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

Hi Kaila, how do you think about risk?
Sometimes safety can only take you so far and you have to take a risk to get a greater reward. The greatest risk I took was running away from home and becoming a homeless teen in order to pursue my dream to be the first in my family to graduate from college. I risked the safety I had known my whole life and the relationship I had with my grandmother (who I ran away from). This risky decision put me in a vulnerable position where I ended up being robbed and almost sex-trafficked – but at the end of the day, this risk was worth it because I ended up achieving what I set out to do. I got into UC Berkeley on a full scholarship and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science, even performing at my graduation ceremony in front of 25,000 people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If you mention “rapper,” I’m probably not what comes to mind but it’s what I love to do. I try to be empowering in my music and for the most part, I don’t cuss (because I was teaching kids to rap and wanted to set a good example). I make music about the things that I’ve endured in my life – like growing up without parents, becoming a homeless teen, losing my friend Max to gun violence, experiencing sexual violence, overcoming abusive relationships – and coming out to be a fly Mamacita at the end of it all. Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish myself online, but my live performances are a whole different story. I bring my own wireless mic so I can have the freedom to jump off the stage and dance in the crowd while rapping. I practice my stand-up comedy in between sets and if the venue is large enough, even lead the crowd through a Zumba dance routine.

Something I’m most proud and excited about at the moment is landing my single “Half Time” in the NBA2k21 video game – but not just that. I also got three other artists in the game and on the playlist as well! I also just had my first national TV appearance on Fox Soul, just two days before my brother was murdered in a triple homicide last month. And that’s why it’s not easy. I go through a lot that I have to fight through every day, maintain a positive attitude, and face an industry where you will fail over and over and over again to find success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting my city who had never been before, I’d probably take her to all my hiking spots – Point Richmond, Point Pinole, Wildcat Canyon, etc. I’d roll her some of the finest Cali weed for us to smoke and enjoy the views. I’d pick up some sandwiches from the Puerto Rican Sol Food Restaurant in San Rafael, pointing out the places I used to sleep at when I was homeless along the way. I’d have her link up with me and my homegirls for a road trip down to L.A. where we would make viral Tik Tok’s and do mini photo shoots at cute locations. If she’s my friend, she’s probably a creative so we would work on some kind of collaborative art piece together.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I owe a great amount of my success to the Black community – starting with my Black teachers. In 8th grade, Ms. Taylor made me fall in love with music when hearing her sing brought me to literal tears. In 9th grade, Ms. Levy taught me to explore my love of poetry and helped me embrace being myself. In 10th grade, Mr. Debro taught me that college was possible for me. In 11th grade, Ms. Scott put her job on the line to ensure I was safe the night I ran away from home. When I was homeless, my friend Josh, who I consider my brother helped hone my love of rap by exposing me to new music, practicing freestyling with me, and encouraging me to always write and perform. These are just a few of many examples. I would not be who I am today without Black culture, period. For that, I will always be thankful and uphold a lifetime commitment to support the Black community.

Website: www.kailalove.com

Instagram: @kailalovemusic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kailalovemusic

Twitter: @KailaLoveMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kailalovemusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnByvIRrfLIdmBLaBd-dQfg

Other: Tik Tok: @KailaLove.Com

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