We were lucky to catch up with Kenny Bureaux recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kenny, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The project I’m working on right now. I have about three projects that i’ve been bouncing around for a few years, but this one is becoming something special to me. I treated this body of work like it’s therapy. I’m telling you what I’m going through right now or what I’ve experienced and still grieving over. The project involves some incredible hands working on it as well and I can’t wait until it’s finally ready to be shown to the world. The title of it alone makes it more meaningful to me.

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’m a twenty-four year old African-American and Creole descent from Chicago, Illinois. I have a condition called Albinism that leaves with me with no melanin in my skin – hence why I’m pale. I rap, produce, sing and design from time to time. I also have a record label I started with my two best friends and twin brother called Premium Garde.

Growing up, I watched music videos before school. I got excited seeing Jay-Z, Pharrell and Kanye West on TV. I was fascinated with their storytelling and melodies of the songs they’d perform.
I started writing songs when I was ten but was too scared to perform them. I tried rapping to my friends and my shyness got the best of me. So, I started making beats to be more behind the scenes and to make some for myself to rap on when I got confident enough to record myself. I took music seriously my sophomore year in high school. As time progressed, music became my ultimate passion and a lifeline for when I’m facing a crisis. I wouldn’t engage in any outside activities my friends did. I’d be in my bedroom studying my favorite artists and creating.

I think my art distincts itself for it’s unique sound, charismatic lyrics while having a deeper tone. I try to incorporate a memory or a time in my life in each song because I want to connect with the listener. Each song is an excerpt from something that happened, and I fortunately live to tell them. Some are happy times, and some are the darkest times. I honestly make music in attempt to connect with people. Not that I feel lonely or whatever. I just feel I’m not heard and understood thoroughly so I put my feelings on wax in hopes to reach out to someone who feels the same.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I would say being told my work means alot to someone or got them through something. That’s one of the main reasons why I make music. Another thing is seeing someone know the words. That gets me so excited and I start singing along with them as if it’s someone else’s song. It’s just the satisfaction of knowing I impacted someone with my work. I chase for that everyday.

Have you ever had to pivot?

There was a time where I wasn’t in the best mental state, or in the best anything for that matter. I was in a failing relationship, my friends were beefing, I dropped out of college and a plethora of things going in addition. I considered giving up on music so many times, I’m sure I crossed over a billion. I spent more time doing what I shouldn’t be instead of creating, but reality just wouldn’t allow it. I hate talking about this but, I think someone out there could use this information, but one day I broke down in my therapist’s office and told her I don’t feel safe going home and if I did, I’d harm myself. I was admitted into outpatient treatment for several weeks after.

Throughout those weeks. I just had one long epiphany. I needed to change who I hung around, what I engaged in and just – everything needed change. I remember writing while in the hospital and all I could do was cry because I felt like I failed. I failed everyone, everything, myself. I felt like I gave too much attention to negative things and completely lost my way. Once I was released, I did a complete one eighty and re-submerged myself into music. Never took my foot off the gas since.

Contact Info:

• Website: kennybureaux.com
• Instagram: intsagram.com/kennybureaux
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kennybureaux/
• Twitter: twitter.com/kennybureaux
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCll96PACxk-ZuDtXjjJRUoQ

Image Credits
Adam Clinard (@wickeystudios) Khari Flowers (@iso_khr)