Artist Spotlight: KAVO

Birmingham rapper KAVO has had a meteoric rise. A completely unknown entity 12 months ago, the young artist has accumulated millions of streams, opened a D Double E show, and collaborated with one of the leading lights in the modern Grime scene in the space of a year. All of this before being able to legally drink. Perspective is a funny thing, isn’t it. 

Since his double-sided debut release Billy x Pain Freestyle, which is currently sitting pretty at 944k views on the Mixtape Madness Youtube channel, KAVO has gone from strength to strength. Illustrating his effortless versatility, impeccable wordplay and refined flow, the artist has built vivid narratives with each respectable release, defining himself as one of the most exciting young rappers that the country has to offer. Following his head-turning Next Up? at the back end of ’21, KAVO recently returned to our ears, linking up with legend of the game RA for Airforce One; a track bursting with charisma, energy and magnetism.

I sat down with the hotly-tipped upcomer to discuss his new single, adjusting to viral fame, why the Brum scene is about to take over, and opening up for Grime goat D Double E.

Who is influencing you at the moment?

I like to delve into a lot of genres. Artists who have influenced me for a long time would be Jay-Z, Skepta and Chip. Those people that have made an imprint on this game, when I see that things they’ve done I just want to do the same. I deffo look up to the greats. 

Who are you looking up to at the moment in the rap industry?

In the UK someone like Central Cee. I’m seeing his ability to market himself, his ‘Wild West’ campaign was crazy. The ’23’ tape is about to be maybe crazier. Seeing him come from nothing and graft for years and now get the flowers he deserves is amazing. To see how hard he’s come just shows constant resilience and hard work. 

You’ve found viral fame in the last year or so - how are you finding it? There must be an adjustment period, have you found it difficult?

I mean… famous is a big word - I would say I kind of am though. I do get noticed quite a lot. I still like to appeal to my audience, I’m just like everyone else. Sometimes I’m tryna go somewhere and not be in the best mood and I don’t want to be seen, but if I get asked to take a picture I’m going to. It’s what I signed up for so I’m not going to complain about it. Where I am right now is somewhere that I’ve wanted to be for a long time so I’ve just gotta thank God. It can get hectic but… who doesn’t like a bit of attention?!

You are hotly tipped as one of the most exciting newcomers in the scene at the moment. Do you feel pressure in being labelled as such, and being cherished so highly? 

Pressure makes diamonds. I feel like you’ll never be able to change or be great if you don’t fancy adversity, it’s part of the process. You’ve gotta respect he come up. I let it fuel me. Sometimes it can feel hard, but when I see the people that are counting on me… I can’t quit bro. My family, my bredrins… I’ve gotta put the work in, I know I was made for this. I’m just going to make sure that I live up to the name and don’t disappoint.

How would you define your sound?

I’ve got that young swag! I sound youthful, I sound cheeky. I’m not scared to talk my talk. I just bring positive vibes, intelligence cos I’m never falling short on a bar. I bring that energy that people need, I bring that relatability. You don’t have to be my age to relate to me because someone older might have been where I am. I can appeal to everyone by how I orchestrate everything. 

I think one thing that you are bringing, which is quite absent in the rap/drill scene, is introspection and allowing the listener to see another side to you. Not just showcasing that confidence and swagger but also showing that there is trials and tribulations in your life.

That’s why my first few tracks had two parts to them. Without one thing you can’t have the other. Without positive you can’t have negative. I wanted to hit you with the energy and then I break it down, and let you know that despite everything that’s going on, there is a real life aspect to it that we like to shy away from. I call myself the voice of the youth, and I want to be the voice for the people who can’t raise theirs to say something. I definitely like to bring that duality to my music. 

What are you saying about the Brum scene at the moment?

People are sleeping on Brum. Not even just Brum, the Midlands in general. We’ve got so much talent. One person who is so cold is my boy Nerdz, he was on the Blackbox Under 18 Cypher. That guy there… broski is different with it. His wordplay, flows, he’s deffo next up. 

Who else in Brum is standing out for you?

Of course M1llionz. He has really made a statement, I respect the fact that now he is going for the title of the UK, to be one of the best. He has proven himself and put the younger generation on the map. 

He fully has. With him, Jaykae, Mist, yourself, etc, do you think that Brum can challenge London for the top spot for UK rap?

I think we’ll be able to do it when there are more of us. The scene isn’t as broad as London’s. I feel like as years go by and more of us come through, people will see what we are about, Brum doesn't play. Even in Grime days, Brum has never really been lacking like that, it’s just smaller than London. It’s good to see now though, that whether you’re from Brum, Manny, Liverpool or wherever, people are able to break through. People want something different now, and we’re supplying that demand. 

As an artist of this generation, a big part of getting your name out there is social media - TikTok especially - which you’ve capitalised on adeptly. There is, from an older generation, criticisms about the authenticity of it. What would you say to someone who doubts this way of gaining acclaim?

I feel like sometimes it’s hating. Just because someone rises quickly it doesn’t mean it’s not deserved. People put in work for years that we’re not aware of. For an artist, if you aren’t on TikTok I don’t know what you’re doing. The way that it can take your music to another level is insane. I’m all for it and I respect it, and I can see the good that TikTok is doing for them and their family. 

Madness that you opened for D Double E in December! How did that come about? 

It’s crazy. After my first two releases, I had a lot of idols following me, and D Double was one of them. I knew his tour was coming up, and he just shouted me asking if I wanted to perform for him. That was only my second show. I was mad excited and nervous. I met him, Novelist, President T, it was just a mad atmosphere to be around, around all these greats. I was hyped up, got on stage and killed it, Birmingham showed me love. That’s a night that I won’t forget. 

How does it feel to be handpicked over so many other artists by such a legend of the industry? 

I know that I’m not the only one out there who deserves to be chosen, so when I do I just try to make sure that I perform to the best of my ability. I can’t disappoint. I had to do it. 

What was the writing/recording process for your latest track ‘Airforce One’?

If you hadn’t guessed by now, my favourite shoe is Airforces. I wanted to make a song about it. I just started describing the crep, started talking about the deeper meanings behind being able to own more of them. When I got the verse and hook down I knew it was crazy. I just hit up RA straight after his Rewind 07, and asked if he wanted to hop on the tune. I sent it to him, he loved it! We linked up, went to the studio, he laid down his verse and the rest is history. 

Who would you love to collaborate with in the future?

I don’t know who specifically, but I definitely want to get on a tune with a female singer. I feel like we’d have great chemistry, and what I could say on a verse, a singing hook could just go perfectly with it. For a rapper, if I could get a Cench, a Fredo, a Digga… you never know. Chip as well, that’s been on my bucket list since I started rapping. 

If you were introducing yourself to a new listener, what tune would you put on? 

‘Airforce One’ I can’t lie. They need to hear that verse.

What’s to come for you?

Definitely going to be a lot more consistent this year. A lot of releases, a lot of behind the scenes stuff. It’s going to be my year. 

Maybe a project?

Who knows… definitely sooner than you think!