WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS
In an industry where voices are often drowned out by the noise of conformity, PR3NOM’s latest EP, Momentum, arrives as a resounding declaration of selfhood, resilience, and artistic authenticity. Across five tracks, each layered with raw emotion and unfiltered creativity, PR3NOM invites us into a world that is as deeply personal as it is inspiring.
The journey begins with “Peace Manifesto,” a lead single with a powerful message transcending far beyond its melodies. Released on the three-year anniversary of PR3NOM’s first testosterone shot, this anthem for trans rights isn’t just a song—it’s a manifesto of empowerment and reflection. What unfolds next is a testament to PR3NOM’s ability to intertwine the deeply personal with the sonically adventurous. Tracks like “Aces,” a tender tribute to his grandfather, and “What U Want,” a pulsating dance anthem, reveal the breadth of his artistry. Whether reminiscing on cherished memories or radiating pure confidence, each song is a chapter in a larger narrative that speaks to the highs, lows, and in-betweens of life.
The DIY ethos behind this project—produced and recorded in his home studio—speaks volumes about his commitment to authenticity and connection. It’s a reminder that the most impactful art often comes from the most personal places. In this exclusive interview, we uncover the mind behind this exciting emerging talent. From the sparks that ignite his creative process to the philosophies that ground his practice, PR3NOM opens up about the triumphs, challenges, and visions that shape his journey and what it means to create in the 21st century.
Maisie Daniels: Thank you for joining us at F Word magazine, PR3NOM! What’s been the highlight of your week so far?
PR3NOM: Quitting my 9-5 job.
MD: Can you share a bit about your journey to becoming an artist? What inspired you to start, and how has that path evolved over time?
PR3NOM: Originally, I took a more academic path but I quickly started feeling miserable. I am from Switzerland, where working in the music industry doesn’t really seem like a possibility, but I decided to go for it anyway because even if the chance of succeeding was very slim, I knew I would regret it if I didn’t try. Plus, my Spotify wrapped for that year at uni was around like 140,000 minutes, which really goes to show where my head was at haha.
I did a degree in music production and then went to do a lot of work as a sound engineer, and did some instrumentals for artists here and there. I still love collaborating, but I didn’t feel creative enough and I was often stuck making exactly what other people wanted without having complete freedom over the sound. Originally, I wanted to stick to traditional R&B for my own music. By working with so many different people, I explored more techniques and expanded my knowledge so I slowly started blending more and more genres and adding electronic elements to my songs. I still feel like I evolve each time I make a new song, and I try never to stay stuck on one thing.
MD: Can you share the story behind your name and why it felt right for you?
PR3NOM: “Prénom” is my grandmother’s maiden name. I always found it funny because it means “First name” in French. I have a special relationship with her so it was a great way to honour her in that way. She has taught me to be unapologetically myself and to push boundaries like she did her entire life. She always tells amazing stories about everything she went through. She has undeniably motivated me to be bold and pursue a career in music, so choosing my artist name in her name felt like a natural choice. The “3” is just there for aesthetics.
MD: Momentum is such a beautiful body of work—congratulations! How does it feel to share it with the world, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
PR3NOM: Thank you so much! I felt so proud when I released Momentum. I worked incredibly hard on this EP and got a massive sense of accomplishment from being able to share my own voice. It also felt very scary because I didn’t know what people would think of it, but I’m very happy it’s finally out. Momentum is all about movement and the waves of good to bad moments I have experienced. I hope listeners can escape the struggles of life for a little bit, the way music has always done for me when I go through something difficult. Listening to music is a sort of bubble where I can hide, that is the feeling I wanted to convey with this EP.
MD: Where did you create Momentum? And how long did it take to complete?
PR3NOM: Momentum was fully made in my DIY home studio. At the beginning of the year, I thought it was time for me to write my own songs for a change. so I started to produce music that was 100% me. I have always loved to sing, but for a long time, I had felt very self-conscious about my voice and my singing abilities. As such, standing in front of the mic and hitting record is probably the step that took the longest to take. I think, overall, the EP took about 6 months to complete but half of that time was mostly spent working on my confidence rather than actually making music.
"I hope listeners can escape the struggles of life for a little bit, the way music has always done for me when I go through something difficult."
MD: The way Momentum flows from track to track feels like a story. How much of that reflects your personal journey?
PR3NOM: Definitely all of it is inspired by things I have experienced in life. Each song represents a different emotion, from love to anger, and they all have their specific topics. I made all the instrumentals before knowing what the song was going to be exactly about. The lyrics then flowed once I re-listened to the production. The sounds made me think of specific moments in my life which enabled me to embody these emotions. I think this kept the music genuine because there wasn’t much planning, I just made what felt right for me.
MD: Which track on Momentum do you feel most connected to and why?
PR3NOM: I would have to say Aces. My grandpa was having health problems at the time of writing it, so it was the one where the most emotions flowed during the recording. I was very scared of losing him, but I wanted to celebrate our relationship and honour him. I see this song as a special moment between him and I every time I sing it. I haven’t had the chance to see him since the release of the song, but I know he listened to it and liked it. I heard there may even have been a little tear from him, so it only makes it more meaningful to me. Also, a little fun fact, the production seems simple but it’s the one that took the longest to make, I really wanted to do it right.
