KIDA (June 2010) | Interview By: Todd Davis

..........................................................................................

Interview was done in May 2010

Questions Asked By: Todd Davis
 

.............................................................................................
Related Media

Kida - Chairman Of The Board (Free Download)
Kida - The Endemic (Free Download)
.............................................................................................

Dubcnn: When did your love for Hip-Hop first begin?

Kida: I fell in love with Hip-Hop around the age of 10. That's when my mom bought me my first Hip-Hop tape. And, I don't care what anyone says, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper, was in heavy rotation around my house at that time.

Dubcnn: You are from Inglewood, California. So, growing up there, whose music did you gravitate more towards?

Kida: Yes, Sir, Inglewood's my birthplace; 108th and Crenshaw to be exact. Of course, the sound of NWA was influencing everyone from L.A., but I also was influenced by all genres, all coasts, and all styles of music. I like to believe my music is a good mix of everyone you like to hear.

Dubcnn: How then do you classify both your sound & style?

Kida: My overall vibe isn't one you could put a single description on. I try to attack every song differently from the last. I like to keep my listeners on their toes, not knowing which direction I'll be coming from next. But, if I could sum it all up with just one phrase...HIP-HOP!

Dubcnn: How did you come to be known as Kida? And, what's the correct pronunciation of your moniker?

Kida: Kida is actually a nickname that derives from my birth name Akida. Everyone calls me Kida for short. And for the record, that's pronounced: key-duh!


Dubcnn: That's simple enough! Well, since you've been in this music "game," both as an artist, and behind the scenes as well, for quite some time -- Can u please give me a quick run down of your complete resume'...

Kida: A quick run down, huh?! Well, I was a street promoter for Roc-A-Fella. I wrote for Shaquille O'Neal on his Respect album. I've performed alongside the likes of Snoop, Quik, Suga Free, Dwele, Slick Rick, and many others. I've been offered record deals, but respectively passed on them for different reasons. I linked up with The Real Focus, and Ph.D, and made great music. I have about five street albums out on the 'net right now, and the list can go on and on...Whew, that was all in one breath, too! *Kida laughs*


Dubcnn: Wow, that's heavy! So, weren't you actually signed to Death Row Records at one time? How come nothing ever materialized from this deal?

Kida: Nah, I actually passed on that situation, respectfully though, which is the reason you've never heard anything out of it.


Dubcnn: Makes complete sense! Well, how come it has taken so long for your debut album to finally emerge?

Kida: Preparation. I feel like when the time is right, it all will happen.

Dubcnn: Oh, okay. So, how did the whole Focus connection actually come about?

Kida: I met my dude, Ph.D, which is now my manager, first. Let him hear some of the music that I was doing at the time. And, that eventually led to a meeting with Focus. We all hit it off immediately. Chemistry was outta this world! We started crankin' out music right away.

Dubcnn: Your lead single, "Holla," featuring Nell, is still making quite a bit of noise -- Did you expect such a strong response?

Kida: Honestly, I didn't. When Nell and I first recorded this record, we had one thing in mind: I wanted to try to bridge the gap between the different types of music. I wanted to give the "Jerkers" sumthin' to jerk to with this one!

Dubcnn: I think you accomplished that! Well, conceptually, what's "Holla" all about? And, how did it even come to fruition?

Kida: "Holla" is tellin' a chick you wanna holla at her, but you not gonna do or give her the things that other dudes are giving to her just so we can dance. Not being repetitive, but I was just trying to give the "Jerkers" a lil sumthin' sumthin' to move to.

Dubcnn: As for now though, is there a video in the works for "Holla?" And, are there any plans to tour for the album?

Kida: As for "HOLLA," we do plan to shoot a video for it. Conflicting schedules has prevented it from happening thus far. But please, be on the look out for it...SOON! No tour plans as of yet, but accepting all offers though! *Laughs again!*


Dubcnn: What's that "live" show element (gonna be) like?

Kida: Ah, man, you'd enjoy my live show. I rock with my band, The Next Episode. We incorporate my music with a few cover tunes. We have the whole nine yards, man. Horns, background singers, percussion, skits, everything. It's an enjoyable event. My live show is pretty much in place to set me apart from everyone else, You know?!

Dubcnn: You titled your forthcoming solo debut The Epidemic...

Kida: I have a trilogy I'm working on. My first official length street album was called The Pandemic, the second was The Endemic, and my "OFFICIAL" LP will be entitled The Epidemic. All three titles are different levels of wide spreading things, such as diseases...In my case, I'm trying to spread "TRUTH IN MUSIC" on a global level.

