Texas hip-hop artist Knowledgeable Intellect recently dropped his latest project Fornication Tape 2 on Bandcamp for fans to enjoy.
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Knowledgeable Intellect who spoke about his Fortworth upbringing, his hip-hop and R&B influences, the making of Fornication Tape 2, branding himself and plenty more.
1) Tell me a little about yourself and your background.
Im from the dallas/fort Worth area I grew up with my mother I started rapping about 16 or 17 instead of killing myself due to depression. I started rapping with a few associates at the time, I quickly realized I had a knack for writing. The group had dissolved within a week and a half but I continue to write it was something I was just good at, gifted maybe.
2) Who were some of your musical influences coming up?
Back in the day I listen to a lot of Andre 3000 and a lot of soul artists plus the regulars like the notorious b.i.g. And 2pac, Eminem, Kanye West. As far as the solo artist I really enjoyed early r.kelly, Jodeci and aaliyah. The SOS band was on rotation and so was loose ends but by far my favorite singer of all time is Phyllis Hyman.
3) What’s your process like for making music? Do you have a set routine or does it vary track by track?
It depends on what I am making for chopped and screwed work I just kind of feel it and get after it but for the album and mixtapes I’m far more astute and calculating.
4) Can you run me through the making of your latest project? How the idea came about and what the studio vibes were like?
The fornication tape 2 is a part of a series it’s my own slow jam release chopped up by myself. it’s really a play on my background in a hyper sexual society at its highest and most thought out. at its base it’s just something to make a baby to.
5) As independent artist, what are you doing in terms of promotion and marketing in order to differentiate yourself from others?
I am a brand and I market myself as such. not just an individual artist or song with his hands out saying sign me. the game is 10% music 90% business so I’m professional.
6) What’s the number tip you would give to someone who’s looking to get in the music industry?
That is a tough question. genuinely network I suppose and by that I mean network but don’t be a shark,everyone who is successful and music for a long period is a business man or woman we all network looking for the next Twitter or Justin Bieber so have no shame in it. just be genuine it’s easy to tell when someone is shady or greedy and that’s a big turn off.
7) How do you feel about hip-hop today and where it’s headed?
It is in a better place I had the pleasure of living through a hip hop drought so I know what is like to be musically famished. production wise its incredible there are dark tones inventive effects engineers are getting more love for what they do and lyrics a’re back.I like it.
8) What music are you listening to these days? Anyone in hip-hop really blowing your mind?
I have been playing a lot of pollie pop the dj dre and the truth, big hawk basically a lot of texas ish but I have sprinkled in some nas especially that take it in blood from it was written. there is a guy from North Carolina name JK the Reaper I dig and Childish Gambino and here is an odd one migos I know it doesn’t seem like me but I find quite entertaining I mean if you can’t enjoy foolery sometimes then you are better off dead.
Let’s see who else? Noah vinson in new york. they spit in a very creative way that I love and respect.Kanye is always interesting because well he is Kanye ,oh and there is this group called lion babe that I really love.
