Hip hop’s legacy has expanded from old school rhythms and flow to the icy beats of modern trap, but Houston-based rapper KII goes against this linear evolution with classic influences shaken up with modern techniques and haunting melody.
Born Kenneth Matthews, KII’s natural affinity to music traces as far back as performing songs as a child at recess. Now a fresh sound on the Houston scene, he seeks to set himself apart with precision timed lyricism and a sense of depths and rawness, shunning the increasingly popular autotune whilst using other effects to transform his early and mid era inspirations.
KII matches the natural groove to his verses with melodious instrumentals, using synths and pads to create a haunting intensity. With tracks like 4 Real on his newly released album Spectrum starting with a choral arrangement, KII uses these softer elements to provide stark contrast to his fast rapping and competitive lyrics.
In a trap-dominated music scene, he prides himself on playing with trends as opposed to following them. Not one to restrict himself, he uses well chosen modern techniques and features but puts them in a whole new context. With driven and hard-hitting beats up next to creative vocal effects and up-tempo rapping, KII shakes up the current status quo with his bold eccentricity and hooky choruses. With just as much appeal to young music lovers in search of a fresh sound as to older listeners looking for a throwback to hip-hop’s golden age, he reinvents both classic and contemporary whilst throwing in his own brand of melody and drama. KII plans on touring and continuing with future releases, but for now, his new angle on current trends is only just getting started.
