Kidaki // Interview

It's quite hard to set up a rendezvous with this young rapper who has just been propelled to the front scene with his title 'Une Balle Qui Tue'. Friendly, easy-going and really frank this young artist originally from Madagascar introduce here his world through this interview full of sincerity and confidences. From Cloud Rap to a nostalgic vibe, Kidaki knows how to be versatile and seduce new fans.

Why Kidaki as a pseudonym? I used to dance, and my idol was a well-known American dancer, Kida The Great. At first, when I started Rap, my name was Kida. And, one day my friend said to me, "Why not Kidaki?" And I hooked and it has remained since.

How did you get the need to make music? It was meant to be. I'm a very edgy boy, basically. I had to make the music in order to be able to get out what I had in me.

How would you describe yourself to an English public who doesn't know you yet? I'm a versatile rapper in some ways. With me, my audience can expect everything. (laughs) I can make super sad songs, as well as completely the opposite, with much happier beats. I'm like a new XXXTentacion.

I could see that you are as comfortable with singing and rap... Is there a discipline that you prefer? Honestly, I feel comfortable in these two elements. You know, I sang on my own at the beginning. I started Rap with some friends, then I was told it worked, and I used my voice for both and try to mix the two. Things have changed, now I work more my singing voice than my Rap. (laughs)

Can you tell me about the importance of 1Minute- 2Rap [e.d: Instagram account that offers battles between different young talents every month and is becoming more and more popular on networks] in your career? In truth, 1Minute2Rap has helped me, especially to win followers, and show people what i could do. At first, I had not more than 1000 followers and now we are more 27.000 subscribers. But many things have changed now: I work with producers and I have nothing to do with the account, it's over now.

You often mention XXX Tentacion, we even saw him make an "appearance" in your last video. His death must have upset you? It's true that his death marked me. He was my music idol. It's true that I often talk about him in my songs and 'Une Balle Qui Tue' is a kind of tribute to the artist he was. I can already tell you that he will will continue to appear in all my other clips.

Did you expect such success for this song? In all honesty, I wasn't expecting such success at all. When I released my first song 'J'Ai Grandi' I reach 50k views. Which wasn't huge compared to 'the killing ball' which has now surpassed one million views on YouTube. In fact, I just asked my followers to help me reach the 100k and then growth carried on and I was really shoked. Around me, people don't see me the same way anymore. Before they didn't take me seriously - it has changed now.

How did you manage this sudden notoriety? It doesn't really change your everyday life. (laughs) It's just that now people have started to stop me in the street to take pictures with me. I think you have to keep your head up and choose your friends carefulyl, and do not hang around with anyone. After success and buzz, people will covet you more and want to enjoy your status. But for now, all that remains manageable.

I heard you had a special relationship with your mother? Yeah, with my mum, we're really close. It's true that we fight often, sometimes I like her as much as I hate her. (laughs) I have to say in my songs that I will succeed, because when she listens to my music I know that she feels reassured and she hopes that I haven't left school for nothing. She starts to be proud of me, but at first she was struggling to be.

Are you working on a project right now? Yes totally, I'm preparing my first EP. This is my very first project consisting of 8 sounds. I hope it will be available by this summer. For now, I have no ideas for the title. but it will come.

Kidaki

Words © Gloria Dominiak Photography © Antoine Perell