Killertaken: Bleeding Truths from Grand Rapids

Killertaken: Bleeding Truths from Grand Rapids

At just 22 years old, Killertaken is turning heartbreak into hard-hitting catharsis. Hailing from Grand Rapids, Michigan, the rising artist channels the raw emotional gravity of his inspirations—XXXTentacion, Juice WRLD, and 347Aidan—into a sound that’s both brutally honest and sonically compelling. His music doesn’t just speak to pain; it wrestles with it, confronts it, and offers listeners a lifeline through the storm. In this candid interview, Killertaken opens up about heartbreak, face tattoos, jail time, and the healing power of vulnerability—onstage and off.

So Aiden, what’s the story behind the name Killertaken?
When I was 13, I made a Twitch account under the name Killertaken and just kind of stuck with it. It became my gamer tag across everything. For a while I switched it to Sad Killer Taken for my music, but eventually went back to Killertaken. It just felt right.

How did your journey in music begin, and what pushed you to start releasing tracks?
It started when I went through my first heartbreak at 16, around the time XXXTentacion passed away—he’s a huge influence on me. I didn’t know how to deal with the emotions. I was drinking a little to cope, but that didn’t help. So I started making music. It wasn’t good at first—honestly, it was pretty awful—but it helped me get the emotions out. I kept going, kept working on my sound until it felt like me.

Did you do any music projects before Killertaken?
No, I started at 16 with zero knowledge of what I was doing.

Where are you based, and what’s the local music scene like?
I’m near Grand Rapids, Michigan. The scene here is pretty small. We’ve got Detroit artists like Eminem and I think NF is from Michigan too, but overall, it’s minimal. There’s not a big music scene here.

Have you ever been out to Los Angeles?
No, I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life.

Your latest single is called “No Home.” What inspired that track?
It’s about feeling like you have a home, but not feeling at home. I feel alone a lot—lost, disconnected. Like I don’t have anyone. So even though I technically have a home, emotionally I feel like I don’t.

Let’s talk about your Heartbroken EP. Is there an overarching concept behind it?
Yeah. I was in a four-year relationship that ended badly. I got into some trouble—during an argument, I took a phone out of my ex’s hand, and that counted as domestic violence. I’m on probation now. It wasn’t about hurting her, but it was a wake-up call. The EP is about heartbreak, losing someone, and realizing I had to let go because it wasn’t healthy. It’s about moving on.

There’s a track called “Letting You Go” on the EP. How cathartic was that to write?
It was depressing. I don’t cry often when making music, but that one hit hard. I was trying to talk to someone new, trying to rebound, but it didn’t work. The song is about accepting that and realizing I have to move on.

Tell me about “One Lifetime.”
It’s about the kind of love you only get once. That rare, life-changing love. Losing it made me feel sick, anxious, constantly wondering what she was doing or if she was with someone else. I’ve never felt that with anyone else. So yeah—“One Lifetime.”

How do you balance vulnerability and aggression in your songwriting?
I used to yell more in my music. I’m trying to get back to that. But most of my songs are about heartbreak, toxic relationships, and feeling alone. I’m okay being vulnerable because my inspirations are vulnerable too. It gives me comfort. I get judged and made fun of, but I don’t let it bother me. Music is how I vent—it helps me feel better. And I’ve gotten messages from people saying my music helped them feel less alone. That means a lot. I want a wider audience, but I’m proud of what I’ve done so far.

What’s your favorite and least favorite part about promoting on social media?
Least favorite? It takes a lot of energy. After making a song, you listen to it so much you get bored of it, so promoting it feels like a chore. Today I finally forced myself to record visuals. I usually don’t put myself in videos, but I did it today. The hate comments can get to you—even if you get tons of positive messages, one negative comment can ruin your day. Favorite part? Sharing the pain. Connecting with people. Especially guys—suicide rates are high among men because we feel alone and can’t speak out. We make fun of each other for being vulnerable. I get mocked for it, but I don’t care. I just want to help people who feel the same.

You recently opened for Lil Xan. What was that experience like? Did you get to hang out with him?
A little bit, yeah. We talked briefly in the VIP section after the show. He was in a rush, hopped into his RV with some fans. But he complimented my tattoo—said it was cool. His manager and DJ reached out to me, and that’s how I got the opening slot. He even DM’d me after the show saying he liked my tattoos and saw the hate I was getting. That meant a lot.

If you could open for any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
If we’re talking past, definitely XXXTentacion. His fanbase was intense—sometimes toxic, but they came together in powerful ways. His crowd control was inspiring. If we’re talking present, probably 347Aidan or Sueco. My music fits with theirs, and it’d be a great way to connect and grow.

How many tattoos do you have, and what was your first?
I’ve got around 46 tattoos—haven’t counted in a while. My first was “AD/HD” in the AC/DC logo. I got it when I was 16.

How scary was it to get your face tattooed? Were you nervous the first time?
I was more scared of what my parents would think. I was really depressed at the time, so I didn’t care much. My first face tattoo was a broken heart. I’m insecure about my face, and the tattoos help me cover it up. People think I got them for music, but it was really about hiding my insecurities. They weren’t scary to get—I was actually happy. The Lil Xan one made my face puffy and I got scared it’d stay that way, but it turned out fine.

Pick one song you’ve written that’s deeply important to you. What inspired it?
“Too Far Gone.” It talks about self-harm and how people think you’re just doing it for attention. One line I wrote—“you let them abuse you as long as they’ll be with you”—is about staying in toxic relationships because I get anxiously attached. I’ll do anything to keep someone around because I’m terrified of losing them. That song is deeply personal and resonated with a lot of people. It means the most to me.

When you go up on stage and sing these deeply personal lyrics live, how do you feel? Are you nervous?
I do get nervous, yeah. But with a little alcohol—just enough to loosen up—I feel more okay. I don’t drink a lot, but it helps take the edge off. Performing puts you in a really vulnerable spot. Anyone can say anything about you. But usually, the feedback is positive. People tell me they can actually hear the lyrics, which means a lot. A lot of performers get drowned out, but I’ve been complimented on my mixing and clarity. That kind of feedback reassures me.

Is touring something you’d want to do in the future?
100%. If I can build a big enough fan base, I’d absolutely want to tour.

Any new music coming up? What’s next for you?
My next song is called “I Would Die For You.” It’s about how I would’ve died for my ex—how I went to jail for them. It’s about throwing your life away for someone. That drops next Friday.

If you could leave a listener with one feeling after hearing your music, what would it be?
I want them to feel emotional—maybe a little sad—but also relieved. Like they’re not the only ones feeling that way. It all ties back to feeling alone. That’s why XXX was such a big influence on me. He always talked about being alone, and that’s something I relate to deeply. I want my music to make people feel less alone. Like someone out there gets it.

(Interview by Ken Morton)

Killertaken on Instagram