Kingdom Kome x Onaje Johnson - Alchemy (Album) + 10 Questions
Kingdom Kome and Onaje Johnson linked up for the brilliant Alchemy album earlier this year and the project link-up between the Florida/NC veteran Lo-Life spitter and the Hometeam producer features top tier beats and rhymes alongside features from Lupus Dei, Substace810, Killy Shoot, General Back Pain and G Fam Black.
The duo have recently brought out the visuals for the Ghostface Killah sampling Revolve Around Science. Wordplay Magazine caught up with them to get both the rapper and producers take on our infamous 10 Questions.
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
Kingdom Kome: Ah man I would say from creation really, my grandfather was a jazz player in Argentina and both of my parents were artists, my father was a poet and my mother was a painter so art and music was always present in my upbringing and family. For me music is the one art that drives it home for me and connects to the core of my being, I could remember listening to my parents revolutionary music as a kid and then when I was coming up I was big into punk, metal and skateboarding and when hip hop hit that was it for me. It became a part of my life and I could recall buying my 1st tapes (Public Enemy and Eric B & Rakim).
Onaje Johnson: It started in 88 when I first heard Whodini “Im A Hoe”. My cousin from down south had a mixtape with different rap songs on it. I fell in love with that song and eventually found out about other rap acts like The Fat Boys and Run DMC. The lyrics, funky samples and dusty drum breaks inspired me to make that kind of music.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Kingdom Kome: I listen to all types of music and draw inspiration from a wide array of artists and genres, I’ve been blessed to gain the respect and work with artists I grew up admiring and listening too such as Thirstin Howl the 3rd, the Beatnuts, Wise Intelligent, a lot of the Wu cats (Killah Priest, Timbo King, Prodigal Sunn and Hell Razah) Tragedy Khadafi, and newer artists like Meyhem Lauren and Conway the Machine. I’d love to personally work with Ibeyi, Sade, & Sizzla. As far as hip hop artists goes I’ve worked with a lot of cats but I’d love to do something with Kool G Rap and SantiGold.
Onaje Johnson: Q-Tip, DJ Premier and The Beatnuts.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
Kingdom Kome: Yeah no doubt in 2022, I dropped the Malbec LP with my DJ and producer Ruen, so we have Malbec 2 roughly 80% done that’s coming out in 2023. I also dropped the Alchemy LP with my bro Onaje Jordan so we got a follow up EP that’s done that will drop end of the year, I also dropped Los Chicos Criollos with Che Uno from Toronto which was a homage to both of our Argentine roots, we have a part 2 that’s in the works for next year. Let’s see I’m always working man so I got another 5 albums that’s pretty much done, I got a project with producer Dawit Justice that’s done, I got another 2 solo LPs in the bag, a 3rd Supreme Sorcerers album, a collab album with G Fam Black and a bunch of other projects that’s in the creation phase. I stay working!
Onaje Johnson: I just dropped the album “Knowledge Born “with my HomeTeam comrade Killy Shoot. I’m also drooping an EP called “African Medallions’” with the Toronto emcee DNTE.
4. How would you describe your sound?
Kingdom Kome: I’d say it depends on my mood and where my head space is at, I really don’t like to be pigeon holed into a specific category and I like to do what feels right with my music in terms of vibes, sound, flow and subject matter but I’d def say my sound is more hardcore, rugged and in tune to what the essence of hip hop is and should be.
Onaje Johnson: Jazzy Hard Hitting Boom Bap.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Kingdom Kome: Honestly I’ve been blessed to share the stage with legends and gain the respect of peers that I look up to, so just being able to share my music with people all over the globe and have it resonate with fans and connect with people is my driving force. It’s what motivates me to keep creating and doing what I do. I’d probably say rocking international shows are up there for me, I headlined a cannabis fest in Prague, Czech Republic that was insane for me, pure energy also also a show I did in Mexico City and Medellin where people were reciting my lyrics was a proud moment.
Onaje Johnson: Releasing my solo album last year “ALPHA”.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Kingdom Kome: It ain’t for the faint of heart, lol. If I didn’t love it and live this culture I would of stopped long time ago. I has success in my earlier days when I started a few labels in Miami, managed artists and such, but it wasn’t until I lost a few major deals, and got sick of the industry that forced me to say fuck it I’m gonna go back to being a artist and put out the type of music I like and want to hear that I began to truly thrive. This industry it’s cut throat and filled with fake people and fake motives. I’d say study and learn contracts, overstand royalties and publishing and have a plan and a team to execute the vision.
Onaje Johnson: Be patient and create with your heart.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Kingdom Kome: When I’m creating I try not to listen to anything new because I don’t want that to influence what I’m doing, but I def try and stay up what’s going on. I like RJ Payne & Ransom a lot, Ill Conscious, 38Spesh, Lukah, Buze Bruvaz, Eto, Spit Gemz, The Umbrella Click & BodyBagBen. Those are all artists I feel are keeping it official and in the same frequency of the type of music I do and like to hear.
Onaje Johnson: Killy Shoot, General BackPain and Charlie Chan.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Kingdom Kome: Ha, it’s a wide range from the best of Sade, to Don Carlos, Isreal Vibration and Peter Tosh (I am huge roots reggae fan and I spin classic reggae Music). All the way to Young Dolph and lots of SantiGold.
Onaje Johnson: “ALPHA” by me, “Midnight Marauders” by A Tribe Called Quest and “The Natural” by Mic Geronimo.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Kingdom Kome: I like it be home and be with my son, I travel a lot so in my free time chilling at home, cooking and just relaxing is my vibe.
Onaje Johnson: Read the Quran.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Kingdom Kome: Incense, candles and the highest grade cannabis.
Onaje Johnson: The Quran, Vinyl and my MPC.
Words: Gavin Brown