Top 10 to Watch For: Interview with #10 Kid Daytona

The next piece in our Top 10 to Watch For list, a Da-What.com exclusive with Kid Daytona.  I wrote an article to introduce you to KD through my eyes to explain why y’all need to keep an eye out.  Now, here is a chance to get to know him in his own words.  Enjoy and leave a comment!

Da What: First off, can you introduce yourself for our readers?

Kid Daytona: Of course, its The Kid Daytona, South Bx emcee all day, Juice Up! …..

DW: Growing up in the Bronx, was your life always about hip hop? If not, when did it become part? 



KD: Yeah, I basic been around music since a kid. My uncle was first person that really got me hooked, playing all joints Run-DMC, Slick Rick, KRS One.. But I’m High School I started really getting at it, writing rhymes and etc… The whole lunch room table was me, hahaa…

DW: Do you think there is extra pressure on you as a rapper being from the Bronx as opposed to other parts of the country or even other parts of New York? 



KD: No, I don’t think there’s any extra pressure being from NY. I look at it like, I always gotta put forth my best work every time, and being for the Bronx Ny just gives me extra motivation because its birth place of Hip-Hop. We are the Home Team.

DW: Was there more pressure for artists coming out of New York immediately after the legends of the 90s, when the bar was set high, or now after a short draught of New York rappers getting national attention?

KD: Def after 90’s – Rap was so exciting back then, because of all the great groups during that era. So I feel there was a healthy inspiration going around then for new artists. A lot more than now..

DW: What has been the defining moment in your career thus far? 



KD: Wow, I think it would be “Bet Music Matters”. That really was so surreal for me. Thx to Kelly G, and the whole fam over there for the love and support.



DW: Where do you find inspiration for your music? 



KD: I write about everything honestly, mostly things that I go thru, see and watch friends/family/homie go through. I like experiencing different things too, which just gives me more to write about. I’m everywhere – from the hood to the downtown scene.

DW: What is the best advice you have received? Who gave it to you?

KD: my big homie Bun B. He told me “keep it going, never stop.”

DW: What is the most important project you have made so far? 



KD: I’d say “Interlude 1” LP was most pivotal project. I was able to secure opportunities, that I couldn’t have predicted.

DW: How did you come up with the concept of The Interlude?

KD: well before I did that album, I released another tape “A Tribe Called Fresh”, and that tape started a cipha sounds about q-tip, pete rock and 90s classic hip-hop, which lead to the interlude idea. Cipha was saying how back then, there was always “dope interludes” on those albums and djs would look for them. So them the idea was born.

DW: Can you guide me through the creative process for making these two albums (Interludes)? 


KD: Interlude I – was digging through 90s albums looking for something that sparked a song idea, and then I went in. Tons of samples, loops being re-done, and my spitting on em, trying touch on that vibe and feeling.

Interlude II – I really wanted to record more original music and less sampling, start fresh with no boundaries. I still wanted the feeling from Interlude I, but Bigger records, bigger production. I think I accomplished that.

DW: Can you talk about Cipha Sounds? Who he is and what he means to you?

KD: Aw, the Big homie Cipha. He’s definitely a early mentor and supporter. He’s always been able to give me brotherly advice on what’s needed to win.

DW: You’ve done a lot of work with 6th Sense, how important for you is it to build that long relationship with a producer?

KD: Yeah, 6th is my brother, and we’ve been at it now for sometime. We’ve had dope creative zones of some of my projects, and I’ve grown creatively w/each of them. A producer relationship is key to me.

DW: What is the biggest challenge you face on a day-to-day basis? What is the biggest challenge you are facing long run?

KD: day-today, its to “Not get comfortable, and keep pushing myself to do more”. And I’d say, long term challenge is, “not knowing when your moment of greatness arrives”. Being patient.

DW: What are your goals right now? 



KD: Right now, I’m really putting a lot of energy in performing more, and getting on the road. And of course, I’ve got more product and music coming, so keep on look out for that! Lots of Big music.

DW: I read that you got your first deal out of high school, can you tell me about that? Who was it with? What happened?

KD: Yeah. I did get a deal before, when I was part of a group. It was high school time, and group was “The Aces”. We got signed to Atlantic Records, after I graduated. But, then the A&R who signed us got fired, and we got dropped in all the industry label shake  up.

DW: The major labels are spending some big money on rappers that come up through the Internet. Is that something that you are still looking for now? 



KD: I don’t spend too much time thinking about the label situations, because it doesn’t always mean that success is imminent with that situation. I just keeping working on putting out dope product, and wait for the right fit. but them label dudes see me out here working.. Haha

DW: Can you tell me about your deal that you have with LRG?

KD: yeah, LRG is fam to me. LRG have been involved with hip-hop culture since they started. And, they’ve been instrumental with me and my career thus far, with their LRG Entertainment. They do marketing and promotions for artist they believe in. They’ve included me in promotional print campaigns, videos, and shows.

DW: How did that come about?

KD: Well, my team sent them some of my work, because we had relationship with them. They got it and checked it out, and reach out to us because they really loved it, and thought it was good fit for their brand. Shout outs out to Woodie White, for making that happen.

DW: What are you expected to do on your end? What kind of things are you expecting of them?

KD: Again, they relationship is great, and we work as partners creatively. So because its a clothing line, we also have fun being creative and not limited to any set rules.

DW: I haven’t really heard of that before, is that rare in hip hop? In music?

KD: Ah, I’d say there’s a lot of companies and brands getting more involved with artists nowadays because of how music affects fashion and other things. I’m loving, that I’m a part of it too with a cool brand like LRG, especially because fashion is very important too me.

DW: Is there still money in the old model of the music business or do you have to find alternate sources of income like clothing companies in order to make it?

KD: The music biz has definitely redefined itself. So you have to be forward thinking about how to make money. There’s a lot of new opportunities for income now, so you should check them out. You have too nowadays.

DW: What should we be watching out for? What does 2012 have in store for Kid Daytona? 



KD: Expect more music, shows, videos, basically whole lot more of The Kid Daytona… I got some surprises, Juice up!!!!

So there you have it, The Kid Daytona!