I don’t quite remember how it happened. Nevermind, I shouldn’t act like my daily life is too intricate. One day, like all the others, I was chilling on my Google Reader feed (the best invention known to man, at least this man), when I came across a post titled “KAM ROYAL - DUDE (VIDEO)”. First thought? Who’s KAM Royal? Second thought, wonder if Dude’s got anything to do with The Big Lebowski? Fuck it, I decided to click through, and 3 minutes and 14 seconds later I was drawn in by this random white guy’s flow, and interested in hearing more. I checked out some of his other videos on YouTube and flagged him (in my mind). The college student/MC from the DMV kept dropping tracks on Facebook, both leading up and after the release of his last project, ‘Vindicated’, and his fanbase has been exponentially growing. Recently, KAM suggested hooking up for an interview, and I had to hop on that idea. Interested in learning more about the educated MC, here’s what I came up with. Hope ya’ll are still with us, and hope ya’ll enjoy this T.C.P. Artist Showcase, featuring KAM Royal. 

First off, start off by giving the readers some facts about yourself. I was going to take parts of your bio, paraphrase them, and start the post off like that, but I think it’s better for you to describe yourself. You’re the one who knows KAM Royal the best.

I’m KAM Royal. I love hip hop. I want to get rich so I can put on for my friends and family. Follow @kamroyal.

A year ago you told CollegePlaylists that by this point in time you’d like to be touring and opening up for big acts. How’s it feel to be working towards your goals and watching them be realized?

I actually went back and read that interview after reading this question. I’d like to publicly state that I didn’t have a clue what I was talking about then, hell I barely have a clue about what I’m saying now…As for how it feels to be working toward my goals and watching them be realized, its great. I love to make music, so “working” on it is always enjoyable. As for watching my goals be realized I’m very pleased with the progress I’ve made, but I’m not satisfied (nor will I ever be I think). I have experienced the tiniest amount of success, more than anyone thought I could’ve. That said, its not like I’ve even got my foot in the door. More like they can finally see me through the peephole in the door…and the goal is to get inside the house…up the penthouse if you want to continue the metaphor.

We come from a generation of visionaries. In the past year I’ve connected with so many kids our age with great goals and big dreams. It’s a hungry world we live in these days. How would you describe your work ethic? What sets KAM apart from the rest?

I view those as two different questions. I would describe my work ethic as very impressive. I work harder on music than I have on any other activity in my life, putting everything I’ve got into it. I spend all my time working on music, editing music, networking, promoting, performing, whatever. You need to work so hard to be successful in music because there are too many people who have talent. Having talent is not enough.

As for what sets me apart, listen to the music and decide for yourself. Especially with the new music I’m working on there’s definitely a distinct KAM Royal sound. The lyrical content, the beats I use, how the album sounds sonically; Ive been working to carve out my own distinct sound. Ideally that’s what would set me apart, you need to have your own sound. There’s no point in me coming out and biting J Cole’s style because J Cole already mastered the J Cole style and I’m not gonna out do J Cole when it comes to being J Cole. Make sense? *(That’s gotta be a record for the most times someone’s said J Cole in two sentences).

You’ve performed alongside Curren$y, Big Sean, The Cool Kids, Stalley, Mickey Factz, and headlined your own shows. What’s it like to get up on that stage and see people rocking with your music?

Its terrific. Nothing matches the feeling that comes from performing and a crowd rocking out with you.

It’s a damn shame, but some times white rappers still aren’t taken as serious as they should be. At the end of the day, music is colorblind. How’s it feel to convert people getting their first impression of KAM from non-believers to fans?

I enjoy converting non believers to fans because it shows I’m getting better. If someone didn’t like my music and now they do, clearly I’m doing something right. Looking back on the music I first made when I started, a lot of it isn’t so great in my opinion (now). When you’re starting its difficult to remove your personal feeling from the song and see if its actually a really good track. I was, and still am, cultivating my sound as an artist. As I get a clearer picture of who I am as an artist, and I believe I’m doing with the new music I’m working on, I think I’ll be able to deliver music with more longevity.

I saw you on Facebook looking for producers. As your career continues to evolve, what are some names (producers) that you’d like to work with?

Man I’m always looking for new producers to work with, especially people coming out of the DMV. I’m all for supporting and making good music. There are endless producers I’d like to work with, I enjoy making different types of songs over different types. I guess I’ll bring it back to the DMV and say I’d love to work with Pharrell, Lex Luger, Ammo and other people coming out of the area that I’m sure I’m forgetting. Ideally I’d like to keep working with Felix and Kid Vision and be able to grow and be successful with them. I recognize how fortunate I am to be able to work with two producers who are so talented. The more we work together the better the end result sounds, so I see no reason why I wouldn’t stick with my homies.

