Featured artist: RJK - RJ-K- IDDA!! WERE’VE YOU BEEN?
Below is a short interview with the upcoming underground artist RJK.
How did you decide to become an artist?
RJK: I decided to become an artist because I have always loved music, its a corny expression & many people say it but I felt like everything else in my life was ”the thing” on the side. Even at work I used to be singing & making my own words up to songs on the radio, I worked outside speaking to people for a living & when I told customers / work colleagues about my past as a dj etc at college, & my own skills as a singer/MC I always got praised and re uniting one afternoon with my old MC partner he recorded me freestyling & within a week I had social media requests from artists in my city who had heard me & wanted me to collaborate/gave me good feedback/gave me advice, & from then on I have been writing my mixtape. I have been in bad health since I was 18 and I have had 2 back surgeries so since my 1st surgery didn’t work & waiting for the second and since, music has been my outlet to get my emotions down and turn the negativity into a positive.
The best advice I have been given as an artist is to reply to my closest fans as much as possible and take a ”real” interest in their lives/projects/music to build a loyal fanbase who will stick by my music. The same guy (he was a fan but id now call him a friend) told me also not to criticise myself too much, make a mistake today to get it right tomorrow.
What about concerts? Do you play live?
Yes I do play live and my next performance is the 13th September 2014 at House Bold Street Liverpool. It is Royzy Rothschild’ single launch party & I was asked as a friend to perform among the best talent in my city.
Best punchline you ever wrote?
ill give ya real cos all the others wana hand ya fakeness, if ya sick a lame battles now is time to make make ya statement!
What are you currently working on? Did you release something in the past?
I am working on a few projects at the moment, in the late spring I featured on top USA Mixtape Host DJ KONVICT 512’s GRINDIN’ ’N’ HUSTLIN’ WORLDWIDE 4 mixtape with the likes of top US rapper & producer Acehood. I released my own debut rap mixtape & I am hosting a mixtape called INNOVATIVE GRIND MUSIC GROUP Presents The British Invasion Hosted by RJK Innovative grind are a rap label in New York & they are also doing a 4 city UK tour next year that I have been asked to promote, host & perform at. I am currently also setting up my own independant label in Liverpool & a project called Radical Music Group’s Outreach Programme which is scouting talent, providing training and then putting on a showcase event for unsigned rappers singers and DJs.
Last but not least: Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Yes I would sign for a major label although I think a few pros and cons are; PRO’s the confidence boost form acceptance of a whole team of people who have taken chances on so many well known artists past and present, the obvious things that most people in life want for themselves and to know I can provide most things material for my family, gaining experience from the team of people at the labels disposal, CONS spending more time away from my family, the media exposure that comes with being an artist from a major label
Any last words?
Shout out to the wifey Heather C for always bein there & understanding when it doesnt go right, Shout to my man RaM for showin me the ropes & gettin me started on me path, Shout to Team Tactix especially Robert Slexic* Thompson for bein the man tellin me to keep pushin the pain and to keep gettin out there because the people wana see me performing so a big shout to him. Shout to Senzel Tenz for bein the go to man for advice & the man for the sick freestyle beats, Shout to R Lou & R Nicki for bein there to support me at my shows and bein the 1st ones to be at the front dancin, Shout to Mitch, Jack, Ben & Sean from the Ronfa & all the fans across the world France USA Germany Czech Republic Israel Nigeria & everywhere else
Where can we contact you?
RJK: http://twitter.com/KieranRJK
Thank you for your time. We wish you and your career the success it deserves.
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This interview was done by Amanda Aselia, a long time blogger and entertainment journalist specialized in the underground hip hop music field.
