How do you define your music?

A: I call my music “King Muzik”, because a King is the speaker for all his people, I want my music to speak for my people and connect with all there thoughts and emotions. So I like to take every human emotion available and make a song that caters to that emotion because we all feel and go through each. I make love songs, songs that show aggression, conscious songs, and club song creating that human characteristic that allows consumers to connect their own life to the music no matter whether their mad, at the club happy, in a relationship, just hollering at someone, or on a conscious tip they have something they can ride to.

What are your influences as an artist?

B: My main influence in this music game is my brother Yahonne Garris who passed away in 2002 R.I.P. He was an amazing poet who inspired me to jump into this rap game after he passed so he could live on through me.  My mom was a music teacher and still plays music in the church and different events so she inspired me just to love music in general.  My dad who was special forces in Vietnam had such a collection of music due to the time he was away from his family built up that when I was born, I grew up listening to all the classic R&B, blues, Jazz, etc. which really expanded my knowledge of music.  As far as famous artist my influences are Tupac (the greatest of all times), Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, O’Jays, Earth Wind and Fire, Ray Charles, Eminem, Andre 3000, Ludacris, T.I., DMX, Usher, 50 Cent, Nelly, LL Cool J, and myself. LOL

What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years and why?
C:  Over the next 5 years I want to get to a point in this rap game where I can create enough stability with my career that I can venture to other industries and use my business degree to expand ways of creating income and success. I want this because once I have a family of my own, I want them to have good lives and be set up as good as I can set them up within this world.
Who’s your favorite artist?
D: As I stated, I have a lot of influences but other than my brother, my favorite artist is me.  If your in this industry and you don’t feel you’re the best, somethings wrong wit your self esteem.  Whether you are or arnt the best to others, at least you should be the best to you.  To me im the best, I rap what I wanna hear, and I say shit that I like so no question, I’m my favorite artist.

what do you think about the game today?
E: I think the game is good today.  A lot of people say hip hop is dead but I don’t believe that, I think it just expands and becomes more diverse, creates more opportunities and show cases different stories of people from all walks of life.  I can never knock hip hop cus I love it that much that I can see past my biased views to help this genre grow and take over the music game. I do feel like because of the economy the rap game has become pretty packed due to everyone thinking they can rap but I think that creats a bigger lane for the independent artist to get seen with things like the internet etc. which makes the game bigger and better with the opportunity for consumers to not just be monopolized wit industry music!

What artists have you worked with
F: In my bio you can see i have such a long list of artist ive done shows with and done songs with that I don’t want to leave anyone out or just make a big list but im always down to work with new artist and all artist that have love for this music thing like I do, so holla at me http://www.kingtef.com or kingtef@gmail and lets get it in.

favorite song(most buzz)whats going on with that right know
G: the biggest song ive had would have to be “Tilt” which has a video to it, which is on youtube with close to 30k views.  I received a hat sponsor from it, check out http://www.ontilt.com.  Right now I’m working with a couple alcohol sponsors and my label Top Flite Empire to just put Colorado on the map. We headline out her and put 1k in attendance at our events which isn’t to shabby for a local act. Keep in touch with me and help make this buzz pop off.

how was to growing up in (city) in the scene out there

H: The scene out here is untapped.  The market is virgin so it’s a curse and a blessing because cities already in the industry don’t really believe us and don’t think rap can come from here but the untapped market has a lot of money and people willing to support their hometown stars.  Its just getting to a point where multiple rappers out here are really starting to get nationwide exposure so I figure give it a few years and Colorado will be the next big thing.

what made you pursue you career in hip hop or any genre

I: As I stated in my influences, I started rappin due to my brother passing away and me wanting to keep his music alive through me.  He passed away my senior year in highschool and from that point on I tried to start rappin but couldn’t take it seriously because I went off to college.  After winning the hip hop summit out here and seeing that I could actually make money in this rap game, I started taking it more seriously after I graduated.  Then with the untimely death of my hypeman and best friends mom MRs. Cox, I decided to take this rap thing to the next level.  So with My brother and Mrs. Cox watching over me, my parents support, and my top flite team,  I  feel like I can take this music thing to the top.

how would you describe your sound of music

J: My style of music has the swag of T.I., the metaphors of Ludacris, I dance like usher, with ladies appeal like LL Cool J, and the willingness to touch every topic like 2 pac.

could you tell us about your label!!

K:  My label consists of some of the hottest artist and businessmen in the mountain region.  We sell out theaters and have had shows that have been up to 20k in attendance and headlined shows from 1k to 2k in attendance.  Are network is 200k deep over internet sites and email lists. Talk is cheap so check us out at http://www.topfliteempire.com

what advice can you give inspiring Artist out there

L: The main advice I can tell an artist is don’t take no advice LOL.  Believe in yaself, ya music and follow your heart, not everyone else’s advice.  Whose to say your shit is or isn’t hot, with the trends changing all the time you never know.  Be you, because those that matter don’t mind, and those that mind don’t matter.

tell us about your self

M: Well, basically im a home body that likes doing music, hanging with family, friends, and just chilling. I have a business degree, which I use everyday in this rap industry. I stay in Colorado, I like almost anything with chicken, addicted to sugar cookies, and I believe humor is a key to life.
how was it growing up

N: Growin up I started off as a nerd because I was sheltered due to my dad being in the military and my brother being so much older than me and wanting to protect me.  I was then diagnosed with cancer at a young age.  After coming to terms with death possibly, that changed my life, I became hardened along with more knowledgeable about what I want form life at a young age.  Living Colorado but also going back and forth to the east coast helped me become diverse in cultures so I seen both sides of the tracks. My brother made be cool, he taught me how to do everything. I played basketball most of my life until I hurt my ankles and couldn’t play anymore.  Then my brother passed away and it changed my life to how I am now.

aside from music what was your other interest

O: As I stated I use to play basketball but now aside from music I don’t have other interest other than trying to live a peaceful happy life and just living to the fullest.

what are your current projects

P: My current project is my album “Tha King” go get it at Itunes http://itunes.apple.com/album/tha-k-i-n-g/id355250962?v0=9988&ign-mpt=uo%3D1

Cdbaby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kingtef

Im working on a couple different mixtapes so keep a look out on kingtef.com

Shout Outs

My parents, The entire Top Flite Empire: Hypnautic, Big Sex, Johny Rocketz, Devious, Jae Slow, Bang. Shout out to Ms Big Deal for putting me on to dreamsblend.com. Shout out to Colorado, shout out to everyone who has love for me cus I have love for you!!  Much Luv King Tef  the last King left!

King Tef from chris stallworth on Vimeo.