Besides school, and planning your fall tour, what else are you working on? Should fans be expecting a project in the near future?

Yes. I have about 9 tracks done for the new mix tape. I have a title and a date in mind but can’t reveal them yet. I’m really excited about the new music I’m making.

Finally, I’d love to hear your thoughts on ‘Cole World: The Sideline Story’. As a big fan of Cole, I know you’ve been bumping that this week. Did it live up to your expectations and surpass them?

I love J Cole. I think he’s one of the dopest out: he’s an incredible writer, terrific producer, and commanding performer. I saw him live a few weeks ago and he rocked a crowd with a boot on his busted foot, it was great. I need to listen to the album more before make up my mind but for now I’ll say it lived up to my expectations. I think it’s a great album. For now I’m undecided on classic status.

I want to thank you for taking the time out to interview with T.C.P. and for your support, KAM. We’re all about that good music shit, and you’ve got our support as you continue to grow and your career keeps evolving. Keep your head up, always stay hungry, and let’s continue to put the world on to some good music!

Readers, expand your horizons and download both of KAM’s projects, posted down below. Just click the image and head over to DatPiff for the download and be on the look out for his name in the coming future! 

Also, be sure check out the video that made me a fan.  

KAM Royal - Dude

Thank you for rocking with us fam! Stay up!

GuillermoA

What’s good fam? A couple weeks ago I received an e-mail submission from TJ with your music in it. After a couple of days of telling myself to go into the inbox and check out some submissions, yours was the first I started on. My first impression of Mahd? Detroit Dreams, a track which lays out your dreams and where you’re headed. Second impression? Competition, a relentless track where you keep that Detroit style alive - “I never feel bad when I R.I.P. them, best believe it. Cause being the best is what I’m on my way to achieving.”  On that note, let’s get started with this Artist Showcase, featuring Mahd.

First thing’s first, give the people a little introduction.

Well, like you said I go by the name of Mahd, AKA Flyboi Mahd straight from Detroit city. And I kill rappers every chance I get.

I live by this motto:”The hungry eat.” How hungry are you Mahd?

Well I like to show in my rhymes how hungry I am by going hard on every single track I do. I won’t slow up anytime soon. It’s not so much about me saying I’m hungry, but letting people hear it.

Most kids these days want to be artists, but a lot of them aren’t doing it right. And even worse, some are doing it right, for just a couple minutes. You’ll see names floating around the blogosphere one day, and never hear of them again. I mention this because one of the first things I noticed when I got on to your Bandcamp was that you’ve released 10 tracks on there within the last three months. Why’d your team choose to do that, instead of just dropping a mixtape?

That’s just the approach I’m taking right now. Honestly that isn’t a lot of tracks to me. I don’t want to release a mixtape til the people are asking for one. I’m building my buzz by burying instrumentals but I’ve definitely been working on my project. These current tracks are just the beginning to incredible music on my project.

How’d you link with T.J., Darius, and other members of your team? They seem pretty solid. I only know T.J. & Darius through social media, but they sure are holding you down!

They’re both fam. Known them all my life. Along with everyone else I’m my camp. We’re all fam and that’s why the support is so strong. I love my team.

What’s the driving force behind you in this journey? What music/artists were you bumping as you started crafting this dream of becoming an artist? What’s your vision?

My driving force is going by the motto “want it done right? Do it yourself” I feel the majority of music out right now is garbage and that I can do 10 times better. Majority of the music I listen/listened to are Detroit artists. Em, Royce, SV, Black Milk, Guilty Simpson. Along with Jay Z, Jay Elec, and other dope lyricists. My vision is to get the rap game back in a good state. Where dope music RULED and wackiness was frowned upon. So that’s my mission.

What can we expect to see/hear from Mahd in the next six months?

Expect a lot more visuals and a lot more music. I don’t plan on slowing up and I’m only getting better. So stay tuned.

Detroit Tigers, Lions, Red Wings, Pistons, or neither?

All of the above. I love my city and support all of them thru the good and bad.

What’s your take on this whole “swag” movement that’s been going on in hip-hop, as of late?

I’m not really mad at it I guess. Swag is a word that defines your character. It’s no telling what the new “thing” will be years from now. Just let people do them.

Finally… A quick, fun game of “Kill, Fuck, Marry”. I’ma need you to dig into your list of finest females, and choose the one you’d kill, the one you’d fuck, and the one you’d marry.

Kill Kat Stacks. Fuck Nicki Minaj. Marry Oprah.

Shout out to Mahd, T.J., Darius and their whole team out in Detroit. We look forward to hearing more from the relentless MC very soon. If you’ve read this far, head over to his Bandcamp and download his music. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on his new music!

Mahd feat. J. Berry - Door

Mahd - Competition

Mahd  feat. Art- Detroit Dreams

GuillermoA