Kvng Chemist is an insightful and experienced figure in the music game. The Washington DC emcee sat down with us the other day to speak more about his vision behind the new single, his career to date and what’s next.
Llewelyn: Thank you for joining us today Kvng Chemist. Let’s start off here. Where in the world are you as we speak and how did you get your artist name? It feels like it’s a good story of how you got it originally.
Kvng Chemist: Right now I’m in Washington D.C born and raised. My artist name origin stems from my early childhood when my father was a DJ and my interest in science as I first started out as The Venomous Chemist as in the early 90s there was a chemist radioactive lab set to where you could concoct a lot of ingredients to make weird things and I really enjoyed and it help me to appreciate art and mind of a chemist so I embody that and as I got older me and some of my friends I grew up with we really got into learning ancient cultures and history which lead to me evolving and changing my name to Kvng Chemist as doing research we are descendants of our ancestors who are ancient beings.
Llewelyn: Please tell us more about your true love of music. How has this progressed and does it encapsulate your life story?
Kvng Chemist: My love for music stems from my father DJing since I can remember at the age of 4yrs old seeing him mix and blend oldies with late 80s to early 90s hip-hop and R&B. He seen how much I loved music at the age 2yrs old and made sure when ever he had gigs at weddings, beach parties, anniversaries etc. me and my brother was present. My love for the art progressed as friends around my neighborhood would come over and we would have freestyle sessions and battle rap. I did a lot recordings I sang and rap on my home alone talkboy my parents bought me one Christmas. But I really starting taking my writing serious when I was 14 yrs old and recorded my first song at 15yrs old. I believe when I turned 19yrs of age and my daughter came into the picture my writing and thought process changed and evolved for the better. It’s crazy because her being helped me tap into expressing my journey and lessons in life in a enigmatic manner and I embody that.
Llewelyn: When do you realise that you wanted to be an artist and what have been the victories and challenges along the way? Have you found that self-belief has carried you over the line when some have doubted you?
Kvng Chemist: I realized at 15yrs of age I wanted to be an artist. I was an introvert growing up and there was a lot of emotions and things I started to experience that I felt more comfortable expressing through writing. My challenges along the way we’re definitely hard. It was a constant struggle trying to master my cadence to the beat and I really stood out because most not all but majority of my peers liked punch lines and battle rap and that just wasn’t me even though I enjoyed it also. My victories along the way were my constant freestyle sessions whether I was in a cypher or around my friends, or I was with my cousin and he would play new beats he made and we would ride out for 2 to 3 hrs and he would have me freestyle on all his beats the whole ride. Those moments and memorabilia were pivotal in my growth up to this day. Most definitely self-belief has carried me over the line of doubters whether it was family, friends, business partners, love interests. It was all fuel to the fire. But at the end of day I love what I do and it’s me.
Llewelyn: Your new single is called Star. What’s the vision behind the project and who did you make the song for? Also, who was involved in the creation besides yourself?
Kvng Chemist: The vision behind my new single Star was self-love affirmation and recognizing who I am and when I wrote it I spoke from my personal perspective and experiences with the thought of others in mind. Because I do believe everyone has a gift and everyone is special or you wouldn’t be here. So we are all Stars but, it’s on us as individuals to seek out that gift and see how can we use it for the betterment of mankind. I definitely wanna show love to everyone I collaborated with on this single Anna-Sophia Henry who is one of the co-writers, Darrell Banks the producer and Face the engineer who mixed and mastered the final cut.
Llewelyn: How do you write tracks? Do you go outside to find the lyrics or do they come naturally when you want?
Kvng Chemist: When I write I never box myself into only one particular way of how my creativity comes to me. So to be truly honest and 100 when I say this my process is never forced and comes naturally when I’m inspired to share my experiences, thoughts, and lyricism
Llewelyn: What kind of music are you into and who are some of your favorite artists?
Kvng Chemist: I’m into most genres because they all tell a story and as I study them and listen closely they all expressed in different emotional tones how I would put it. But I will say I do listen to more classical, opera, & jazz music. Those combinations definitely inspires some of my creative styles. As favorite artists now a days I really don’t have a favorite because I like so many of them that came before me. So just to name a few off the top of my head MosDef, Rakim, Big L, Nas, AZ, Busta Rhymes, Black Thought, OutKast, Goodie Mob, UGK, De La Soul, Slum Village, Tribe Called Quest, of course Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Eastsidaz, & Shade Sheist it’s so many I enjoy studying & listening to the art overall from all genres just to reiterate
Llewelyn: Last, who inspires you most in the world and do you have any words for young musicians starting out in the game?
Kvng Chemist: I would say the fact that I exist to learn & experience God’s creations, inspires me the most. Because every breath, every step, every heartbeat, every blink from eyes is a tempo. Music is an essential part of life!
For the young musicians starting out. Be inspired, be different. Always be true and authentic with yourself and you’ll be successful. It’s all about PFM Positive Foward Movement
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Listen up on Spotify.
See more on his IG.
Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen