First the basics: First Name, Last Name or the name by which your work is known, and where you’re from.
My government name’s Kunle Oluwadiya, but I’m better known as Kid KonnecT. Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, family heritage is from Ekiti state though.
What’s your story? How’d you get involved in your hustle? How do you make a living? How long have you been doing what you do?
Hmm, well, I really have no traumatic or crazy story about my childhood. I was raised like many kids in Nigeria to be law abiding – respect your elders, and all that other stuff. I was really introduced to music through my father. He wasn’t a musician but he was an avid music listener, especially classical music, Afro-beat, and reggae. He used to always play those around the house and the car and I kind of just gravitated towards always listening to that, particularly classical. So with that, mixed with me discovering hip hop in the mid-90s, I always knew I’d be involved in music/entertainment somehow.
I make a living as a freelance music producer, by freelance, I pretty much do everything music related. I help write songs, create, work with the mixing engineer, scoring movie scenes, etc. I’ve been making music since 2002, but started taking it more professionally and seriously in 2005, so technically about 4 years.
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Why do you make music?
I have to. When I started, I kept telling myself this was a hobby and nothing else. I kept lying to myself that I would be content living a regular life, but soon creating music became a necessity. It became therapeutic. I started learning how to convey emotion through keyboards, drums, snares. I started making music based on my moods for the day. Luckily, local artists were feeling my work, so my emotions help translate to some financial freedom. Also the money isn’t too bad.
What are some resources you’ve found invaluable to your work?
Number one resource: IMAGINATION. I’ve noticed a lot of beat makers just follow the trend of the day, they hardly find it necessary to go beyond what they know. They lack the creativity to experiment with new sounds. A lot of times I go into making a song with no idea whatsoever, but just the determination not to turn off the machine till I create something QUALITY.
Another resource is my test audience. I have certain people that hear my tracks first before any artist, they give me HONEST feedback. I keep them around because they give me a REALITY check. A lot of times I could invest so much time in creating a song, that sometimes I forget that other people have to listen to this, so I will continue to make the track the way I want to hear it. They remind me that, as a business, I have to provide a RELEVANT product to the consumers and not just for myself.
How do you get the word out about your hustle?
NETWORKING and building relationships. I’m learning this every day. I try to meet as many people in the industry as I can, even if I don’t like them. I’ve learnt from older people around me that you’re going to business with people you like and dislike, as long as you keep your eye on the main goal, everything will work out fine.
Where do you find your inspiration and/or motivation?
Any and everything inspires me. As long as whatever it is elicits some sort of emotion from me, I’m instantly inspired. A majority of music comes from being inspired by something or someone, sometimes pictures. One thing that helps me with inspiration and motivation is surrounding myself with creative people. They don’t necessarily need to be in the entertainment industry, but I noticed I get more inspired to create when I’m around creative thinkers.
How do you deal with challenges?
The best way I know how, deal with the situation one step at a time and move on. The more you linger on a negative situation, the more likely you are to allow the situation slow you down. Sometimes I’ll get in contact with people I know who might have experienced such challenges as I have, and then ask for their guidance.
What are things you find difficult on your path to your dreams?
The really MAJOR thing that I find difficult is maintaining something of a stable life financially. For me to have a stable financial life, the easiest option is get a 9-5 paper pusher job, which I’m not really ready to do. Apart from those hours affecting the number of hours I put into music, I personally feel like working any setting that keeps too much of a routine is going to affect my creative side, and at this point, my creativity is my CORE asset.
Another major thing is that I haven’t really established a base of operation in a town where entertainment is the heartbeat of the city. Being located in Baltimore, MD doesn’t get me as much exposure as others located in New York or Los Angeles or even Lagos, Nigeria. That problem is about to be fixed though.
Who are the people or organizations you look up to? Why?
Number 1: my parents; Mr. and Mrs. Oluwadiya. They’ve done a lot for me, and continue to. I never realized how supportive they are until recently. For many years, my choice to go into this field caused a tension among me and my father, but the main thing is that my father or mother never turned their backs on me. Even when I turned mine to them in many acts of defiance, they knew how harsh the world can be and allowed me to make my mistakes and pick myself up without ever giving me a “I’m disappointed” look. I love them and I’m NOTHING without their love.
