Born and raised in the Bronx, KEN$Hii BLAKK is ready to work the music industry to his advantage. Taking notes from rappers from the same generations such as Travis Scott and Lil Uzi, he seeks to blow up on his own terms. Chopped Cheese sat down with the rapper to discuss the people who influence his music, where his sound fits into the genre, and whether he prefers chopped cheeses or bacon, egg, and cheeses.
What’s up man, just let our readers know who you are quick.
Aight, so you know my name is Kenshi Black, I’m based in New York, the Bronx, you know Highbridge. Right now I’m upstate but you know, always NYC.
Who are some people that influence your style of music?
Influences? Definitely Kanye. It’s actually ironic because when I was smaller I liked Kanye, but I hated his personality. But growing up I started to really understand his mindset and how much he has done for the culture, and he’s just a G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time). So he’s definitely my biggest influence
Yea for real, Kanye.
And then there’s Jay-Z, from New York. I’ve been listening to Jay Z since I’ve been young and Jay-Z always hits you with the bars and that’s why even though my music is melodic, I’m still going to try and hit you with the bars, for the guys that actually listen.
Who are some new guys that you’re feeling? Not new, but younger and closer to our time?
When you tell stories, people really get to know you. That’s why I mess with Dave East because he talks about real stuff. But I also mess with guys like Trippie Redd, Lil Uzi, because they’re rock stars.
Where do you fit into rap music, bars or rockstar?
Me, I’m a creative genius, but that’s just yet to be seen. I have a project coming out, and I just know what I’m doing.
I feel like I had a point where I could’ve blown up last year, but I just didn’t make the right moves. Some guy who was managing Travis Scott was in my emails, but I just wasn’t ready. I never followed through and when I reached out he dubbed me.
What did that experience teach you about how to go about your music?
I’ve just been studying the game and now I’m actually in a position where someone I know manages a bunch of up-and-coming artists. She like my music, I just need to get my plays up.
I’m studying guys like Travis Scott, Uzi, Cardi and how they came up. The way everyone came up is different but there are similarities, so I’m trying to make decisions that align with their come up.
I’m in conversation to get this unreleased track posted on this SoundCloud page that has mad followers and has clout. I’m trying to get to the next level, you know.
Word, and you’re doing all this on your own, right?
Yea. Artists who get on for free have a label behind them, so now its like I really understand the independent grind, but when I do make it, this grind would’ve made me the man and I would be in control of my own business.
Whats the wackest song you put out?
I put out this song with my mans, Jared. A summer before I started releasing music as KEN$Hii BLAKK, I had this secret page where I just put out music with no promo, just to see how things worked. It was a song I made with Jared. We were high in school and I was like, let’s go record. The song was wavy to us at the time, but it wasn’t really bumping
Chopped cheese or bacon, egg, and cheese?
Chopped Cheese. Yo Harlem, on 110th St., the best chopped cheeses, Westside, in the world.
My son Jose behind the stove, old Dominican. he makes the best-chopped cheese you ever tasted. Mouthwatering.
What’s your favorite team to use in 2k?
The Raptors. Demar Derozan, no one can guard him, it’s just a lay-up or a dunk. Kyle Lowry, he can shoot, and I’m not gonna put you on to the secret weapon because then I’m going to be exposed.
The small forward?
Oh yeah, he knows. Just know that I get buckets with that team, and I win a lot of bread. If you’re playing 2K you have to play for chicken. That’s what gets your heart racing, taking it to that next level.
Thanks for the great interview bro. Now you have the floor to plug whatever you want.
I have an album, dropping, this summer. I cant give you the exact date yet.
A month?
I cant give you a month, its still rare bro.
Before fall?
Before fall, before summer falls, KEN$Hii BLAKK will drop. It’s an album, not a mixtape, but it’ll be free.
It’s gonna be wild, it’s gonna be about the life I’m on and what I’m about mentally.
Every KEN$Hii BLAKK song is a mentality, even if I’m flexing.
Word, I feel that bro.
I just had a single that came out on my birthday called “Jackit”, because … “I JUST SPENT A RACK ON MY JACKET.”
I have another song coming out soon and I’m about to be dropping a single every month until it comes out.
But right now I’m just keeping it calm. If you hear the music and mess with it share it, if not I’m still doing me and I’m straight because I’m blessed in heavenly favor.
Check out KEN$Hii BLAKK’s single “Jackit” on SoundCloud (click picture to hear the song):