The title, Bad Actress, came from Turner’s inability to hide his true feelings, and he packed the album with unguarded emotions centered around a lifetime of unhealthy relationships, struggles with mental illness, and an indomitable drive to overcome them. From the grime-caked Ant-produced beats, to the confessional lyrics, to the supercharged guitars laced throughout, Bad Actress is deeply rooted in Minneapolis’ singular hip-hop scene, where boom-bap never went out of style and raw honesty still beats flashy materialism. Turner’s soulful singing voice, and his ability to navigate from the acidic funk to acoustic balladry to minimalist gospel, make it clear that he’s one of the young talents who’s going to author the next chapter in the city’s storied musical history.
Following the release of Bad Actress, deM atlaS toured extensively with labelmates—and indie hip-hop stalwarts—Atmosphere, quickly building a reputation of his own as a must-see live performer. Their time together on the road led to the recording of a new collaborative song, "Bad Days Are Over", released in 2019. In contrast to his melancholic Bad Actress, the new track revealed an optimistic side to deM, as he reflected on his own growth, opportunities and experiences. “I really appreciate it and I don’t take it for granted," deM said of his exposure before adding, "because all of this could be gone tomorrow." deM atlaS remains humble as the buzz around him continues to grow.