Kamikazi 2/15/13

Get Local, MN Interview #2

-Kamikazi-

We are chopping it up with a true Midwest Chopper, Kamikazi of Streetsound Entertainment LCC. Our first question for you is how long have you been in the game and what was it like for you starting out? Were you always a "chopper"?


I came into the underground scene in 2006 when I signed with StreetSound Ent. My first show was at the Red Sea in Minneapolis. Starting I admit I kind of had it easy by stepping into a label that already had a following and fan base. When Liquid Assassin reached out for a Collab which was "Rush Em" that pretty much got my foot in the door as far as building my name in the beginning. StreetSound offered unlimited access to a studio and funded what was needed. It's the only label confident enough to financially back my music. I performed as a solo act in the beginning before meeting Infinity. Back then I didn't have a lot of music because I wast into mixtape beats yet. Everything I recorded was exclusive but at the same time by doing that slowed the process down for releasing tracks and building my name. After linking up with Infinity and him signing to StreetSound Ent. as well that was when the fire was lit and we hit the shows hard for a few years. As far as starting out chopping I was always a fast rapper having been a fan of Bizzy Bone and Twista I bled over into my music long before I stepped in the scene. This was before chopping became the trend. A lot of people looked at it as a gimmick but people like King Sandman elevated the listeners out here and Tech N9ne solidified the genre.. In my opinion. When it became the in thing i focused on chopping as a means to separate myself apart from the average rapper since not everyone can do it. During that time it became easier for me to write in that style and was no longer something I forced myself to do.. Now it just comes naturally. I'm by no means the fastest but I like to dance around the verse and do what the beat tells me.

Being one with the beat unlocks so much potential for amazing tracks. Who are some of your biggest influences and why?

Tupac, Twista, Bizzy Bone. Tupac taught me it was okay to write about emotions and weaknesses and he opened my eyes to politics and conspiracies. Twista brought that powerful street music I was into at the time. And he really showed me different patterns of riding the beat and his clarity was next to none at the time. Bizzy Bone came with the melodies and deep meanings in his music. like Tupac, Bizzy had a poetical way of digging in the soul and writing things about myself that I wouldn't otherwise reveal to people. Any video of Bizzy you watch of him in the booth you can tell he feels what he's saying and he's a little off brandish which leads people to think he's crazy. But I feel like I get it.

I should also add Busta rhymes to that list. But later Busta.. (Haha) Around Big Bang theory I became a real fan. His concepts and word play are phenomenal. His music in my opinion is the definition of hiphop. He taught me to step my concepts and lyrics up.

So many strong influences for a strong rapper, it all makes sense. The name Kamikazi, how did you come up with it and what does it mean to you?

I became Kamikazi in 1999. I struggled with a name for years before flipping a page during history class and it jumped out at me. Aside from its usual reference of being a suicide pilot I discovered another definition.. Divine Wind. But me being slightly off brandish and daring I ended it with an "i" (sarcastic voice). I heard there is a rapper named Kamikazi in Mississippi who came out under David Banner or something. But like Tech N9ne said "I ain't changing my name for no mf'n body". LOL

Hey, you gotta do you in this game and you can't let anyone derail you. Momentum is a huge part of success and you know a lot about that. I know INK (Infinity N Kamikazi) have opened for Strange Music in the past. What does it feel like to share a stage with the Kansas City King, Tech N9ne and who else have you opened for in your long journey through the game?

We were blessed to open for tech 7 times. We held down that slot for a couple years in Minnesota. Performing in front of that crowd is like no other. And to get the tech crowd to respond to our music was magical. Who better to share a stage with then the hardest working artists in the business. Which also reminds me I forgot to add him to my list of influences! "This Ring" I became a fan.
I've opened for more then a couple few. Ill see what comes to mind. Haystak, D12, Young Buck, Yuk Mouth, Slaughter House, e40, Chamillionaire, Rehab, Afroman, Lil' Wyte, Tech N9ne, Obie Trice, Grave Plot, ..I'm sure I'm forgetting some.

One man can do a lot on his own, but with a strong backing he can go a lot further. Describe what StreetSound Entertainment and your partnership with Infinity means to you. Also what is the essence that makes INK such a powerhouse duo?


Infinity and StreetSound are definitely irreplaceable pieces of the puzzle. Seriously the only people who believed in me from the gate. Two people i will always respect. I have a StreetSound tat on my arm because I wouldn't be right here in this day without them.
I think INK brings a balance with our music. From punch lines to metaphors. Rhyme and reason. Rapid and slow delivery. Red pill blue pill. Melodic beats to drum and bass. ..we all have a light and darkness within us. I feel like we all bring our own ingredients to the pot, and the end result is INK

I understand that you have a couple projects set to drop very soon. A Kamikazi solo entitled "Angels & Demons" and an INK project "Red Pill, Blue Pill" do you have release dates set for them? Also are you at liberty to discuss any featured tracks on the albums?


Pushing for march for "Red Pill Blue Pill" but honestly whenever it's done we are dropping it. But no later then march. "Angels & Demons" I'm pushing for the same thing but its in need of a few collabs and the people I reached out to didn't send anything back. "Red Pill Blue Pill" features Twisted Insane on a track titled "Armageddon" produced by Ryder Lyfe which is being turned in for mixing as we speak. This track will be the first single. Should be released in the next couple weeks. As of now that is the only completed Collab. That definitely could change before march.

What do you see for the future of Kamikazi and StreetSound Ent. as we progress through 2013 and into 2014?


Music, videos, shows, and more music! We have all been in the same boat through all the ups and downs. If that didn't stop us then I see nothing but time and opportunity to do what we came here to do.. Put out good music and have fun doing it. And hopefully working with more talent willing to work with us. Minnesota stand up!

I have a feeling that there will be a lot of people wanting to work with you. As we round out this interview is there any messages you would like to send the fans?


"Red Pill Blue Pill" and "Angels & Demons" coming march 2013 for free! Much love to all fans and supporters. Hit us up we respond.


And lastly, as I ask all of our interviewees, do you have any advice for upcoming budding artists in the local scene?


Advice. Be yourself and do you but lend a hand whenever possible to your home state up and coming artists. High horses fall hard and inflated egos fly away. Don't let money be the main objective. You can't please everybody. And surround yourself with like minds. Most importantly always remain true to you and the people who helped you get there.

Thank you very much for your time, Kamikazi. We appreciate your support in our movement tward unity and publicity for all artists. All of us look forward to what SSE has in store for the future of music in our great state. For Get Local, MN this is J. Zarins saying Get Live, Get Loud, Get Local, MN!


Appreciate you reaching out!

LINKS!

 Www.youtube.com/curbswirvin
Www.facebook.com/iamKamikazi
Www.reverbnation.com/infinitykamikaziINK