Emerging from Halifax County, NC - Rapper "King LA"

​PRESSED: For our readers who have never heard of King LA, describe the artist, King LA.

KINGLA: King LA is a true artist who loves the pure art of music and the opportunities it creates. A poet first, full of emotions and vision for how music moves us in every kind of way. Music is my life and the sky is the limit in the mist of this process.

PRESSED: Emerging from Halifax County, NC, how important is your hometown to you?

KINGLA: My hometown is very important to me for which we’re all in a knee high situation. It’s a lot of negative energy in my community for which we lack that leadership and motivation needed to strive for greatness. Everyone loves music... So to be able to make a difference in such a common career could trigger the hearts to want and strive for more. If I can motivate enough people to come together, it could alter the energy for good. I have high hopes for my area.

PRESSED: Who or what inspired you to chase the dream?

KINGLA: Two people inspire me to move forward in pursuing this music. My mother and my manager. My mother inspired me to chase the dream. I’ve been writing since I was in elementary school and for years my mother has been on my back about my talent. They say mothers know best.. I often found myself discouraged and have even given up over the years trying to get myself out there. She always motivated me showing me her faith and belief in me. She seen things in me that I didn’t even see in myself and that moved me. Glad I’m on my way... My other inspiration is my manager. I’ve known him almost all my life. Since, I’ve been back on my grind he has been here every step of the way. He’s been out there himself and obtained great knowledge of the game I’m now playing. I’ve learned a lot from him and he keeps it all the way one hundred with me no matter what. It’s always good to have a real one in your corner. Appreciate that G!

PRESSED: Who’s your biggest influence when it comes to making music?

KINGLA: Tupac Amaru Shakur, is my biggest influence. Through his music it lets you know how human we all are. He had music from every point of view of life. From reality to the partying to even love songs. He showed how music is full of real feelings and emotion. That’s something you will see a lot of in my music as well.

PRESSED: Is there anything about your creative process that separates you from another upcoming artist?

KINGLA: I feel that I’m so passionate about music it comes from within. This creates a different content from other artists. Also, my creative process flows fluently and fast once I get started. I’m able to create quality and quantity at a fast pace.

PRESSED: Tell us about your current single “The Other Side”.

KINGLA: “The Other Side” is a piece that came from a real place. A real life situation motivated me to write this. The message within this is to remind people of how things are not always what they seem to be. The grass is not always greener on the other side, It's kind of self explanatory in a sense. I know a lot of people can relate to this content in some kind of way or have been in similar situations.

PRESSED: What do you want people to get from your music?

KINGLA: What I want people to get from my music is the message. Each song I write has either motivational or relatable content. I do this for the reality of the art and life itself. I feel this creates a catalog that people can listen to and enjoy forever and not just the moment.

PRESSED: In your opinion, what is the most important element to you out of the 5 elements of Hip-Hop and why?

KINGLA: MCing is the most important element to me being a artist. Without the content or word play everything else is blind. MCing actually plays a part in the vision for the graphics and mood for the beat, which creates the energy behind any project. It is very essential into making that banger that people will love to listen to.

Follow @KingLA22