Meet KILLA | Music Artist

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

Hi KILLA, how do you think about risk?
I think about risks each day. Playing it safe is being normal, and being normal to me is boring. Besides, if you have nothing to lose, what are you living for? Exactly. Now, rebels take risks and matters into their own hands; that’s what I represent. I refuse to wait around for anyone to give me directions. I believe in creating your own wave, and if you can’t find one to ride, create one by any means necessary. As far as my career goes, I resigned from teaching in May to pursue my music, which was buzzing on SoundCloud. I was approaching 92K streams on SoundCloud when I resigned, and that happened within eight months. It was very difficult mentally, physically, and spiritually to move on from the life that I knew, and each kid that I built relationships with, but I understood my mission. So, to answer the question, risk-taking has played a major role in my life and music. Imagine leaving a stable career for what seems to be a dream, but when God nudges you, you have to move. Nobody said it’d be easy, but taking risks is the difference between first and second place in KILLA’S WORLD. Consequently, you can’t be a KILLA if you aren’t willing to “risk it all” for your calling or purpose.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been in love with music since a very young age. I grew up in a household that partied and I fell in love with rap music very early in life. I grew up on East Coast Rap (I was raised up north) with sprinkles of West Coast rap, but when I moved to Atlanta, my rap ear diversified. Music has saved my life, and that’s what I think sets me apart from other rappers. I feel like in today’s age, a lot of music is made for fun or to go viral, instead of putting real passion into it. There’s nothing wrong with it, but I’m a real artist, who expresses through my innermost being. I don’t write my music for a dollar bill. I put my heart into my art, and when you listen to my music, you will be able to feel my emotions, precisely. Whenever I’m recording or performing, you will feel my energy. Energy in music is a dying art, but I wouldn’t be making music if I didn’t deliver raw energy each time. So, when you listen to any of my songs or features, you aren’t just hearing me, but you’re feeling me, too.

I have been writing raps since I was about 13-years-old. I named myself “Killa Am” after Cam’ron (Killa Cam). The name Killa followed me to college, but once I started working in corporate and I became more of an adult, per se, I stopped labeling myself as Killa Am. However, my name was embedded in me. I’ve always felt that you should kill everything that you do, and I hate mediocrity.

Even when I was a teacher and volleyball coach, I stressed to my players and students about always doing their best, and not settling for anything less. However, after stepping away from those roles, becoming a full-time artist wasn’t easy at all. I had to learn how to walk into being an artist, and how to be comfortable with it. I became consumed with thinking about how others would perceive me, instead of trusting God the entire time. I hid myself because of my career and working with children. My music is very expressive and I am very blunt, so I knew that I couldn’t make my genre of music while continuing to teach at a Christian school, for sure. I overcame my thoughts by connecting with other creatives that are going through everything I’m dealing with or those that have gone through it before. I took more risks and became more comfortable in my fresh skin. I am sure to thank God each step of the way because even on my worst day, I wouldn’t trade places with anyone on the planet. That’s how much in love I am with myself and music…my music can’t be duplicated, and that pushes me to keep going.

Through my story, I want the world to know that God has something especially for you, even if it doesn’t make sense at the moment. I thought I’d be teaching until I retired because it was easy and it worked for me. However, God wanted me to be the rock star that I’ve always been. I’ve always felt stranger than my peers, an outcast or pariah, and I’ve felt misunderstood; but, at the same time, I have the powerful gift of connecting with people, and people are drawn to me. I intend to use my platform to continue to motivate the youth and to help more people to become more comfortable with being their true selves.

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.
So, all of my friends know that I like to have a good time and I can do that literally anywhere. However, for breakfast, we are going to Thumbs Up Diner in East Point, Ga. After breakfast, we can go walk on the BeltLine. From there, we’ll hit up my friend, Coffie, and kick it. We’ll go to Alantucky brewing for beers and vibes, then we’ll go to Edgewood. On Edgewood, we’ll get some fried chicken from Harold’s, then pull up to OurBar ATL to groove. The next day we will sleep in and start with brunch. We’ll have brunch at Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar in College Park and then hunt for a day party. I’ll hit up Reggie Bishop (@reggiebishop) to see where he’s spinning to continue drinking and vibing with my friends. At night time, I’ll hit up BEZ (@4bez4) to see what’s the move. He’ll probably be at Revery: VR Bar. So, we’ll pull up and vibe, then we’ll grab a hotdog at Chicago Frank’s in EAV. If the night’s still young, we’ll bar hop. However, the party never ends 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would especially like to thank my brother, T.C., for believing in me before anyone ever did. He executive produced my EP, KILLA’S WORLD, and pushed me to create when I didn’t want to do it. I’d like to thank my dear friend, Marleisse, for lending her marketing expertise in the beginning. I am thankful for my tight circle of friends that give me words when I need them (they know who they are). Thanks to my mom for her endless support. I’d also like to shout out my daughter, Jade, for recognizing my mission and her openness and willingness to share me with the world. I thank my dad, sisters, and close family members for doing their best to support all of my many endeavors, too. Thank you to my creative family that I’ve collaborated with thus far, from Atlanta to Ukraine. Thank you to everyone playing my music and sharing it. Moreover, thanks to everyone at CCS and A5 South that I’ve had the opportunity to pour into, I love you always. All glory goes to God for what I have achieved and for what’s to come.

Website: sheisdope.com

Instagram: instagram.com/whoiskilla

Twitter: twitter.com/whoiskilla

Facebook: facebook.com/whoiskilla

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-A1w4ocmifsdzjeBbDRsRA

Other: SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/whoiskilla Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/killa/1538166319 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sRGbJQf1fv1s22wohhed6?si=9YeFuYPoTr6adpH8SYSTJA

Image Credits
Drew Visions- @drewvisions