KrissyK, The Midwest Rockstar On The Rise

When it comes to the industry, we know females are running it. That is why we had to catch an exclusive interview with KrissyK!

Tell me in a few words, who you are. How would you describe

yourself in a short story.

- I’m Krissyk, the Midwest Rockstar! I’ve considered myself to

be a real street runner. Street runners are hustlers,

innovators, and humble beings, because they know what it’s

like to work your way from the ground up. Born and raised in

Gary,IN and I’ve made Indiana my home, but now, it’s time

to expand.

 What’s your stage name and how did you come up with it?

- Krissyk was just a given to be honest. Everyone calls me

Kris or Krissy and I just added my initial at the end.

 What got you into music?

- I’ve always been into music since I was a kid. My mother

could sing opera and I went to a performing arts school,

where I majored in Vocal as a 1 st Alto/2 nd soprano. Once I

moved to Indianapolis, music slowed down, but old friends

of mine started hanging out with some local artist and we

became close. Some of them used to suck, so I’d make

jokes about rapping better and one day they put me to the

test. My good friend inspired me to get into music after I’d

seen how much work and dedication being underground

took. I grew a different feeling for music after that.

 What was life like growing up?

- Life was beautiful to be honest. I mean, sure we didn’t have

the biggest house or the latest fashion, but I had family that

loved me for me. I was raised with a lot of men and usually

hung around guys at school, so I was a little rough around

the edges.

 Who is your inspiration? What keeps you going to get up daily

and put effort into your music career?

- Honestly, numbers keep me motivated because numbers

don’t lie. I’m my own inspiration and motivation. Losing

family and friends at the same time will make you a loner. At

first, I was so wrapped up in wanting approval, but once I

started finding my sound and what makes me happy, I was

able to release music raw and uncut. I keep going because I

know I’m gone be the greatest, with all the odds against me.

I do have days where I’m emotionally unstable and get

writers block or don’t want to promote. Then I see my

numbers rising and I remember that I’m almost there.

 What is your creative process like? What is the meaning

behind?

your current single?

- I think it depends on my emotions, but my notes are

everything. When I’m feeling good, I can write acapella and

then I find a beat and rap my verse over the beat until I find

the right one. Sometimes, I just take a week listening to

beats and when I’m traveling, I can hear a beat constantly

playing in my head and that’s how I know that’s the one. My

current single, “Rolling Doobie’s” originally was called

“Raising Doobie” since I wanted to create a song dedicated

to my childhood self. Doobie is my family nickname, so I

wanted to be creative and came up with a good title. Child

Kris was unapologetically her and raw, so I had to rock out

with a single.

 What is the name of the current single/ep/album that you

are pushing? Do you prefer people to buy it or stream? And

why?

- I’m pushing my album, “Rolling Doobie’s” right now with a

few singles from my last album, “Street Runner Chronicles”.

To be honest, I could care less if they streamed or brought

the album, as long as they’re listening and spreading the

word.

 With the industry changing so much, would you stay indie or

sign to a label? Why and why not?

- I think I would stay indie if I knew that I was able to do

everything on my own and create the same effect as a label

does when they are behind a artist. Being signed is scary, so

I think that’s something that I’d have to decide based on the

terms.

 Do you feel like the music industry has went down since the

pandemic? Why or why not? Where you affected by the

pandemic with music or everyday life?

- I believe the industry has gone up since the pandemic and

people started having more time to learn and perfect their

craft or make it profitable. I was more affected with everyday

life versus music.

 If you were given a chance to sit down and have a business

dinner with a celebrity, who would it be and why?

- I’d choose Jermaine Cole, because his work from his later

days reminds me of myself in today’s time. Cole is a humble

beast and he’s real and authentic and I believe he could

drop some game on me, seeing how he is still underrated.

 How do you balance everyday life tied into your music career?

- To be honest, there is no balance and I need to work on time

management and sleep. I work two jobs and graduate from

college next year, so music fits in when it can!

 Tell me about your most memorable moment in your career?

- I want to say receiving my first rap check was something I’ll

never forget. It was only $50, but it made me realize people

were listening and that I was doing something right.

 What style of music do you prefer to make? Would you

ever try a different lane?

- I prefer HipHop/Rap music, but I love all music and want to

dive in every lane that deals with music because I consider

myself to be versatile.

 Do you have a celebrity crush?

- Jermaine Cole

 Is there anyone who you would collab with right now?

- I love London B style and J.Cole of course!

 Who is the producer and engineer behind your music?

- I mainly use Icon from CityDump Records and he gets me

together eveytime!I’ve worked with Geechie and a few

producers like Switzonthebeat recently.

 What are you currently working on and what is next for you?

- Right now, I’M working on promotion and networking, but I

do have some singles coming out, 1 on the block

performance in ATL, a video for Mardi Gras in NOLA, and

another album come May.

 When it comes to fashion, whats your dressing style ?

- I like to be comfortable, but sometimes I like to be edgy and

I haven’t quite figured out my style. I think growing up

around adults and wearing turtlenecks in the summer

messed me up for life.

 What is your creative process like and who inspired you to

make music?

- Beat, write, and lay it downnnnnn. I’ve always loved music

and started running out of songs, so decided so add to the

collection.

 If you could open up for one celebrity who would it be and why?

- Right now, I’d open up for J.Cole or SexxyRedd because

they are the most uncut and rawest artist out to me. I’m all

about being authentic and they scream it.

 Any funny stories or an embarrassing moments you want to

share with our readers?

- One day I was in the 7 th grade and was dancing hard, being

goofy, and my drawstring puffball ponytail fell right off my

head onto the ground.

 What would you be doing right now if it wasn’t for your music

career?

- I’ve also gotten back into acting and college would be my

priority if it wasn’t for music.

 What is one message you would give to your fans?

- They are either with you or against you or in your way! You

are going to run into a lot of people who can be bad or

malicious in the industry, so don’t let it discourage you or

stop you. Remember your worst song is somebody’s

favorite.

Follow and stream KrissyK on all platforms!