MD: Your vulnerability shines through in this EP. Was that an intentional choice, or did it unfold naturally?
PR3NOM: Something important to me is to be authentic, so when things were uncomfortable, I just dove deeper because it’s in those times that people can truly relate. It wasn’t completely intentional, but I usually try to have an outside point of view on my music and imagine what others could feel as well when they listen to it. It allows me to take a step back and evaluate whether I stay too much on the surface or if there is something else I can explore to make it more genuine.
MD: Peace Manifesto is such a powerful tribute. Can you share what inspired this single?
PR3NOM: Peace Manifesto is a response to all the transphobic people I see online from politicians who deny healthcare to trans youth, and to any who spread harmful ideas to millions of people (JK Rowling, I’m looking at you). I was getting so angry at their stupidity and hate that I needed to let it out. I wanted to make an anthem that other trans people could relate to. The song starts in an intimate way where I share some of my own experience. Then, the “I” evolves to a “we” to show that we are all together and we can support each other. One of my main inspirations was going to the trans pride and seeing so many people marching and chanting together for the same cause. I remember the first time I attended I almost cried because I felt a lot less alone fighting for my rights. You see almost as much love than hate online but seeing it in real life hits different. I recreated the chant for the outro of the song because it remains one of the best moments of my life and I’m sure that’s the case for a lot of people who have experienced it.
MD: How would you describe your journey as a trans man and how it's shaped your art?
PR3NOM: My journey has not always been easy. There were a lot of ups and downs and self-doubt. Figuring out that I was trans almost felt like a new beginning, but it also meant that I had to rediscover who I was. It was a long process of differencing between when I was acting to be accepted by society (as the gender I was assigned at birth) and when I was actually being myself. I gained a great understanding of what femininity and masculinity meant to me, but even now, it can be very confusing. My music is a conduit for the emotions related to this journey, but I wouldn’t say my transness shaped my art as much as it allows me to stand out in a genre that is still quite closed to queerness. I don’t know any other trans artists that make hip hop/R&B so there is a lot of space to explore new areas and be bold. Also, on a more technical side, my medical transition meant that my voice changed drastically and dropped by at least one octave. I definitely had to adapt and work around my new instrument. I discovered new notes that I never thought I could reach and the upper range of my voice simply disappeared. I think it completely changed the way I was singing before.
MD: Do you feel a sense of responsibility to represent or advocate for the trans community through your work?
PR3NOM: I feel like the responsibility was sort of placed on me. There is this idea that all queer people need to be activists, but I think there are people that have more knowledge and do a better job than me. I appreciate that I can be a good representation for people that might not be 100% comfortable with their transness yet or are not safe to express it, so I do talk a lot about my experience because I am at the point where I can be fully open about who I am. I do what I can because I am aware of my privilege in having access to healthcare (for example) and I wish there could be a world where that was the case for everyone.
"My music is a conduit for the emotions related to this journey, but I wouldn’t say my transness shaped my art as much as it allows me to stand out in a genre that is still quite closed to queerness."
MD: What have been some of the most rewarding or challenging moments you've faced as a trans man in the music industry?
PR3NOM: The most rewarding thing is bringing awareness to create a conversation where there usually isn’t. There are a lot of trans artists that are slowly making their mark and it’s amazing to be a part of it all. It shows that there are many possibilities for everyone and that the industry is becoming more and more diverse. We are not completely there yet and even with all the negative aspects of streaming services for artists, it has the merit not to be in the hands of a few gatekeepers anymore. Anyone can share their music with the world. The most challenging part is to balance the fact that I’m trans man without making my art all about it. It’s sometimes difficult to show people that I am a lot more than that. I think Momentum really reflects that trans people are a lot more than just trans even in the order of the songs. I can fall in love, go through friendship breakups, party and be nostalgic like everyone else, and at the end “yeah I’m trans by the way and I receive a lot of hate for no reason”. It’s usually the last thing I say to people. Otherwise, they put me into a box and my transness is the only thing they remember about me.
MD: What advice would you give to your younger self?
PR3NOM: It’s a bit cliche but I would say that it’s ok to take some time to figure out who you are and it’s ok if you need to start over. For a long time, I was stuck in a mould and I really felt the pressure from society and people around me to act and be a certain way, from my gender to my professional life. There is no timeline to follow and everything will make sense at some point.
MD: Can you complete the following sentences…
MD: The world would be better with _________
PR3NOM: A free state of Palestine.
MD: The world would be better without _________
PR3NOM: Loud eaters.
MD: What can we look forward to from you in 2025?
PR3NOM: More music of course! I am currently working on a series of EPs that would complete Momentum and will feel like a massive body of work instead of separate ones.
MD: Lastly, this is F Word magazine, so I have to ask—what’s your favourite ‘F’ word?
PR3NOM: Fettuccine. I am obsessed with pasta so it feels like the appropriate choice.
FOLLOW PR3NOM ON INSTAGRAM
DISCOVER MORE FROM PR3NOM HERE
