Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kenny Keys. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kenny, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Album or drop singles is the BIG question? I called this years ago that there will be a time in the near feature where albums would be a thing of the past and singles would be the new way to get your music out. I also was one of the first Artist that made my songs shorter purposely. I knew this was the direction the industry would be going in years before it did. Looking back I wish I would of acted on certain moves I was going to make but I think every Artist can relate that at some point through your journey second guessing your work comes with knowing your releasing your work to the world. I believe my most meaningful project has yet to be released because I believe in everything I put out but I think dropping 14 singles in less then a year while running a Maintenance company, starting a clothing website, and starting my own company doing Maintenance/remodeling was pretty epic.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I am proud to be from Minnesota, even more proud to be from Minneapolis. Minneapolis is home to some of the greatest known and unknown. 2020 brought the worldwide spotlight to Minnesota because of the death of George Floyd. For a while the place I called home didn’t look familiar and didn’t feel like home. But then something happened and it was like the whole world was standing with us, and just as fast as things went to a dark place I felt the energy shift. I seen people starting companies, people really investing into their passions and their futures. It’s was like the city was reborn. I myself jumped on that wave because I seen opportunities left and right. My company “Keys To The Castle” was bringing in good money, I taught myself graphic design and started my brand, then created an online store, I also got more serious about my passion which is music. I released 16 singles and three videos. Coach Da Keys is my Artist name and my music can be found on YouTube. I was making moves and feeling highly motivated. 2023 I took a job as an Housing Inspector for Minneapolis Public Housing so I could become a certified Housing Inspector and learn the Inspection industry. Once I got certified, I then accepted a job as the Director of Maintenance for a 21 story commercial building in Edina Minnesota because I wanted to learn the different systems in Commercial buildings and not just learn them but operate them. I learned about suppression systems, Chillers, fan coils, sprinkler systems, conducting fire drills, elopement drills, and running a crew of 13 people in total. That brings me to my newest investment “Bridging The Gap”. Working in the Maintenance and Inspection industry allowed me to see how these two Industries really depend on eachother and both have one common goal, to provide people with better living conditions. Maintenance Technicians and Housing Inspectors play major roles in not just providing better living conditions but also being a voice for the people. My goal is to bring both industries under one roof, working side by side with one misson. To provide residents with better living conditions.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal and mission is simple. People helping people. I want to build a team of people that find joy in helping people, that have patience to help people navigate and problem solve through situations, and that want to be apart of something that changes people’s lives.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I tell people all the time, don’t follow the crowd or you will keep seeing the same thing. Try new things, dare to be different. Listen to someones song you may not of heard of before, try a local restaurant you never tried and if its good post about it. That’s how we show Support, we give it a chance. Your favorite Artist might just be that same person you see every time you go to Cub foods but you never even heard their music before, or your favorite restaurant might just be that place you pass everyday.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Coach Da Keys on Instagram
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcyLSOfsuOZ8PQcpwwjs86NC7GfF975fn&si=mhCYddLPm00dth4E
- Other: You can find my music on YouTube. Look up “Coach Da Keys”. I can also be reached by email kennykeys612@gmail.com for anyone interested in partnerships or investment.
