Westleaf Staff
What's up Leafers? Welcome to the latest edition of On the Rise where we interview upcoming hip hop talent. Today's guest is GiGi K straight out of Salem, Massachusetts. Gi Gi's sound is contemporary and vibey with hints of historical rap bravado. We can definitely see GiGi K performing on stages such as Rolling Loud or Coachella.The versatile MC is making moves in her city so we had to tap in with them. Checkout the interview below!
Westleaf Staff: What's up Gi Gi? When did you start making music?
GiGi K: I started to make music around 9 years old . I started off singing but didn’t really write music till I was about 12 years old and that’s when I started my first studio session for one of my songs I wrote which was called “Party” . I don’t know why but the beat at the time was funky.
Westleaf Staff: Real! So how did your early life shape your interest in music?
GiGi K: As a kid I was always around music , music was always played in the house so basically it was already apart of me before I started when I grew up. Music helped boost my confidence as a child.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope. What city do you represent?
GiGi K: I represent Salem Massachusetts always and forever on the north side.
Westleaf Staff: Shoutout to Salem ! Y'all have some talent. So how did you create your stage name?
GiGi K: I was on a little interview TV show on Salem’s TV in Massachusetts. The host and I were gonna have a rap battle but at that time I was using my regular name and I didn’t have GiGi K apart of me yet . But the host I was with gave me the name . And it ties together cuz my Nickname is GiGi and my last name starts with a K and that’s how it came about .
Westleaf Staff: Ha! That's cool. So who is your biggest Musical influence?
GiGi K: I would have to say Chris Brown . Because minus the negative in his life , his music made a big positive impact on my life . Also coming out at a young age , his music just spoke to me in ways that I wanted to speak but with a different type of spice . So I have to say Chris brown has helped me understand my lane in music the same with kid ink and more.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! What's been the defining moment in your music career thus far?
GiGi K: I got bullied at a young age for my sexuality and music . But more my music and I used that power as strength to show people I can actually do this . And every time I had something great going on people are like shocked because they never thought I would do the unthinkable. The criticism and hate really helped me understand the music industry and me as a person . I didn’t really understand myself and my career till I started doing it more and I was like “ Ohhh okay, this is what’s meant for me” 'cause if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t still be doing it. I gained so much strength and knowledge from being in this field and understanding what music can do it’s completely changing my life for the better not for the worse . I love it.
Westleaf Staff: That's real! So what does art mean to you?
GiGi K: Art means free to me . Because you can take whatever you're thinking and put it on paper. It’s like setting your mind free from thoughts you have and making a beautiful picture of it.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! Where do you see your music career going over the next few years?
GiGi K: I see myself in my career changing a lot of peoples lives including LGBTQ community. I just want them to know that’s it’s okay to talk about the same sex you can write and do anything . And I want to teach that no matter how bad life hits you , you can over come all obstacles.
Westleaf Staff: Facts! That's definitely true! So what makes you a unique artist?
GiGi K: I think what makes me a unique artist is that I can connect with different age groups. I can also connect with people that don’t listen to my genre. I listen to what people want to hear and I try to listen to my fans or supports because it’s not just me . It’s me my team and my fans. I like to take everyone’s ideas around me and use them to create a better sound for myself and others.
Westleaf Staff: That's super insightful. Before we go, describe music in three words.
GiGi K: Helpful , understanding, warm.
Follow GiGi K:
IG: https://instagram.com/the_realgigik?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7u8QWK73vwwxLnzwyLLtwu?si=o0t6aPZCRPe1uiz3aMiVzQ
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