Quick Hits: Kid Static

Band name: Kid Static

Place of origin: Chicago

Upcoming shows: Monday, December 13, at Pehrspace

Do you have anything special planned for the show?
I’m playing four new songs no one has ever heard. Other than that, it will be the usual energy, dance moves & amazing antics.

Kid Static, always looking—and sounding—the best

Can you tell us about the musical history that feeds into Kid Static?
My parents both played music so I started writing songs really young. In high school I wrote alot of drum ‘n bass/breakbeat-type stuff under the name Static Messenger. I think you can definitely hear the electronic background in the music I write now. The first band I was in was called The Cankles. We made a bunch of noise in Chicago, even played Lollapalooza in ’06. I’m also in a project called Yea Big + Kid Static but we’re on a break while Yea Big finishes school. That project did really well as far as heads we reached and press we got and I hope to carry that on into my solo project. I also play keyboards and drums and I’ve been singing since I was a kid.

Your personality and sense of humor looms large in your music and in your videos. In the old days, musicians used to complain about doing videos but you look like you’re having a lot of fun.
I love making videos. They are a chance to bring what you see when you hear the song to life. They are also a chance to give people a glimpse into your personal style, personality and head space. You get to be an artist, not just a musician, and I’m into that.

Besides being an MC, you’re also an musician. Is it easy to mesh those things together or does the keyboard player in you want to do things the rapper doesn’t?
I really dont think the keyboard player and the rapper are two different people. Both are very rhythmic, you have to pay attention to cadence and timing. My vocals can get very melodic at times. If anything, being a keyboard player makes me a better rapper.

Lastly, greatest MC of all time?
I can’t ever answer these questions. On any given day my answer will change. Different emcees have different styles. To say that one is BETTER than another doesn’t really make sense when there are so many excellent rappers. Some people go super abstract, some like to style or do characters, some like immense amounts of wordplay or patterns, some are just super clever and funny. As competetive as hip hop is, you hear that GOAT dropped alot. With so many rappers claiming to be the greatest of all time, who do you believe? Big L was dope though, that dude……yeah, never mind. Big L.

Listen: Kid Static – “Glare”

Don’t miss Kid Static this Monday night: