Kokayi: Rapping, Depression & being a freestyle Jazz MC "You better unpack your bags..."

Kokayi: Rapping, Depression & being a freestyle Jazz MC "You better unpack your bags..."

Author: Craig Garber May 24, 2021 Duration: 2:01:54

On this Kokayi interview, the moment he knew he wanted to be a rapper, why he's the only rapper who MC's freestyle in the jazz genre, his TedX talk and how he got the gig… Growing up in DC and his tempestuous relationship with his dad, dealing with being dropped from a label, dealing with friends in business (and why it's not always easy), a healthy way of dealing with depression, difference between Kokayi and Carl Walker (his birth name), best decision he ever made, resilience, Key Lime pie, "NO excuses," the power of "I don't have it…" cooking, chess, becoming kinder and more understanding, and loads more. 100% REAL, very cool convo and good vibes!

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A Grammy nominated DC Rapper / MC, Kokayi's been featured on dozens of albums since the onset of his career, including titles by Goldlink, Gregoire Maret, Terri Lynne Carrington (Grammy nominated Waiting Game w/ Social Science), Omar Sosa, Steve Coleman and Dafnis Prieto as well as continuing to perform as a member of Steve Coleman's Five Elements, Ambrose Akinmusire's Origami Harvest and Dafnis Prieto's Proverb Trio. He can also be heard on Whose Hat is This? Everything's Ok, Goldlink's At What Cost, MTV's Rebel Music, Kevin Hart's Laugh At My Pain, I Ain't Scared of You: a Tribute to Bernie Mac and over 60 titles spanning Jazz, Hip Hop, Rock and R&B. He's also lectured in 35 countries, serves as faculty with the NY based School of Improvisational Music, OneBeat mentor, freelance music emissary with the U.S. State Department & Music Supervisor - Untitled Interactive Games

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There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when a guitarist picks up an instrument, but the real stories often come when they put it down. Everyone Loves Guitar, hosted by Craig Garber, lives in that space. It’s less a formal interview and more like pulling up a chair in a backstage lounge or a quiet corner of a studio. Garber’s guests-celebrity players, revered musicians, and behind-the-scenes industry figures-open up in ways that go far beyond gear and technique. You’ll hear the unvarnished backstories, the pivotal moments that defined their careers, and the personal philosophies that drive them. This podcast digs into the history of the music itself and the people who make it, revealing the life lessons and personal development that come from a lifetime dedicated to art. Each episode feels like a deep, meandering chat with a fascinating friend who just happens to have an incredible tale about life on the road, the creative process, or the sheer joy of a perfect riff. It’s for anyone who believes the guitar is more than wood and strings; it’s a conduit for human experience. Tune in for honest talk about the music, the struggles, and the triumphs that resonate long after the last note fades.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 500

Everyone Loves Guitar
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