Well, it is Saturday.. And do you know what we do on Saturdays? T.I.N Magazine feature interviews here on our platform, we recently had an interview with a U.K based rapper "KI FARO" Hip-hop artist and he is an Afro-beats freak. The rapper is a big fan of Nigerian music as he often make covers of Nigerian songs...
He's done Wizkid's Ojuelegba cover with a video, he's also done a cover for Dr Sid's Suru Lere with a video too, i am sure if you are active on YouTube you must have seen a couple of videos made by him. Ki Faro, is a British rapper who loves African culture. You will find a couple videos of his covers embedded down below this post, but for now checkout the conversation Bamsy had with him below.
Hello Ki Faro, this is Bamsy interviewing you from T.I.N Magazine.
CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US YOUR FULL NAME AND AGE?
My name is Ki Faro and I am 27
NATIONALITY?
My nationality is Jamaican/Guyanese British. Being born and raised in London I was exposed to many great cultures, this is a privilege I think we have over in London compared to many countries of the world.
HOW ABOUT YOUR AFRICAN BACKGROUND?
If you go before slavery, (I am from the slavery generation) my great grandmother told my grandmother that she remembers being stolen from the lands of Ghana, so I Guess you can say (from my mums side) I have Ghanian Blood.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY BACKGROUND AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
My father was born in Jamaican (the Caribbeans) and my Mother was born in Guyana (South America), I come from a family of Comedians, Footballers & Musicians!
I have studied Music my whole life and have recently entered into the clothing distribution market!
HOW HARD WAS GROWING UP?
Apart from the Racial profiling, Constant police checks, Teachers not really believing in your potential and constant wars with different parts of London, It was actually a rewarding experience. But in all truthfulness, I can never claim to of had it as hard as other parts of the world, at the end of the day I was born in the city with the most to opportunities to offer, HOWEVER sometimes it would feel most of the opportunities were giving to "others". BUT, i'm a hustler so whatever isn't given to me I will get it myself anyway.
WHEN DID YOU START MUSIC OFFICIALLY?
At around the age of 5 I joined a school music program where they would see which students had the best talent for music and out of a class of 30 I was picked. From then my music journey began. I was taught most of the instruments and how to play them, but it wasn't until around 13 that i started to Rap. Myself and a group of school mates would perform in school assemblies, gaining the favour of the whole school. Fast forward to 2012 I released my 1st MTV track called "Made In The Mana", So i guess you can say OFFICIALLY I started in 2012
WHY MUSIC?
There is only 1 answer, because its a way of life.
YOU ARE A RISING STAR IN THE U.K ALREADY, WHICH IS YOUR MOST
SUCCESSFUL SONG OVER THERE?
Definitely "Made In The Mana" it was played on all TV stations and Radio Stations!
OUR ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR INTEREST IN AFRICAN MUSIC (AFRO BEATS), WHY AFRO-BEATS?
All black music interest me, around the time I went to college I was introduced to Afro beats. I remember my 1st afro beats track called "Kolom" and i was like "WHAT IS THIS MUSIC", the vibe, the feel just drew me towards it. That track was playlisted for a whole year in all my iPod playlist. If i could of found a instrumental version i would of done a cover.
YOU'VE DONE COVERS/VIDEOS FOR A COUPLE NIGERIAN SONGS, TELL US
ABOUT THESE SONGS AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THEM?
Well, as I started to get more into Afro beats there was a Afro Beats mix on youtube and I heard Surulere for the 1st time. But, as you know, on youtube there are no track listing. So I spent the better half of a night searching for the track. At that time I was working on my latest mixtape "Road To Success" VOL 3. And the instrumental track of Surulere fitted perfectly for a message about "homelessness".
YOUR COVER FOR OJUELEGBA IS QUITE THE THING TRENDING AT THE
MOMENT, WHY OJUELEGBA?
When i heard Skepta's remix of Ojuelegba, his verse was so powerful I started freestyling to the track myself. The subject matter he wrote about, fitted perfectly of his experiences as a Nigerian born in London. So I believed I had to tell my story of a Caribbean being born in London, and the affect of all black culture coupled with the injustices we (as a people) have faced throughout world history.
SO YOU ARE A FAN OF WIZKID, YOU MET HIM BEFORE?
I am a fan, and no I have not met him yet.
SO DO YOU HAVE ANY AFRO-BEATS TRACK RECORDED ALREADY?
I am working on one, that will shut down the internet, but I cant talk about it yet as its in the pipeline for this year.
SO DO YOU THINK AFRO-BEATS WILL SELL IN THE U.K, U.S?
I believe with the right artist jumping on the the right tracks, with features or remixes it can definitely sell. Anything is marketable as long as you market it correctly.
HAVE YOU BEEN TO NIGERIA BEFORE?
Not yet, but you know I have to come back to the mother land soon. Probably in 2017
SO HOW DO YOU INTEND TO BOOST YOUR FAN BASE IN AFRICA?
By doing amazing remixes and features, however... The Afro beats track I have in the works... that could potentially do it!
TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE NIGERIAN ARTISTS OF THE MOMENT
Wizkid, Dr Sid, & Skepta (Grime)
DO YOU UNDERSTAND OR SPEAK ANY NIGERIAN LANGUAGE?
No
HOW IS MUSIC PAYING OFF AT THE MOMENT?
Well so far, it funds the our company and all of our employees ;) Life is good I cannot complain!
ARE YOU SIGNED TO ANY LABEL?
Yes Faro Music Recordings. It is an independent label owned by the company I founded along side Faizan Ali.
ANY AWARD WON, NOMINATIONS?
Not yet, but my upcoming project Black Bond 2 will definitely change that
WHICH EVENT IS THE BIGGEST YOU’VE PERFOMED AT? SHARE WITH US THE EXPERIENCE
The biggest event I have performed at was Edinburgh festival, that was an amazing experience. The crows was amazing and sang my lyrics along side with me.
MESSAGE FOR YOUR FANS OUT THERE…
"Black Bond 2" is coming , and it will shut down the internet. "Made In The Mana 2" is coming out and it will shut down the whole UK scene. "Empire" my next Mini LP will be coming soon and it will take over the industry.
Checkout his cover videos below:
So what do you think of KI FARO? Let us know in the comment section.
Guess who we are featuring next week's Saturday? He is a Nigerian star already and his hit song have been banging the streets since last year.. Check back on Saturday and see!
SO WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY THINK ABOUT THIS POST? WHY DON'T YOU SCROLL DOWN BELOW AND LEAVE A COMMENT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE...
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testin
Interesting interview, Ki faro is a talented rapper...
ReplyDeleteI think i like his rap style.. but the question is; can he blow in Nigeria?
ReplyDeleteHe cannot sell in Nigeria if his songs dont have amazing hooks..
ReplyDelete