Klokwize has been keeping things funky for a while now. The American hip-hop artist known for his singles on national television (ESPN’s ‘First Take’, The X-Games), feature films (Amazon Prime’s ‘Rising Star’) and radio (SHADE 45, CBS Radio), he just released the hit DJ Quik-produced single ‘A Little Respect’ featuring West Coast legends Suga Free and Bo-Roc.

Klok spent two years in Los Angeles, CA recording his latest album PERMISSION TO LAND with his hip-hop heroes, like producers UNCLE DAVE FOREMAN (Bruno Mars ’24K Magic’), DJ QUIK (Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z) and RESOURCE DAVINCI (Cardi B, Rae Sremmurd). The album is out now at streaming outlets everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Tidal.

A self-proclaimed 90’s aficionado, the rapper/singer cites Tupac, Fiona Apple and Sega Genesis as his main muses.

Spotify

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I grew up in a small New England city – Hartford, Connecticut. It has a creative vibe and as kids we were all making music, painting, skateboarding, hopping the trains to New York City and Boston. I started the Klokwize thing at a young age and was able to hit the radio and TV shows like ESPN First Take with my songs.
As I toured and started co-writing for other artists, California started calling. DJ Quik was obviously a big hero of mine and he flew me out to LA in 2015 to start working on music together. There I met Uncle Dave Foreman, who produces for everyone from Nipsey Hussle to Bruno Mars, and Dave became a huge musical mentor for me and together we all made my latest album ‘Permission To Land’.

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?

I like to get in with people on the ground floor. Instead of chasing what’s ‘now’ I like to be on what’s ‘next’, finding artists / bloggers / bookers that I believe in and are on the pace to make it and invest my time and energy in folks like that. We all want the same thing. What I’ve seen is as they move upwards you end up having relationships in higher and higher places. Alot of the college DJs I would stop by to drop singles off to end up moving into big radio stations and that is a good look as an indie artist. The same with artists, I’ve done records with people that have ended up mutually being big projects for everyone because we all have the drive to push them.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Everyone does! Especially as a rapper I find if your mouth is still moving and you don’t have shock in your eyes people don’t even notice the occasional forgotten lines, missed cues, etc. If you’re in control people will go with you. I spend a lot of time rehearsing though and running my set in blocks so I have muscle memory of everything that goes on during. I have an awesome fulltime touring band of drummer Rich Stone and bassist Lawrence V. White who make the music consistent as well.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

I was in the studio with Quik a lot last year and he kept grabbing me up and bringing me to all his shows to kick some rhymes, so I was playing for 2500 people a night with some of my favorite rappers of all time. Dogg Pound wanted me to come to their hotel party afterwards one time. Mack 10 gave me the nod. Suga Free did some songs with me on stage and ended up on my album. Totally wild coming from playing night clubs in Harlem for 20 people.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

I did the new album in Burbank at the Mix Room, which is super famous as the studio Eminem did his first album in. I kept being in the same kitchen from the old album liner photos, the same booth, the same back lot, and really feeling that ghost and energy around the whole process.
What I just did this month was build a full high-end studio on the third floor of my house, I like the Audio Technica products, Mackie and PreSonus stuff as well. It’s so cool inviting all your friends over and recording more like a party, without the clock running. I also find when I wake up my voice sounds super clean so I’ve been recording in my pajamas lately, haha.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

I shoot shoot shoot! Videos all day. I love being influenced by TV shows and movies and saying ‘what kind of role would I wanna star in this time?’ I also try to stay in touch on the pulse of what my listeners are telling me. Some stuff goes over huge, other stuff is a slower reaction, so you have to try to listen to what they are telling you.
I also notice in this generation it’s just as interesting to people who you are outside of the big videos and stage, they want to see how you get down as an individual and be attracted to that all-around. I stick to my guns, I’m prepared for opinions, just like a super major artist. Opinions and facts are two totally different things as far as measuring your progress.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

2pac! My favorite! I just always was affected by his spirt and his unwillingness to go quietly. I also would go crazy to do anything with Amy Winehouse, I was so sad we lost her in my lifetime. My living picks for that would be Anderson Paak, songwriters like Theo Katzman, maybe do The Filmore in San Fran with my childhood faves Third Eye Blind.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Me and my whole team really unwrapped this new album ‘Permission To Land’ as an experience, long-form, so listeners can look for more videos, stories, remixes, premieres of all types. We have the single ‘Say Goodbye’ with Shy Carter doing really well at CBS Radio stations so that’s gonna be the next campaign. I’ve also been dropping guest features for artists I like, so lots of verses have been coming out this season to catch.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Mannn I had every type of day job in the world and got fired from them all. I sold sneakers in the mall, I was a construction worker for a month, worked at a vape shop, I was even a waiter at an ice cream shop when I was a kid. Let’s hope I never have to deal with that question again, haha.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

So much more music, I have new compilations and group projects finished with some really exciting names, some co-writes coming out, and more traveling and talking to you guys.

Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?

Everyone in my two home bases of CT and CA, my big homies Uncle Dave & LaDonna, all the DJS been spinning the new shit, and everyone out there enjoying and keeping my music and spirit alive and well, thank you so much.