Kinrose Interview
Nehemiah Terry: Have you always had an ear for music? When did you realize you wanted to become an artist?
Kinrose: I think the first time I really realized I wanted to be an artist was probably back in high school. Just making music with friends and realizing that I had a knack for writing. I mean, at the time it wasn't my best writing, of course because I had just started it. But really loving the fact that I was able to put these words together in a new way and hearing myself back on the playback after recording was just something I fell in love with. So I really liked that. And then I think over time as I started learning and being more deliberate with my writing and enunciating and the things that you learn as you do it more, I started having this natural way of learning music. I never did it in an academic setting. I didn't go to school for music. I still don't know music skills or anything like that, but I think I'm able to fit into those pockets naturally. And that's just through years of doing it.
Nehemiah Terry: Would you say that's the challenge and the fun part for you? Would you say writing is the most fun part?
Kinrose: Yeah, I would say that's probably the best part for me. That really gets me excited. I think when I am writing, especially when I'm writing raps and I'm able to have those moments of entendres and really colorful writings and bars like that, it's what I love the most. So yeah, definitely the writing process is my favorite part and then recording it.
Nehemiah Terry: For me, just listening to your music, you definitely give off really happy and positive vibes. I don't think I've heard a song by you that's kind of sad, or even melancholy, they all are happy and really uplifting. Is that something that's purposeful or is that just how it goes? Do you go into the studio thinking you want to make happy songs, or does it just happen that way?
Kinrose: Yeah, that's a good question. On my EP ‘easygrowing’, I had some songs on there that were kind of a little more melancholy, but still forward looking in a way. I think that when I go into writing a song, I'm never like, ‘oh, I want this to be fun or exciting,’ but it definitely comes out that way, and I'm glad it does because we all have those times throughout the days in our lives where I guess you need a break. And I think music for me is my break. So I think it would make sense, just looking back at it now as you asked me that question, that my music would kind of reflect that break that I'm having from work or whatever else is outside of music and to take that moment for myself.
Nehemiah Terry: What aspects from your childhood or your upbringing most impact your music?
Kinrose: I would say just where I'm from. The area I'm from in Maryland, PG County, and the DMV at large has really played a big influence on me sometimes without me really recognizing or knowing where it comes from at first. But yeah, just looking at the artists before me and the music scene in the area and my family, I think those are themes that I catch myself always falling into no matter what song I write or when I write it or where I write it. I don't even have to be home and it still stays with me.
Nehemiah Terry: You went on tour with Malik Elijah in the past. I think that's pretty cool that you guys are connected. How did your relationship with him form and what have you picked up from him?
Kinrose: I think just the love of the music. We kind of found each other. Luckily today it is a lot more accessible to find each other if you're not within the same circles. I've actually formed a really good friendship with him, and we were able to do that tour together. The Rated PG tour. Just shouting out the whole town, the hometown, all the way up and down the northeast. That was really a fun moment. I think what I've learned from him for sure, and especially throughout that tour, was just how to be a better live performer. I would say if you ever get the opportunity to catch a Malik Elijah show, it's going to be one of the best experiences you'll have because he just really is about that. His songs are really good, and once you go into that live performance, he'll take it to even another level that you didn't even really expect it to go to. He's just masterful in that. So I would say I learned a bit from him on how to have a better stage presence. It's really inspiring.
Nehemiah Terry: Are there any hiddens gems from your city or artists in general from your city that you have planned collaborations with or want to have a collaboration with in the future?
Kinrose: Yeah, man, I would love to work with Rico Nasty, Redviel, IDK, to name a few. I'm open to working with everyone for real. I am just excited at the opportunity to get to work with anyone from here and just help just booster the name of the area and our presence. Just so much good music here. I'm in love with it all.
Nehemiah Terry: I think the first song I heard from you is probably ‘Profile’. What do you think has been the most important moment of your career so far? Is it that song blowing up? Is it a label signing or anything? What do you think the most important moment of your career is?
Kinrose: I think ‘Profile' is definitely one of those inflection points where it's like I can't deny how much it's done for me. I would say for me personally as an artist, as far as my growth and my development, it would probably be the EP I dropped last year called ‘Bouquet’. I really feel like that was my best body of work. Personally, it was just something I'm really confident in and proud of. So dropping that as a follow-up to my debut EP ‘easygrowing’, which Profile was on, I really felt like for me, solidified myself. Like, ‘alright, I feel confident in building these worlds and music and continuing to pursue it.’ But yeah, ‘Profile' for me, definitely gave me a lot of opportunity, a lot of new fans and supporters, so I love it for that reason and I’ll forever love it, for sure.
Nehemiah Terry: Were you in different head spaces when creating the new EP than the last one? In what ways are you trying to push yourself creatively and in what areas are you trying to alter and grow your music?
Kinrose: I would say that the EP 'rosetta' I'm dropping this month has themes of fun throughout it. Similar to my projects and my singles and stuff, but I really do feel like this one was just pure lightheartedness. ‘Bouquet' was more so a dive into myself as an artist and how we feel as up and coming artists, such as maybe you don't always get the recognition you think you're going to get and learning to work through that. This new project I feel like was just me taking the pressure off myself and leaning more into enjoying the process of creating.
