KAYTA`S INTERVIEW (November, 2008) FOR THE ONLY HIP-HOP SITE FOR FEMALE RAPPERS, PRODUCERS AND DJs
"QUEENPENZ.COM FEATURED ARTIST is KAYTA coming ALL the way live from MOSCOW, RUSSIA. She is truly seeking International Stardom, and from the looks of it She is definitely on here way. She is a journalist, ghostwriter, actress, and the list goes on. This is a testament to the reach of HipHop on a Global Stage, and also represents the diversity we have here on QueenPenz.com so with out further ado, Say Hello to KAYTA, coming soon to a speaker near you..."
1. So tell everybody a little about yourself?
Well first of all – I am Kayta. The truth is if we get to go real deep into the various facts about my biography we gone need more than one day. Sometimes I look back and wonder – Wow! So many thangs I’ve gone through that have contributed in making me become who I am now. And really I prefer not to think about stuffs that coming! ‘Cuz doing this nowadays could get u’r head spinning … haha! Well to cut thangs short – I was born in Moscow , but all through my life I’ve been traveling a lot. Even spent a year in the Western Africa some time ago (see it was like I was going back to the roots in other to understand my future! Feel me!). I love «action» in life, for it gives me new creative ideas. Yeah! I became engaged to the music since my childhood days, back then I started to compose and write lyrics and as time went on it became a certain kind of mania, as all my experiences in life I streamed on paper in the form of rhymes – negative or positive sides of life questions– found their explanation and responses in my verses. Also from childhood, I accurately realized that I am the rebel by nature – therefore becoming a rapper to me – that is to be much more precise, is what I was born to be. You know, some time ago, they told me that I could do a great political future, but I preferred a rap carrier because to me only such music give u the chance to share the truth on what, how, you feel about the world to the people. By profession I’m a journalist so I often help other artists with publications and etc., sometimes work as a ghostwriter also and many more. I did play in the theatre; also from time to time get offers on shootings in cinema, ads and publicity. So to round it up by nature the type always on the move! Always finding new hills to climb and conquer. And it’s why
I ‘m occupied 24/7. But this however makes life much brighter 4 real!
1a. Describe you style? and what motivates you?
My style is dictated by my inner situation, which in turn is guided by nothing else but life. Through out my life I have not learnt to shut eyes to reality, that’s the reason why frequently in my texts some political implied sense is traced, the rebellious part in me seems to always take the lead. However I am a young woman, so it isn’t hard for me to rap about that aspect of life which is responsible for relations, seducing art, sexy stuff etc. In general the cocktail of my music consists of sets of components. You know, when various beatmakers ask which style of music I prefer – I usually say that style has no special value in comparison with quality – Cuz I I feel that strong chemical reaction between a beat and my heart – then without doubts I’ll get on the beat!. The only thing that I never do in my music – Is I never try to rap about thangs that’s not really close to me (even if it could bring a commercial success or anything like that). Plus however I do write my lyrics by myself, so such problems I hardly get. In my opinion commerce – should be moderately. You know, I hear various opinions about my music every time … someone could find some gangsta underground flavor in my lyrics, some others thinks that it got commercial style….really don’t know how they all make the difference in-between (Most probably `cause me and my guyz are often guest on the TV, shows, and give shows together with artists of rather different musical styles. And after our performance at the Red Square within the limits of the Olympic forum this summer when the Russian Olympic committee chose our track as the main track for the occasion and us the headliners and only rap representatives – the haters with no doubts put the final period that we do commerce). Plus actually it wasn’t the first time of this kind of events `cause I pretty often take the parts in events where only pop-artists are invited. Just I’m doing the stuff that I really want to do and I believe that people will love it no matter what. And on that the truth is that I really don’t care ‘bout all what sum got in mind. I know that I do my music as I feel. So I’m always grateful and feel very pleasant when I get feedbacks from admirers of my creativity both from amongst youths and amongst those from underground. So the strongest motivation to me is Life Itself!
2. Where are you representing?
In fact, of course represent Moscow City , Russia . Central side I would rather say. But to be honest, I work with talented people from all over the globe (especially with States). Most often I work with two talented MCs – Da Duce and Maxi-G (Cameroonians) based here in Moscow –. So, it’s somehow possible to say I represent internationally. But probably this is natural, as in essence musical language is always international.
2a. What’s the Hip-Hop scene like down there?
I can say only one thing – its developing. There are however some minuses and pluses of it and this makes it some how specific and pretty different from the others around the world. As well as everywhere – there lots of ÌÑs, but not so many are good for real. It’s still at the formation process, so everything is not really clear, but I believe it’s a matter of time. And trust that the culture will get a stronger grip in Russia in the future.
