Zambian rapper, K.R.Y.T.I.C (Kicking Rhymes You Thought I couldn’t) had his retirement planned out; stop making music at 30 and hand over his heart to a woman (get married). His fans showed him their power by calling him out of retirement for the 2018 BET Cypher. The Cypher didn’t happen but like a drug, K.R.Y.T.I.C was constantly high on the music and retirement became a fading memory. Nigerian Media personality, Ife Ajagbe hosted him on the tweetchat, Celeb Stopover on Thursday and he was short of spitting bars.
Question 1: We have one of the best rappers that I have ever listened to, on #CelebStopover today! It’s more important to me that he is human than the fact that he is Zambian (African brother). Hello @kryticismusic .
K.R.Y.T.I.C : Hello my Sister. Thank you for connecting our people 🙂 I am excited 🙂 #CelebStopover
Question 2: It’s always a pleasure when the art is great. You didn’t quit rapping at the age of 30 as intended. Is this really ever going to happen? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : I was sure a year ago that I was done with it. I was called back for a BET Cypher and old habits came back. Rap is like a drug for me. Once I start its very hard for me to put it down. I also had more content this time. #CelebStopover
Question 3: Did things turn out as planned with the BET Cypher ? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : I was happy that BET tweeted back and let us know that they would consider us next time. At least now they have their eye on Africa. I am always happy to push the envelope for my brothers and sisters. #CelebStopover
Question 4: How old are you again? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : 31.(Sighs sadly as he watches his youth dissolve)
Question 5: @kryticismusic Is your choice of language (English) costing you fans in Zambia? There seems to be a level of clamour for rap in indigenous languages? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : In the beginning it did. I think my people have warmed up to an English-rapping artist. We have come a long way 🙂 #CelebStopover
Question 6: You are quite ArtIsTic with your bars, who are your biggest influences? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : #CelebStopover I am influenced by a wide array of individuals that are great at what they do. From Tupac, Jay Z to my brothers Bobby East and Slap Dee. I choose to mine for inspiration wherever I can. As long as it is excellent :).
Question 7: How many times have you listened to the album, Kamikaze by @Eminem ? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : About seven in total. I haven’t been listening to it as frequently as it sounds 😀 I am just very happy with it. #CelebStopover
Question 8: As the President of Zambia, what is the first thing you would fix? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : The eductaion system. We suffer for lack of knowledge in some areas. #CelebStopover
Question 9: Beef among rappers seems to be a core part of the art. Which of the issues you had with a fellow rapper dragged on for too long? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : All of them. And that was entirely my fault. I was young and angry. It is well now 🙂 #CelebStopover
Question 10: @kryticismusic Do you still think that @Tim_Rapper is the best Zambian rapper? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : Yes. We both have projects coming out and I believe that title is always up for contention. He can get these hands too 🙂 #CelebStopover
Question 11: What’s the biggest issue that you think that every Zambian rapper should be addressing on their songs right now? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : We need to re-identify with what it means to be Zambian. We are at a very young stage in our growth and this would be the worst time to copy the wrong attributes of foreign culture. We are still a country in Africa. #CelebStopover
Question 12: I have always wondered if Africans would have behaved differently if they had been in the position of the colonialists. What do you think? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : I don’t think we would have taken it that far. We practiced dignity in our conquest. We would have turned the world into South Africa. That’s how forgiving we are 🙂 #CelebStopover
Question 13: What would you say to the young minds that are about to sign record deals? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C: Don’t. The era of the record label has shifted. Establish your brand. You have the internet. The world will come to you. In my country @ChandaMbao The fake, @TashaChansa and Bacci are doing this well.
Question 14: @kryticismusic Mention one thing that you missed this year even though you really wanted it. #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : Lake Of Stars. I really wanted to go. I am booked on the very same day sadly 🙂 #CelebStopover
Question 15: @kryticismusic What influences your dressing? Your pocket or your mood? #CelebStopover
K.R.Y.T.I.C : A little of both. I am not hung up on it but I definitely wouldn’t go outside in my onesie. That’s for strong people only 🙂 #CelebStopover
Fans from Nigeria and Zambia joined the conversation and asked a number of questions. Type the hashtag, #CelebStopover in the search column on twitter to see the full conversation. We are looking forward to his post-retirement album/documentary/book at the end of 2018. Meanwhile, watch the video of the song, Breathe to have a feel of his dopeness.
