We recently connected with KAADENZE and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, KAADENZE thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I’ve been a music lover since i was young, growing up with ADHD i always had tons of energy and emotion within. Music was the healthiest way i felt i could truly release that energy and express myself. From hip hop to punk, i could tell a person exactly how i felt through a specific song I’d play through my iPod. It wasn’t till 2018 i began my journey into creating my own music through rap and song writing. From there i was emerged into the industry learning the ins and outs of what it takes to be a successful artist. I soon came to find out that if i could learn how to produce and engineer myself and build my own studio it would put me light years ahead. What i didn’t realize in the beginning is that it would also propel me to experiment with my sound and expression through music. It took me 2 years to take that leap, and enroll myself in school to learn these skills. It was the best thing i could have ever done for myself and my career.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started rapping when I was 13 years old. I always grew up with a love for music. At 17 years old during my senior year I was sent away to a boarding school due to my toxic behavior of indulging myself with drugs, alcohol, partying, and aggressive disrespectful rebellion with my family members. I legally signed myself out, and left the boarding school which was located in Redding California at 18 years old. I hitched hiked all the way back to Orange County which was a 14 hour drive. From there I was homeless living state to state still tied to drug addiction and party lifestyle. I wasn’t until January 6th of 2016 that I decided to get sober, and change my lifestyle. I realized after all these years that this lifestyle and the people in it weren’t contributing in any positive way to help me get anywhere fulfilling enough to be proud of myself and reach my full potential. When I Got sober and exited many friendship’s it was very tough, But God stayed faithful to his promises he made to me since I was a young boy. It wasn’t until a year later I started to dabble into free styling over YouTube beats and writing songs again. When I did it was effortless to find the lyrics that talked about my past journey and iterated that there is so much more to life then just temporary “fixes” and compulsive quick ending feelings. From that point on, God opened doors to allow me to meet people that helped me really get the ball rolling with pursuing my call in music on a serious level. It was always my calling. And now I was sure of it. As time progressed I started dropping conscious music that had a positive effect on many of the people who listened and even reached out to me to let me know. From there I dropped my first album, as well as ways playing shows at different small venues getting my music out and my whole brand “Music With Purpose”. All this time I had a full time job at Home Depot. It was tough but the passion and grind in me really focused on doing everything I could to be able to do music as my full time career. As time went on I continued to grow in my skill, but also take ignitive in learning different aspects of the music industry. I signed up for music engineering classes online which now has opened the door for me to work with 5 current clients who pay me for my time and expertise. Working with them is more then just additional income… It impacts me very much to see people grow in their sound and talent. I love lending a helping hand in any way I can from production, too engineering, or even introducing clients or fellow artists to venue promoters I’ve come to build a good relationship with. I love helping others pursue their talents with the resources I’ve currently obtained over my journey. I love COLLABORATION. As of now I am pushing myself mentally, physically, and emotionally harder than I ever have with the content and music I am creating and releasing. Its been a slow and steady grind, but where I’m at now is the first time I’m seeing glimpses of the pay off from the hard work I put in the last previous years. At this point I have gone from a one man show, to being blessed with having an amazing team behind me that believe in my vision and contribute on various aspects of talent to assist in bringing the vision to life. My lates release High school has showcased my new sound, and is doing really good numbers. Its been very inspirational to all of us. (my team) I am now working on releasing an album in the coming months as well as eager and looking forward to doing shows. I miss my fans. My fans are the best and they see the journey from where I was when I first got sober to where I’m at now and constantly remind me to keep pushing and inspiring!
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Exposure through word of mouth is critical! I think it’s important for people to not only share there emotions as a healthy way to feel connected, but to share music that they relate to in the same sense. You have no idea how many songs have impacted me during a tough season of life feeling alone or struggling. Sharing your favorite artist or a song from them may impact someone you love the same if not even better!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Being able to be a voice for those that feel voiceless. To have someone tell me that my music has impacted them means the world to me. I love watching people create memories wherever or whatever they are doing with my music on playing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: KAADENZE
Image Credits
@alexisbromley_visuals