KAAMZ X Fresh Off The Scene
Interview by KriS Sims
Your sound and aesthetic have a unique energy, what influences shaped your creative direction?
I often gravitate towards artists who consistently have strong and unique creative brands that go against the current. Some of my favorite artists of all time would be people like Mac Miller, AUDREY NUNA, and Tobi Lou. Their music continuously evolves, just like them as people, and they have such distinct sounds that you can immediately tell it’s them. Growing up listening to these artists I adore so much only inspires me to carve out my own late that is unapologetically KAAMZ; whether it be copying their flows, percussive bounce, or vulnerability, I enjoy creating something totally unique that can only belong to me.
Your “Flower Girl” video gave us Tyler, The Creator vibes but still felt uniquely you. What was the creative motive behind it?
Honestly, I just wanted to create something visually appealing that exudes the feeling of being completely and utterly in love. Being based in Orange County is a blessing in itself–we have so many pretty parks and lovely weather, so I thought “why not?” All the single shots of myself rapping to the camera were essentially me serenading and proudly proclaiming my love for my partner. I want to make sure that they know exactly how much I love them. It also made sense to film the music video with flowers since they’re known to adore roses <3
Your visuals, beats, and lyrics all seem intentional. What’s your creative process when crafting a song from start to finish?
The beat is the biggest inspiration when it comes to inspiring my lyricism. While I don’t craft my own instrumentals at the moment, I know exactly what sounds I want to use when finding the right beat. Every good song needs to have emotion and without the right sounds, it wouldn’t hit the same. I love music that has a natural ebb and flow, so I intentionally pick out beats that aren’t exactly easy listening. Instead, I love layers of instruments building together, climaxing at the hook. When this works, my brain immediately starts thinking of flows that can help highlight the beat. I used to play the snare in marching band, and having this foundation of understanding rhythm has actually been my greatest skill in songwriting. I would come up with the rhythm first and then piece together words that would work with the flow. Then, figuring out what pressing emotions or thoughts I have in my mind, I slowly create a full song with an overall theme.
How do you balance artistic freedom with making music that resonates with an audience?
If nothing else, my music is always touching on the topic of love. Self-love, the abundance or lack of life, toxic love, etc…I find that it is easy to explore different sounds and artistic expressions regardless of how nuanced it may be, since love is universal and can be relatable to everyone.
Your style blends multiple genres and moods, how do you decide what elements to incorporate into a track?
I work closely with my best friend and fellow artist, JETTY, whom I met back in college. He and I have extensive studio sessions (in his room lol) working through every little thing in the track. Mixing my vocals and adding a filter or inserting an extra synth because it builds more tension, we ultimately decide on elements that will mesh together to create the most satisfying release when getting to the hook/chorus. Also, I just love mixing genres and moods. I find it funny when a beat is super danceable but my lyrics are about struggling with self-love. I find juxtapositions more entertaining not only for the listener but also for me as an artist when I’m in the creative process.
Do you think artists today have more creative freedom than in the past, or are there new challenges to staying original?
Definitely new challenges to staying original… but I think that’s what is fun about music these days. You’re constantly pushing yourself to find something unique and new. This is what separates the casual artists and those who truly want to leave an impact with their craft.
Tyler often reinvents himself with each project. Do you see yourself evolving in a similar way, or do you want to stick to a signature sound?
I’m sure a signature sound will naturally come up while I continue growing and dropping new music, but I am a firm believer that one cannot grow without change. My music will have to change as I do, so it will be inevitable for my projects to sound different after each one. I don’t think it will be nearly as fun if I keep doing the same thing—even if my fans like what they heard before, I’m confident I can bring something even better to the table for my next projects.
How do you handle creative blocks or moments when inspiration doesn’t come easily?
I honestly just let the time pass and take a break. The worst thing to do is try and force creativity to happen, and I never want to create something that drains me and feels inauthentic to who I am just because I needed to “get something done”. Instead, I look to other artistic mediums and life experiences to hopefully inspire me and take me out of the rut. Literally touching some grass could work wonders too.
Beyond music, do you see yourself exploring other creative fields like fashion, film, or design?
Film and photography are something I’ve always admired from afar. Back in college, I was a part of a comedy sketch team (think SNL but we had no funding and we’re way funnier), and this club was actually the space where I found my true calling for becoming an artist. I met all my best friends here and after creating a rap parody together, one of my friends encouraged me to begin writing/recording more seriously. During this time I also picked up basic skills in filming and editing, but I would eventually love to tap into this world more and spearhead crazy visuals for upcoming projects. A dream of mine would be to create a series of music videos that correspond with each song off of an album of mine that fits into one cohesive movie experience.
What message do you hope listeners take away from your music, and how does that drive your creative choices?
I want people to feel empowered and inspired to achieve their own dreams. Though sonically my music can sound aggressive or hopeless, ultimately every song ends with me (or the character) with a more hopeful perspective than the beginning. I want people to know they’re not alone and that things will always get better, and the spark is already within you, you just have to be brave enough to start working towards what you want. My music is a direct reflection of my human experience, so creatively the sounds and lyrics I use will only reflect my current state of mind.
