Connect with us

Entertainment

The Artists Behind The Viral Hip Hop Track on Soundcloud, “Reparations” — Meeting khildLike

mm

Published

3 years ago

on

If you haven’t heard of them already, we’d like to introduce you to khildLike — a hip-hop and R&B group that has recently gone viral online for its hit song, “Reparations”. Since its release, the track has been recognized by several highly regarded names in the music industry, such as American rappers Jim Jones and Master P. And although the track made its original debut in late 2020, the artists behind the hip hop duo have been working toward their dreams in music for over a decade.

Orlando “Khosen” Major, from San Fernando Valley, California, is the lead singer of the hip hop duo. While growing up as the eldest of six, Major was identified as the family ‘superstar’, known for busting out in singing and dancing around the house and at family events. Over the years, he was also heavily involved in his school’s choir and his church’s mass ensemble. But it wasn’t until he led the choir during his senior year of high school that he received an overwhelming response of support which would change his life forever. “After that day, I started having this recurring dream at night. I’d see myself rising to fame and making it big in the music industry,” Khosen said. “It inspired me to go full force. I did all kinds of shows and put in the extra work to try and get discovered, but it was always a letdown. No one else could see the vision I had of myself in that dream. But even while getting ‘no’s’, the dream kept coming back. It hasn’t left me alone in the last twelve years, even when I’ve tried to do literally anything else,” he added. So, naturally, Khosen persisted. He continued to sing covers of songs and upload them to the internet in hopes that, one day, someone would offer him a deal that would jumpstart the musical career he had so longly awaited for. But in the midst of it all, he met Life.

Jerell “Life” Ray was exposed to music through his older brothers, who happened to be rappers and producers within the industry. He grew up in Compton, listening to over a dozen up-and-coming rappers at his brothers’ studio “rapping and feeling the mix” on a day-to-day basis. Needless to say, it was enough for Ray to fall in love with music and the process of creating it, hoping to someday follow in the footsteps of the artists he was lucky to witness. Following the loss of his mother at just 12-years-old, Ray used songwriting as a therapeutic outlet to cope with his grief. Eventually, with the help of his brothers, he learned to properly create tracks from beginning to end by the time he was 13, including the processes of songwriting, producing, and engineering. He recorded his own music and proceeded to use the popular “gorilla style technique” to get people to listen. In other words, he’d create flyers and CDs to promote his music and hand it out locally on nearby streets in his neighborhood. Once he was 18, Ray began to break away from his brothers’ paths and instead started creating his own in hopes to begin pursuing a full-time career in the music industry as a rapper. In 2011, Khosen and Life met through a mutual friend. After learning about one another’s backgrounds in music, they ultimately decided to collaborate on each other’s future tracks. Once they got into the studio and began to create as a unit rather than as solo artists, they realized their talents had the potential to break through the barriers each of them had difficulty overcoming alone. As a result, they decided they’d continue their journey together, and khildLike was born.

The two have been working together endlessly over the last few years in hopes to strike the right deal for their music. Thankfully, it’s beginning to pay off. Just last year, the duo joined other artists in a music-writing workshop named Mic Session, led by Tupac’s old manager, Leila Steinberg. At the seminar, the attendees were assigned to create a song with lyrics based on social injustice. Major and Ray came up with a song named “Reparations”, which would later prove to be the song that would start a remarkable journey for khildLike.

Not long after the track’s release, American rapper and record executive Jim Jones asked the pair to audition for a spot on the mixtape album he was in the process of recording. Thankfully, they managed to impress the renowned rapper and land a collaboration on the album, which releases in May 2021. The humble artists have said that this project has been their biggest one to date, despite having opened up shows for well-known artists like Nipsey Hustle and Eric Bellinger in recent years.

“Now that we’re getting a little exposure and [getting our music] into the ears and eyes of people, it’s been crazy to see the positive response not only on our recent track but on the ones we wrote and recorded years ago,” Khosen shared. “It’s been a long journey to get to where we are, but it’s been worth it. This is only the beginning.”

You can find khildLike’s music on Soundcloud, and you can also find their social profiles on Instagram and Clubhouse. In 2021, they hope to continue creating inspirational music not only for black communities, but for hip hop and R&B listeners on a global scale.

Related Topics:
mm

The idea of Bigtime Daily landed this engineer cum journalist from a multi-national company to the digital avenue. Matthew brought life to this idea and rendered all that was necessary to create an interactive and attractive platform for the readers. Apart from managing the platform, he also contributes his expertise in business niche.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

Notes from the Heart: Lartist Yan on Music, Motivation, and ‘Second Chance’

mm

Published

4 weeks ago

on

October 10, 2024

By

Photo courtesy of Lartist Yan 

By Mj Toledo 

US rising singer, songwriter, producer, and beatmaker Lartist Yan has always believed that music is a universal language, and his recent rise in the industry proves he’s fluent in it. With his new hit song “Second Chance” and upcoming tour, fans nationwide eagerly anticipate his old-school soul and contemporary flair, as Lartist Yan blends genres such as Country Blues, Reggae, Pop, RnB/Soul, Ballad, Folk, and Soul/Blues into his captivating performances. The rising star discusses his songwriting process and how he is turning real-life challenges into chart-topping hits that speak to the soul.

Q: Can you share the creative process behind “Second Chance”? What inspired the melody and lyrics?

Lartist Yan: Of course. “Second Chance” was quite an experience for me. It all started one night when I was sleeping, and I suddenly heard this melody playing in my ears, as if someone was playing it to me from afar. It was a mysterious, compelling melody that demanded to be heard. I immediately woke up and started working on it, trying to capture the essence of what I had heard in my dream.

