KB has been active on the Christian rap scene since 2010 when he first signed to Reach Records. Fast-forward five years and he has consistently continued to push the envelope with his artistry and gain new fans.
Rolling out caught up with the budding artist to talk about his humble beginnings, hip-hop, and his new album, Tomorrow We Live.
What are your earliest memories of hip-hop?
In my household, hip-hop was looked at in a different way, so I really didn’t start to dive in the aspect of listening to hip-hop until I was about 14 years old. I do remember being on the phone, and hearing, “This is How We Do it,” and being memorized by how it sounded though.
Who were your musical influences growing up? Did they inspire your future endeavors in the entertainment world?
People always knock me when I say this [laughs] but No Limit was my biggest inspiration growing up. Chingy was one of them and Nelly and the St. Lunatics as well. Being that they were in groups, I felt like they had a tribe-like atmosphere around them that helped shape their sound and movement.
How have you progressed from a musical standpoint, from Who Is KB?, which was released in 2012, to your current offering, Tomorrow We Live?
When Who Is KB? was released I honestly was green. I was still a little young and immature so with Tomorrow We Live, which will be released on April 21, 2015, I plan to express my growth and versatility through my music.
How did you and Lecrae meet?
I was a part of a group called His Glory Alone while at Trinity College, and there was a show in Florida that Lecrae was performing at. I was real tight with the person who organized the show and I put myself in a position where I got to perform before him and our relationship [grew] from there.
Has Reach Records provided you with the ultimate platform for you to express yourself through your art?
Definitely. Reach Records groomed the skills that I already had prior to signing with them in 2010. They’ve provided me with the support that I needed in order to move forward.
What were your initial emotions when you found out that your EP, “100” was No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian album chart?
I was encouraged to keep going forward and keep striving to be better. Around that time, I also received word that I had won a Dove Award, too, so I’m just thankful that God has put me in this position to do great things.
What are some of the things that keep you grounded spiritually in such a secular business such as the music industry?
My family, and also my team at Reach Records. I can’t let my wife or my son down, nor my team, so that’s why I keep God first, and also my family and music at the forefront of my life.
Considering that many rappers have sought out higher education, what were some of the things that you learned at Trinity College that has helped shape you as a person?
I just learned about the different aspects of Christianity and how the word affects people in so many ways. Also I was blessed enough to be a part of HGA and that experience definitely made my journey much easier.
How do you plan to expand KB as a brand?
By staying consistent, and making sure that my creativity is a direct reflection of Christ, and also my personal growth.
What’s next for you personally?
Mentorship, building up our urban communities, and just making sure that our brothers and sisters get a fair chance at making their dreams a reality.
Interview conducted by Andre Ellington