Number 2: J Dilla aka Jay Dee aka the producer of some of the greatest hip hop you’ve never heard. If you’re not a producer or beat maker, it’s going to be hard to really recognize this name. J Dilla was a phenomenal music producer who died in Feb 2006. He worked with everybody from Busta Rhymes to Janet Jackson. Growing up to 90’s hip hop, I never really knew the names of many hop hop producers, but in 2001, I realized ALL my favorite hip hop songs were produced by this man. He was able to REALLY master how to bring emotion out of his listeners when they heard his beats. Till this day, I listen to his early work and get goosebumps. Google him: you won’t be sorry.
Number 3: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Not much to say other than that I love this organization. I met a lot of people through this group, but more importantly I’ve met brothers who I’m sure I was related to in my past life. One thing that this organization really helped me with was my confidence; being around people who truly support you and understand your drive can do wonders for your self-esteem. I honestly don’t think I’d be as good as I am if not for the encouragement of my brothers. Much love to my BROTHERS Marlo, Thomas, Mack, ‘Shad, Watkins, Dorand, Joe, Uncle Dave, Darius, JD, Larry and Trav . Thanks for always being there. Blu Phi!!!
How has this so-called recession affected the way you conduct business?
The recession is real. It made me have to get a part time job because I was digging into savings from past beat sales, but honestly, it doesn’t affect me that much. Every day is a recession for the poor man, so I’m no stranger to these circumstances. It definitely has made me reduce prices in certain areas, but it’ll never affect the quality of my work.
What work are you most proud of?
Wow, I’ve never really been asked this, but if I had to pick, it’s a work that has not been released yet and I’m not even sure it’ll ever come out. I scored a couple of scenes for a short film that my little sister, Tolu Oluwadiya was responsible for editing. I remember when she sent me the scene, I was so taken back by the story and the performance by the actors, I immediately got on the piano and crafted one of the simplest, but by far the most emotional melodies I’ve ever done. The result was a lot of people crying at the scene.
What are you working on currently?
Currently working with ZARA (Alpomeji recording artist) on her upcoming album, working with Modenine on his new album, his new album should be hitting Nigeria soon, also have some stuff with my Texas people Rukus, and Soul Brotha, working with a lot of up and comers as well like, Ezzie B, Nollege, Chykay and a bunch of other promising acts.
What is your dream project? Where do you plan on going with your business/hustle?
My dream project is not so much focused on music, but my dream project is to open up a credible ART institute in Lagos, Nigeria. I want it to be a place for kids who don’t see themselves as lawyers, or doctors but rather as musicians, painters, movie directors, etc. I want the institute to help build their talents and put them in place for their work to flourish. My plan is to build an entertainment conglomerate that will move other industries but still offer the same recognizable customer service that my brand represents.
How has your dedication to your hustle affected your personal life (family, school, relationships, faith, etc.)?
When it comes to family, it’s actually made me closer to my family, especially with my father. He sees my focus and my dedication to this, so he’s always asking how things are going and giving me great business ideas. As for social life – lol – I kinda don’t have one because of this. I spend pretty much of all my free time working, developing my craft. I’m fixing that as well.
What is something you know now that you wish you’d known before?
I wish I had learnt how to make beats before I came to the United States. Many of my clients look at me weird when I say I feel like I’m behind a lot of people when music production is mentioned. I feel I would be 100 times better than I am now, if I started earlier. Then again I didn’t start taking this seriously until 2005, so I still feel like an amateur sometimes; my competition don’t think that though (lol).
Lots of us are trying to reach and achieve their dreams. What is something you’ve learned on your path that you would share with anyone just starting out?
That’s easy DON’T GIVE UP!!!!!! There are going to be people who are never going to understand your passion, no matter how many times you try to explain to them. Just remember why you do what you do. If that thing doesn’t make you get up in the morning, it’s not worth chasing. Just don’t give up, stay humble and remain disciplined.