Get to know melodic rapper Dro Kenji.
South Carolina artist Dro Kenji recently released his debut project Tears and Pistols which has garnered over half a million streams. The rising artist finished his debut project in a matter of months and has more music on the way. Not only is his music taking off, but he’s also caught the attention of the illustrious Internet Money collective. With their guidance and mentorship, Dro Kenji is likely to skyrocket to fame in the coming year. We caught up with Kenji to discuss his debut project, his music-making process, and what it’s like working with Internet Money.
The Knockturnal: Did you have any musical influences growing up?
Dro Kenji: I was around music a lot of music growing. Radiohead was my favorite band.
The Knockturnal: Do you remember the first time you wrote a song or freestyle?
Dro Kenji: I wrote my first song around 2 years ago.
The Knockturnal: Did you imagine that things would be moving this fast for you?
Dro Kenji: I had a feeling, but I didn’t imagine all of this.
The Knockturnal: How did you get involved with Internet Money?
Dro Kenji: Really they just hit me and I flew out there for a couple months and stacked up a bunch of songs. Been working with them for 2 months.
The Knockturnal: What have been some of the biggest moments in your career so far?
Dro Kenji: Dropping my first project. Putting out “Finished” that went crazy. Getting to work with Internet money.
The Knockturnal: Who do you want to collab with?
Dro Kenji: Trippie Redd and Radiohead, some rock shit.
The Knockturnal: Can you talk about your debut project Tears and Pistols? What’s the meaning behind the title?
Dro Kenji: I chose Tears and Pistols because I talk about a lot of emotional stuff which represents the tears but I also talk about hype out the way type shit which represents pistols.
The Knockturnal: What was it like working on your debut project during Covid 19?
Dro Kenji: Really I just flew out to L.A. and the first month I made 150 songs and we put some of it together to make the tape.
The Knockturnal: What’s your process of making music? Writing or freestyling?
Dro Kenji: I just hear the beat and freestyle. It takes me 25 minutes to make a track unless I’m really taking my time with the song.
The Knockturnal: What was your favorite track off of the project?
Dro Kenji: “Save Me” which is the best one in my opinion because the song was real personal for me and the whole structure of the song came out perfectly.
The Knockturnal: What are you currently working on?
Dro Kenji:Project no. 2 which I’m tryna drop by the end of the year, it’s still in the works, but damn near done.
