Devinino: Turning Pain Into Healing Through Hyperpop

Out of Charlotte comes an artist whose music is built on emotion, vulnerability, and survival. Devinino is more than just another name in the underground hyperpop and emo-inspired music scene — he’s an artist using colorful, vibrant production and deeply personal storytelling to connect with people who are struggling through their own battles. Blending hyperpop, hip hop, and pop influences together, Devinino creates music that feels energetic on the surface while carrying emotional weight underneath. It’s healing music, designed to make listeners feel understood.

How it all started

Devinino’s story as an artist began during one of the darkest periods of his life. In 2020, after being arrested and kicked out of his apartment following a fight, everything around him seemed to collapse at once. At the same time, he was dealing with a painful breakup after discovering betrayal from someone he deeply cared about. Those moments left him battling depression, anxiety, addiction, and feelings of hopelessness. Instead of letting the pain destroy him, he made the decision to channel it into something meaningful.

$150 and a dream

With only $150 to his name, no car, no steady income, and no clear direction, Devinino took a risk on himself. He spent every dollar he had on a studio session to record his first official single, “Won’t Believe This.” The song was raw, emotional, and honest — a reflection of everything he had been carrying internally. He uploaded the track and sent it around to friends without expecting much in return. By the next morning, the response changed everything. Friends were reposting the song, sharing it with people he didn’t even know, and supporting the sound he was creating. One of his friends even played the record during a livestream, helping the music spread organically. That was the moment Devinino realized he had something real.

As his momentum grew, so did the obstacles. In 2022, Devinino independently organized, funded, and directed his first professionally shot music video for “Break Up Anthem.” The visual gained over 5,000 views and helped bring more attention to his artistry on YouTube. However, once the video was complete, a dispute with the production company nearly stopped him from releasing it under his own name. After fighting for control over the project he personally funded and directed, he ultimately succeeded in getting the video uploaded to his channel.

Trials and tribulations

One of the hardest challenges in Devinino’s career came after falling out with the engineer who helped record his earliest music, including “Won’t Believe This.” As Devinino continued releasing music and gaining traction, tension grew between them due to the pressure of balancing both of their careers. Rather than allowing the situation to slow him down, Devinino made another major decision — he would learn to record and engineer his own music entirely by himself.

That process was far from easy. After researching equipment for weeks, he spent nearly $3,000 on microphones, interfaces, and recording gear despite not having the money to comfortably afford it. He maxed out a credit card because the dream mattered more than the risk. From recording in his parents’ house to tracking vocals inside closets and padded rooms across Charlotte, Devinino dedicated himself to perfecting his sound. Over the next two years, he developed a style that blended emotional songwriting with vibrant hyperpop production — a sound that would eventually define him as an artist.

That journey led to the release of his 2025 album “Stargazer,” a project he wrote, recorded, and engineered himself. The album represented a breakthrough moment creatively and personally. One of the standout records, “Anemic,” became the first Devinino song to be accepted onto a Spotify playlist, marking another milestone in his growth as an independent artist.

What’s separates him from others in the music industry

What separates Devinino from many artists in the emo rap and hyperpop space is his perspective. While much of modern music focuses on violence, destruction, or negativity, Devinino approaches emotional music differently. His songs may carry themes of heartbreak, sadness, addiction, and mental struggle, but they exist on uplifting, colorful, and vibrant production. It’s emotional music that still feels alive. His goal has never been to glorify pain — it’s to heal through it.

For Devinino, music is about reaching the deepest parts of people’s emotions and reminding listeners they are not alone in what they feel. The same music that helped save him during some of his darkest moments is now becoming a way to help others navigate theirs. That purpose is what continues to drive him forward.

What’s next

Looking ahead, Devinino sees himself building a loyal worldwide fan base, creating cinematic high-quality visuals, and performing both nationally and internationally. More importantly, he wants to continue making music that genuinely impacts people’s lives while building a sustainable career doing what he loves full time.

With recent releases like “Numb” and “Not On a Globe” already available on all streaming platforms, along with upcoming singles “Gummy” and “Tears,” Devinino is continuing to evolve both creatively and emotionally. His music is not simply about heartbreak or emo aesthetics — it’s about transformation, survival, and healing. That’s the core of Devinino’s artistry, and that’s exactly why people are beginning to connect with his sound.