Rapper Weekly Exclusive Interview
Rapper Weekly: You’ve spoken before about starting your musical journey at just eight years old. Take us back to that time—what did music represent to you as a child, and how did legends like James Brown, Sam Cooke, and Michael Jackson shape your earliest understanding of rhythm, performance, and emotion?
K-Town: Music was my escape before I even knew what escape meant. At eight years old, I didn’t have the language for stress, trauma, or struggle—but I felt it. Music gave those feelings somewhere to live. Watching James Brown taught me energy and discipline, Sam Cooke taught me how pain could sound beautiful, and Michael Jackson showed me that music could move the world emotionally and visually. They weren’t just singers to me—they were storytellers, leaders, and survivors. Even back then, I understood that music wasn’t just entertainment; it was power.
Rapper Weekly: Growing up in Leavenworth, Kansas, you were exposed to a reality that many listeners may never fully understand. How did the environment you were raised in influence not just what you rap about, but how you approach storytelling, vulnerability, and honesty in your music?
K-Town: Leavenworth raised me fast. You learn early that life doesn’t come with filters or safety nets. That environment forced me to be observant, quiet when I needed to be, and expressive when it mattered. I don’t rap from imagination—I rap from memory. The honesty comes from knowing that if I soften the truth, I’m disrespecting where I come from.
Vulnerability isn’t weakness where I’m from; it’s survival. My storytelling is direct because the streets are direct. There’s no room for exaggeration when real life already hits that hard.
Rapper Weekly: Your sound reflects a balance between soul and street, legacy and modern grit. When did hip-hop become the primary vehicle for your expression, and how did artists like 2Pac and Nipsey Hussle influence your belief that rap could be both revolutionary and responsible?
K-Town: Hip-hop became my voice when I realized it was the only genre that let me say everything—anger, hope, loss, faith, and ambition—all in one breath. 2Pac showed me that you could be fearless and compassionate at the same time. Nipsey taught me that growth doesn’t mean forgetting where you came from—it means bringing your people with you. They both made me understand that rap isn’t just about bars; it’s about responsibility. If people are listening, you owe them truth and direction.
Rapper Weekly: Tech N9ne stands out as a particularly significant influence—not just musically, but strategically. As a fellow Kansas native who built an empire independently, what specific lessons did you take from his career when it comes to ownership, longevity, and navigating the industry on your own terms?
K-Town: Tech N9ne made it real for me. Seeing someone from Kansas not just succeed but dominate independently changed my entire mindset. He taught me that ownership isn’t optional—it’s essential. Longevity comes from knowing the business as well as the art.
Watching how he moved showed me that you don’t need permission to build something lasting. You need vision, discipline, and patience. That lesson stayed with me long before the deals came.
Rapper Weekly: Your lyrics often confront struggle head-on—survival, perseverance, and lived experience without filters. In an era where image can sometimes overshadow substance, why is it important for you to remain raw and unapologetically real, even if that means challenging listeners?
K-Town: Because people are tired of being lied to. Image fades. Truth lasts. If my music doesn’t reflect real struggle, then it’s just noise. I’m not here to make people comfortable—I’m here to make them feel seen. Sometimes the truth challenges people because it reminds them of their own reality. That’s not something I’ll ever run from. Being raw is the only way I know how to be respectful to my story and the people who relate to it.
Rapper Weekly: You’ve recently secured groundbreaking deals with Empire and Roc Nation—an achievement many artists only dream of. What did that moment represent for you personally, and how did it validate the years of work you put in before the industry started paying attention?
K-Town: That moment felt like confirmation, not completion. It told me that the work mattered—that staying consistent when nobody was watching wasn’t wasted effort. I thought about the nights when quitting would’ve been easier, when resources were low but belief was high. Those deals didn’t change who I am—they proved who I already was. It was validation for every sacrifice made along the way.
Rapper Weekly: With those partnerships now in place, how has your mindset changed—if at all—when it comes to creating music? Do you feel more pressure, more freedom, or a greater sense of responsibility knowing the platform in front of you is growing rapidly?
K-Town: It’s more responsibility than pressure. The freedom comes from knowing my voice matters on a larger scale now. I’m more intentional. I think about impact, not just output. The platform makes me want to elevate—not just sonically, but mentally and spiritually. I still make music the same way, but I understand the reach is bigger, so the message has to be sharper.
Rapper Weekly: Midwest hip-hop has historically been underrepresented in mainstream conversations despite producing some of the most influential artists in the culture. How do you see your rise contributing to a larger movement of Midwest recognition on a national—and global—scale?
K-Town: The Midwest has always had substance. We just didn’t always get the spotlight. I see my rise as part of a bigger wave—artists who are proving that authenticity travels. We don’t need to sound like anyone else. Our stories are enough. If my success helps open doors or shift perspectives about where greatness can come from, then I’m doing something right.
Rapper Weekly: As your catalog continues to expand and collaborations grow more visible, how do you ensure that success doesn’t distance you from your roots? What practices or principles keep you grounded as your profile elevates?
K-Town: I stay connected to the people who knew me before the recognition. I remember where I came from by staying present in it mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Success doesn’t mean separation—it means responsibility. I move with gratitude, discipline, and awareness. Those principles keep me grounded no matter how high things go.
Rapper Weekly: Looking ahead, what can fans expect from the next chapter of
K-Town? Are there themes, sounds, or messages you feel compelled to explore now that you’ve reached this pivotal moment in your career?
K-Town: Growth. Depth. Evolution. Fans can expect more honesty, more experimentation, and more intention behind every record. I want to explore success without losing hunger, reflection without regret, and elevation without ego. This next chapter is about legacy—not just hits.
Rapper Weekly: Finally, for the artists coming up in places like Leavenworth—watching your journey and wondering if it’s possible—what advice would you give them about patience, authenticity, and believing in their vision when the odds feel stacked?
K-Town: Stay patient. Stay real. Don’t rush the process or dilute your truth for approval. If your vision is clear, protect it. Believe even when it’s quiet. Especially when it’s quiet. Where you come from doesn’t limit you—it prepares you. If I can make it from Leavenworth, so can they.
Stream K-Town’s latest music: https://rnd.fm/readyfawar-i0zrsb