3. When did you start your career? And who were your influences?
I believe to be a good rapper first of all; u must from birth be a poet. Poetry has been deep in the roots of my childhood and probably from this originated my career. But professionally I stepped into the game bout 5 years back. However I still get that feeling I’ve been deep in this culture all through out my life. Naturally my concept about rap, its creativity, and some more have been in many situations influenced by Tupac. You probably heard about the communistic Iron Curtain which had its influence down here. Though I was lucky to be born much later, however its echoes were audible in my childhood. Therefore I can’t forget them small musical shops, which at that time could get hold on the latest western novelties, and rap compositions of which consisted of three significant artists – Tupac, Onyx and Naughty By Nature (though there were also others but these three were the most heard). Therefore it’s naturally enough that I grew up on this kind of music.
3a. What Radio Station do they listen to down there?
The situation with our radio stations here is very foggy. Rap for a long time; didn’t go on rotation, due to the absence of its commercial side. But now I can see a pretty different tendency – there are many radio stations which have included rap into rotation. Though I think this is just a temporary phenomenon. Cuz there always has been a battle between the different auditory of which is more in favor to pop-music, etc. Due to this together with some friends we plan to build our own radio-show on one of the stations in the near future. But I will give more in details a bit later and if all turns out we will get it going on full program.
4. Who would you consider to be your role model in the industry?
All great people somehow influence other artists; to me everyone has a unique way which becomes of interest to the other. Would be glad repeat once again that Tupac has been of great influence and he till date remains my all-time favorite artist.
5. What projects are you currently working on and/or involved with?
I have such a habit on working at once on several projects. It gives the chance to avoid the normal routine and satiations. I prepare to release in the near future the album which has been written down together with my guyz – Da Duce and Maxi-G. The working name of the album is – City Talez. This album is a collection of works on various themes. It is a certain period of creativity which necessarily should be put on CD. Besides, I have already begun working on my solo album, in collaboration with very talented people both from the States, and from Western Europe . I plan to release it at the beginning of next year. Also, my people constantly say that I should give out a completely Russian-speaking album having philosophical implied understanding. And actually I have all the material for that ready, but I postpone it for more distant term as for everything certain spirit is rather necessary. But next year and it will be released, Cuz the Russian language is very good for philosophical ballads. And in all the three albums will have different productions. So it should turn out really in a fantastic way.
Well and besides this, I worked on several joint compositions with other talented western artists. Those tracks really should turn out to be in the charts. And I am very proud of that fact that I have a possibility to work with these people. I’m the lucky one for real. Some of them also will go into my solo album of course; some of them will be released as singles. Also I and my guyz organized our own promo-group called “Ghetto Superstars Promo” so now every week we arrange hip-hop parties, at the Moscow clubs. Very much pleases everyone cuz our parties got that special atmosphere – all easily and simply reigns, here everyone can prove his worth on competitions. Also got excellent urban DJs playing corresponding styles etc. So I think in this field we will be getting some success cuz what we do comes from the soul – and as it turns out – people feel for it sincerity. And this is just a small part of that stuff that I’m working on at the moment. However it is almost impossible to list all projects `cause every day brings something new ….but this is the few toping the list
6. As a member of QueenPenz. com do you think that women are properly represented in HipHop?
Yes, now fortunately the tendency for an equilibration in rights is visible, the rap ceases to be exclusively the men's prerogative. Certainly much still should be made, much to be changed. But we got the force needed to enter our names in industry. After all that not too important – be you a woman you or a man, if your heart beats together with that of the streets – these means that you already in the game.
7. If you could perform with anyone in the world who would it be?
MANY! You can always learn something from others, there’s always something to gather and always the chance to do something new with others and get on stage and get it going. And yeah! I would like to perform with someone like Michael Jackson also… he’s a legend and has always had that great power.
8. Any upcoming shows you would like the people to know about?
In fact, lately I’ve been going on tours much, but now I try to pay much more time and attention working on them albums. But besides I can be seen from time to time on a stage during our parties, Also will be popping it out on our grandiose concert due November, 15th in Moscow and in which frameworks I will perform together with N`Pans, and also together with invited stars from the States (till now a secret who its gonna be). But it will be one of the brightest rap concerts of the year. And the second action which draws attention and participation in which to me is very important. It’s the musical festival “ Star Bridge ” (February, 2009) givin in other to help children suffering from AIDS, CANCER and other serious diseases. This festival will be broadcasted also on TV cuz its of great value for me and its an honor that the organizers invited me to perform as special guest at the event and also believe it is always important to help in need especially children. As to other performances I plan to do a city to city tour at the beginning of next year, both in cities of Russia , and on other European countries. Also I plan a tour in the States and etc. About all this I will later give infos!
9. Any shoutouts you wanna give before we go?
Have Trust in Yourself and the Forces inside. Never give up, even if the road is hard, dirty and unbearable…it can never be harder than u’r wish to be a winner. Do not judge people because they are just people, and remember u too can also be judged! Continue doing what you love to do, listen to your heart! Love rap and do all it takes to make it get to our descendants in its real form. Stay real!
10. If any managers/labels/promoters wanna contact you:
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Name: KAYTA
myspace: www.myspace.com/k8ta , www.myspace.com/babykayta
Manager: babykayta@yahoo.com , k8ta-management@mail.ru
Record label: Thug4Life & Hu$$le On Prod.
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