Today we’d like to introduce you to KAANG.
Hi KAANG, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started as a just a visual artist, with musical inclinations. I fell in love with all forms of art when I recognized how they all connect in some way or another. From drawing to painting, from beat making to rapping. You always start with a blank canvas. The format just differs between mediums.
I studied life drawing, and classical painting for some years, before I decided to get back to making music. I had tried when I was in 5th grade. I was playing the violin, but it ended up being to expensive for my mom, so I had to let it go. But that itch to express myself in a different medium stayed.
Eventually, in highschool, I had a friend that was always using Ableton Live and an Ableton Push. He taught me the basics of the program, then I explored FL Studio. I used both for a while before I came to the conclusion I wanted to use a physical device to produce. Just like my friend.
I’ve always been a huge fan of producers like Ras G, Q-Tip, J Dilla, 9th Wonder, and Kanye West (before he went full blown crazy). So in 2018 I picked up a SP 404A, started teaching myself, then eventually grabbed an MPC in 2020.
I worked in the LA DIY Music scene, doing shows, mixing shows, and hosted my own. It was fun. A lot of things were clicking into place. I got to go to the Spotify Studio two times. Once as a producer for a different artist, then my own session for my album.
Then suddenly things just stopped working out. LA is expensive, and I had been living on my own since 17. At that point I was about to become homeless again. Maybe for the 3rd time. I had to make the hard decision to pack it up and move. I also wanted to finish school. Now I live in the Midsouth, and attened University of Memphis.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I feel like if I said it was a smooth road, I’d be lying. Like a lot. I’ve been in really terrible postions in my life. Major mistakes lead me to homelessness. It hurt my career professionally, and my personal relationships. I won’t lie about that. I’ve grown a lot from that experience.
One major obstacle I’ve been repeatedly dealing with is Orginization. You have to stay organized. Beit your living space, your work space, your files, your physical art, your time, your money.
All of it. All of it. All of it.
If you stay ready you ain’t gotta get ready. I learned that the hard way. Either an opprotunity came and went because I needed to complete rearrange something, or I got into a room and burned through time because I couldn’t find something.
Another obstacle would have to be forgiving myself. You can’t hate yourself into loving yourself. Accpeting that what was is what was, only opens the door to what is now. If that makes sense. If I can forgive myself for a mistep that cost me something I deemed important, I can move forward to accept the next big thing, and learn from my patterns that squandered that opprotunity.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a multi hyphenated artist. I am a Painter, Musician, Photographer, Videographer, and DJ. I specialize in Abstract Surrealism, and Character Design. I produce Hip Hop, Rap, and R&B.
I am known for making introspective based work. My last painting serise has been about my mental illnesses and learning to cope with that. My last EP: 9THOUSANDSOMETHINGDAYS&COUNTING, was about accpetance of where I was in life, and retrospective lessons from my mistakes. I’m actually really proud of that project. I feel like it is the most authentic and vulnerable I’ve been able to get thus far.
I feel like what sets me apart, is my free form approach to things. I treat everything like an abstract paitning. I work until the work speaks to me, and tells me it’s finished. Once I hear that from the piece, or music, I begin to apply structure and format.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I’ve only been in Memphis for about 9ish months. From what I’ve seen, I gotta say I love the food and the art/music scene.
The food is phenomenal, and the community is tight knit. Everybody seems to know everybody, and stays in contact as they work on elevating their craft. I also love the fact that the municipality of Memphis is also focused on elvating musicians and artists within the city. It’s super fascinating to see.
The thing I dislike the most would be the drivers and potholes. Man.. Some of ya’ll can’t drive! I don’t know what it is. I thought we had bad drivers in LA, but this is different. People Cha-Cha Sliding accross multiple lanes with no blinker, jumping in and out of lanes at 80+mph. Its nerve racking.
Pricing:
- ‘bridled’ – $350
- ‘with time’ – $450
- ‘oh, aren’t you cute’ – $1,200
- ‘culmination’ – $1,500
- ‘still talking to myslef.’ – $1,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kaang.me
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thaconqueror?igsh=MWhxZ2Z2YXU4bGNzbQ==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thaconqueror?si=edwdCIrPXnyjPVu_
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/QF4vYQuDt9YjkyrP7
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/artsyblackguy?igsh=MXdmdGYyM21vOG14OA==
Image Credits
Main Photo shot and edited by Sage,
All other photos shot and edited by KAANG
