• News/Culture
    • Arts & Events
    • Great Reads
    • 2026 Atlanta 500 Nominations
    • Block by Block: Stories from the streets that connect us
  • Food & Drink
    • 50 of the Best Cheap Eats in Atlanta
    • 75 Best Restaurants in Atlanta
    • 123 Things to Eat on Buford Highway
    • 50 Best Bars
    • 50 Best Tacos
    • Restaurant Reviews
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • 50 Best Things to Do in Georgia
      • Hidden Georgia
      • North Georgia Mountains
    • Health & Wellness
    • 2024-2025 School Guide
    • Style
    • Buckhead Guidebook
    • Top Doctors
    • Top Dentists
    • Sponsored: Physician & Dentist Profiles 2024
    • Give Atlanta
  • Best of
    • Eat
    • Drink
    • Do
    • Buy
    • Readers’ Choice
  • Georgia Design
    • Georgia Design Digital Editions
    • Artists & Galleries
    • Design Advice
    • Design News
    • Gardens
    • Real Estate
    • Neighborhoods
    • Kitchens for a Cause
    • Georgia Design Awards 2025
  • Southbound
    • Southbound Digital Editions
    • Southbound Newsletter
  • GaBiz
    • GABiz Magazine
    • GaBiz Magazine Digital Editions
  • Events
    • Magazine Events
    • GrillFest 2025
    • Georgia Design Awards 2025
    • Atlanta Magazine’s Whiskey Festival 2025
    • Past Events
      • Georgia Design Awards 2024
      • Indulge 2024
      • Whiskey Festival 2024
      • Top Doctors Reception 2024 – Green Screen
      • Atlanta Magazine Whiskey Festival 2022
      • 2020 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Designer Showhouse
    • Event Photos
    • Partner Events
  • Magazine
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Purchase Single Issues
    • Newsletters
    • Digital Editions
    • Contact Us
    • Pitch Us
    • Advertise
    • Custom Media
    • Employment
      • Careers
      • Internships
    • Archives
    • Where to Find
Sign in
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Create an account
Privacy and Cookies Policy
Sign up
Welcome!Register for an account
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy and Cookies Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
Search
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • 2026 Atlanta 500 Nominations
  • Issue Archive
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Give Atlanta
  • Shop
  • Submit Your Entry for Georgia Design Awards 2025
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Create an account
Privacy and Cookies Policy
Create an account
Welcome! Register for an account
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy and Cookies Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Atlanta Magazine Atlanta Magazine
Atlanta Magazine Atlanta Magazine
  • News/Culture
    • Arts & Events
    • Great Reads
    • 2026 Atlanta 500 Nominations
    • Block by Block: Stories from the streets that connect us
  • Food & Drink
    • 50 of the Best Cheap Eats in Atlanta
    • 75 Best Restaurants in Atlanta
    • 123 Things to Eat on Buford Highway
    • 50 Best Bars
    • 50 Best Tacos
    • Restaurant Reviews
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • 50 Best Things to Do in Georgia
      • Hidden Georgia
      • North Georgia Mountains
    • Health & Wellness
    • 2024-2025 School Guide
    • Style
    • Buckhead Guidebook
    • Top Doctors
    • Top Dentists
    • Sponsored: Physician & Dentist Profiles 2024
    • Give Atlanta
  • Best of
    • Eat
    • Drink
    • Do
    • Buy
    • Readers’ Choice
  • Georgia Design
    • Georgia Design Digital Editions
    • Artists & Galleries
    • Design Advice
    • Design News
    • Gardens
    • Real Estate
    • Neighborhoods
    • Kitchens for a Cause
    • Georgia Design Awards 2025
  • Southbound
    • Southbound Digital Editions
    • Southbound Newsletter
  • GaBiz
    • GABiz Magazine
    • GaBiz Magazine Digital Editions
  • Events
    • Magazine Events
    • GrillFest 2025
    • Georgia Design Awards 2025
    • Atlanta Magazine’s Whiskey Festival 2025
    • Past Events
      • Georgia Design Awards 2024
      • Indulge 2024
      • Whiskey Festival 2024
      • Top Doctors Reception 2024 – Green Screen
      • Atlanta Magazine Whiskey Festival 2022
      • 2020 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Designer Showhouse
    • Event Photos
    • Partner Events
  • Magazine
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Purchase Single Issues
    • Newsletters
    • Digital Editions
    • Contact Us
    • Pitch Us
    • Advertise
    • Custom Media
    • Employment
      • Careers
      • Internships
    • Archives
    • Where to Find
Home News & Opinion Arts & Events 15 questions with A3C performer Kamau Kenyatte
Sponsored Squarespace

