Exposed Vocals Interviews Corie Little
Corie Kendall (Born February 17,1990) simply known as “Corie Little” aka “Kama” is an American Rap Artist, songwriter from Baltimore Maryland. He use to rap for his peers around the way and in school at the age of 9. His biggest rap influences at the beginning of his stages were Cassidy, 2Pac, and Eminem. His influences now are still Cassidy, 2Pac, and Eminem, with additions of T.I, J-Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T, Ab Soul, Asap Rocky etc.. At first it started out as a hobby, but quickly became a passion for him. He continued to work on his music and his craft and in 2009 at the age of 19, he got the chance to be apart of a battle circuit known as “The Baltimore Battles”. Doing it for just summer fun was his intentions, until he realized that he truly had potential to do something with his talents. After being crowned the king of the Baltimore battles, he than went and battled a few times in another battle league called “Pitt Fights”. During the battles, Corie Little was noticed by Murder
Mark(Owner/Founder/Producer of Zoo On Mars Ent.) and Mike-Mike(Co-Founder/Artist of Zoo On Mars Ent.) He then became a member of Z.O.M.E. Murder Mark released the first group E.P under Z.O.M.E entitled “Welcome To The Zoo On Mars” featuring the group.(Artists – Mike-Mike, Rell, Corie Little(KS), Hitman, TT The Artist). Soon After the group project, Kama released his first solo mixtape entitled “Lightz Plz”. Kama then connected with his friend and rap buddy Frost of Evil Eskimo Ent. and they released a collaboration mixtape entitled “The W.A.R”(The World Aint Ready).
Corie Little has performed live at many different venues. Some including Lacaye Lounge, The Black Hole, Club Eldoradoes etc. He has been featured on the number one radio station in Maryland 92Q Jams. Kama released his second mixtape entitled “Unfinished”, and recently dropped his 3rd mixtape, Titled “R.I.C.H(Raised In Cherryhill). His new tape “R.I.C.H 2” drops Feb 17th 2016. Still in search of a manager, Corie Little continues to perfect his craft and bring you good quality music.
Peace and Love, Corie Little
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Corie Little: I actually heard about you guys through twitter. I follow your page. I was posting my music, and I sent my music via tweet to Exposed Vocals. Not knowing I would receive an interview, I just sent it to see if you would listen. Lol, I didn’t even think you would. But I signed up for exposure. I thought it could be a great opportunity to be seen and heard ya know. I appreciate you for giving me the opportunity for exposure by conducting this interview.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Corie Little: My story…..well, I’m 25, I’ve been in Baltimore my whole life so far. I’m from a place in Baltimore called “Cherryhill”, it’s in South Baltimore, anybody that knows about or is from Baltimore, would know about Cherryhill projects. Its the home of the Gritty, Grimey. Home for Thugs, Gangsters, Drugs, Killings, you name it. Its surely not an easy tasks to grow up in Cherryhill. Its a battlefield, in the words of a Cherryhill legend O.G Slick, its Afghanistan ! Its crazy, I know every spot has a hood, with similar experiences that goes on, but Cherryhill is like our own Country. We are kind of isolated from the East and West side of Baltimore, its all love though, but Cherryhill is most definitely a country of its own. I can’t lie and say I was any of the things I listed above. I was a good kid, loved school and loved sports. Always stayed in my own lane, my spot in my hood is solidified and I’m happy for that. I always loved rap, I use to love to listen to different artist, and I would know every word to every song. I remember in the 8th grade , I wrote a rap and battled a guy….of course I tore the fur off of him Lol but that put me in a state where I figured I could do it. I still didn’t really take it serious because I was still into sports. I thought I would be in the NFL right now. When I graduated highschool, I went to college(Bowie State University), for about 2 semesters. I needed to do something. Its not like I planned to be an artist, it just happened. One day I jumped in a battle leauge called Baltimore Battles, and what started out as summer fun turned into me winning the crown. I loved the fans, I love the whole rap/music atmosphere, I decided to take music into my life for good and share my story. Although I stayed in my lane, it wasn’t always good, and through music…I can share that !
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Corie Little: Aw man, Lol I went through a busload of names Lol, I started out at 19 as “Keedy”, I changed it to “KS”(Keedy Swag), I didn’t really like that name, so I made the KS stand for “KillSwitch” since I was battling. I stopped battling, so the KS stood for “KamaSutra” that kinda stuck for awhile. Officially for about 2 years, I just was going by “Kama” which means God of Love, I finally said , I need something that I like, something that fits me…I thought about it for a second, and came up wit “Corie Little” , Corie Little comes from, number 1, Corie is my real first name, y not give the fans and the ppl me, the real me….and then Little was just brought about because I’m a small guy lol
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Corie Little: I personally think online music sharing is awesome. Its quick, easy and convenient. I’ve always giving my music away for free. The reason is because I’m not well established just yet. Nobody is going to support your music if they haven’t really heard or seen the artist. So giving the music away for free is almost necessary for me. Its my way of saying to my listeners, “We’re in the grind mode together” let’s just support the music, it’s free so there shouldn’t be any excuses. I will be at the point where ppl pay me for my talents, they will understand my motive and the bigger picture !
