Meet Kaasim | RNB Artist and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaasim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaasim, what do you want people to remember about you?
I want people to remember that I took the hard way. That I didn’t sign a piece of paper that stripped me of my money and control to be included or accepted. I didn’t sacrifice my capital to be deemed successful by people who didn’t know the first thing about what it takes to be successful in my industry. That I was a rule breaker, I did things my way. I showed a generation of artist how to bet on themselves and become successful independently. How to move as if they had a major label backing all while doing it solely by themselves. I want to be remembered as someone who took his own money and sacrificed his well being for success so that nobody owned me and I didn’t owe anybody.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a RNB Singer. I think what sets me apart from others is that I write, arrange and produce my own stuff 100% indie. I do most of everything on my own. I put myself in the industry, I was able to build my brand off my own name and not off a co-sign or someone walking me in. I feel like when you listen to my Music it competes with all the top artist for the past 10+ plus years. The only difference is ppl have signed to a major to get that major backing “the co-sign”. I take pride in taking the harder way. So i’m most proud of that, never having to do no funny shit to get ahead or take less than what I deserve. I’ve always been a figure it out on my own type person. I got to where I am today by resiliency and total belief in me. Even when people can’t see who I am I know 1,000% who I am and even when I get down on myself I remember what I am capable of when I get out of my own head. I think getting out of your own head is the most important character trait you have to develop. It’s never easy I think the term “New Level, New Devil” is so accurate. I don’t think anybody trying to do something amazing it will be easy for them. The people that have it easy had it hard at some point and will face challenges with other battles that may not seem hard to others but it doesn’t make it less easy. I overcame my challenges by continuing to keep going. I have days where I don’t want to keep going. Days where I take breaks, but this is in me so i’m a lifer. I just keep going cuz it’s all I know since I can remember. The lessons I learned along the way is it doesn’t matter how talented you are. Talent keeps you around it’s your work ethic and your ability to take a no and to figure out a way to solve your puzzle. We each have a puzzle some easier than others some harder. Figuring out how to solve your puzzle will lead you to the success you seek. I wan’t the world to know that no matter how many L’s I took I continue to figure out ways to keep going to leave some sort of Legacy. I want to be remembered as one of the great philosophers of our time. I want my brand to be up there with my Grandfathers and Family’s I want the world to remember that Kaasim went and got it and then showed the world that any one can do whatever they decide to put their mind to no matter what cards you’re dealt!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
(Laughs) Oh man you’re trying to get me in trouble with some of my friends that own businesses in the city. Well first I’d take them to Davido’s Pizza Shop in Lithonia to grab a quick bite because that’s my Family’s Business my Brother (Cousin) Asim owns it. Then I would make sure I take them to a few of my favorite spots. Bar Vegan, Opium, Revel, Republic (Which is now closed. RIP Mike Gidewon he was a friend I worked with him at Republic and also Opium when he was part owner, I pray they find his killer. Mike was a good dude also AG (Alex Gidewon’s Brother) I pray their family finds peace), Edgewood, Cru, A Strip Club for Lunch, the Studio, Little 5, East Atlanta, Cafe Circa’s Rooftop Day Party. I can’t think of all the places off the top of my head lol. I’m a very spontaneous person and in Atlanta I don’t really make plans I just go kinda make moves around the city where it’s popping so i’d bring them around a few places and find the most popping places that show me Love. I go where they show me Love (laughs).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my success to my Grandmother and Mother. My grandma was the first person to tell my mother and family that “I had it”. That there was something special about me. She actually thought I would be more successful as an Actor than a Musician. So maybe one day soon I will jump into acting. I hope that she is looking down from heaven and is proud of me. She gave me the confidence in myself that I have a gift and to share it with the world. If it wasn’t for her or my Mother I wouldn’t be doing music. My Family used to own a prominent Black Owned Record Store in Boston, Ma. My mother was a pioneer. She used to go to NY to party and get Vinyls from DJ’s and sell them in the store. We had the first Black Owned Record Store in Boston. I also would like to give credit to my Grandfather for starting A Nubian Notion which was the first store ever like it’s kind. It was the Black Walmart and actually was inc the same year Walmart was. It’s where I grew up and learned how to run a business. Now years later after my grandfather passed, we have a Neighborhood named after us. Nubian Square. Boston shares so much Black History so i’m very thankful that out of all of the successful Black Leaders that have history in Boston, that my Family was chosen to be represented and gifted with a community named after us. It is very humbling and we are truly grateful.

Website: Kaasimmusic.com

Instagram: KaasimNubian

Twitter: KaasimNubian

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kaasimtv