Kamaiyah discusses her latest release and insight into the industry.
Oakland, California’s Kamaiyah is a force to be reckoned with. The Bay Area rapper came to prominence in 2017 as one of ten artists included in XXL’s 2017 Freshman Class. Since then Kamiyah’s come a long way, currently promoting her third project of the year, despite being in quarantine. Kamaiyah’s latest project, No Explanations is a departure from the classic Kamaiyah that people have grown accustomed to. Kamaiyah shows her range and versatility on this project as she tackles beats and topics her fans aren’t used to. In addition to pushing boundaries, Kamaiyah also secured two prominent features for the project: Mozzy & Jackboy.
Kamaiyah discusses her new project as well as what it feels like to be a woman in the music industry. She discusses double standards and how she’s not going to change to fit into a box. Kamaiyah believes that while all artists don’t have to like each other, respect and acknowledgment is needed for progress and growth. The determined rapper is as passionate about equality in the industry as she is about her music. Check out the full interview below for more.
The Knockturnal: Can you tell us about your new single & video for โStill I Riseโย Featuring Jackboy?ย
Kamaiyah: โStill I Riseโ is me basically saying no matter what I’ve been through, Iโma always rise to occasion and Iโma keep pushing, you canโt hold me back.
The Knockturnal: How does it feel to be gearing up to release your 3rd project this year? And to be the only woman whoโs done so?
Kamaiyah: Itโs kind of interesting because everybody shuts down the whole last quarter thing is kind of weird for me.
The Knockturnal: How did COVID affect your creative process? If at all?
Kamaiyah: It was damn near the same. Itโs kind of hard to get me off my rocker and because I’ma do me regardless. There’s nothing anyone can say to stop me from rising to the occasion.
The Knockturnal: Can you tell us about how much work went to into No Explanations?ย
Kamaiyah: Itโs been done for hella long and it was just waiting for the marketing side. No Explanations is pretty self-explanatory. Iโm done explaining myself to people. I wanted to make a project that was more realistic to where Iโm at in life. Thereโs no pressure to put out a party project because half the world is inside and canโt afford to go out.
The Knockturnal: Talk about Mozzy as the only other feature in your project?
Kamaiyah: Me and Mozzy been knowing each other for a long time, we had another feature that didnโt get to come to fruition because I parted ways with my last situation and I always wanted to do another record with him so it just made it happen for this project. Mozzyโs pretty hard to work with. He sent that shit back right after doing his verse.
The Knockturnal: Favorite tracks off No Explanation?
Kamaiyah: Favorite records are โArt of War,โ โBend Da Cornerโ and โMomma Saidโ with Mozzy because fans are getting to see a whole new side of me.
The Knockturnal: How important do you think it is for women to uplift other women in this industry?ย
Kamaiyah: A lot of people donโt like each other, not me personally, but I think the best thing we can do – if you work at an office you should go to work, do your job and be respectful. You got to respect each otherโs artistry to the degree that you respect somebodyโs hustle. I respect the fact that youโre out here dominating in a male-oriented industry, but all that buddy buddy shit I feel like that be unrealisticโฆand they pretend because everybody tell them they have to but they donโt got to do that. You can see energy, energy donโt lie. Everybody donโt gotta like each other, just respect each other, thatโs what I would say to another female coming up.ย
The Knockturnal: Can everyone simultaneously succeed or is music inherently competitive?
Kamaiyah: I feel like everyone can win, but there’s this perception where people feel like you canโt because -if you donโt have the right people around you, theyโll make you feel like there can be only one female doing this or one male doing that. Thatโs what they tell you to create this energy that shouldnโt exist in music. People try to box in female rappers if you donโt sell sex. Not everyoneโs gonna do that, thatโs the dope part about music. Every maleโs not talking about trapping but are you gonna tell him heโs not a good artist? No! With females its like unless youโre showing your coochie crack youโre not respected and that shouldnโt be a thing. Itโs a double standard.