15 questions with A3C performer Kamau Kenyatte

The up-and-coming hip-hop artist talks fashion, depression, advice for other artists, and more
By
Sponsor
-
November 7, 2017
1885
Kamau Kenyatte

Fresh off his performance at the 2017 A3C Festival & Conference, where he was featured in the This Is My Year Showcase, and the release of the EP Zombie, trap-influenced Kamau Kenyatte is one of the hottest up-and-coming names in the hip-hop world. Here are 15 questions with Kenyatte about his music, style, and the importance of building a personal brand as a musician. Essential to the growth of an emerging artist, Squarespace has boosted his web presence and allowed him to express his individualism.

What​ ​inspired​ ​you​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​hip-hop​ ​and​ ​start​ ​your​ ​career?
The​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​I​ ​want​ ​to​ ​live​ ​my​ ​life​ ​with​ ​no​ ​regrets.

​​What​ ​is​ ​your​ ​favorite​ ​part​ ​of​ ​making​ ​music?
My​ ​favorite​ ​part​ ​of​ ​performing​ ​live​ ​is​ ​that​ ​I​ ​do​ what ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​”turn​ ​up”​ ​with​ ​the​ ​people​ ​who​ ​love​ ​my​ ​music and​ ​get​ ​to​ ​share​ ​new​ ​stuff​ ​with​ ​an​ ​audience​ ​and​ ​get​ ​instant​ ​feedback.

​What​ did ​it​ ​mean​ ​to​ ​you​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​A3C’s​ ​”This​ ​Is​ ​My​ ​Year”​ ​showcase?
It​ ​means​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​to​ ​me,​ ​actually.​ ​It​ ​means​ ​recognition​ ​for​ ​my​ ​hard​ ​work​ ​and​ ​artistry.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​my​ ​favorite​ ​music festivals​ ​actually​ ​deemed​ ​me​ ​worthy​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​biggest​ ​festivals​ ​in​ ​America.​ ​I’m​ ​highly honored!

​​What​ ​has​ ​been​ ​the​ ​biggest​ ​milestone/success​ ​for​ ​you​ ​in​ ​your​ ​career​ ​so​ ​far?
To​ ​get​ ​recognition​ ​from​ ​AfroPunk.com​ ​and​ ​have​ ​them​ ​premiere​ ​my​ ​EP​ ​meant​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​to​ ​me.

​​How​ ​would​ ​you​ ​describe​ ​your​ ​personal​ ​style?​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​have​ ​any​ ​signature​ ​pieces​ ​you​ ​always wear?​ ​Are​ ​there​ ​fashion​ ​designers​ ​or​ ​icons​ ​that​ ​you​ ​look​ ​up​ ​to?
I’m​ ​always​ ​wearing​ ​scarves​ ​and​ ​headbands—goth​ ​stuff​ ​you​ ​can​ ​only​ ​find​ ​on​ ​St. Marks mixed​ ​with​ ​hype beast​ ​brands​ ​like​ ​Off-White​ ​and​ ​Ksubi​ ​jeans.​ Right​ ​now​ ​fashion​ ​is​ ​in​ ​a​ ​state​ ​of​ ​being​ ​expressive​ ​and​ ​just doing​ ​what​ ​you​ ​feel​ ​at​ ​the​ ​moment;​ ​not​ ​being​ ​confined​ ​to​ ​rules,​ ​margins,​ ​or​ ​guidelines.​ ​It’s​ ​about​ ​just loving​ ​what​ ​you​ ​have​ ​on,​ ​being​ ​comfortable​ ​in​ ​it. I’m​ ​actually​ ​looking​ ​to​ ​launch​ ​my​ ​own​ ​merch/clothing​ ​line​ ​in​ ​January.​ ​Look​ ​out​ ​for​ ​that. It’s​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be dope!

