K Camp Speaks On Growth, “Cut Her Off,” and Club Music

Setbacks and obstacles can either better prepare a person to face future adversity or deter them from continuing their pursuit of something meaningful. In the case of Atlanta-based rapper K Camp, what didn’t kill his aspirations only made him stronger. “It’s all trial and error,” he says. “I’m just growing and learning as I go.” A few shady business deals may have slowed K Camp down on the road to success during the early stages of his journey, but now that he has learned from prior mistakes he’s ready reap the rewards of all of his hard work and persistence. Now signed to Interscope Records, the rapper born Kris Campbell has had a hit on his hands this year with “Cut Her Off.” The record which features 2 Chainz peaked within the top 50 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart. Determined to not only follow up the success of “Cut Her Off” and records like “Money Baby,” but to also show that he’s not the one-dimensional artist some may think, Camp has recently released the introspective “Blessing.” Life+Times recently spoke with K Camp about the success of “Cut Her Off,” him wanting to show versatility in his music and who he’d want to work with on his debut album.

Life + Times: Do you think that part of the reason “Cut Her Off” has been so successful is because having to “cut people off” is so relatable?
K Camp: I knew folks would gravitate towards it, because everybody has had to cut somebody off in some sort of situation, but I didn’t think it would take off like this.

L+T: What’s your best advice for cutting someone off?
KC: I don’t know, man. They’d have to watch my videos and listen to my lyrics to get some pointers or something [laughs].

L+T: You’re latest single, “Blessing” is a lot different from the records fans have grown accustom to hearing from you. Why did you choose to release it as a single?
KC: They thought I could only make those club records, but the In Due Time EP showed that I have range. People weren’t expecting that type of record from K Camp. I’m happy people are really accepting it.

L+T: You’ve said that you don’t want to be viewed as a rapper that can only make club anthems, but after having two successful “club” records like “Cut Her Off” and “Money Baby” do you think it’ll be difficult to not be label “club record rapper”?
KC: I don’t think it’s difficult at all. I make my type of music. I can make those club records, but I can also make some real life, motivational records. I’m not trying to be in any category, expect for K Camp.

L+T: There is a lot of new talent popping in Atlanta right now. There’s Young Thug, Rich Homie Quan, Migos and a few others currently making noise. How will K Camp separate himself from the pack?
KC: I just have to keep grinding, stay consistent and put out that good music. I have to keep that work ethic up and not get too comfortable. I have to relate to the people. There has to be some sort of message. That’s really how to do it.

L+T: How have the obstacles you experienced early in your career prepared you for your recent successes?
KC: Those setbacks made me who I am. It bettered my grind. It made me wiser about things that I use to do. It also showed me some of the things that I shouldn’t have been doing.

L+T: Have you started working on your debut album?
KC: Yeah. I just started working on it.

L+T: Who would you like to work with for the album?
KC: I’m trying to work with whoever is trying to work with me. I just want this album to be special, so I’m with whatever makes sense. We’re going to reach out to whoever is a perfect fit, but if we can get Lil Wayne or Andre 3000 on there it would be crazy. I’m from the South and they paved the way for the South in so many ways. You got to respect who did it before you in order for you to keep going.

L+T: So far, what has been the biggest difference between your grind as an independent artist and your grind as an artist signed to a major label?
KC: It’s the same grind. I have to grind harder now that I’m signed, if anything. There’s more work to do now that I’m signed. Being signed just put me on a bigger scale as far as getting my music out to people, but there’s still a lot of work to do.