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?
Corie Little: I am still paying my dues as an unsigned artist in grind mode. The best advice I can give to the guys and gals under me, is to always strive for more. Be genuine, be real with yourself. Do some open mics, get your name and face out there for the world to see. Be confident in you and your work. Stay true to God and the radios and gigs will come searching for you !
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Corie Little: As of now , I haven’t messed up during a performance, God willing I never do. Lol
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Corie Little: Unfortunately, I haven’t toured yet.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Corie Little: I can gather song information from anywhere, anything from as small as an ant can inspire me to write. As far as creating a song, the process is normally, find a beat and let my mind take me wherever the beat does. I don’t write in a format all the time, sometimes I may do the hook first, and sometimes I won’t think of the hook until the song is done, it all depends for me
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Corie Little: I am working on my official website as we speak, as of now I am on soundcloud.
www.soundcloud.com/kool_kama
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Corie Little: lol aw man, I’m not really sure about embarrassing songs, but I can say they are different. My playlist consists of your Eminems, Hopsin, JCole, Kendrick, Big Krit etc
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Corie Little: I would just spend that year with my girls, my family. Having fun and getting to know them better. Giving them the world for that year. Just enjoy life stress free for a year
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Corie Little: I am currently working on “R.I.C.H 2”. Putting the finishing touches on the tape for release. The full tape will drop on my birthday which is Feb 17th
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Corie Little: I promote my music by posting my music on soundcloud, sharing it via Twitter, Facebook, IG….I send out emails, I don’t have a manager so everything is done on my own. I pay to get my music on different sites, tapes etc, it works best for me, playing the cards I was dealt
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Corie Little: This question is such a tough question Lol, I can’t narrow it down to just one artist, but my ideal show would be Corie Little in collaboration with 2Pac, Eminem, JCole, Kendrick Lamar, Big Krit and add 2 singers, Lyfe Jennings and John Legend , we would perform at the Garden. My reasons for that is because I love those guys music, i love their drive, success and struggle, i chose the Garden because well…..ITS THE GARDEN lol…that’s so outta this world but let me get my dream on lol
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Corie Little: YES, I have R.I.C.H 2 dropping FEB 17th….BE ON THE LOOKOUT (Spinrilla, Datpiff, Audiomack) I appreciate all the love you show, go get that on my birthday. I have 2 hot singles out now “Gorilla Glue” & “G.O.T Job” check it out on soundcloud !
www.soundcloud.com/kool_kama/
www.soundcloud.com/kool_kama/
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Corie Little: If not music, I’d probably be dead or in jail, idk, music is groundbreaking, its my way or form of a stress reliever, its the tunnel for me to express myself freely good or bad, lord knows what’s good for me and it’s music
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Corie Little: I could never forget. I remember getting a mix CD “Cassidy vs Lloyd Banks”, I remember saying man “Banks dont stand a chance” lol, so young and dumb lol, I was already a Cass fan, so I got it, and I was so happy I got it, because that tape made me a Banks fan Lol, I didn’t know Banks was like that and he was Lol, so thank you Patapsco Flea Market, for having that CD Lol, I appreciate that
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Corie Little: It can be tough at times, doing shows, always out or in the studio. You be away from your family for days at a time, its definitely challenging , but my family understands, I’m doing this because I love it, and I’m passionate about it. And I’m doing it to better our lives, so they cope with me and help me out allot. My family is mentally strong, they understand and can handle it for the most part. Trying to work a 9-5 and do music is tough, but I have to pay the bills somehow, so until I’m stable enough in the music industry, I’ll have to continue to stay alert and on my toes, so I can manage everything that’s around me
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Corie Little: 2016 will be an awesome year, I’m not slacking, or slowing up. Fans can expect consistency, and dedication , good music, and a genuine person in me. 2016 will be my year, more shows, more videos, more songs, more fans, more fun. Fans can look forward to R.I.C.H 2, (drops Feb 17th, go and get that) Lol, aside from everything though man, I’m blessed , and I am in the perfect position at the perfect time, now I just have to deliver , so expect Corie Little to be everywhere or at least on my way to being everywhere in 2016, Peace and love to all my fans, listeners and all music lovers, I appreciate you all, Thanks to Exposed Vocals for this big opportunity. Let’s strive together ! Signed Corie Little !