Comfortability Isn’t an Option
He’s not the typical underground recording artist that you hear on 88.1 WKNC.
According to Genius.com, Echosmith’s 2014 single defines, “Cool Kids,” as the popular kids who don’t care for acknowledgment and they tend to create an environment that revolves around them.
For the unknown underground artist, a small percentage of recognition can lead to many opportunities. However, as for Sean Kyd, local hip-hop and R&B artist, his recognition sheds a positive outcome that affects his life and those around him.
Excited to perform his latest music at the Ritz, on October 23, 2019, in Raleigh, N.C., artists like Big Sean, or the Weekend may cross your mind if you don’t know him. But, as you hear his creative sound, his music shows passion and originality that cannot be compared.
“I get the comparison like Big Sean. I hate it with a passion,” he said. “But, it’s because of my voice, so, I take that. I will rather be compared to Big Sean, rather than being compared to a bad rapper. “
As a Raleigh native, every chance that he gets, he strives to adapt to any changes that will come in his life.
“I lived here all my life, except one year I lived in Atlanta. My Grandpa is getting older, so I moved back,” he said. “Atlanta is always going to be there, but my Grandpa is not.”
His love for his family and peers motivates him to work with authenticity and confidence, especially for his city, as he explains how the city’s changes reflect his growth as an artist.
“I get why they are trying to change [Raleigh] because nobody wants to,” he said. “It sucks that they are getting rid of the hood, but at the same time, you don’t want it to look like the hood forever. The way I think about it, you have to grow with the times. Things are going to change regardless, either you can change with it, or it’s going to change around you.”
Over anything else, his first mission is to defeat any personal dilemmas. “My grandpa is 89, and he is about to be 90 in December,” he said. “He has dementia, but it’s weird growing seeing someone you have known all your life and they start forgetting stuff…I’m young, I am 27, it’s rare that I am forgetting stuff. But when he is forgetting stuff it’s like, “damn.”
On his Twitter page, on October 15, 2019, he tweeted how his October 25th performance helps him cope with the health conditions of his grandfather. Also, he mentioned how last week his grandfather was in the hospital suffering from dehydration, lack of sleep, and appetite. This life event was one of the foundations of his career as an artist and why he moved back to North Carolina.
“As I said, I moved back to North Carolina to be close to my grandpa, literally like three houses down,” he explained. “So, if something were to happen, I am out my door and I am running through three people’s yards, so I’m there.”
A year ago, the hip-hop and R&B artist also went through a period of depression dealing with his father battling cancer, but despite what life throws at him, he continues to work hard and molds his music to motivate others not to give up.
“The EP that I am releasing is called, “Something Got to Give” and it’s just about life, and things happen,” he said.
He plans to release the EP around December after he handles his family matters. But in the meantime, his determination allows him to immerse ideas so that he produces quality content.
“I’m not ashamed to admit it, I was like legit depressed,” he said. “And it didn’t take until like this year to understand it. It’s a whole project about growth. That’s why I am taking my time with it. If you are rushing things, then it’s going to feel wrong.”
Patience is essential to all of what he does and it didn’t stop him from setting goals and achieving accomplishments.
“Even when I got to The Ritz, I’ve seen 2 Chainz and Mac Miller. And I was like one day I will be up there, and now I’m up here [performing at The Ritz],” he said. “So, it’s not if I will perform, it’s like when. That’s how I look at it. There is no ‘if’, there is a ‘when’ because one day it is Madison Square Garden, Coachella, or Lollapalooza. You just have to keep going, man.”
Wearing a yellow, blue and red retro-inspired jacket, and arms tatted with the phrase, “Don’t stop, keep going,” he led his performance at 8:28 p.m., with a line-up of five songs.
On his third song, he changed into a black short-sleeve shirt covered in white speckles, complimenting his gray pants where he performed his single, “Coupons.” As on stage, the elements of the drummer, electric guitarist, and pianist turned the song into an enjoyable experience that left the crowd chanting every lyric.
“It’s been played on the radio a few times, and it’s going to be my new project so once I finish everything, “ he said. “I’m definitely going to like re-release it if that makes sense in a packed way, instead of just being a song.“
Although his soon-to-be title as an artist from North Carolina is quickly coming, he holds on to humility as an artist who just wants to continue to excel in his craft.
“I would love to work with 9th wonder,” he said. “Even if we didn’t do a song, just to learn and get critiqued on my music because I am still growing. So, J. Cole, Dreamville, Ari Lennox, and J.I.D., I would love to work and surround myself with anybody that will help me grow. I never want to be in a room and feel like I’m the smartest. And If I do feel like I am the smartest, then I know I am in the wrong room. “
For more of Sean Kyd, visit his work at www.seankyd.com. And don’t forget, he will be DJing at the Imurj, on October 26, 2019, at 300 S McDowell St. Raleigh, N.C. 27601.
Alonzo Clark is a music journalist from Raleigh, N.C. He enjoys all genres of music and has a passion for creativity and boldness. For more notable features and reviews stay posted here and stay connected with him via social media.
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Photography by Jason Cobb. Follow his work at unchartedzen.com.
