Biography
Michał "Żyto" Żytniak comes from Częstochowa. However, currently he lives and works in Warsaw. His father, Andrzej Żytniak, was a painter. Despite these roots, his son began his career in rap. He debuted in 2012 with an album titled simply "Żyto" and two years later released his second solo album "Wiry".
After releasing two albums in major hip-hop labels—Żyto in 2012 (Asfalt Records) and Wiry in 2014 (Prosto)—Michał focused exclusively on painting, while NOON (Mikołaj Bugajak) after producing "Muzyka Poważna" abandoned strictly rap productions for a long time. Years later, their paths crossed and "Morza Południowe" a collaboration between ŻYTO and NOON, was released on June 18, 2021, by Nowe Nagrania.
Three years later, on September 1, 2024, the duo's next album was released. "GLITCHY PRAGA" is a new face of Polish urban music. A musical kaleidoscope steeped in a good movie, but above all, absorbed in a massive dose and in direct contact with painting. Music created on the sidelines, casually.
In 2015, Michal began studying graphic design at the Jan Długosz Academy in Częstochowa (today a university). Over time, he began painting. His work is dominated by themes relating to contemporary life, inspired by phenomena stemming from social media and urban life. All of it is captured in a distinctive and colorful form of satire.
His paintings are crowded with people, the urban fabric of men and women mingling and in various relationships terrifying, exposing our flaws and offering a wink at our dark side. Although Michał often depicts holiday atmospheres, beaches, pubs, and discos, this is a version of entertainment we would rather avoid. His depictions feature a much-dubious world, which remains safe for us on the wall, yet is simultaneously fascinating. The crowds of people and the multitude of colors, the distinct contours and twisted gazes, the nonchalant lines casually tell stories that are better left silently unseen. Contemporary, authentic painting, with panache and that distinctive DNA that's hard to ignore. A piece of brave masculine art with a sense of humor.
