The late, great Notorious B.I.G. once famously quipped, “Your life is played out like Kwamé, and them fuckin’ polka dots.” But make no mistake about it, multi-award winning, platinum artist/producer, Kwamé, is a Hip-Hop legend in his own right. So, with that being said, it’s only right to give this pioneering icon his well deserved flowers pronto.

Let’s hop into this single/video, “Hello/Anybody?” Tell me about this particular track; how did it even come to fruition?

“Hello/Anybody?” spawned from me looking at the current sate of music. Especially Black music. I feel like we have become our own stereotype in mainstream media. So I pose the question, “Am I alone in this thought?” I also wanted to state coming from my generation some younger folks may see this as hate. But Hip Hop is like a family, and we have all types of folks in our family that we love just the same and are not above criticism.

Of course “Hello/Anybody?“ follows on the heels of “Ms Mary Mack.” Talk to me a lil bit about this composition…

“Ms Mary Mack” reminds me of the sounds coming out of an old Juke joint. Folks having fun and reminiscing on the things they said and did as kids. Far and away from the mainstream. Just pure lyrics and bounce. The video is just me alone in a club. No fanfare. Just pure and raw.

Both selections come courtesy of your latest album, “The Different Kids.” Conceptually, what does this title represent both to and for you?

“The Different Kids” is a state of being more than a concept. My whole life, no matter how hard I tried to fit in, the universe always puts me on a “different” path. Be it dress, points of view and music, I always come across differently. So this album represents that. I’m not following trends or doing things for “likes.” And, I’m speaking to all those who feel the same way about themselves, and letting them know that they aren’t alone.

How then does “The Different Kids” either differ and / or compare to previous Kwamé efforts?

This album is a direct link to my 1st album “The Boy Genius.” They are created in the exact same way. Like when I was 15/16 years old, I made this album strictly for the hunger to make art and express myself with zero expectations. I express myself freely without any A&R at a record label telling me what I should or shouldn’t make. All of my other albums were based on a concept and an attempt at radio play. Which is fine, but not the case with “The Different Kids.”

What particular string of events actually led to your current signing to/with SRG-ILS Group/Virgin Music/(UMG)?

I didn’t “sign” with them as an artist. My label “Make Noise” is distributed by SRG/ILS/Virgin. I started with SRG in 2019, and we released Vivian Green’s 7th studio album “Love Absolute.” So now I’m releasing “The Different Kids” under that same deal. It’s been a great partnership.

Also, why such a lengthy delay in between projects? And, what was it about now, specifically, that prompted your return to form?

The only delay was I wanted technology to catch up to how freely I wanted to express myself. For the past 25 years I’ve been extremely active as a record producer and songwriter. As well as performing my previous work. I see a lot of my contemporaries dropping music. And I feel now is a great time for the renewed interest in classic Hip Hop.

On the production front, you’ve worked with everyone from LL Cool J and Missy Elliott to Mary J. Blige and Christina Aguilera. Do you have anything coming up soon regarding any outside works?

I’m always working on outside artists known and new. I try not to speak on the “in development” because I don’t want to jinx it. But there are few tricks up my sleve for 2026.

That said, how do you describe and/or define the style of music that you create and / or perform?

My style is 100% unapologetically me. When I record or perform it’s to what I write and produce. I approach things not as a “rapper,” but as a complete artist. I love nostalgia and I love opening that door to my audience on and off stage.

As a lyricist when you sit down to pen your rhymes, where do you draw inspiration from?

My inspiration is from everything I see or hear. My own experiences. Random things I see in the street. Words and phrases I pick up from reading or listening to people. Listening brings about the biggest inspirations. Listening and being empathetic. Putting myself in others’ shoes.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

I want people who knew me then to know me now and not base their views of me from 30 years ago. I want people to discover what I’m doing as well. I want folks to see my art as a complete body of work that will keep adding layers as time permits.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I’m not much into collabs, but if I could… Living: Sade. Spiritually: Prince.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

I’d love to do a massive show outside of the home I grew up in on 97th Street between 24th and 25th Avenues in East Elmhurst Queens, NY. OR, a show in the middle of New York Comic Con at the Jacob Javits Center, IYKYK .

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip-Hop?

I’m happy Hip-Hop still exists when I was always told it wouldn’t last, but I have never been “happy” with any of the states of Hip-Hop as a whole. Because there’s always a level of harsh competition or some form of negativity that sits on top of so much greatness. Hip-Hop is still in a growing phase.

What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?

I’m always searching for new inspiration. I’m never settled and never satisfied, but always hungry, humble and grateful. I don’t see any end games. That’s my fuel for longevity.

Do you have any other outside/additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?

I really want to launch my fashion lifestyle brand. But I don’t want to rush it. It has to be done on an extremely professional level. I also want to open a vintage toy and nostalgia shop. Looking at locations in multiple cities now.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?

I think my biggest career moments aren’t surface events like shows or media opportunities. It’s seeing my album in a store for the first time. Hearing my song on the radio for the first time. Or even being in a random city and hearing cars go by blasting my music. One time I heard a neighbor blasting a record I produced. That neighbor never knew who I was or what I did. Very cool moments for me.

What’s an average day like for you?

If I’m not traveling or prepping for a show, my days are pretty mundane. I wake up very early; 5:30am. I meditate on the upcoming day. If I had good rest, I go and work out for 30-40 minutes. I put on my “comfy clothes” and I hit the studio. I like to create early and be done with making music by 3pm. I answer emails and do random errands; super boring. The last hour before sunset I jog 3-5 miles. Then I try and finish my work by 8pm .

Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…

I love doing meet and greets after shows, and going live on IG or TikTok.

What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?

Well, this isn’t “work” for me. It’s my lifestyle at this point. So any success big or small leads to more success, and any failure is a huge lesson. So I love it all. My least favorite is when I’m in situations where the creativity or the business is out of my control, and if things fail I’m caught up in it.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Just be yourself. Never get too “large” to not be open to suggestion and / or opinion. Know that none of this is personal. Listen and always be aware of where creativity is going. Don’t get stuck doing one thing. Be as diverse as possible.

As for the immediate, what’s next for The Boy Genius?

I’m laser focused on the continued promotion of “The Different Kids.” More visuals, interviews and live shows. It’s “Go Time!”

Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers?

Thank you for all of the massive support. I’m being welcomed back with amazing energy. I’m super grateful. f the massive support. I’m being welcomed back with amazing energy. I’m super grateful.