Since his 2021 emergence, Central Coast artist Mr Elusive has been on a relentless upward trajectory. Defined by a work ethic that refuses to quit, he has quickly established himself as a vital name to watch, blending a sharp lyrical edge with a natural charisma that demands attention. Now, the hip-hop talent returns with his first offering of the year, ‘Medicinal Liquor’, a track that marks a significant evolution in his sound and emotional depth.
Drawing from the melodic sensibilities of Juice WRLD and the raw vulnerability of XXXtentacion, Mr Elusive has never been one to stay inside a box. However, ‘Medicinal Liquor’ sees him diving headfirst into a country-infused rap aesthetic that will undoubtedly resonate with fans of Post Malone or Jelly Roll. It is a gritty, soul-baring anthem that explores the darkness of self-medication and the eventual triumph of sobriety and self-reflection.
“‘Medicinal Liquor’ comes from things I buried for a long time and eventually had to face. There was a point where I was using alcohol to try and numb everything, but the track flips that. It’s about taking everything that’s tried to weigh you down and turning it into something powerful, becoming someone you can’t ignore,” he explains.
The track also showcases a vocal transformation. Leaning into a textured, raspy delivery, the artist explores a melodic side that even those in his inner circle didn’t immediately recognise. Mr Elusive notes, “This was the first track where I really leaned into that raspy melodic style, and even people close to me didn’t realise it was me singing. It kind of showed me a new lane I didn’t even know I had yet.”
Interestingly, a moment of familial serendipity helped seal the track's direction. While grappling with a creative block during recording, a timely phone call provided the missing piece of the puzzle. “I was stuck on a lyric halfway through recording when my dad called me mid-session and randomly mentioned ‘Copperhead Road’. It instantly clicked. I had to hang up on him just to finish the line I was stuck on, and it ended up becoming a key part of the song,” he recalls.
With over 1.2 million streams already under his belt as an independent force, Mr Elusive is doing more than just chasing numbers; he is building a community centered on resilience. ‘Medicinal Liquor’ isn't just a song—it’s a statement of intent from an artist who is successfully turning his setbacks into his greatest strengths.
Head over to your favourite platform to pour out ‘Medicinal Liquor’ and follow Mr Elusive’s journey online on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
