NEWS
EVENTS
Raw Talent: Chicago Hip Hop Newcomer Kweku Collins
RnB/Hip Hop | Thursday 19th November 2015 | Teresa
For 6 years now, independent label Closed Sessions has been giving the Chicago Hip Hop scene a place on the map; it gives up-and-coming rappers the chance to make music in a studio that isn’t their bedroom. Most importantly, they support the artist in all their creative endeavours.
Joining the lineup this past year is high school graduate Kweku Collins from Evanston, Illinois. Kweku certainly shows that talent has no age requirement. At 18, his music’s already got a complex sound to it and an even more complex meaning. His music is full of positivity, but he says that it’s also a reflection of his life and its changes. With a lot of mainstream rap today lacking positive vibes, or playing to commercial rap culture, Kweku’s music is refreshing. It stays true to his roots. His style is also unique, yet blends in perfectly amongst other Chicago rappers like Alex Wiley and Chance the Rapper. With so much raw talent in rapping and producing, a ‘down as fuck’ family, and time on his side, Kweku’s a much-needed addition to the hip hop scene. With more music on the way, I hope to see his name floating around a lot more. For now, check out what he has to say about his music and future pursuits.
How did you get into music? Did you have any sort of turning point where you realised you were going to pursue music?
I come from a really musical family. It was always my dream to pursue music in some way. It wasn’t until my senior year of highschool that it became a legitimate career decision.
Your beats have some pretty interesting layers, and your rapping style is unique in its own right, so how would you describe your music?
My music is just a reflection of where I’m at in life. It’s hard for me to explain. I don’t really do it much.
It’s got some vibes from other artists I dig. Who would you say are your musical influences?
The Marleys, Sade, Jimi Hendrix, Lil Wayne, Tame Impala, MIA, The Beatles, Black Sabbath, traditional African and Latin Music... a whole heap of others.
Some of those artist put forth pretty positive or proactive messages. I get the same feeling from yours, makes me feel good about shit. What type of message are you trying to put forth with your music?
What type of message? A positive one. It evolves. The specifics vary from song to song.
How do you see your music evolving in the coming years?
I see it changing when and like I do.
One of your more recent songs, Hoopdi, has you speaking in the beginning. What’s the backstory to the opening?
I needed something to fill the intro. I just started mumbling shit about metaphors and how it related to the song.
Which one of your released songs is your favourite? Or which one are you most proud of?
Memorial. Being that candid about where I was at in life was difficult, but ultimately worth it.
In the future, what artist would you most like to collaborate with?
MIA, Sade, Kid Cudi or Fetty Wap.
Are there any Chicago natives that you haven’t collaborated with, that you’d really like to?
Kami de Chukwu, Brian Fresco, Ye.
What are you working on right now? Any plans to drop a full album soon?
Soonish.
Does your family support your music career?
Yeah. Without a doubt. They’re down as fuck.
What city would you most like to go to to perform?
New Orleans, London, Toronto, or Accra.
On a more personal level, what inspires you in your day-to-day life?
Anything. Depends on how I feel.
What cheers you up?
Chocolate chip cookies, skateboarding.
What’s a weird fact about you?
Sometimes I eat entire apple pies for dinner.
Describe your current state of mind.
Driven.
Lastly, what would you do to make the world a better place?
I’d try to begin serious and determined discussions on how to resolve conflicts on both a community and global level, making sure to develop ideas that could be then applied.
For more from Kweku, be sure to check out his Soundcloud and follow him on Twitter.
And for more information about Closed Sessions and other artists they work with, check out their website.
Photographs by Andrew Zeiter.
