PREMIERE: Kay Slice - Breeze (Official Video) + 10 Questions
After closing out his ‘Take A Slice’ series, which has amassed over 160K Spotify streams, caught the eyes of Red Bull Music, who describe him as an artist to keep an eye out for this year, garnered support from Spotify on their ‘Hype’, ‘SlowMovement’ and ‘Wavy’ playlists, and seen him perform for the Dutch Royal Family, fast-rising Rotterdam rapper, singer and producer KAY SLICE is working on his highly anticipated solo debut album, which is due for release in January 2022. This summer, he begins to tease out the record with its first single titled ‘BREEZE’.
Written by Kay Slice and produced by Slice and his long-time collaborator Bora, who also provides live guitar and bass arrangements, along with Willem T Hart on keys, Peter Somuah on percussion drums and Charmain Charlemagne on backing vocals, ‘Breeze’ is a soulful and infectious rap fusion tribute to this mother, and the people in our lives that have nurtured us and helped us grow, such as our parents and family, with Kay Slice vowing to return the favour. According to the Dutch Ghanaian native, “the people who provided for me mean the world to me”.
Kay Slice sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
Music has intrigued me since I was 4 years old. My uncle once gave me a cassette with multiple Michael Jackson songs like Jam, Thriller and Don’t stop till you get enough. That last song is probably my first vivid musical memory. My dad likes to listen to a lot of highlife music while my moms enjoys soul music. My older sister used to dance and was into R&B like TLC, Destiny’s Child and Brandy. I really dove into hiphop during my early teens. Artists such as Nas and Busta Rhymes indirectly inspired me to start writing my own lyrics.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
I really like Anderson Paak: he’s versatile and he keeps evolving his work and sound. I’d also love to work with Stromae. He’s a top tire storyteller and great performer. His live show is still one of the best live shows I’ve ever experienced. N.E.R.D that sound will always be part of my soundtrack. It would be great to work with Kwame Yeboah, Paa Kow and Niniola someday.
3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the coronavirus pandemic?
The biggest challenge for me was to feel connected with people on a higher level digitally. Live music adds an extra layer to the whole experience. The live element is a big part of my music in general. At some point smaller shows were allowed that gave me a lot of space to experiment different line ups and sounds.
4. How would you describe your sound?
Grooves from a Hiphop kid with a Ghana soul. I tap into different pockets but my music is always made with a hiphop base, groove driven and roots embracing.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
I did a super cozy show at the venue where I once had my first show ever. Multiple family members were there and it was my first time playing balafon/Ghanaian xylophone in front of an audience while feeling completely free.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Enjoy the journey, music is a way to find new chambers within yourself. We tend to be too focused on the destination, but the destination will change during time. The only element that’s constant is the journey, the eagerness to explore and the courage to be yourself 100%. I think that’s the only way to really stand out and last in this music industry.
7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?
Falana; you can hear she has a diverse register of influences. Sam Robins ‘In My Soul’ is a vibe for sure. Ezi Emela is also great. You can find my latest discoveries at my “Fresh Afrogrooves Curated by Kay Slice” playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4JJ6eviqNElaLB7ohrIrdP?si=deb890597b814716
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Little Simz I Might be Introvert and Aswad Hulet.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
I love to go to the cinema from blockbusters to cultural movies. I also like to go to museums; they give me new perspectives and show me combinations I haven’t seen before. I recently started to enjoy boxing to blow off some steam plus I like the tactical part of it.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Daylight in order to connect with my direct surroundings or the complete opposite, a darkroom so I can picture my own world. The third one must be percussion: I love to add living and breathing sounds to each production.