Exposed Vocals Interviews Kidd Calor
Born Darius Ancar, Kidd Calor is soon to be a household name in the hip hop community. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Kidd brings his down to earth sensibility and innovative creativity to his music and lyrical content.
As with most artists and musicians, Kidd began his music career as a kid singing in the church choir. From there his love and appreciation for music began to grow and his musical tastes began to expand. Drawing inspiration from a range of artists such as Childish Gambino, J. Cole, John Legend, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Luther Vandross, Kidd Calor brings to the table with him a wide spectrum of sounds and approaches to music.
Although a jokester and a light hearted guy, Kidd Calor knows the meaning of hard work and dedication to his craft. He can often be found spending sleepless nights pacing the floor typing lyrics in his phone or working on a beat for countless hours until it has reached a certain level of perfection.
Kidd Calor enjoys making music that everyone can relate to and that everyone can enjoy – something for every mood and moment. Never wanting to settle for mediocrity, Kidd has goals to be one of XXL’s Freshmen and from there pursue greater goals and accomplish more feats. With this in mind, Kidd Calor is motivated to be the best and soar to new heights.
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Kidd Calor:
I was introduced to Exposed Vocals through twitter and it seemed pretty dope.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Kidd Calor:
I grew up in The Nola. I lived there for the first 10 years of my life. The cultural influence and hurricane Katrina had a large impact on my life. Now I live in the metro Atlanta area(Gwinnett County). It’s really a blessing in the skies , because get to take my roots and grow up in this great city with a lot of musical artist. There’s a lot of musical influences and a lot of dope artist like Outcast, Future, Childish Gambino, and etc. Different genres of music helped me get to where I am today as an artist. I found out that my passion was music. I don’t know I was really into sports but music just felt different but in a good way. I’ve decided i wasn’t gonna live my life for anyone else. It’s part of who I am. It’s what I love to do I had to take a chance and I wanted to share my special stories with the world.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Kidd Calor:
I was walking to my friend’s house and it was hot outside. Well at that time I was taking Spanish in high school and we were learning about the weather. One of the words that stood out to me was “Calor”. I don’t know why but i liked it. Lets be real I have a childish rap voice so I couldn’t have a manly name as a rap name. Some guy who was walking actually was like “Hey kid, what time is it”? I just like how that sound with the way that I rap and back then I use to think I was spitting Flames. I called my homie and told him that I’m changing my name to Kidd Calor. He was like “Yoo that’s dope”. The rest is history.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Kidd Calor:
I think its a good way for people to get more exposure. Yes I do. I don’t feel like people should pay for my music yet because I’m not really that big yet. I’m still growing as an artist and I need more people to hear me. Also some people don’t have it like that.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Kidd Calor:
Keep God First. Don’t be afraid to take risk. Be yourself do what makes you happy and do not let anyone box you in.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Kidd Calor:
I’ve made a couple of mistakes where I’ve turn my back towards the crowd and I wasn’t interacting as much a I would have liked to. I had the show the next day and I apologized and got the crowd more involved with the preformance
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Kidd Calor:
no i do not. I’ve had a couple of shows in North Carolina at The Pit but that’s really it no tour yet.
I’ve brought my friend with me to be my hype man and his mic cord came out on stage during his part. I was dying watching him trying to put the cord back in.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Kidd Calor:
I usually get it from talking to people, experiences, and watching TV. Honestly I just throw on some beats, find something that stands out, try to hum a song, try to freestyle something to get the random bars out, and then I make the song.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Kidd Calor:
Not yet. I’m working on it though. I use soundcloud.com, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and etc.
Twitter: IamKiddCalor
Instagram: KiddCalor
Soundcloud: KiddCalor
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Kidd Calor:
It’s not really embarrassing to me but others might find it embarrassing Frank Ocean Nostalgia Ultra. I don’t care what anyone says his music is great. First I would reinvest in my music. Then i would take my little brother shopping then save the rest for like college classes.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Kidd Calor:
First I would reinvest in my music. Then i would take my little brother shopping. then save the rest for like college classes.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Kidd Calor
I’m working towards getting a mac book, another studio monitor, and a new mic. Right now I’m working with Mixcraft 7 pro and a usb microphone. Its been getting the job done.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Kidd Calor:
Honestly i just make the music and put it out on every site I’m on. I network with other people and ask them if you feeling the music pass it on to others.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Kidd Calor:
I would preform in the GA dome with J.Cole , Childish Gambino, Marvin Gaye, Kid Cudi, Dizzy Wright and Kendrick Lamar. I think it would be the most amazing and impactful show if it would’ve ever happened.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Kidd Calor:
Up coming projects that are coming out soon are W.S.H.T.F its a 5 track ep coming out in 2 weeks. I’m working on a 10 track tape called the bridge coming out at the end of march.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
:
If I wasn’t making music i would probably be playing sports or trying to become a chef.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Kidd Calor:
First album I’ve brought was when I was little and lil bowwow was popping. When I was younger I was like yea I could do that. He’s cool for being that young and making some noise in the music industry.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Kidd Calor:
I try get my other responsibilities done before I try to do too much with my music.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Kidd Calor:
Just more music new collaborations new videos new merchandise just a lot of new stuff.