In the growing independent music scene, Columbus, Ohio artist txk0 (also known online as erase_toko) is carving out space on his own terms. Soft-spoken about his process but clear about his passion, he recently opened up about the journey that brought him from high-school experiments to a steady stream of collaborations.
When asked how he’s doing, txk0 keeps it simple and friendly: “Pretty good, how are you?” That easygoing energy carries through most of his answers. Originally from Columbus, he first started dabbling in music during his freshman year of high school with his brother, Phantom. The two would constantly talk through new songs and push each other to improve. Over time they got better, and along the way they found a tight circle of friends and collaborators—NAEEM (also known as JayWhy), Temp3r!, and Tasonx. Growing as people alongside those friends, and the pure fun of making music together, is what sparked his lasting love for the craft.
There’s nothing glamorous about how the music gets made. txk0 records on his phone with a pair of wired Apple headphones, and he has no set time or place. “I honestly record whenever and wherever possible,” he says. He’s not involved in any industrial or formal music scene, and he doesn’t claim a strict genre. Instead he prefers to keep things fresh and interesting with every new song.
His first official release came on December 27, 2022, when he appeared as a feature on Phantom’s track “Why are you so cold.” Since then the catalog has grown quickly. Among the songs he points to with pride are “DEAD BY DAYLIGHT” with Phantom, “DO TOO MUCH” by ECLIIPSE (featuring him), “Reaper” by Temp3r! (featuring him and NAEEM), and “HAVOK” by Mvp Mecka (featuring him and Chockky). His personal favorite remains “losing it!” featuring Suicidalclout.
Looking back is part of the process. txk0 says he revisits old songs “all the time,” recently going back and completely rewriting verses on earlier tracks. He has plenty of unreleased or exclusive material waiting for fans, and while he hasn’t performed live yet, he leaves the door open: “Maybe.”
The internet plays a big role in keeping the fire going. Hearing other artists pour emotion and energy into a track that simply sounds cool is enough to make him want to match that intensity. On social media he can be found on Instagram at @erase_toko and on TikTok at @txk000.
When it comes to meaning in the music, he keeps it straightforward. If a song carries a message, he tries to make it as clear as possible rather than burying it. The people who mean the most to him in this journey are the family members who know he makes music. Their support, he says, is special.
Looking ahead about a year, txk0 sees himself becoming more prominent—more collaborations, more interactions, and more support for the peers around him. For now he continues doing what he’s always done: recording when the moment hits, refining the work, and staying connected to the friends and family who started this path with him.
In a scene that often prioritizes polish and image, txk0’s approach stays grounded—phone in hand, headphones on, and a clear sense of why he started in the first place.
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