20 Questions with papi kodak
If you’ve ever wondered what goes on inside the mind of Papi Kodak, then you’re in luck! I was able to get the chance to ask him 20 questions through email, and it was a BLAST. He is someone who has always had a special connection with music and just by listening to his music, you can tell that he just gets it. So please enjoy this one-of-a-kind Papi Kodak Q&A! (P.S if you read it to the end you will get a fun opportunity to see some of his new merch!)
The Basics:
Q: What first inspired you to make music?
A: Being around my friends and in a happy/ creative state. During high school when I first played with the idea of writing a song. I had always sang a few lines here and there, sometimes just to be funny and creative. I started memorizing my favorite rap songs and I realized I was pretty good at it.
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences?
A: I was listening to a lot of Dee Watkins around that time I started recording. That Florida rap genre has influenced a lot of the swag in my style. I also have influences from some of the OGs such as 50 Cent, Eminem, Ice Cube and a lot more here and there. I try and listen to many different styles of music.
Q: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music?
A: A taste of raspiness with words from the soul. Energetic, emotional, unique, authentic. A little bilingual rap with a big touch of swag.
Q: How has your style changed over time, and if so, how?
A: My style has grown and improved over time, diversifying. I am not scared to try any instrumental or type of song; I even have a Christmas song! (Santa’s Trip by Papi Kodak & Marika Marlene). The fashion style is also important for artists! I have mastered both dapper styles and more traditional dress-down hip hop styles. I enjoy dressing nice.
The Creative Process:
Q: What’s your songwriting process like?
A: Choosing a beat that I like. I’ll either just listen to the beat or freestyle to it for a feel. Then I might record myself while I freestyle (I have a 2nd phone just for that). At some point I like to get my lyrics written down. I will need them typed for when I upload them to Musixmatch so they can be posted to all platforms. Nowadays people make beats for me and choose which one I want to use. I used to have to hunt for the beats; now I have a lot more options because I’ve proved myself as an artist.
Q: Where do you find inspiration for your lyrics?
A: Whatever I’m feeling. I think a lot about music when im driving and whenever im busy, I’ll subconsciously start singing; that can be my best music. Sometimes music is like therapy for me and might help me realize a feeling I wasn’t even thinking about.
Q: Do you prefer writing alone or collaborating with others?
A: In general I think collaborating with other people is dope and exhilarating. I also enjoy having songs by myself and not having to share the beat. I love to freestyle in the car and it’s awesome when other people are with you listening, and even getting excited from what you are doing.
Q: How do you overcome creative blocks?
A: Taking a break, go do something else and come back to it. Also pushing through it is sometimes the answer. Just keep working on it as much as you can, and whatever you don't have figured out you can solve in the studio.
Career & Experiences:
Q: What has been your favorite performance so far, and why?
A: I really enjoyed my first show, August 12th 2022 at Southgate House Revival in Newport, Kentucky. This show sold out and I have had several friends on stage and performing with me. This was where I really got a taste of being on the big station, it is awesome to see videos that people took afterwards!
Q: Have you ever had a show go wrong? How did you handle it?
A: We’ve had some sound/microphone issues occur while performing. Best to remain calm and confident and continue performing. We’ve also had to work with sharing a microphone with multiple artists on stage. Part of art and solving problems is being creative!
Q: What was the most memorable interaction you’ve had with a fan?
A: Someone I had never met came up to my car once when I was in a parking lot. They said they had to give credit where it was due for music and told me to keep it up. I am still in touch with them. I have Papi Kodak stickers on my car to help advertise!
Q: What’s one challenge you’ve faced in the music industry?
A: Scraping the money together to fund the process. Not getting the views or reaction you expect from a song or social media content can be tough too. Sometimes you have expectations of how something is going to do, oftentimes it doesn’t go as you’d expect. It may take longer for your new song to catch on and you were expecting it to be a hit at launch.
Recording & Production:
Q: Do you enjoy being in the studio, or do you prefer performing live?
A: I really love both, they are different experiences and the studio is where the sings are created for live performances. The studio is usually more personal; I love the thrill of performing live and talking to people after my performance. There is an energy that comes from being on stage that is unmatched.
Q: How involved are you in the production process?
A: Every moment. I will usually stay involved during the editing process; unless I am working on writing my next lyrics while the song is being mixed. I trust my producer and value his inputs. The only part I’m not involved I would say is the creation of the instrumental. Sometimes I sit in on this and help create it start to finish, but most of the time I am not involved in the creation of the beat, tho I may be around when t gets changed in the final stages.
Q: Do you have a favorite song you’ve recorded? What makes it special?
A: I really enjoyed recording my song “Papi Kodak.” I had just finished the hook on my way to the studio. When I arrived it too 15 minuets to write my 1st verse while Max (my engineer) wrote the 2nd verse in spanish. We recorded and everything turned out so well. That song is now my ringtone.
Personal & Fun Questions:
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be?
A: Johnny Cash or Beethoven - I would like to hear what they say and how universal our collaboration would be.
Q: What’s on your current playlist? Any guilty pleasure songs?
A: Mostly I listen to my own music and instrumentals for tracks I’m planning to make! My guilty pleasures would probably be high energy rap songs. I like to listen to Young Buck when I’m going for a run or need some more energy, specifically his song “Get Buck”
Q: What do you do when you’re not making music?
A: I like to be outside, I love to garden, hike and play basketball. I also spend time with people I care about, such as friends and family. I also like meeting strangers and asking them to check out my music. Sometimes I stop in stores and gas stations. Also like to help people, including people I don't know.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring musicians?
A: Never give up. Don’t do things that aren’t worth your time. The best time to work on music is now. Lots of the work you put in has delayed gratification, especially at the beginning. Also, collaborate with people and don’t be afraid of performing in front of other people! You have to be proud of what you make.
Q: What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or goals?
A: Working on an album for 2025 that will feature other artists such as 513 Elias, the majority of instrumentals on it have been made by Bobo (a close friend of mine). I try and take as many open mic opportunities as possible, as well as paid performances. Continuing to improve myself and better my craft. The goal is to work on music everyday and get better; most importantly have fun doing it, that’s why I started!
Final Notes
I know I said I would show you his new merch and I will! But First I want to talk about one of my favorite things that he said in the interview. He said “Part of art and solving problems is being creative” and I just LOVED that mindset. Sometimes all it takes is being creative, and it just seems that creativity is the blood that runs through his soul, and that is just awesome… JUST LIKE HIS MERCH! You can find him on all platforms under the name “Papi Kodak”.
