Kidd Kenn
Known for pushing the boundaries of hip hop as we know it, Narrow Magazine was invited to speak with Chicago-based rapper Kidd Kenn about his latest EP, Problem Child.
Now 18-years-old, Kidd Kenn’s music career took off back in 2018. It all started with him posting videos, freestyling the most popular songs at the time, but it was the specific video of him freestyling “Slide” that gained him hundreds of thousands of views.
Three years later, the rapper is still known for freestyling, saying it makes his songs feel more authentic.
“I can be myself and say everything I want to say,” he said.
Speaking of being authentic, Kidd Kenn has made it his mission to inspire his fans to always stay true to themselves, saying, “Being yourself is your only right way. There’s a lot of hopping on the bandwagon these days.”
Since releasing his first EP Childish, Kidd Kenn has worked with a number of big named artists including Lizzo, Cardi B and Lil Nas X, but says he’s always dreamed of working with Nicki Minaj, who he’s looked up to for everything from business, to her creativity and of course, her work ethic.
Another one of his collaborations, outside of the music realm, is the makeup tutorials he’s done for Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty YouTube page, and he says it is his goal to delve into the cosmetic industry himself.
“I want to create a makeup brand for men that is so good everyone will want to use.”
His advice to any other black, queer people with big dreams is to just go for it and to try to be the best at whatever it is you have your mind set to.
“Don’t let anyone tell you less,” he said.
And as we continue to celebrate Pride month, the rapper also says it’s important to “walk and live life in your true colors.”
In the next five years, Kidd Kenn says he sees himself being everywhere from the top of the charts, to promoting his own cosmetic line and even on everyone’s TV, but until then, you can now listen to Problem Child on all streaming platforms, and follow @kiddkenn on Instagram to see what project the rapper is up to next.