 2021–2023
The timeline for Villain stretched across years.
“The first song had to be from 2021, and the last song didn’t get completed until 2023. It was a long pause on music, but I knew this story needed to be finished.”
The Producers and Collaborators
While Slime shoulders most of the storytelling, key collaborators helped shape the sound.
- Palace provided the beat for the project’s opening.
- True Riches, J3, and Yaboydon co-produced “Up Down,” one of Slime’s favorites.
Together, they crafted a sound that was both polished and personal.
Experimenting with Sound
For the first time, Slime leaned into sexy drill, a style rooted in uptown New York rap.
“This was one of the first times I showcased my twist on sexy drill. I’m excited to see how people react because it’s a comfortable lane for me, but I still put my own twist on it.”
This experimentation highlights his versatility and shows that Slime isn’t afraid to push his artistry forward.
Inspiration: Life and Art
One of the biggest inspirations for the project wasn’t just life—it was The Get Down, Netflix’s music-driven drama about young dreamers in the Bronx.
“I was watching The Get Down, and it really hit me,” Slime explains. “Zeke’s story felt so relatable. He was trying to make music while dealing with love, heartbreak, and blurred lines. My situation was official, but it had that same kind of energy. Just as he was ready to get serious, it all fell apart. Watching that show helped me close the idea of this tape.”
Track three even samples a pivotal scene where Zeke confesses his love to Mylene—a cinematic moment turned into sonic storytelling.
Where He Is Now
If Villain documents a period of recklessness, the man speaking today is in a completely different place.
“I don’t play games like I used to. I’m more intentional and genuine with the things I do now, and I’ve never felt better.”
The EP is a reminder of where he’s been, not where he’s staying.
Lessons for the Fans
Slime hopes listeners see the raw emotion without mistaking it for weakness.
“I know my music feels raw and personal, but not too personal. I think people will hear the emotion and use it for themselves. I’m not numbing my feelings—I’m using them appropriately. That’s the difference.”
He wants his story to encourage others to embrace vulnerability while moving forward with strength.
The Lyric to Remember
On track three, he echoes Zeke’s line: “Mylene, I love you. What do you think about that?”
For Slime, it’s more than a sample—it’s a moment that captures the naivety and bravery of expressing love, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
Connecting to Culture and Community
While The Get Down was fictional, its cultural energy inspired Slime.
“I feel like it went really nice aesthetically, even if it wasn’t fact-based. It’s a cool cultural piece that people should watch. I think my EP brings something similar—relatable, different, and meaningful.”
He wants Villain to resonate beyond himself, sparking conversations in his community about love, mistakes, and growth.
The Bigger Picture
Villain isn’t just a standalone release. It’s part of a larger narrative Slime is building through relationship-driven tapes.
“This makes the second relationship tape. I dropped When Relationships Get Dark Sometimes in 2021, and now four years later I’m back with Villain. It’s quick but heavy—definitely one of my more serious projects. Relationships are my lane. I’ll always have something to say about them.”
That doesn’t mean it’s all heavy forever. “There will be some turn-up shit soon too,” he promises.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Slime is hungry for growth.
- Bigger Playlisting Opportunities: He sees Villain as a chance to land on the right playlists and expand his reach.
- Marketing and Networking: “I want to use this to sharpen my marketing strategy and build a bigger network. I definitely need more camera people, editors, and directors.”
- Future Projects: While Villain is rooted in heartbreak, he’s already thinking about diversifying with other concepts and collaborations.
A Message Before You Press Play
Slime leaves fans with one simple thought before they listen:
“You gotta read the room, know your intentions, and execute. If you do that, you never fall short in any area.”
Closing Thoughts
31 Slime’s Villain is more than an EP—it’s a statement of growth, self-reflection, and honesty. It captures a man confronting his past, reckoning with his mistakes, and finding clarity in his future.
It’s versatile in sound, melodic in delivery, and relatable in message. By weaving his personal experiences with cultural touchpoints like The Get Down, Slime transforms his story into something universally felt.
For anyone who has ever been called the villain in someone else’s story—or who has lived through the messy, beautiful, painful lessons of love—this EP offers a mirror. It’s not just about being misunderstood; it’s about owning your story and evolving because of it.
