Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story, where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Thee Kay-Bee: My name is Tebogo Baloyi (Thee Kay-Bee) an artist from Pretoria South Africa, Grew up in the townships of Soshanguve, a place where your hustle determines what’s on your plate that night, a place where if you don’t live by that steal you are guaranteed a short life. It wasn’t easy growing up here, seeing my childhood friends get trapped in the hood, trapped by drugs and the gangsta lifestyle, seeing all that I knew I had to do something to save my own life so I started writing music as a hobby but after a while it grow on me and I started talking about my story & the stories of the people around me who once had it all but lost it all to this life.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Thee Kay-Bee: Ha Ha Ha (Laughter) uhm… My name comes from the type of upbringing I had. I was always taught to be myself because no one can be a better me, there are so many “Kay-Bee’s” in this world but none of them have the skill & determination. I’m Thee Kay-Bee there could be no other because, no one is better & no one is Sicker than Thee.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Thee Kay-Bee Yeah I give away tons of music to the loyal die hard supporters; digital music has revolutionized the game in terms of us connecting with the world, it has helped us as artists in reaching a bigger market range than the traditional system of sharing music so for me we blessed to live in this age.
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?
Thee Kay-Bee Whatever you doing, IT AINT ENOUGH, whatever progress you thought you made, IT AINT ENOUGH, these people will never listen to you until you become vicious with your music, you have to make it so hard for them to ignore you that they beg you for your music and pay attention to what you saying on these records.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Thee Kay-Bee I draw inspiration from my life because I believe that there aint nothing realer than my life, I make music that will connect with you as an individual because at some point we all have gone through some stuff in our lives and that’s what makes us relate. As artists we relate to those who relate to us
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Thee Kay-Bee Yeah I have a Thee Kay-Bee website that has all my music, images & video’s; besides my website I promote my music on Sound Cloud, Data file Host, Reverbnation , Facebook & YouTube, so if you want to get the music ,check that work out on any of these platforms
Website: http://theekaybee.tk/
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Thee Kay-Bee Id split the money into 3 parts; each part will be used towards a certain aspect of my hustle, from my clothing line, music & investments. Make the money multiply
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Thee Kay-Bee I use social media to promote my music but the best way that I see of promoting my music I do it face to face, door to door, I knock on door’s & present my music to the people straight up so they know the man behind the music & not just the music. I believe that music is not about people knowing you but you knowing the people
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Thee Kay-Bee what’s next? I’m even scared to talk about what’s next; I’m dropping my debut album titled “Fvck Fame” this May 26, online, in stores & on these streets corners. The music has to be heard by any means possible, I’m also currently pushing my clothing line “FVCK FAME” which has been getting good reception from the South African market, in our 1st month of operating we have sold merchandise all over South Africa from Gauteng to Eastern Cape & we are only just getting started for more about the clothing line you can visit my webpage: http://theekaybee.tk/
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Thee Kay-Bee I’d probably be dead, music saved my life
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Thee Kay-Bee I dropped out of school to pursue my dreams that’s how much I believe in myself & my brand, I have to make it I have no choice
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Thee Kay-Bee 2016 is the year we turn the game upside down & look forward to more music, more video’s, more shows, more merchandise & just a whole lot more of me. I’d just like to take this time to thank all my die hard supporters reading this! Let’s run 2016. Fvck Fame album on the way May 26
Follow Thee Kay-Bee on Social Media
Twitter: @Theekaybee_sa
Facebook: facebook.com/Theekaybee.sa
Instagram: @Theekaybee_sa