Meet Koi Ka-dense | The Artist, The Songwriter, The Music Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Koi Ka-dense and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Koi, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, the land of good music and Gates BBQ. My foundation and belief system are rooted in the COGIC church. I come from a family with a musical and athletic background. My grandparents were the pastor and first lady of the church, and this role was later passed down to my parents, yep…making me a PK (preacher’s kid). Having this kind of upbringing has been an anchor for me, instilling a strong sense of faith and resilience.

Throughout my childhood, I showed a natural inclination for music. I could play the drums and the piano by ear, sing, and even played the oboe and clarinet in school as well as lead a marching band. So as you can see Music has always been a significant part of my life, and wherever there was music, I felt at home because it became a part of me.

Reflecting on how my upbringing has influenced who I am today, I would say it has made me resilient. It wasn’t easy having all those gifts and talents as I encountered many people who wanted me to downplay my abilities. I faced more criticism and negativity than support, sometimes even from those close to me.

My mom always encouraged me to have confidence in myself, but my experiences sometimes made it challenging to maintain that confidence. It was disheartening when people close to me would give me disapproving looks or laugh while I was singing a solo. These experiences caused me to doubt myself and seek validation from others. However, despite these challenges, my upbringing also taught me to be strong and to look beyond the obstacles.

I learned to encourage myself, work hard, and persevere through difficult situations. It taught me to focus on the bigger picture of being a light in a room full of darkness, even if others didn’t appreciate or understand my talents. I realized that my upbringing gave me the strength and courage to go against the grain and follow my passions.

Now, at this point in my life, I can confidently say that I am here because I didn’t let the outside noises affect me. I kept feeding my hunger and love for music, regardless of the obstacles. My upbringing has shaped me into a strong, resilient, and compassionate woman, and for that, I am truly grateful.

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.
Hmmmm… Let’s see, first and foremost, I’m incredibly talented and gifted. I start with that because it’s taken me a while to truly acknowledge it!

I am a multifaceted artist – a music producer, an engineer, a fashion designer, and a songwriter. By nature, I am a creator, and my unique style is a reflection of that. I’m not striving to imitate popular trends; my mission is to express my creativity and authenticity in my own distinctive way.

My musical work extends from the US to the UK, as I write for TV and film. You might have come across my compositions on the OWN network, Warner Bros. productions, and even well-known soap operas. As for my personal projects, I’ve released my single “Out of My Way,” which serves as an ode to my personal empowerment and reclaiming my voice. In addition, I’ve put out several Christmas tracks and EPs over the past two years. All of my music is available on major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and my website, iamkoikadense.com

So I’m very grateful to be sharing this , in this way , at this moment because  nothing about this journey has been easy. Throughout this process, I have made sacrifices and sometimes put my own thoughts and desires aside, trying to follow the industry path. I’ve looked outside of myself, seeking answers that were within me all along. I’ve taken unpaid internships with celebrities, worked with collaborators, put myself out there, and often received no return. I’ve had people praise me initially and later change their tune. I’ve worked with producers who took my money for unfinished projects. I’ve seen it all and experienced a lot. But these experiences have made me more aware of what I want to align myself with as I continue this journey. While there have been disappointments, there have also been great accomplishments and opportunities, and I choose to focus on those positive aspects. I’m at a point in my life where  great opportunities are happening for me and I am looking forward to more great things being a consistent part of my life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hey listen one thing I love to do is have a good time and 9 times out of 10. It’s always a good time. I’m very diverse in the things I like to do so my week itinerary would look something like this!

Monday – Start the festivities with a pool party to kick off the week.

Tuesday – Head to brunch and visit a museum for some cultural exploration.

Wednesday – Enjoy late drinks and a fun karaoke night.

Thursday – Spend the day at Long Beach, going on a boat ride and maybe even riding the swan boats. In the evening, have a nighttime picnic with drinks and music.

Friday – Attend a free jazz concert and indulge in wine beverages and charcuterie boards.

Saturday – Visit Dreamscape, which comes highly recommended. Have dinner nearby to cap off the day.

Sunday – Have drinks and people-watch at Trunks in WeHo.

Additionally, I love having a good time in nature and enjoy short getaways outside of LA, like Fallbrook, a farm stay in Hemet, and Joshua Tree, which is a must-see location. Recently, I’ve been enjoying going to Lake Balboa, having a good ole pool party , going to the White Hut for a quick fries and chicken get up, and kicking it at Trunks in WEHO! I have had some of my best times they’re just talking, laughing and doing some people watching. And along the way I have meet some great people there.

I’m more of a cannabis enthusiast, I like to stay calm and be in my zen. But when I do drink, I prefer a nice rum, but not the cheap stuff because I feel it the next day. Lol. I love rooftop or outdoor restaurants and bars, as I’m still a bit cautious about indoor spaces due to Covid. Some places on my future go-to- list include The Fifth Rooftop and Restaurant Bar, The Bungalow Kitchen, Serendipity Cafe and Bar, and the Aqualink.

It’s been wonderful sharing a little bit of me and I wish the world love and happiness.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would say there are three pivotal moments in my career that I have to acknowledge, which started me on this journey. First, when I began performing in my hometown as Ne’Kol Kris. The open mics and live music scene embraced me with so much love and provided numerous opportunities. I was afraid to be an artist, openly gay, but they didn’t care about that; they simply appreciated my talent and supported me without judgment. So, I will forever shout out my hometown, Kansas City, MO

Secondly, when I moved to San Francisco on two scholarships to attend SAE: Institute of Technology. I never expected to receive two scholarships, but I auditioned with my music, and it worked out. When I arrived, I had only $1000 in my pocket, having pawned everything I had, and no place to live. However, the Monroe, a place I went to, welcomed me and offered me a room, becoming my home in San Francisco. I was alone in a new state, facing ups and downs, and people I thought would support me were absent. The Monroe stepped in, allowing me to work for them and providing room and board and even understanding when it came to me having to complete school projects. Their love and support during that time meant the world to me.

Thirdly, I want to shoutout the Los Angeles LGBTQ community because they embraced me with nothing but love. Recently, I performed for WEHO pride as Koi Ka-dense, thanks to an organization called Project LA, who believed in me and advocated for me to be on stage. Big Salute to Chris and Project LA, Nik Kacy and the overall LGBTQ community for their support and opportunities. Thank you all for the love.

And lastly, I have to give a shoutout to my beautiful wifey! She is my rock and my safe place. She has been there for me in all circumstances, through ups and downs. She supported me in my darkest times and guided me towards a better place. She is my support, my best friend, and my bodyguard. Lol. She’s tiny in stature but strong in these streets. Lol I can’t help but shout out my unconditional love for her! Love you, baby!

Website: https://iamkoikadense.com/

Instagram: koikadense

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Iamkoikadense

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Iamkoikadense