Kai Wayne Holland from Llanelli or as he calls it Deep South West Wales, is originally from Ammanford but has lived in Llanelli since he was about 8 years old. His artist name is his real name as he states “I like to be in first name terms with my audience as a creative”. Check out his latest track Banking on your Time below:
We had the chance to Kai Wayne Holland some questions. Here's how it went:
Where was the audio recorded for this song and who produced it?
This song was written recorded and provided primarily in one six-hour creative session with my long-time friend and brilliant producer Darren Wolff. It was at his studio near Llanelli. We later returned just to add some parts but it was basically done in one evening!
What influenced you to create this song?
I’ve been developing as a vocal artist and rapper for a long time. I have been building up to a certain level lyrically with the guidance of Wolffie and other friends but it has mainly been just rap. Recently I’ve been wanting to challenge myself creatively in terms of my lyricism and my vocal capabilities. When I approached Darren and explained where I wanted to go with a track he felt the vibe and got the direction. So I think primarily it’s the result of the influence of my own change and maturing as a vocalist and creative song writer.
How did your journey with music start?
I have always loved music and wanted to make music as a youngster. I wrote lyrics for all kinds of music styles over the years but nothing ever materialised from it. I emceed for a few years as a teen and frequented a number of events trying to blag the mic but I didn’t really start making serious moves to create music with my lyricism until I heard “bogies and alcohol.” By Dirty Dike in 2008/09 I loved how he was just being himself and shamelessly self-deprecating as everyone’s favourite wanker, speaking whatever he wanted on his tracks and it was inspiring. I bought a couple of tracks off him when he was calling himself Mr Avocado on Soundcloud and peddling beats. I think the first beat I bought was called “when he speaks of love.” I always remind Dike when I see him that it was me who bought that beat!! My journey pretty much started from there.
How long does it usually take you to write your songs?
That’s a difficult question to answer really. Sometimes I feel some tracks instantly and the words and rhythms will flow and other times I love the beat so much but it takes time to sculpt how I want to resolve my delivery and lyrical approach. It’s kind of a spectrum and it’s hard to say where the best results are made but with “banking on your time” it just flowed. It was an easy laid back jam and it just happened naturally in that six-hour session.
Can you remember the first time you wrote a song? Can you describe it for us?
Sure, the first time I wrote a song down I was just six years old and it was a poem in class. I was reported to the head teacher for explicit content about kicking someone’s face it was hilarious. It was the last time I’d be sent to the office for something crude.
What inspires you most?
People, history, culture, art, science, the cosmos, music and literature. I love to read and create. I’m a master academic researcher in art and design and I focus on scientific modelling but I love any kind of scientific knowledge and information.
What music are your listening to lately?
I listen to a lot of UKHH but I’ve been enjoying mainstream artists more these last few years. The weeknd, especially. I’m a big fan of Abel Tesfaye his work is genius, his approach and creative style and overall sound is phenomenal. It’s addictive listening. I also listen to Twenty One Pilots a lot. Tyler Jospeh is another one of my personal hero’s for creative music. His abilities are off the chain for song writing and I really respect that!
What is your creative process like?
It’s always a process of discovery. It starts with feeling a tracks musicality and trying to find where I’d fit and what I’d be saying and feeling in that musical narrative or vibe. I suppose it’s quite messy if I mapped my mental processes and every single aspect as a single data point.
What is your favourite song to perform?
I haven’t done many live shows with any of my own recent songs of late so I wouldn’t really know which is my favourite currently. Banking on your time is my favourite song that I’ve ever made or been part of and Darren’s production and ability with engineering really has shined through. I look forward to performing this track live as and when venues open again and when artists can back to being artists! I can feel this on a stage in the summer at any kind of festival!!
What events in Hip-Hop/Rap’s history stand out to you?
Dr Dre’s Chronic 2001 changed my life. That album was a whole era of music that was so iconic in my memory. I remember I changed so much in the days where those tracks were always bumping. It was a whole era in history for me!!
Which famous musicians do you admire?
Abel Tesfaye or the weeknd, Tyler Joseph from twenty one pilots, also Dave Grohl and Josh Homme. Those two are serious heroes of mine.
What songs do you sing in the shower?
Always “don’t believe the hype” by public enemy!!
Haha
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