One Time @ Bandcamp With... KVMI

 

In today’s constant stream of media what catches your ear and eye? How do you pick and choose the content to dedicate a little more time to? I don’t remember when KVMI first came across my ears but his location of Bellevue, WA - home to Microsoft, the Seahawks training facility and Haute Couture fashion shops - certainly played a role. Having spent a decade in Seattle and rarely coming across anyone making hiphop on the eastside of Lake Washington I was intrigued. Or perhaps it was just his constant stream of product.

With 101 projects up on his Bandcamp site dating back to September 10, 2015 it would be easy to be overwhelmed. And it’s safe to say I often was, never knowing where to start, pressing play and letting his blunted beats flow. You’ll find them filled with dusty drums, chopped melodies and jagged grooves. You’ll find collaborations with emcee’s as well as bars from the man himself under the alias Talaj. It is a treasure trove of gems worth your ears time.

If you are looking for grimey boom bap with a modern day edge, head nod inducing vibes straight from the underground don’t sleep. You won’t find him on streaming services, but he is getting beat placements beyond his circle and given his prolific output it’s unlikely you will ever tire of what he has to deliver. When I decided to relaunch this series I knew he was someone I had to get in touch with. He responded to my request positively and took the time to answer some questions. Press play and read up!

How old are you? What is your first memory of music?

26 Yrs Young & My First Memory of Music is my family. They played all sorts of music while I was growing up... You might hear “C-Walk” by Kurupt then the next song would be some shit from Anita Baker. Like you’d never know what’s gone play lol. 

Your bandcamp page says you are in Bellevue, WA, did you grow up there? If not where are you from originally?

I’m from Planet Namek I Just was raised here on Earth. The VUE is nice tho, I like living out here. Had a dope ass childhood too be honest! It was a crazy struggle but I made the best of it foreals.

Would be interested in elaborating anymore on what your home planet of Namek is like?

It’s my mind state, I think I live more in my mind than I do in the real world hahaha, if you're a thinker you prolly understand what I’m saying hahaha.

Living in Bellevue, do you follow the happenings of the hiphop scene in Seattle much? You hip to KOTH (formerly Young TH), Tay Sean and the Cloud Nice crew, OC Notes, Vitamin D and the old Tribal stuff? 

I follow the scene somewhat not really. I only support my bro’s, family, friends like people I grew up with and I can care less about anybody else. No offense too anybody else cause we do have a nice set of artists here in Seattle! But my focus is on supporting those around me. I want my people to eat & get what they deserve after putting in those 10,000 hours ya feel me.



While your bandcamp is full of lots of beat tapes, I do see that you have been putting more of your raps up, and there are bars from you going back to the beginning of the page, are you more focused on one over the other?


Actually I was rapping for fun & my bro NMRD told me like bro “just take this shxt serious you really have Barz!” I kinda felt that already but I was more focused on beats! Like that’s my thing! I told him I’d give him two years of me rapping! I think it’s been 3Yrs now! Shits dope but I got hella shit in-store before this year's up. I still will be dropping beat tapes but not like every month like I was doing. 

Walk us through your studio set up? How has it evolved?

Windows Laptop, Sp404OG (sometimes), Focusrite interface 2i2, & a Mic. Also I use Fl Studio 12 & 20. That’s my DAW of choice. Nothing really involved but my skill level on making beats. Stick with something & perfect it.

You are incredibly prolific, what's your creative process like?

I Can’t Tell You That lmfao... just work hard my Gz

Has COVID been an opportunity to put more work in and get inspired?

FUCK COVID. Naw it’s honestly the same shit. just wearing a mask everywhere now. Mach-Hommy was trynna warn us I swear lmao!

Favorite producer's of the past? Favorite producers of the moment?

Madlib, J-Dilla, Pete Rock! & if we talkin about Ppl now! There’s too many too name literally Knx, Tuamie, Graymatter, NMRD, J’Von, Roc Marci, Dibia$e, Olasegun, Dj Mastermind, FutureWave, Foisey, TVPES, Vinyl Villain, RAMI ALI... like yo I could name 30 more ppl!! too many inspire my craft & i'm not ashamed to admit that! On no levels peace to all them cats. I can go on! Fr them mfkas dope asf!

I was vibing to you Dilla inspired series a bit, when did you first discover Dilla? What impact did his work have on your art?

I believe it was “Woo-Ha” by Busta Rhymes. That music video, the beat. Everything about that song resonates with me. That song scared me but spoke to my soul at the same time Lmaooo like haha yo. I looked up who made the beat years later growing up it only made sense why I liked Bustas early shit. J-Dilla produced a lot of great joints for Busta Bus.

What inspired me most or influenced me about Dilla's music was the passion & soul I felt behind it. When I really sat & listened to his instrumentals. I was like this whole vibe, the swing, he can make anything. Literally! I know there’s a whole catalog of beats where he was light years ahead I don’t doubt it. He prolly got some trap joints. Hahaha

Are you a record collector?

I’m starting to collect records more again now. Just got back into it.

Your records play like blunt soundtracks and/or the perfect backing for a freestyle session, are you interested in getting your beats to rappers or do you prefer them to stand on their own?

lol I got tracks with Vic Spencer, Estee Nack, Ice Lord, Sleep Sinatra. What you mean lol? I release beat tapes for instrumentalist reasons & those who want to purchase beats.


Do you have any other creative endeavors?


Yea I Krump aswell.

Soundtrack to 2020? Favorite book you've read this year?

Soundtrack 2020? Don’t got one yet waiting for Mount Marci... & Favorite Book is Knowledge Of Self by Supreme Understanding! 

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