​​How​ ​does​ ​the​ ​design​ ​of​ ​your​ ​website​ ​capture​ ​your​ ​personal​ ​style?
It​ ​really​ ​highlights​ ​some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​darkness​ ​of​ ​my​ ​style. Of​ ​course,​ ​the​ ​theme​ ​of​ Zombie​ ​was​ ​the​ ​color orange.​ ​I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​express​ ​myself​ ​through​ ​a​ ​color​ ​in​ ​this​ ​EP, so​ ​orange​ ​is​ ​the​ ​basic​ ​backdrop​ ​of​ ​my​ ​site—it’s​ ​calm​, ​yet​ ​vibrant.​ ​We​ ​also​ ​mixed​ ​in​ ​some​ ​dark​ ​things​ ​that​ ​fit​ ​those​ ​spooky​ ​zombie​ ​vibes​ ​while​ ​still being​ ​stylized​ ​current​ ​and​ ​cool.

​​What​ ​impression​ ​did​ ​you​ ​aim​ ​to​ ​make​ ​on​ ​your​ ​fans​ ​with​ ​your​ ​website?
That​ ​this​ ​is​ ​a​ ​cool​ ​motherfucker,​ ​and​ ​we​ ​want​ ​to​ ​get​ ​into​ ​his​ ​world!

​​Why​ ​did​ ​you​ ​choose​ ​Squarespace​ ​over​ ​other​ ​platforms?
Squarespace​ ​gave​ ​me​ ​the​ ​cleanest​ ​and​ ​most professional​-looking​ ​templates​ ​for​ ​websites​ ​that​ ​I’ve​ ​seen.​ ​It seems​ ​to​ ​cover​ ​all​ ​the​ ​bases​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​giving​ ​me​ ​the​ ​freedom​ ​to​ ​express​ ​myself​ ​the​ ​way​ ​I​ ​needed​ ​to.

​​Did​ ​you​ ​create​ ​your​ ​site​ ​yourself​ ​or​ ​did​ ​you​ ​have​ ​help?​ ​How​ ​long​ ​did​ ​it​ ​take​ ​to​ ​create​ ​your site?
I​ ​had​ ​a​ ​little​ ​help. Most​ ​of​ ​the​ ​concept​ ​ideas​ ​were​ ​mine. It​ ​took​ ​us​ ​a​ ​couple​ ​days​ ​to​ ​build​ ​it.

​​Has​ ​having​ ​a​ ​website​ ​made​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​impact​ ​on​ ​your​ ​career​ ​as​ ​a​ ​musician?​ ​If​ ​so,​ ​how?
Yes!​ ​It​ ​gives​ ​fans​ ​and​ ​people​ ​I​ ​may​ ​be​ ​going​ in​to​ ​business​ ​with​ ​a​ ​true​ ​feel​ ​of​ ​what​ ​it’s​ ​like​ ​to​ ​experience​ ​my​ ​world and​ ​my​ ​music. It​ ​lets​ ​me​ ​express​ ​myself​ ​to​ ​the​ ​fullest. It​ ​also​ ​gives​ ​me​ ​the​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​display​ ​everything​ ​you​ ​need​ ​to​ ​know​ ​about​ ​me​ ​and​ ​my​ ​artistry​ ​in​ ​one​ ​place.

​​Why​ ​is​ ​it​ ​important​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​digital​ ​presence​ ​as​ ​a​ ​hip-hop​ ​artist​ ​in​ ​2017?
Because​ ​it’s​ ​the​ ​new​ ​wave.​ ​​​It’s​ ​just​ ​the​ ​way​ ​things​ ​are​ ​done​ ​nowadays,​ ​and​ ​you​ ​have​ ​to​ ​get​ ​with​ ​it​ ​or​ ​be left​ ​behind.

