The Westleaf
What's up Leafers? Welcome to the latest edition of On the Rise where we interview upcoming hip hop talent. Today's guest is hip hop artist, Kingdidthat. King is straight out of Philadelphia by way of Jamaica. His style is a mix between hip hop and dancehall. His bars are choppy and quick hitting. We can definitely see him performing stateside or abroad drawing crowds from all cultures. But enough from us, we caught up with King to discuss his life and musical origins. Check out the interview below.
Westleaf Staff: What's up, King! Your vibe is dope! When did you start making music?
Kingdidthat: December 21, 2020.
Westleaf Staff: Nice. What city do you represent?
Kingdidthat: I'm from Philadelphia. I moved to Philadelphia from Jamaica when I was 5 or 6. I went to Pepper middle school in Southwest Philly.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! Philly stand up! So how did you create your stage name?
Kingdidthat: I just use my nickname that my mother gave me since an infant ,king-David, along with my old name I used to go by, KingDidThat, when I was doing hair in Atlanta.
Westleaf Staff: Nice. I love that your name came naturally. How did your early life shape your interest in music?
Kingdidthat: i grew up in Jamaica on the Nyabinghi grounds, the same place where Bob Marley lived as a toddler. i played the drums for the “Nyabinghi Grounds“– which is the gathering of Rastafari people to celebrate, congregate, an engage in praise. Through this musical lineage was how I was introduced to my musical journey.
Westleaf Staff: That's cool. It must have been awesome to grow up on the same land as Bob Marley. I can see how you'd be inspired to create music. Salute to you! So who is your biggest Musical influence?
Kingdidthat: Nicki Minaj, Movado, and Vybz Kartel.
Westleaf Staff: Nice. Those are some legends! Next question! What's been the defining moment in your music career thus far?
Kingdidthat: Packing up all my belongings, leaving everything i know, all my family & friends, and driving all the way to Hollywood, California from Atlanta, Ga to make my dreams come true in the music industry. i’m still working lol.
Westleaf Staff: Dope. I love that you took that risk. I'm sure everything will workout! Keep going up!
So what makes you a unique artist?
Kingdidthat: What makes me unique is that I’m very unorthodox and out of the box. I don’t say & look like what’s your typical lgbtq person would look or act like. I offer a fresh and new perspective, strongly representing for my masculine lgbtq kings in the community. I give a masculine take on things while standing on being a staple and guide for the younger generation to let them know that it’s OK to be gay and a king and it’s okay not to be in competition with the women just because we are gay. Being gay does not mean that we can’t love and respect women and appreciate them and know that we are here to protect them as divine masculine kings. Our sexuality should not overlook our role as a man, in my opinion we are providers and protectors first, there isn’t much representation for that side of my community and I wanna be the first public figure to embody that through my music, actions, and aesthetics while still being true to who I am and respecting my community and respecting everyone else.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! Salute to you for being your authentic self. Your perspective is much needed in hip hop. So what does art mean to you?
Kingdidthat: What Art means to me is to be free to express my emotions, my truth, and how I feel without any boundaries. Art is a means for me to express a piece of my heart and soul to the world through the expression of music as a piece of me.
Westleaf Staff: I love that definition! Where do you see your music career going over the next few years?
Kingdidthat: Over the next few years I see myself continuing to study and perfect my craft, staying consistent and popping out with hits. Locking in and finding my formula and sound. I am also working on a clothing line and a few hair salons in the Atalanta, Texas, and California just keep being me authentically.
Westleaf Staff: You're making some huge moves! I respect it and see the vision! Before we go, describe music in three words.
Kingdidthat: Unique, Healing, Magical.
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