Finebeats : Your lyrical content is very intellectual and grammatical, do you try to use more unique wording to make you stand out from other artists with a lower vocabulary, or is it what comes naturally during the writing process?
K-Rino : When I was younger I did it on purpose because I was influenced by T-La Rock and he used allot of big words. I would read the dictionary and just put big words in the rhymes to sound like I was real smart, but as I got older that actually helped me enhance my vocab and it started to come naturally. Now I just write and use big words subconsciously.
Finebeats : Your new album ’speed of thought’ has been receiving some great feedback and we really enjoyed it, do you have a favourite track from the album? If so why?
K-Rino : Either ‘Too Far’ or ‘Amnesia’ would be my favourites from ‘Speed Of Thought’. ‘Too Far’ is a reflection of my career in a way and ‘Amnesia’ is a reflection of my life in some ways.
Finebeats : Over your career you have played some fantastic concerts, is there one which sticks in your mind?
K-Rino : The overseas shows always stick out the most because I’m just a kid from the streets of South Park, Houston, Texas and to actually be received across the world like that with no major label backing, no big budget, no college degree, just an underground following is very special to me, though I have some done great shows over here at home as well.
Finebeats : U.S rap is very highly publicised and within the genre is very well established, what are your thoughts on the direction of UK Hip Hop at the moment?
K-Rino : I think that if it doesn’t become too watered down and commercialized like it is over here, then it can stand strong. People have to remain rooted in the true essence of hip hop. Artists and fans alike. The UK has allot of great rappers so I feel like the scene is safe.
FineBeats :Who is your favourite artist within the Hip hop industry at the moment?
K-Rino : I don’t have a favorite, but if I had to choose someone it would be a rapper from the past, no one from this era.
Finebeats : What gives you more enjoyment, being in the studio creating tracks or listening to your finished product?
K-Rino : The creative process is the best for me…once I’m done with a CD I don’t really listen to it much…I have the most fun putting it together.
Finebeats : What do you feel has been your biggest highlight to date?
K-Rino : I’ve had several that jump out, but I honestly cant pin point one…I guess my international shows would be the best…that whole experience is always great for me.
Finebeats : Your new album ’speed of thought’ features three collabs with late, do you feel that working with U.K artists teaches you something new and vice versa?
K-Rino : Yeah it exposes me to diverse cultures and it also gives me a sense of acceptance worldwide. When rappers like late and others from around the world reach out to work with me it makes me feel like I have legitimate international appeal. Also late is well received over here among the people who hear him on our projects.
Finebeats : At this point in your career what would you like to achieve next?
K-Rino : Allot of money LOL. But mainly I want my songs to be universal teaching tools and guidelines for life lessons…not just songs without meaning or purpose…
Finebeats : What can we expect from the South Park Coalition in 2010?
K-Rino : Just a continued streamline of releases…I took a break this year, but I plan to drop about 3 albums in 2010.be looking out for the new ganksta nip CD too. It’s ridiculous. Classic Nip.
Finebeats : What do you believe are the best traits of a successfull Hip Hop artist?
K -Rino : Love for the artform, originality, fearless creativity, drive and determination and social consciousness regardless of what type of rap u choose to do…its important to be saying something of relevance. This will give you longevity.
Finebeats : Do you feel the mainstream Hip Hop industry is now more about the money than the music?
K-Rino : Yeah money, material glorification and a lack of concern for the condition of the people who listen to the music. the labels don’t care about saving lives thru music so what you get now is an endless stream of nonsense on the radio on TV and the artists that are being signed to these labels are basically puppets for the executors of grand deception. Keeping the people blind deaf and dumb
Finebeats : What do you feel has changed most in the Hip hop industry in the last 5 years?
K-Rino : To me it goes back maybe 10 years…5 years ago was no different than today to me. They’ve pretty much gotten a good handle on the game and how to control what is heard. the music doesn’t belong to us anymore it belongs to the label execs, it belongs to the big radio guys and now new artists are coming up NOT striving to be proponents of the artform and perpetuate that, but instead they’re coming up trying to mold themselves into the “industry package” that they feel is going to get them in that “door”. But allot of those images are artificial and now u got young rappers coming up not knowing and appreciating the history of the game. That’s a problem.
Finebeats : We wish you best of luck with the album, please feel free to leave a closing statement including anything else you would like to see published
K-Rino : Thanks allot…all praises due to Allah. Come to my MySpace page www.myspace.com/spckrino and please join our website www.southparkcoalition.webs.com make sure u purchase the “speed of thought” CD and my new “solitary confinement” album as well. Peace.
This week saw Finebeats catch up with one of our favourite artists K-Rino. With the end of 2009 approaching we wanted to know what we could expect to see from K-Rino in 2010 and by the looks of it we may be in for a treat. Read on to see what Texas’ finest had to say about a number of Hip Hop related issues.
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