Meet Kabwasa | Hip-Hop/R&B Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kabwasa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kabwasa, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor in my success as an artist and within my brand has been collaborating and working with the people around me. I realized early on that the most important people in growing towards your goals is working with people in the same lane as you with the same goals. every bit of progress that I have made has come from working with my peers. My best songs have been made in collaboration with my friends, even my connection with my manager is incredibly strong because it started as a friendship. Working with my peers has been the most important factor behind my successes thus far.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Hip-Hop/R&B artist from Watsonville California. I think the main thing that sets me apart from other artists is my voice and singing style. I started my journey towards finding my sound in a lane that was pure hip-hop. I tried being hard and raw with my voice and lyrics but I gradually realized that that wasn’t my lane. Im music naturally kind of transitioned to a mix of singing and rapping living me at this kind of jazzy R&B/Hip-Hop fusion that i do today. The road towards getting to where I am today hasn’t been the smoothest. I think the biggest battle that Ive continually had to face on this journey is self doubt. Im still learning how to overcome this struggle and continuing to learn the power of positive affirmation, but the most important lesson i have learned from it all is that in order to be successful you need to take yourself seriously, be proud of your work, and continue to focus on where you are rather than where you are not. I want the share with everyone, especially small artists working to gain a platform that none of this comes over night. the people that make it just simply dont give up. As long as you dont stop you will eventually reach the place you are striving for.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In the city of LA where I am currently living there are endless possibilities for things to do. I would suggest going to the variety of creative fun artistic areas and shops. one place I really love in LA is the Arts District. There is tons of beautiful, fun, and inspiring pieces of art and murals everywhere as well as endless cool bars and restaurants all around. The same applies to Downtown LA as well. There is never a dull moment in Downtown LA. In my hometown of Watsonville there is also a ton of beautiful sights to see. If you ever visit Watsonville I would highly recommend taking the time to go to the beach or one of the many sloughs all around. It is some of the most beautiful parts of the would you will see in my opinion. on top of that Watsonville has some of the most delicious Mexican food in the world. Any restaurant you go to in the city you can almost guarantee its going to be amazing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to the Creative Experience (Cre-Ex) black creatives club at the University of Southern California. The student run club is a sub tier of USCs Black Student Assembly and focuses on connecting black and marginalized creatives giving everyone a safe and positive space to work with and surround themselves with likeminded creatives and artists. If it wasn’t for Cre-Ex I wouldn’t be anywhere near the place that I am today. Being a part of Cre-Ex provided me with so many opportunities, connections, and collaborations. I am forever grateful for being able to have Cre-Ex as a place of inspiration for me throughout my journey.

Website: https://www.kabwasa.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicbykabwasa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MusicByKabwasa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MusicByKabwasa
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLiuk6rHHzP_rp8kJngKFtg

Image Credits
Sho Stewart Tatum Van-Dam Sho Stewart Joey Rodriguez Tatum Van-Dam Caleb Griffin Joey Rodriguez