A Conversation with Up and Coming Rapper Kidd Kenn

Kidd Kenn is an 18 year old rapper from Chicago who is breaking out into the rap game. Kenn is a vibrant personality with bright hair, flawless makeup, and an energy that can undeniably be felt even through Zoom. Although he’s only 18, he has already worked with notable artists like Rico Nasty, Delli Boe, and Dess Dior. 

Released on June 11th, 2021, Problem Child (2021) is filled with explosive energy. With a booming bass and sharp tongued verses, the whole EP exudes the energy we seek this upcoming summer. It’s mischievous and can’t help but make you want to act up. The opening track “Moves” featuring Rico Nasty, is a bold opening track that immediately opens you for what to expect throughout the next five songs. It fills you with a buzz, it’s a song you can imagine playing when you first walk into a party, it’s the summer’s pool party anthem. As we slowly emerge out of the current COVID-19 pandemic it is opportune timing for such an addicting track to be released. 

Kidd Kenn’s EP paves the road for a new era of rap. He has created a space for himself at such a young age and is a forerunner of queerness within rap. This is seen especially in the track “B4” where Kenn raps candidly about his sexuality. The entirety of Problem Child intoxicates you and instills you with the confidence Kenn naturally exudes. At the end of the EP the song “Good Day” goes in a slightly different direction. The song uses gospel-esque instrumentals and was used by Target in their NY Pride online ad. It’s the perfect ending to such an exuberant EP, reminding us that at the end of it all, we all deserve to feel confident. Kenn makes everyone feel jubilant while remaining unapologetically himself. 

On June 10th, a group of interviewees met to ask him questions in preparation for his EP Problem Child that came out on June 11th. In front of 18 various interviewees he ecstatically greeted them all with his infamous intro, “Call me Kidd Kenn double N’s” before he dived right into answering the barrage of questions we had for him. 

At what point did you know this was something you wanted to pursue for real?

In the beginning of my career I was doing freestyles of the hottest songs that were out. One day I  remixed this song called “Slide” that was big in Chicago. The response I got was crazy and I was like “wow.”  It really was my gut. My gut told me to do it. 

Was that emotional for you?

It was. I posted the clip in the car with my mom coming back from a baby shower. I was showing my mom telling her, “I’m going viral!”

What do you love most about freestyling?

I can be myself and I can say whatever I want to say. 

Your music and visuals exude confidence, have you always been a confident person? Or was that something you had to work on growing up?

I feel like I’ve always been a confident person, but the confidence went to the next level when I was able to be who I really was. Do what I want to do without worrying about other people’s opinions and comments. Once I figured out myself and who I was, that confidence went to a whole other level. 

Your latest track “Good Day” shows a side of artistry that we haven’t seen until now. What inspired the sonic direction of this track?

The inspiration came from me wanting to make a track that people heard that instantly changed their mood. From bad to good, or even from good to better than what it was before. I just wanted to make a song that made people feel good and confident. To speak from everybody’s point of view and not just from Kidd Kenn double n’s point of view.  

What’s your dream collaboration?

Nicki Minaj. The Queen. Period. Purr.

Who are your biggest musical inspirations and why?

I got two and y’all already know one. Nicki Minaj is my favorite because of everything about her. The business set, the creative set, the work ethic…it’s all there. She’s beautiful…it’s all there. The other is Michael Jackson. He’s just iconic. He is the definition of a celebrity. I haven’t seen anybody do it like him since. 

What details do you include in your art that give it the signature Kidd Kenn flavor?

“Stop Playinnnn” If you hear a track where I don’t say “stop playin” it ain’t right. 

What was the most fun track to record on Problem Child and why?

Either “Freestyle” or “B4.” “Freestyle” I did with Delli Boe and that was the first song we actually made on the first day we met, and it blew up. “B4” is great because I was just in Target rapping these lyrics thinking “this could be a song”, so I went to the studio with one of my favorite producers and turned it into one of my favorite songs. 

We talked a little about Problem Child, do you have a specific process?

I just think of the core meat of what my fans want. What is going on in today’s world? I give them the best and the rawness that nobody else can really give. 

What does pride mean to you?

It means living life in your true colors. Unapologetic. It’s having confidence with anything you do. Y’know not thinking twice about it, not thinking about the next comment or next person. You’re doing it because it’s you. 

Is there anything you do to keep that mindset?

I wake up every morning, and look at the pictures of myself on the wall and I remind myself that I did that. 

How have you kept your style and tone in the music industry?

Y’know I just really just be myself. It works. I’m not trying to hop on or mimic the next style because I am just doing me.

How do you claim your space in a genre surrounded by primarily cis straight men?

When I walk in a room it’s all eyes on me. I don’t even have to try too hard to claim a spot because it’s already mine. 

What advice do you have for Black queer youth that wanna follow their passions?

Literally follow them, don’t let anybody tell you can’t. Believe in your gut. Stay consistent. If you’re gonna be about something, be the best at it. Don’t settle for second or third. 

Where do you see yourself in a few years?

I see myself doing everything we just had a conversation about. I want to do a cosmetic line, I see myself on the charts, I see myself everywhere. 

Any specific goals?

Of course getting awards, but I want to run a successful business for cosmetics. I also want to own a hotel one day. When I have my hotel, that’s how I know. I’m going to call it “The Dollhouse.”

Written by Jax Samsell

Photo by Universal Music Group