We were lucky to catch up with Ashford Kamau recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ashford, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
As the music business progressed, there’s been a decline in authenticity among artists’ work and the record companies that support and control the industry standard. Because of this, there’s been an influx of characters and ideologies that obviously do not truly appreciate the art, birthing a generation of individuals who care only about money and not artistry. Although the pressure to conform and accept these new practices is noted, I pride myself on my originality and ability to exclude myself from the trends. By doing so, I am honoring my lineage and skill while appreciating the history of the art. It pains me to see the devolution of the industry from promoting talent and ideals to focusing primarily on numbers and popularity. Which has enviably birthed this saturation of “copy machines.” What makes me unique is every piece I work on is a genuine part of my soul, from the instrumental that I produce to the recording and mixing process; each track is done by me because it is an extension of my soul. That’s why I believe it is paramount for an artist to remain true to themselves and their work, for the industry has enough superficial beings and entities that really do not love the culture of the art or its future.
Ashford, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Growing up in Louisiana, I was intruded to music very early, particularly Gospel and Hip Hop. As a kid, I was rowdy yet curious, so my attention swayed frequently; unless I was genuinely interested in a topic. Sundays were the most challenging, the prolonged discussions, the early mornings, and the seating, but it all changed when I began to understand the power of music. Something about the hymn of the choir captivated me. The harmony of the instruments in unison with the melody of the chorus and the room’s energy was and still does amaze me. At the tender age of five, I learned the power of music and its capability to move and connect people, which has aided my appreciation and interest in different genres and inspired me to pursue a musical career. Today, at 22, my music taste has evolved and broadened to an extensive scope of different genres but revolves around the 90s and early 2000s Hip Hop, with my favorite artist being Eminem, Kanye West, Biggie, and Nas. Growing up listening to their music, I was always fascinated by their craft and ability as artists and their respect for the music culture. Apart from being top-selling artists, I love their lyrical capacity and track production within their music, which is a dying necessity as the years have passed. Unlike most people within my age group, I never found the new era of music( and not just Hip Hop) very appealing. In truth, as Hip Hop expanded, the authenticity inversely became diluted within the saturation, stretching creativity thin.
Nevertheless, I still like some new artists, but only if there are original and bold to try new things. My overall perception of good music is authenticity while complementing the past, for to move forward, we have to know we have been. Proof of this would be Kendrick Lamar, who is a product of Dr. Dre (Eminem’s beat producer/ friend). What makes Kendrick unique is how he connects and exposes his soul to listeners in every song while being truthful to his character and lineage, which I find admirable. Without a doubt, music has the power to move and connect people from all walks of life, and as a musician myself, I would appreciate it if its importance were revered. That’s why I judge new music so crucially because, like with every specialty, the effort you put in should reflect your work and status. And if anyone can be Leonardo Di Vinci, what makes the Mona Lisa special?
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being an artist and creative has many rewards. The most fulfilling is the connections with people along the journey. In my years of creating music, my best experiences were with other artists. Whether it be hours in the studio, performing with my friends, or just freestyling late nights in the car, all these moments have affected me deeply as an artist and an individual. Besides the connections, I love the work aspect of creating and the process that goes into it. Like mastering any craft, there are times when the job can be tedious and challenging, prolonging the work and making it difficult to continue. Even so, I enjoy the struggle and appreciate the moments of clarity where all the stress I’ve endured becomes worth it, and I get to witness and share my creation with the world. The life of an artist is full of ups and downs. It’s a repeated cycle of failure and success, with restless nights, rejection, acceptance, and constant uncertainty for tomorrow. But in the end, after the successful creation of any project, I feel an overwhelmed sense of pride and accomplishment.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Following the pandemic events, like everyone, I was in a vulnerable and emotional state. In less than a year, I lost my friend to suicide and my Grandpa to Covid shortly after. And though I buried myself in my music, I was conflicted about whether I should continue my dream. One of my lowest disappointments musically was in 2021 when I auditioned for my school’s homecoming(University of Houston), the first major event since the end of the epidemic and sure to bring an extensive crowd, but sadly did not get it. My pride told me I deserved it, for from releasing songs and focusing on school, the announcement crushed me. I was happy for the receiver and respected the committee’s decision. If anything, I am grateful for the opportunity. It made me want to work harder and further perfect my craft. And in 2022, all my hard work paid off. I made essential long-lasting connections with like-minded individuals, had one of my best years in streaming numbers, and performed four separate events, with the coup de gras opening for commercial artist Young Nudy at the 2022 homecoming. An honor I am grateful for extremely.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unitedmasters.com/a/akkishere
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.k.k4real/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashfordkamau/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AKK4Real
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi_qFO0C_UNF-bNMS430tvg
- Other: https://linktr.ee/A.K.K