Kid at Heart is a 17 year old (unsigned) lyricist, artist, rapper, songwriter, graphic artist, website designer and self taught audio engineer. He successfully released a 5 star reviewed album, “The Blue Tape” (2015), on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Spotify, and more earlier this year. He began rapping in middle school, but start recording in high school. He was the featured artist on WPEG Power 98 Radio in March 2015 in Charlotte, NC. His featured song, “Shine”, received a 9 out of 10 from callers. Kid@Heart’s style has been heavily influenced by Lupe Fiasco, Joey Bada$$, and Childish Gambino. What sets kid@Heart apart from the rest is his clever lyrics, fresh beats, and thought provoking content.
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Kid@Heart: I found exposed vocals on Twitter which lead me to looking at their website
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Kid@Heart: I was born in 1997 and grew up in Jamestown, NY. I moved away when I was 10 to Charlotte, NC. Up until then I always had a love for music due to my eclectic CD collection. But when my family moved to North Carolina my dad started coaching at a near by high school, and one of his players heard me freestyling, then I a few days later I recorded my very first song at his house. I always would write poetry and short stories and win writing contest when I was younger, but I never took it seriously. But when I heard my voice on the track, I fell in love with it. That’s when I decided I wanted to be an artist and give it my all.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Kid@Heart: I came up with my name because I wanted something that represented me. Well at the time I considered my self childish but I didn’t want to bite Childish Gambino. So I went with Kid@Heart because, I always thought that’s what I would be.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Kid@Heart: I think online music sharing is good and bad, because now with websites like SoundCloud anybody came become a musician and release music even if they’re not as dedicated or serious about it. But on the good side it’s a way for great underground or indie music to be released, and for artist to find each other and network. My first release under Kid@Heart was “The Blue Tape” which is on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Rdio and many other sites. But I quickly followed it up with a free mixtape called “Summer In The Seven”. I did the free mixtape because everybody may not want to pay for music from a new artist. Also, people love free things, it is a great way to get your self out there.
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?
Kid@Heart: I would say, it all starts with making original music. Being creative and innovative is always key. Also be true to yourself, make music that you want to make. Then get your music out into your community, every way possible. When my single “Shine” from “The Blue Tape” started getting radio play on WPEG Power98 it happened organically. People in Charlotte heard my music and it fell into the right hands, which led to me getting free radio play for a while.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Kid@Heart: Yes, I have made mistakes performing. I have messed words up, I even forgot a verse before. But I powered through it by keeping the flow or freestyling. You have to keep going like nothing happened because most of the time people won’t even know if you messed up unless you stop performing.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Kid@Heart: Unfortunately I haven’t went on a tour yet but there may be a college tour in the future.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Kid@Heart: Usually for song writing I’ll hear another piece of music that inspires me. Then when I receive the right beat or instrumental I go into my home studio write it all at the mic. Everything in my music is from my real life so it all flows naturally. I just put my head phones on, listen to the instrumental and write until I’m done.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Kid@Heart: Yes, my website is kidatheartrap.com (I designed it myself from scratch.) I prefer to use my website to share my music because it’s one place where all my released material is. But I also have uploaded some songs onto soundcloud.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Kid@Heart: The whole entire Continuum album by John Mayer, Demon Days album by the Gorillaz, Channel Orange by Frank Ocean and Klapp Klapp by Little Dragon. Haha
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Kid@Heart: I would invest 25% of it, save the other 50% and then I would put the other 25% straight into upgrading my home studio and use it to do promotion.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Kid@Heart: Yes. I plan to upgrade to a new software called Pro Tools and a new mic called Blue The Bottle Studio Condenser Microphone. I am currently working with a software called Mixcraft 6 (which I use to mix and master all my music) and the Blue Studio Spark Microphone.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Kid@Heart: I used social media, and I let other people share my music. Also Jordin Sparks took a picture with my album which helped me a lot.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Kid@Heart: I would perform in LA (because I love the west coast weather) and I would would perform with Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, Travis Scott, Joey Bada$$, and Outkast. I hide these artist because they all have great energy and they all have lyrics that make you want to listen.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Kid@Heart: My next upcoming project will be called High School, which will be about my High School experience and everything else that happened in those years and the reality of it all. At the time there is no official release date but I am expecting it drop in January or February of 2016.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Kid@Heart: If I wasn’t making music, I would probably be playing some level of college basketball, or be a full time graphic and website designer instead of part time.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Kid@Heart: The first album I bought with my own money was The Cool by Lupe Fiasco. I couldn’t believe the stories he was telling over the unique instrumentals he had. I remember Hip-Hop Saved My Life being my favorite song for a long time.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Kid@Heart: Time management and planning. I know when I’m available to work on music and when I’m not. I know I have to focus on school during the week and then I can have the weekends to work as long as I want.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Kid@Heart: Fans should defiantly look forward to going to kidatheartrap.com and downloading my new free mixtape “Summer In The Seven”. Or going to iTunes, Google Play or Spotify and listening to my five star album “The Blue Tape”! For 2016 everybody needs to keep on the look out for “High School by Kid@Heart”. Make sure to follow me on all social media @kidatheartrap
