Some of Hip-hop's most magnum opus work come in the form of waves rippling new sounds and innovative concepts all throughout the Hip-hop scene. Gaining prominence through The Chase as well as his hit-single, “Bang Exclusive”, Kid Tsunami is shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with. Fortunately for us, the tides turn towards in our favor on this Rap Station Exclusive Interview with the wave-maker himself.
What's the story behind the name?
I started MC'ing in 98 and called myself Tsunami just cause of the ferocious nature and the Japanese link (my mom used to tease me about my samurai looking eyebrows). A lot of people at the time would think my rhyming style was like a "tsunami" or a flood of syllables and word play that would just destroy. Now I have different ideas on my name...
...Adding Kid is a direct influence from Kid Capri, and my own ideas of how a kid is spongelike, always wondering, always amazed, knowledge seeking and always asking questions about what is around him. To kid can mean to give birth to something ie. creation. Calling a person Kid means he's your homie. To kid can also mean to have fun...
...For me now, Tsunami represents water. Vibrations, thoughts and intent affect water. Water can be soft and hard, peaceful and violent. I also enjoy the cool things Bruce Lee would say about water (Be like water my friend). I also enjoy the ideas of Krishnamurti, a guy Bruce got a lot of his ideas from...
Dude, I can’t find a bio about you anywhere online--mind if you share a little background story?
I had been a rap fan since the 3rd grade. I started MCing in 98 as mentioned previously and won local rap competitions and songwriting awards in Perth, Australia. I started music production in 2000 which then flowed into DJing...
...My first official release was "The Chase" in 2013 followed by "Songs For Celia" in 2014, an ode to my mother who was at the time, fighting breast cancer. She survived. I am a qualified Youth Worker. I am qualified in Security and Risk Management. I am a former member of the Universal Zulu Nation. I am a former host of All City Hip Hop Show on RTRFM in Perth. I am also a former DJ for Hardcore Classic on 2SER in Sydney. I am a survivor of what the Western World calls Schizophrenia, Depression and Schizo-Affective Disorder. I am a knowledge seeker. Mysteries, miracles, meditation and more...
Who would you say are your biggest influences in music?
Oath, Lewis Parker, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, A Tribe Called Quest, J Dilla, Large Professor, DITC, Klaus Layer, Propo 88, Es Nine, Marley Marl, Debonair P, Edan, Just Blaze, El RTNC, DJ Skizz, George Fields, Cloud City Projects...
What type of message do you wish to send through your music?
Love, Positive Change, Fun and much more, but the artists I work with always have a degree of creative control...
"Bang Exclusive"'s been pretty big on our playlist, mind if you share a little about that? You know, the background, and working with Sean Price?
I reached out to Sean on social media then did the business over email. Little fuss. He liked the first beat i sent him and that became Bang Exclusive. He explained to me "Backstage they served fried chicken and watermelon" actually happened at a gig he had to do in Europe. When i hit NY I got to film the video with him and the great people at Noisemaker Media around DUMBO, Brooklyn, close to the Fat Beats Warehouse. He was mad friendly in person and worked fast (probably cos his 2 homies were hungry for lunch). He had these weed lollipops that i had never seen before (you see it in the video). My then manager Pocho copped one. A great loss. He was the most consistent rapper in the game until he passed. I was certain of new Sean Price heat on a monthly basis when i used to DJ "All City". I dearly wish i had the opportunity to get to know him and his extended family better. He seems like a great father, a great husband and a great friend from all reports. Much love to Bernadette and their children...
Tell me about The Chase, man
The Chase was spawned from one of my lowest periods in my life. I had just been released from hospital after a psychosis and was later diagnosed with Schizophrenia. The Chase started as an idea...
...The Chase was my road to recovery...
...The events that took place from the first song completed with Prince Po to the final release with Headbop Music amd Slice Of Spice Records was a dream come true. I was chasing a dream. Through positive thinking and taking action, everything naturally progressed for that end result...
Any current/future projects we can look forward to?
I will be launching a new record label called Sedgwick Records in 2017, accompanied by a first up single called "The Genesis" featuring FAMO$O, D Strong, $amhill, Glad2Mecha, VViked and Wildelux...
This one's just for fun, mind you share a random/interesting fact?
I believe in miracles...
Any last words?
Blissings to you guys and to everyone that enjoys listening to or participating in making great rap music. Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun :)
By Jods Arboleda for RAPStation.com
