"Cognitive Distortions Saved My Mental Health" feat. JAYDENSE (SZN 7: EP 21)

In SZN 7 Episode 21 of No Label The Podcast, Nelson sits down with Buffalo artist Jaydense for his second appearance on the show.Skipping the origin story and focusing on the present, the conversation centers around Jaydense's latest project, Cognitive Distortions, and the momentum surrounding its release. The project has earned recognition from major outlets including The Source and HotNewHipHop, charted on the Canadian Billboard charts, and landed records on radio stations in Los Angeles—marking a major step forward in his career.Nelson and Jaydense discuss the mental health challenges that come with being an artist, the pressures of creating meaningful work, and how Cognitive Distortions became one of his most intentional projects to date. They also dive into his ear for production, why he chose to build the entire project alongside producer JBOOGZ, and the importance of finding collaborators who understand your vision.The conversation expands into the current excitement surrounding Buffalo's music scene and the city's continued rise on a national level. They also discuss Conway The Machine's recent comments regarding Griselda's internal conflicts, the impact Griselda has had on Buffalo's identity, and what the next generation of artists can learn from that movement.To close things out, they talk about Drake's return to music, his upcoming run of projects, and where hip-hop could be headed in the near future.From music industry growth and mental health to production, culture, and Buffalo's evolving sound, this episode is a candid look at an artist reaching new heights while staying grounded in the process.