K-Hill Interview
Who is K-Hill?
I’ve always envisioned myself as one of the most illest, talented, yet unsung emcees/producer to emerge from the North Carolina hip hop scene. I’m an elaborate writer. I produce and I aim to deliver quality product every time I’m out.
How long have you been involved with music and what inspired you to start?
I’ve been rhyming and creating beats since 1992. I was inspired by Big Daddy Kane & the Juice Crew movement. I used to keep up with every record Marley Marl either produced or remixed. I became serious with music in 2000 when I produced and released my first project entitled Da Banquet Vol 1. This was a compilation of emcees over my beats.
Hip Hop is catching a lot of flack. What’s your impression of the genre?
Well music is similar to different people. You have good people you have bad people. You as an individual should consciously choose who you or your kids associate with. The same with music, people are well aware of some of the messages that some music cover. Either you choose to listen or you choose not to listen. No one is forcing you to listen to negative hip hop. Overall, I’m somewhat satisfied with the state of hip-hop I just hate that the media only choose to display the bubblegum, explicit, hip hop and not the more lyrical and conscious kind just to have balance.
What are your thoughts about the Don Imus fallout?
I think he was way out of line with his comment. I’ve never heard of the cat before this situation. In the same vein, valid points were made when he mentioned that rappers speak on our women in a negative fashion all of the time. I’m hoping this situation will make artist become more responsible with their content but it won’t.
What are your thoughts on snitching seeing it is such a hot topic for main stream media?
Snitching is a code of the streets that has gotten way out of hand. I think it is the perfect tool for genocide and it does nothing but further prove that we as a people are not unified and are afraid of each other. If someone murdered my loved one, I would hope someone would have the decency enough to help serve justice if the victim was innocent and wasn’t involved in any shady activity.
Should black people be forced to live to a higher standard given our history?
In my opinion, I feel like everyone should strive to achieve a higher standard of living. No one should let any of life’s obstacles be an anchor to their success. Any situation can be overcome.
Where does the line exist between entertainment & social responsibility? Can the two principles not coexist? Can some music just be for entertainment or not?
In a perfect world, yes, but we live in a society where everybody can not decipher the differences. Everybody doesn’t get the pun. I think parents/guardian should take more responsibility.
If you could remake any song, what would it be?
“The Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston, (laugh). The hip-hop version.
What is a song that you hate to love?
T-Pain’s “Buy You a Drink”.
Music wise what would you say is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
The biggest risk I have ever taken with this music are my subjects. I can write a battle rap record one minute, a conscious one the next, or a song about my lights being cut off because wifey forgot to write a check. These elements define K-Hill. I feel that a lot of my material may be too much for a majority of my listeners.
Have you seen a growth in your music from earlier material?
Definitely my flow is more confident, my voice is sicker and I’m more conscious of the beats I select.
Can we expect a new album or any new material this year?
Yes, I plan to drop a free ep this year, coming soon by the way. Finally, I will be dropping my debut album “Memoirs of a Premature Legend”. It’s going to be an event.
Tell us about Kick-A-Verse; what is it and who is down with it?
Kick-A-Verse is the name of my production company as well as the name I’m using to put my material out until I secure a situation. I have a great support team (Kris Feaster/JWhite) As far as other artist and producers, I have my regular go to guys but nothing is set in stone yet. We are a fresh, revamped company still in the process of building a force that will make some serious noise real soon.
What type of equipment do you use?
I started out with the famous Casio sampling keyboard. I graduated to the ASR-10. Then the ASR-X. Now I am a computer dude, loll. I love Fruity Loops since the upgrades, Ableton Live, Adobe Audition and a wide variety of plugins. However, I am about to make a serious upgrade real soon that will lay my production game flat.
What does it mean having 9th Wonder as a tutor?
I’ve learned things from every producer I’ve ever built with from 9th to Ski to K-Slack to up and coming producer, The Gyphted. Nobody has actually “tutored” me. I’ve been making beats since 1992.
Which do you prefer emceeing or producing?
I started rhyming because no one was seeing my vision with my tracks. I never took rhyming seriously until I realized I was developing a following. If I had to choose between the two, I would mainly produce. A great producer has a million chances in hip hop.
Are there artists out there that you’d like to work with that you think would be a good fit for collaborating with that you haven’t already?
Definitely. I want to work with Royce, Nas, and the new kid Joel Ortiz all on an official level, not on no remix situation or me buying a verse. I want to work with them because they respect my work.
Where is the weirdest place a fan has ever recognized you?
The Division of Motor Vehicles (laugh).
What are some of the misconceptions of K-Hill?
One of the biggest misconceptions of K-Hill is every single song that I write is about me personally or every battle record I write is about someone. Being a good writer is having the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes and writing from their perspective.
What advice do you give to new producers that are pursuing a successful career like yours that you with you had received when starting out?
Stay on your craft daily. Trust your ear. Get rid of any dream shatters. Network but don’t get comfortable, it’s still a competition. Finally, find a dope artist who is not afraid to go against the norm.
What is your goal in this business?
To create the North Carolina hip-hop sound or rather add on to it. In my opinion, producer Ski has laid the perfect foundation for NC’s hip-hop sound and I just want to add to that legacy.
What was the last record that really impressed you?
Lyrically, the Joel Ortiz record.
What artist should we be on the lookout for in 2007?
Kevin Hill a.k.a K-Hill, vocalist Tiffany Paige, and emcee J. Bully, he’s an issue!
Any shout outs?
Peace to my family and everyone who reads this article and supports K-Hill music.
EL.FIN.
Online:
myspace.com/khillmusic
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