Dubcnn: Do you have any particular track(s) on The Endemic that you tend to favor?

Kida: To name a couple...I'm partial to "I Put In Work," produced by The Real Focus, and "I'm Good," produced by Mell & D. I chose those two because they most describe me at this point in time. I'm puttin' in work, and you can't stop my flow! And, no matter what Y'all do or say about me, I'M GOOD!

We basically went out and got everybody we considered family. Of course, we got The Real Focus, and Mell & D, we also got Wyldfyer, Seige, 9th Wonder, Dj Khalil, !llMind and Jake One.

We have a lot of cool cameos on this joint, man. And, I'm really proud to say we have my dude, Focus, sangin' and rappin', we have Kobe, Busta Rhymes, Little Brother, Kurupt, Crooked I, Talib Kweli, Jay Rock, Willie B, Nell, Marsha Ambrosius, and, of course, DJ Rhettmatic.

Dubcnn: How do you plan on sticking around in this grueling business of music?

Kida: Staying true to Kida, and receiving great advice from Focus and Ph.D.

Dubcnn: Aside from music, do you have any additional aspirations?

Kida: I want to get involved in everything, man. I'm an all around entertainer. I'll never box myself into one thing. Although music is my first love and my passion.

Dubcnn: You also have your own label, Oso Reel -- What are your future goals & plans for it? Is there an artist roster already in place?

Kida: My main goal right now is to become a successful artist. So, when I do put my label and its artists in the spotlight, you'll care about what they have to say because you'll know the track record.


Dubcnn: On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip-Hop? And, more specifically, West Coast rap in general?

Kida: I'm cool with it. What type of world would this be if everyone in it looked the exact same?! I see nothin' wrong with a little of this, and a little of that. I'm really straight 'cause there's no one out there like me. As far as West Coast music, Y'all better be on the look out! We have a lot of talent coming your way. Just wait and see.

Dubcnn: Who exactly is Kida?

Kida: Kida is yo homeboy that lives next door that happens to know how to rap. I'm a regular cat who went to school, got decent grades, and chased women. I didn't gang-bang, even though I knew all of them and lived in the midst of it. I played basketball, and (was) in the band for years and years. Basically, to sum it all up, Kida could very well be YOU! A regular guy.

Dubcnn: How do you spend your time away from music? What does that usually consist of?

Kida: WOW, do I actually have spare time away from music? Well, when I'm not doing music, I'm kickin' my kid's butt in Wii Fit and DJ Hero: Renegade Edition, of course! *More laughter*

Dubcnn: Ultimately, what is your 5 to 10 year plan in entertainment?

Kida: Honestly, my short term goal is to simply become a well respected artist that kids look up to. I feel I'm here to show people that it's "Okay" to be regular. No smoke no mirrors, just an artist that can hang with the best of 'em!

Dubcnn: Are there any other mix-tape(s) or cameos on others works to look out for from you in the meantime?

Kida: Look for me any and everywhere! I'm trying to be all over the place. I have the Pandemic out now, The Endemic is out now, The Endemic *Ladies Edition* dropped on Valentines Day, just for the ladies, You know?! And, I (just) dropped the Who Is Kida mixtape and Chairman Of The Board. You can Google all of them. Oh Yeah, I just did a verse for Slum Village new album!


Dubcnn: Is there anything else that I may have left out or forgot to ask about?

Kida: I think you pretty much asked everything I would've! *More laughs*

Dubcnn: Sadly, Thursday June 25th 2009, the world lost the greatest entertainer who ever lived -- What was your first reaction upon hearing the tragic news? How does Michael Jackson’s untimely passing affect, not only you, but, music in general? And, in the wake of his demise, what does this mean for the future of recorded music?

Kida: It affected me the same way I assume it affected everyone else. I was shocked, sad, upset, all the same feelings that people around the world felt. This situation taught me that time waits for no man. Take every breath as if it were your last, live your life to the fullest and fulfill all your dreams.

Dubcnn: Any message for our readers??

Kida: I just wanna thank them for being even remotely interested in Kida. In one phrase, I WONT LET YOU DOWN!

Dubcnn: Thanks for taking your time out with me today, good luck with everything, and continued success to you!

Kida: I really appreciate you, Fam. Thanx for all that you as a journalist do...Peace!

Advertisement