SHAMYR of
KIN FOK KRU
UDC: Name and background?
KFK: My name is Shamyr, which actually has a few connotations and they are “conversing” as well as “pleasant companion”. I chose that name because when I came into Islam, I wanted to pick attributes that were fitting of me. I was born Thomas Taylor and I still go by Thomas. All my family members still call me that. The Kin Fok Kru has a catchy sound but we didn’t choose the name because of its catchiness. It has a deeper meaning because the name symbolizes family and we are brothers and sisters of the soul. It’s more on a spiritual level for us and recognizing our kinship. My family name in Kin Fok Kru is Bruh-n-law. Every family has a brother-n-law especially the strongest of families. The other members of the crew are Cuttie Luv Jones and his name is Bilal, John Doe, DJ Black, DJ KP, and a slew of producers. We just try to keep it open for everyone to have a creative outlet. Ideas are always brought to the table but right now I’m in the forefront.
UDC: What are your influences and what is your musical background?
KFK: I’m a child of the seventies. My parents exposed me to a wide variety of music. I had no choice but to get exposed to good music. To name a few Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Patti Labelle, Roberta Flack, and Donnie Hathaway. This is the music that I heard about before I started listening to hip hop. When I finally made that discovery, it was groups like Run-DMC, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Scarface, Goodie Mob, and Outkast. I love all forms of music. There isn’t a bad genre, it’s just good and bad music. I even hate to classify something as “bad” but I might not like it. I’m stimulated by whatever is good and makes me think outside the box or makes me see or hear something that I haven’t before.
UDC: Is there any equipment that you like to have in the studio?
KFK: I like to use the MPC 2000. I have known people who use all types of equipment like midi keyboards, tritons, and even computer applications. I love technology. I like to use whatever will get that particular job done. It can be Dr. Rhythm or an old-school four-track recorder. I don’t like to waste when I go to the studio because when you waste time that is a waste of money. Another thing that will put me at ease is having a producer who really knows what they are doing and brings that to the table.
UDC: You said that you like to use the MPC and software. There is a divide in the production world between the two. Do you prefer hardware over the software?
KFK: My personal preference is the hardware. That’s only because I haven’t exposed myself to software beyond just touching a couple of applications. I’m old-school but also open-minded. I know people who are starch advocates of one or the other. They will downplay one versus the other and they will give pros and cons. I’m in the middle of the road and might lean towards the hardware because I’m more comfortable with it. If it gets the job done and it’s hot then that’s what makes it work.
UDC: Lets us know about any current endeavors?
KFK: What I’m working on is the next two releases. The first is called the “Burden of Proof” which is going to be an EP. That will be marketed toward the DJs. We have vinyl available for the club DJs that spin or do house parties and radio DJs. Shakear Shallum, another producer and deejay in Kin Fok Kru. It’s basically his pet project and he wanted to feature me on it. The next album to be released will be called “Public Address”. That will have tracks that are from the EP we just released and I will talk about that in a second. It will also have some new flavor that I’m working on right now as we speak. The album will be ready for release in the second quarter of next year. What we have on the table right now and what we are actively promoting is “The Game Begins”. It is a full length album and it consists of fifteen tracks. It’s the culmination of ten years worth of work that we have finally been able to reveal and let cats really know what Kin Fok Kru is about. Another project that we have out at the moment is “Kin Fok Kru” featuring Bruh-n-law and it’s a six-track EP. That again will be catapulting into “Public Address”. We just hope that people listen and will give us honest feedback because we are very open to your opinions.
|
UDC: Out of those two releases which track is your favorite? Why?
KFK: It’s really hard just to say one. I look at songs and the creative process like they are my children. I’m really guarded on them. If I had to choose on “The Game Begins”, it would be “What it Do” because that song features three emcees of Kin Fok Kru, Bruh-n-law, John Doe, as well as Cuttie Luv Jones. We came together to put out a song about the way we get down and what our intentions are for the music industry. We just let it all hang out and had fun on the track and I think that reflects the whole essence of what the Kin Fok Kru does. As far as the EP, Kin Fok Kru featuring Bruh-n-law, the favorite track would have to be “Lord Have Mercy”. EZ Eddie D is playing it every week and he loves that song. I think a song in itself has to stand on its own and have merit and if it doesn’t it will not be released. We will put it in the vault and it might get used for something else.
 UDC: If you had a chance to collab with any one producer, who would they be and why?
KFK: Right off the rip, I would have to say DJ Premier. I have been a fan of Gangstarr but to me DJ Premier has that signature sound. You could play a hundred tracks and I would be able to pick out the Premier beat. I just really like and dig his production.
UDC: What would be the first step if you were to receive sponsorship money from a larger label?
KFK: It would be securing a distribution deal if it didn’t come with one. The business would have to be lucrative in all aspects. We would have to be able to release product and not have it shelved. I know people personally that signed with what seemed like a really good deal ourselves included then had to wait years to get out of it. There would have to be up front commitment to do something like that. We would like the ability to have creative control to do what we feel is right because I can’t endorse something that I don’t believe in or don’t know. I can’t rap about anything that I haven’t experienced. If I can’t stand to listen to it then I will not let anyone else. It would just handicap me.
UDC: Do you have any words of advice for up-and-coming artist?
KFK: I would tell them something that a dear friend named Ty Shaun told me sometime ago. He told me this when we were at his place using a four-track because I was discouraged and did not think that I had the ability to do what I do. He said you need to worry about one thing and one thing only making your music and getting it out and that is it. Make your music and get it to the people! Let everything else fall into place. If you’re consistently making music and nobody is going to know about it unless you get it to them. Everything that is heard is new music because they haven’t heard it before. So don’t think because something is old that it is not worthy to be listening to. Don’t let road blocks get in your way and if they do then deal with them and get back on your music.
UDC: Give some words to your fans and any shout outs.
KFK: I definitely want to shout out to the Kin Fok Kru. We recognize kinship on a spiritual level. Everybody, in my opinion is kin fok and we are just part of the crew that does that. I want to shout out to Bilal, John Doe, Shakear, DJ Black, and DJ KP. Also much respect to DJ EZ Eddie D because for years he has been one of the most slept-on icons of this city. I don’t feel he get the respect that I feel he deserves. He has continued to support us and we will do the same for him. I want to shout out to all the cats making moves in the DFW area like Ch0 with dfwhiphop.com, Rakoo Nation, and Steve Austin. Cats like that drive me to do what I do and I know I’m leaving a whole of bunch of people out. They are making good strides in this music industry from Dallas Texas. Be on the lookout for Kin Fok Kru’s “Public Address” and “Burden of Proof”! In my opinion we have some good music to get to people.
SHAMYR of
KIN FOK KRU
Email
Visit His Website!
KinFokKru.com
(214) 735.6767
Interviewed By Ean@undevco.com
Photography By Lesley Lawson
|
