By Steven Hughes
Sun Correspondent
The Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series is celebrating its fifth anniversary with its next line up of 10 free family-friendly performances throughout the summer season.
“We aim to feature a diverse range of genres, not just typical music commonly found in Gallup,” Michael Bulloch, executive director for the Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District, said.
This year’s show features music from indie rock to R&B, and some metal performances.
In tandem with the music series, the Sun will produce Q&As that give a glimpse of the minds of these performers.
THE JUNE 7 PERFORMANCE
Destroy Kasmin, a rapper from Ganado, Ariz., will be the first in the lineup of artists. He will perform June 7 at 7 pm at the McKinley County Courthouse Plaza.
His upcoming Gallup performance comes after he released a new album dubbed “GANADO FOREVER,” an 18-song album that shows his love for his heritage as a Native. He held a listening party for it a week before releasing it April 25, saying audiences enjoyed it even with the hectic day that hit Ganado — heavy snow and a blackout.
He said his Gallup performance will be the first time he’ll showcase a handful of songs from the new album to a larger live audience compared to the release party
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Gallup Sun: What do you hope to achieve from your Gallup performance?
Destroy Kasmin: “I think the main thing is being achieved right now is that everybody gets to come for free. My concerts aren’t usually too much, but the fact that it’s a community event, everybody’s going to come and be together. That’s the biggest achievement for me because, ever since my listening party, that was my first community event. Now, I’ve got my foot in that door and I want to do more community events.”
Gallup Sun: What’s your goal as a musician?
Destroy Kasmin: “My goal is to resonate with my listeners, especially my community, because in my music, I talk about mental health and things that are hard to talk about that shouldn’t be talked about. I’m trying to open that light in my music so that it can be talked about. My music is an outlet, but I was also blessed enough to turn it into a business. I want to show my people that it’s possible to make art and create a business with it.”
Gallup Sun: Why did you think you’d garner such a listenership?
Destroy Kasmin: “Honestly, I didn’t even know people were going to listen to me, as far as when I first released songs. I didn’t know people were going to like my music like that. I got a lot of fans telling me, talking about certain songs, they’re like, ‘The song helped me.’ It’s crazy. I never think about how far it’s going to reach until people reach out to me.
I didn’t think people were going to listen to me because, being a native artist, let alone a native rapper, it’s not ‘our way.’ I broke that boundary. I was scared because I thought people were going to tear me down. There are still people who tear me down, but I [make art] for the people who support me, and I do it for myself.”
Gallup Sun: When did you last learn something that improved your musicianship?
Destroy Kasmin: “I think it was just not being afraid to experiment with different sounds. The album it’s rap, it’s singing, it’s a lot of stuff. I think for me, it’s not being afraid to try something different. I think for every artist, that’s a big key is always trying something different. It’ll open a door for you.”
Gallup Sun: What’s your next project?
Destroy Kasmin: “My next projects are going to be music videos, a ‘GANADO FOREVER’ tour, and community projects over the summer. It’s kind of what I’m planning right now, but it’s hard to say specifically what those projects are going to be. We have a lot in the works right now, but I also have a lot in mind, too.”
For more information about the upcoming performances in the 2025 Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series, email Bulloch at director@gallupmainstreet.org.
Follow Destroy Kasmin on Instagram at destroykasmin.
