Interview: KNXWLEDGE
Posted on July 12, 2012 by SeñorRoboto
In an industry saturated with bedroom producers, there are a select few producers that shine above the rest. Adopted Philadelphian, Knxwledge, is one of those elite few.
With a signature sound that echoes such greats as MF Doom, Bob James, Flying Lous and of course J.Dilla, It is clear that the international music scene is finally taking notice of this New Jersey born beatsmith.
Having just landed in Australia to begin his OZ/NZ tour, gracing us with his presence at Good God Small Club on the 14th of July. We were lucky enough to chat to him, with the hope of getting a better insight into the mind of a modern day prodigy.
PRIMO!: You grew up in New Jersey but for the last 7 years or so you have been residing in Philadelphia. What pushed you to make the move and do you think it changed your sound at all?
KNXWLEDGE: I found my heart where I am now. I moved to [LA] because I’m simply happier. There’s nothing like creating when you’re full of love and peace. As far as my sound… same old loops.
In an interview with HHV Mag you said that “I make music everyday, I wake up, and I do it as long as I can and as much as I can”, while your extensive catalogue suggests that you never lack inspiration, do you find that you are inspired to write music every day?
E v e r y s i n g l e d a y. It’s good for me. Keeps me grounded.
You have also said that you are your own worst critic and that mixing down your music is a weakness of yours. Have you ever sent a tune of your own out to be mixed down professionally or do you prefer your own touch at every end of the production process?
Nah, I never send out tunes for other kats to mix. I’ve gotta have the last export.
Your ability to seamless integrate samples into your music has always been one of my favourite aspects of your sound. Have you found over the years, as your sound evolves, that sampling is a method you want to keep pushing?
Yes, indeed. It’s the origin of 99% of my favourite sounds of all time. There’s nothing like rearranging those melodies into never-ending loops. I can do that shit all day.
All City Records have released a lot of your work, do you find that having artist like Exile, Dibiase, Tokimonsta and House Shoes on the same label has influence your own style at all? As an artist myself, I know that there is always one person in the industry who you aspire to collaborate with. Who is that person for you and have you tried to get in contact with them successfully?
It’s a different era, where people think they know you through your music. Let alone your fucking tweets. I hate the honour of meeting all my label mates on a personal level before really listening to their work. If there’s one person I want to collab with it’d be Karriem Riggins. That fool has bars, let alone beats.
After stumbling upon your tumblr account, I see that you have a great appreciation for art/graphics/illustration. Have you ever been interested in experimenting with creating some of your own art?
I have, actually. I’ve done a handful of the covers for my tapes but I suck at drawing, so…
Speaking of art, your Album art is always phenomenal. I know Teebs did the artwork for Klouds and Marie Schockweiller did the Mango EP. How to you go about making decisions for what your album art is going to be?
Um, I’m very impulsive. And not for any specific reason either. Actually, I’m pretty impatient. But I do what I do simply because it feels right.
Your tumblr also exhibits works of many film makers who have used your tunes in their movies. Have you had any interest in writing scores for film?
That would be cool, actually. Film would have to be something trill, though. Like, “Step Up 8” or some shit… Kidding. I don’t know. Would be fun, maybe one day…
Now this is a little off topic but it’s no secret that you have been known to enjoy a smoke every once in a while. As a fellow smoker, I like to think that it would be awesome to smoke with an idol of mine… Just to talk shit, get in their mind. If you had the chance to choose one person to enjoy a joint with [past or present], who would it be and what would you want to talk about?
Ha ha. Hm. I’d probably have to say Young Otis. That guy has the glow. Thing is, we probably wouldn’t end up talking about anything. Let the loops talk.
Finally, we come to the most important question of all… Burgers or Burritos?
Baha. Nice one. Ummmmmmmmmmm. Burritos.
- End -
Knxwledge, was kind enough to do a mix for the Australian/NZ tour. Listen to it here.
