Kendo Mace: The Rise of the Underground “Super Villain” Speaking for the Voiceless
From the shadows of Los Angeles emerges Kendo Mace — also known as Kenneth Linares, self-proclaimed “Illest of Super Villains” — an artist building a movement that refuses to bend to industry expectations. Connected to the #notcasual collective, Kendo Mace isn’t chasing approval, trends, or mainstream validation. His music exists as a reflection of raw experience, internal conflict, and unapologetic individuality.
What music means to him
For Kendo Mace, music has never been about creating records tailored for mass acceptance. It’s personal. Therapeutic. Necessary. Every track is rooted in lived experience and the lessons that come from navigating life on his own terms. While many artists speak from pain and personal stories, Kendo believes every individual carries their own untold book — and his chapters are written through sound.
“I don’t make music for other people,” he explains. “I use it to help me in choices I make along the way. This shit is a passion of mine. I’ll make music until I’m not physically able. Be yourself, fuck what anybody thinks.”
That mentality has already begun building momentum. In less than a year of seriously pursuing music, Kendo Mace has independently generated more than 40,000 streams while stepping onto stages alongside underground names like Twinuzis, Perccaso, and 1brezzo. From opening performances to growing recognition within underground circles, his rise reflects a DIY grind fueled more by belief than resources.
trials and tribulations
Still, the journey hasn’t come easy. Financial struggles and limited access to equipment continue to create obstacles. Moving around and securing the tools needed to fully realize his creative vision remains difficult. Yet even through those hardships, Kendo continues pushing forward with a mindset rooted in patience and purpose.
Whats next
Looking ahead, the Los Angeles artist sees himself commanding massive festival stages, envisioning a future where crowds demand his presence at events on the scale of Rolling Loud. But unlike artists obsessed with celebrity culture, Kendo’s mission goes deeper than fame.
“Fuck the fame,” he says. “I just want to spread my message.”
That message centers around outsiders, unheard voices, and people struggling in silence. Kendo Mace sees himself as someone speaking for those unwilling — or unable — to speak for themselves. His identity as the “Super Villain” symbolizes separation from conformity, embracing the reality that not everyone will understand him — and being completely at peace with that.
His latest release, dropped on March 3rd, continues that rebellious energy with a controversial and confrontational edge. The single takes aim at public figures including Jeffrey Epstein and Benjamin Netanyahu, delivering sharp commentary wrapped inside his aggressive underground aesthetic. Provocative by design, the release reflects Kendo Mace’s refusal to self-censor in pursuit of broader acceptance.
Whether audiences embrace him or misunderstand him entirely, one thing is clear: Kendo Mace is creating from a place of conviction, not compromise. In a world oversaturated with imitation, the self-described Super Villain is determined to remain exactly what he claims to be — different.
