Released just last Friday, Oxymorrons’ new EP, Create. Destroy. Rebuild. Repeat. marks a bold new chapter for the New York alt-hip hop disruptors. Built on the chemistry of KI, Deee, and guitarist Jafé Paulino, the project expands on their roots while showcasing the hybrid intensity that defines their sound.
Drawing from punk, hip-hop, alt-rock and Caribbean influences, the band’s genre-blurring vision captures both the chaos of collapse and the thrill of reinvention, turning their mantra into a sonic cycle of resistance and renewal. 
The EP arrives as the natural successor to Melanin Punk, their fearless debut that lit up the underground with defiance and originality. This time, the band leaned fully into independence, crafting a record that highlights not only their fire on stage but also their resilience off it. From the unapologetic roar of BLK SHEEP to the eclectic pulse of Cool Being You, the Oxymorrons channel the unpredictability of their city and their community into music that refuses to be boxed in. We caught up with them just before release to talk growth, transitions, and what going indie means.
How are you doing today, and where are you answering from?
I’m on a flight to New Orleans.
Your new EP is out in just over two weeks. How is the energy in the band as release day approaches?
We are all extremely excited! We have been looking forward to this release.
The title feels almost like a mantra, a cycle you keep going through. What does it mean to you at this point in your lives?
It’s like a mantra… It’s like the cycle of life, but it’s the cycle of the creator, at least our cycle.
This is your first fully self-written and produced project since Melanin Punk. What did taking ownership of every step in the process allow you to discover about yourselves?
Not sure how to answer this, as we have always taken ownership in the process, even while signed, we had creative control. The difference now is just moving at our pace and not having to worry too much about a commercial outcome. Don’t get us wrong, we still want this EP to do well. Its commercial success just isn’t the main driver for creating it.
I believe we as people discover things about ourselves by experiencing and living life. We have always been really hands-on when it comes to anything Oxymorrons. I don’t think we particularly discovered anything new about ourselves. This EP gave us a chance to showcase some of our abilities that we didn’t get to showcase on the previous projects. We have even mixed in a few more genres. Our hybrid nature is on full display!
You have gone through some big transitions lately, from going fully independent to Matty following his passion for food to welcoming DJ on drums. How did those changes shape the way this record sounds and feels?
Matty's making that move was awesome and planned for. There was no beef or falling out. We are all still brothers. Jafé lives with Matty. So there was no real change other than the obvious: Matty’s creative input isn’t on this record, so I guess there is a change in that.
This project sounds and feels how we wanted to. DJ didn’t play on this album; he is more of our live drummer at the moment. Going fully indie comes with its pluses and minuses. We made sure to be ok on both sides before we fully committed to taking this route.
Tell me about Cool Being You. Did it serve as a compass for the rest of the project?
A compass? No. The compass for the project is the mantra and title. Cool Being You is amazing and one of our favs. The subject is about not fitting into the cool kids' circle. Something many can relate to. As for top-line production and arrangement, we wanted it to give a little bit of everything the project offered, all on one song. We loved making it flow with different vibes. It’s such a sonic melting pot.
What was the most difficult part of making this EP?
The hardest part was picking the track order, honestly. Yes, we worked hard and worked through the process, and it had ups and downs, but that is to be expected. What was hard was picking the order to ensure whoever listens experiences it the way it was intended. Which is tough in this singles-driven world.
And what was the most liberating?
Completing the project was the most liberating. Going indie comes with its pluses and minuses. Felt good to be able to get this done!
BLK SHEEP feels like a raw statement of defiance. How does it relate to the broader context of the EP?
BLK SHEEP is a statement we are calling out the hypocrisy of the world. Even within ourselves and our community. It’s putting a mirror in front of everyone, hoping it would inspire change and self-reflection.
There are interludes placed between the main tracks. What role did you want these pieces to play in the storytelling of the record?
The interludes help guide you through Create. Destroy. Rebuild. Repeat. Each interlude is created to pull you into a world and sets the vibe for what you are transitioning through. The interludes are an extremely important part of the overall experience.
New York has always been in your DNA. How does the city manifest itself in these songs today?
I think you said it within the question: NYC is in our DNA. The city manifests itself in everything we write! Being New Yorkers, that NYC vibe will bleed into everything we do.
Since Melanin Punk, how do you feel you have grown the most, both as artists and as people?
As artists, we believe we have grown tremendously with the experiences we've had with the people over the years. As people, we don’t have enough space for that lol. Just know we all have matured in various aspects of our lives. This is a different era for Oxy, and it will show moving forward.
Is there a specific moment on this EP that still gives you goosebumps whenever you listen back?
The bridge drops on Blind. Just goes into this dope ass dance electronic rave vibe. Not an ability we haven’t showcased yet, but excited we got to do it on this EP.
Your live shows are known for their intensity. Did you write any of these songs imagining how they would hit on stage?
We always think of how a song will translate live. Some more than others! But we knew BLK SHEEP and Cool Being You were going to be a killer live. Also Laughing While Crying! That shit hits lol.
What do you hope your fans will feel the first time they listen to Create. Destroy. Rebuild. Repeat. from beginning to end?
We hope they enjoy it. We hope they leave with a greater understanding of how hybrid the Oxymorrons are and will continue to be. But most of all, we hope you truly connect with it! And have a little deeper understanding of who we are and the experiences we have that you may share or find interesting. All this shit fucking rips lol.
And once release day finally arrives, how are you planning to celebrate?
“Like we do everyday Pinky, try to take over the world!”