Another interview! As always, if you are or know of any upcoming artists, designers, producers, etc., that would like to be featured on The Spotlight, please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com!

Today, we have hip hop artist Kenn Retro! Hailing from Chicago, Kenn stated that he grew up in a family with a passion for music. “Me and my cousins, when we were young, used to tour the West Side of Chicago performing Jodeci, Shai, Boyz II Men songs,” the rapper said. As he got older, Kenn continue creating music, switching over to a more “Alternative/Urban” sound. He fell in love with hip hop after first hearing A Tribe Called Quest through his uncle. “In 1999, I was inspired to develop my craft of rhyming with the guidance of my uncle, and he has been pushing me ever since,” Kenn said.


The artist also credits his hometown of Chicago for inspiring him and his music. “Chicago has diverse talent, and I believe [also] a very innovation selection of artists,” Kenn stated. Using his own life experiences in the area in his music, the rapper believes that his lyrics are relatable to everyone and can have a strong influence.

Also inspired by artists like Common, Mos Def, Pearl Jam, and more, Kenn released his debut album, The ID, EGO and SUPEREGO, independently in October 2013. He collaborated with artists Etta Mae and Gabriela Francesca on a few tracks, overall creating a great project that has garnered rave reviews! He hopes that listeners are motivated “to live life and go for yours, but do so consciously.”


Currently, Kenn is working on an EP, as well as a few singles, with a full album to follow, so he’s busy grinding! He believes that his persona is what makes him stand out from other artists, and the way he entertains. “People can connect with me musically because they enjoy and can connect with my personality,” the rapper said. In the future, he wants to be a great entertainer in music, but also venture out into possibly acting as well. “My overall goal is to reinvent myself creatively and capitalize on the Kenn Retro brand and entertainment aspect [globally],” he concluded.

You can connect with Kenn on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as hear more of his music on Reverb Nation and YouTube! Also check out his label’s website, ZobeRecords.com, for more information on him and his other label mates!

9:15:00 AM

Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Krista Gonzales, known professionally as Graph Gonzales, became interested in music as a teenager, listening to hip hop and eventually recorded herself for fun. “It was probably what I spent most of my time doing as an individual, writing verses and recording them,” Graph said. “It was kind of a natural thing that happened.” The city of Toronto, Graph noted, has a very eclectic sound that she’s really inspired by, including great alternative and avant-garde rock music that influenced her sound a bit.

As a teen, she had a little nickname that a friend gave her—“Graph,” because her voice was “thin and airy, like spray pain coming out of a can,” she joked. However, that’s what she eventually went by professionally, adding on her last name Gonzales, after a suggestion by Pharrell Williams later on in life. Graph began working with various groups in Toronto and New York, building up experience by consistently working in the studio. Through hard work, she has collaborated with Pharrell and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes, Talib Kweli, Clipse, and more, just to name a few.
Now Graph has branched off on her own, developing her own music, which blends pop, rock, and rap. Her most recent track is the hot and bold “Heartbreaker!” The song was inspired by fellow Canadian artist Feist’s “I Feel It All, which has a line that Graph herself really connected to—“I’ll be the one to break my heart / I’ll be the one to hold the gun.” “That became a model for me in my life when I heard that song and that lyric,” she said. “That’s the way I want to live. That’s the way I want to love. I’ll be the one to break my heart. No one else.” The song, while still fun and upbeat, is also very bold and comes from a feministic approach, purposely done by Graph. Many times a “heartbreaker,” is seen as being a guy hurting a girl, but she wanted to do it from a female perspective. Check out the video for the song below!

Just from speaking with her, I see Graph truly has a strong vision for her music and career, and has a bright future ahead of her. Currently, she’s in the studio, constantly working on music, though keeping her plans on the low for now. I’m excited to see what new projects she brings to the table!

You can check out more of her music on SoundCloud and YouTube, and connect with her on Twitter and Instagram!

6:35:00 AM