Lo Ki Working On Fourth Album
‘Stick to your grind’ and ‘be deliberate with your actions’ are his advices to fellow musicians.
‘Stick to your grind’ and ‘be deliberate with your actions’ is his advice to fellow musicians.
The Hip hop beat maker and producer originally from Schenectady, New York, started his music journey as a young kid, first playing the trombone and then progressing to the guitar.
Eventually, he was exposed to Hip hop, falling in love 'with the groove of the genre'.
Speaking of what good music is, Lo Ki says that despite of genre, it should move the listener in one way or another.
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L. SOJINI: Can you tell us about yourself? Where you’re from and what kind of musician you are.
LO KI: I'm originally from Schenectady, in upstate New York, now residing in Greenville, South Carolina, in the United States. I'm a Hip hop beat maker, producer, and instrumentalist.
L. SOJINI: How did you get into music?
LO KI: I was turned onto music from a very young age, and after briefly playing the trombone as a child, I moved onto the guitar, and played in a band and composed music, myself, in school.
Eventually, I was exposed to Hip hop/rap, and fell in love with the groove of the genre, and the fact that it's all built on the shoulders of those who came before. There's something beautiful about archiving and being introduced to music that a lot of people wouldn't have access or exposure to, otherwise.
L. SOJINI: What do you think makes good music?
LO KI: I think the one common trait all good music has, regardless of genre, is that it moves the listener in one way or another. It's the emotional connection that people form with music that makes it memorable and inspirational.
L. SOJINI: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a musician?
LO KI: I think my ability to amalgamate disparate genres is a strength.
In terms of weakness, I'd say I distinctly lack pop sensibilities, which puts a cap on my potential success in the mainstream.
L. SOJINI: What are you currently working on?
LO KI: My fourth album.
L. SOJINI: How do you approach music? As in, what’s your philosophy when it comes to making music?
LO KI: Often, I find myself being inspired by other musicians or sounds. I try to incorporate elements of other musicians and genres and make them my own.
L. SOJINI: What are you most proud of to have achieved as a musician?
LO KI: Having taught myself how to create or play music, and having released three albums, so far.
L. SOJINI: How do you promote your music?
LO KI: Mostly by word of mouth, and Twitter.
L. SOJINI: Favourite musician? Why?
LO KI: That's tough. In hip hop, I'd probably say Talib Kweli or Black Star, in terms of rappers, but my producer list is much longer and more difficult to nail down.
My top three producers are probably J Dilla, 9th Wonder, and Hi-Tek, not necessarily in that order.
L. SOJINI: What’s your advice or message to fellow musicians?
LO KI: Stick to your grind. First, if you're currently unable to translate what you hear in your head to the record, you will be able to, in time, given the right amount of effort and discipline. Stick with it, and it will pay off.
Secondly, it's up to you to be successful. Hoping things will work out will likely yield disappointing results. Instead, be deliberate with your actions. Promote yourself.
L. SOJINI: Can you recommend one musician you’ve worked with that The Musician can interview next? You can share their Twitter handle.
LO KI: Sime Gezus/Pete Pluto. Twitter: @SimeGezus.
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