Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Khalid Ibro: Well I heard about exposed vocal a long time ago. I really admire and appreciate how exposed vocals help unsigned artists so i decided to join the website and support the movement.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Khalid Ibro: Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia . I was raised by my parents , and seeing what they had to go through to put a meal for my plate and everything I ever wore .. Music was the only way I could express my feelings since I always stood out in high school , I had no friends . So making music was the only thing that felt right in my life . I fell in love with being a musician the more I got in to the game . So I decided to be an artist at the age of 13
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Khalid Ibro: my music name is also my real name I get from my mom . Well I used to go by madskillz as a stage name but I decided to be true both to myself and to my fans by sharing who I truly am starting from my name . Khalid when defined means “Immortal ” so I wanted to inspire everyone who’s had a rough life journey that hope is all we have and that we can never give up on life.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Khalid Ibro: online music sharing is a good opportunity for the unsigned artists to show case their potential talents . Yes All my music so far are free . I wanna be able to inspire people who need an inspiration and for people to see what I can truly deliver so I got the recognition I deserve.
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?
Khalid Ibro: up and coming artist should be prepared at all times and they should be committed in order to achieve their dreams. They have to be in a state of mind where failure is not an option.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Khalid Ibro: I only made a mistake when I was performing at a show where I forgot the first word of the lyrics but I continued and finished the song like nothing happened . Haha I think the only way to handle it is to finish the song anyway no matter what.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Khalid Ibro: I was on a local tour 3 years ago when me and my friend and also an artist/female singer called Bitik Emlaelu was the victim of a street light cable explosion after we had done show, the cable exploded and nearly fell on us. I guess you could call it a life and death experience. I have been appreciating life and counting my blessing ever since haha.. . But im currently not touring due to the fact that im working on my EP , album and mixtape all at the same time that will be released throughout 2015 .
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Khalid Ibro: my most embarrassing songs would be from my very first mixtape when I was 16 . It was a low quality and low budget mixtape given the fact that I had no money to pay for studio time at the time.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Khalid Ibro: if I had been given a half a million and a year off .. I would be able to serve the music lovers the most amazing and a music with soul . And i would also help the orphans by providing them the things that most of us usually take for granted
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Khalid Ibro: if I had the chance to perform with any artists , it would be with Tupac, Biggie Smallz, Nas , Jay z , Kanye West and common . I think that they have influenced the hip hop game more than anyone else and it would been an honor .
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Khalid Ibro: im currently working on my EP , album and mixtape all at the same time that will be released throughout 2015 .
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Khalid Ibro: if I weren’t making music I’d probably be lost and confused doing drugs , in jail or dead. Music is all I have.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Khalid Ibro: the first album I bought was Kanye Wests ” Late registration ” album .. I remember I ran to my house because I couldn’t wait to hear it.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Khalid Ibro: 2015 will be the year where I will be show casing alot of my projects, will be releasing songs, Visuals and many more . Me and my fans(TheFamily) will be Taking over . #KayNationTakeover