​​What​ ​advice​ ​would​ ​you​ ​give​ ​to​ ​young​ ​artists​ ​like​ ​yourself​ ​who​ ​want​ ​to​ ​make​ ​their​ ​start​ ​and build​ ​their​ ​personal​ ​brand​ ​and​ ​online​ ​community?
Know​ ​who​ ​it​ ​is​ ​that​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​reach,​ ​understand​ ​and​ ​know​ ​how​ ​to​ ​speak​ ​to​ ​them,​ ​and​ ​stick​ ​with​ ​one​ ​thing,​ ​and ​people​ ​will​ ​love​ ​you​ ​for​ ​it.​ ​Also​, ​don’t​ ​be​ ​afraid​ ​to​ ​make​ ​changes​ ​if​ ​need​ ​be.

​What’s​ ​to​ ​come​ ​in​ ​the​ ​year​ ​ahead​ ​for​ ​you​ ​and​ ​your​ ​music?
So​ ​many​ ​big​ ​things.​ ​I’ve​ ​been​ ​getting​ ​such​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​response.​ ​I​ ​can​ ​only​ ​see​ ​Kamau​ ​Kenyatte​ ​being everywhere​ ​in​ ​2018!

What​ ​do​ ​you​ ​want​ ​your​ ​fans​ ​to​ ​take​ ​away​ ​from​ ​listening​ ​to​ ​your​ ​music?
The​ ​authenticity—that​ ​this​ ​is​ ​my​ ​real​ ​life,​ ​this​ ​is​ ​the​ ​pain,​ ​the​ ​rage,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​victories​ ​that​ ​I​ ​go​ ​through. This​ ​is​ ​how​ ​it​ ​felt​ ​and​ ​this​ ​is​ ​what​ ​it​ ​sounds​ ​like.

​​Anything​ ​else​ ​you’d​ ​like​ ​to​ ​share​ ​(e.g.​ ​fun​ ​facts,​ ​interesting​ ​anecdote)​ ​about​ ​yourself​ ​and​ ​your music?
I​ ​was​ ​very​ ​depressed​ ​when​ ​I​ ​made​ ​this​ ​project​, ​and​ ​I​ ​use​ ​this​ ​art​ ​to​ ​help​ ​unload​ ​my​ ​stress.​ ​I​ ​recorded​ ​my EP​ ​in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​studio​ ​where​ ​Cardi​ ​B’s “​Bodak​ ​Yellow”​ ​was​ ​recorded.

Squarespace believes in creating a space that can bring your passions to life. Share your artistry with the world with beautiful, award-winning templates, and make it stand out. Use promo code ATLANTAMAGAZINE to get 10 percent off your first Squarespace purchase.

Advertisement
  • TAGS
  • A3C Festival
  • hip-hop
  • Kamau Kenyatte
  • music
Matthew

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Photos: Wu-Tang Clan and Run the Jewels perform at State Farm Arena

Photos: Metallica performs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Larkin Poe

Photos: Larkin Poe perform at the Eastern

Follow Us

69,386FansLike
144,836FollowersFollow
493,480FollowersFollow

NEWSLETTERS

Atlanta Magazine
Since 1961, Atlanta magazine, the city’s premier general interest publication, has served as the authority on Atlanta, providing its readers with a mix of long-form nonfiction, lively lifestyle coverage, in-depth service journalism, and literary essays, columns, and profiles.

Most recent

Textile artist Camisha Butler at work

The Hapeville Depot Museum brings together artists and historians to explore the city’s stories

June 19, 2025

Round and Round: How Krispy Kreme became baked into Southern life

June 18, 2025
Big Boi sits in the recording studio with 3 owls (from left) Tula, HOO-Dini, and Hootie.

Big Boi dishes on feathered friends Hootie and HOO-Dini

June 18, 2025

GREAT READS

Chùa Quang Minh, Georgia’s oldest Vietnamese Buddhist temple, hosts a meditation service.

Fifty years after the fall of Saigon, a thriving Vietnamese community calls Atlanta home

May 29, 2025
Christopher Eubanks

Christopher Eubanks searches for the confidence that brought him to new heights at Wimbledon

April 16, 2025
Horace Reid stands on a tennis court

Atlanta’s Forgotten Tennis Pioneer: Horace Reid

April 16, 2025
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Issue Archive
  • Advertise
  • Business Forum
  • Privacy and Cookies Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • General Contest Rules
© 2025. All rights reserved.