It's been 10 years since NYC-based hip-hop artist Tonedeff released a solo album, and he admits, "Ten years is three eternities in the internet age."

It was a tumultuous time for Tonedeff, who owns and operates the record label QN5 Music. "Life pinned me down and wouldn't let me up,” he explains, “a breakdown, addiction, divorce, industry BS—it all became too much."

Some of those struggles can be heard on "Competitive Nature," which is the latest song off of Tonedeff's upcoming album, Polymer, due out July 8.

"The beginning of the third verse is a true story," he explains, "even if it’s a bit embarrassing to admit. Every time the Grammys were on, I couldn’t fight back the tears. With every atom of my being, I felt that I was supposed to be on that stage ... It got to the point where my ex would have to drag me out of the apartment on Grammy night so I wouldn’t watch."

A renewed man, Tonedeff says, "I’ve let go of that preoccupation with acceptance. It no longer burns. I realize now that everything that’s ever happened in my career has led me to make what I consider the best music of my life, and I take a ton of joy in that alone. I’m now more concerned with what I can push myself to do as a writer, how deeply I can explore my heart, and getting closer to achieving the sounds in my head. I’m still growing."

He adds that when it comes to the emotion behind the concept of the song, "Competitive nature feeds off of fear and jealousy of others, and frankly, I don’t want to harbor either of those emotions in my psyche anymore. Making this song was a cathartic experience."