The lyrics were born from a personal experience of betrayal and disappointment. I had been let down by someone I loved at the time, and this song became a way for me to process those emotions. 

But more than just expressing pain, I wanted “Second Chance” to offer hope. The message is that everyone deserves a second chance and that failure can often be the beginning of something great. 

Q: Your music is like a combination of various genres. How do you balance these different influences in your songwriting?

Lartist Yan: What an interesting question. I really do not have a strict formula. I just let my inner self guide me. Listening to so many genres gave me a broad musical palette to work.

When I write a song, I naturally draw from these influences, picking elements that best express the emotion or story I am trying to convey.

We should not confine music to rigid genre boundaries. Instead, I aim to create a sound that is authentic to me, often resulting in a fusion of styles. For example, in “Second Chance,” you will hear elements of old-school RnB mixed with modern pop production techniques. This honors my musical roots while also creating something fresh.

Q: “Second Chance” has quickly climbed the charts in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). Why do you think listeners love it so much?

Lartist Yan: I believe the universal theme of hope and redemption in “Second Chance” resonates most with listeners. We have all experienced setbacks in life, and the idea that we can bounce back and deserve another opportunity speaks to people. I am truly humbled and grateful that “Second Chance” has touched so many people and found its way onto the charts.

Q: You have mentioned multiple times that your music addresses real-life challenges. How do you translate personal experiences into chart toppers? 

Lartist Yan: Translating personal experiences into universal themes is at the heart of my songwriting process. I believe that even though our individual experiences are unique, many often share the emotions we feel. 

When I write about a personal challenge or situation, I focus on the emotions and the broader lessons learned rather than getting caught up in specific details that only apply to me.

For example, with “Second Chance,” I think about how others might relate to my feelings and what words or melodies might resonate with them. It is about finding the common thread in our human experiences so listeners can see themselves in the music, even if their circumstances differ.

Q: Can you tell us about your upcoming single, “The Wave of Love”? How does it differ from or build upon “Second Chance”?

Lartist Yan: While “Second Chance” focuses on themes of redemption and new beginnings, “The Wave of Love” explores the power of genuine, true love and how authentic love can impact our lives.

Musically, “The Wave of Love” builds upon the soulful foundation of “Second Chance” but introduces new elements that reflect the song’s theme. You will hear a more expansive sound. I cannot wait for everyone to listen to it and experience this new aspect of my artistry.

Q: You’ve won several prestigious awards before releasing your first single. How have these accolades impacted your career?

Lartist Yan: Winning those awards in Russia was a turning point for me. It was not just about the recognition; it also gave me a huge confidence boost in my abilities as a performer.

When starting, you often doubt yourself, wondering if you have what it takes. But standing on those stages, receiving the Golden Voice of Russia and the other awards, was like a confirmation that I was on the right path.

Those accolades also opened up a lot of doors for me. I got to share the stage with some major stars in Moscow, which was an incredible learning experience. It exposed me to a broader audience and helped me understand what it takes to perform consistently at a high level. But more than anything, it fueled my passion to keep pushing, improving, and bringing my music to an even bigger stage – which is why I am so excited about my move to the U.S. market now.

Q: As both a songwriter and beatmaker, how do you approach the production process for your tracks?

Lartist Yan: It is very organic and intuitive. It usually starts with a feeling or an experience I want to express. Sometimes, like with “Second Chance,” the melody comes to me in a dream, and I build from there. 

Other times, I will start with a beat or a chord progression that captures the emotion I am trying to convey. I do not like to force the process. I believe the best music comes when you let it flow naturally.

Q: How do you balance creating personally meaningful and commercially appealing music?

Lartist Yan: That is a great question, and I think about it a lot. For me, the key is to always start with authenticity. If a song is significant to me, if it comes from a genuine place of emotion or experience, then it has the potential to connect with others. That connection is what makes music commercially appealing in the long run.

Of course, I am not naive about the realities of the music industry. I pay attention to trends and what is resonating with audiences. But instead of trying to copy what is popular, I look for ways to incorporate those elements into my style. 

Q: You’re preparing for your first U.S. tour. What can fans expect from your live performances?

Lartist Yan: I am incredibly excited about my first U.S. tour. Regarding the setlist, I’ll perform songs from my debut album, including ‘Second Chance,’ some memorable covers, and tracks from my debut EP. I also plan to include interactive elements to connect with the audience.

My band and I have been rehearsing extensively to guarantee that we deliver a tight, energetic show that brings the studio recordings to life. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to my music, I promise an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.

We will start the “Discover Me” Tour in Los Angeles, then head to Washington, D.C., and New York City. After that, we will be in Seattle, Chicago, and wrap up in Dallas in 2024-2025.

Q: What are your long-term goals as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Lartist Yan: My long-term vision is to become a global artist who can touch people’s lives through music, regardless of where they are from or what language they speak. I also want to create music that entertains and brings positive change. 

To achieve these goals, I am focusing on a few key things. First, I am constantly working on my craft – writing, producing, and performing as much as possible to keep improving. I am also very committed to building genuine connections with my audience through music and platforms like social media. 

The upcoming tour is a big part of this strategy. It is about getting out there and connecting with people face-to-face. It is a long journey, and I am excited about every step of it.

For longtime fans and new listeners, the upcoming US  artist’s music provides a fresh take grounded in real experiences. With a new song and an upcoming tour in the pipeline, the world is about to get a “Second Chance” at falling in love with music all over again through Lartist Yan. 

Continue Reading

Trending