Background & Origins

1. You grew up in New Jersey and now operate out of NYC—how did each scene shape your voice and vision?

Jersey for most of my life up until my early adulthood… I actually grew up in the trenches. The same place Albee Al from just up on the hill. New York as an adult was a calmer atmosphere especially in my early twenties. I also faced homelessness and was a youth advocate in a lot of different youth organizations until I aged out. (ex. Covenant house, HMI & Street-works)

Both of the places along with other varieties of US states, have helped me grow from experience & human interactions. These aspects have helped me to keep me grounded. Especially my childhood. That’s where it all stems from.

2. Before launching your music career, you were already making moves as a producer, writer, and engineer. Which of those roles came first, and how did it influence the rest?  

Well, it was always writing. Once my uncle Who not the DJ, actually heard my poetry at 11 or 12 years old, he broke down how to structure a song properly bar for bar. Since that then because I could feel the jealousy around me, because people know when someone’s potential is high… I guess. Either way I had the eagerness to continue to perfect my craft and become an engineer & also producer. So really because people I didn’t have a big budget, I had to learn how to do what I knew I would and will probably do for therapeutic reasons.

Career Breakthroughs

3. Your 2021 single “Roscoe’s Theme Song” was inspired by a near-death experience in an LA jail cell on Thanksgiving Day. Can you walk us through that moment and why you chose to channel it into music?  

In cell 20 in pod like 14 or 1600 in LA county after the Mexican officer let off two round, behind my head while I was on the front of the cop car, handcuffed. His partner pushed his hand down so that’s what avoided me from catching both head shots. So thanksgiving morning I’m talking 3:45 am I awakened from a dream. The dream where I walked in the light, but was told it wasn’t my time. And if I tell you GOD comes like a theft in the night. No matter what I was going through, GOD had me, I was safe. I just went to Roscoe’s & they always showed me so much love, the food is always cooked with love… so I felt that immediately from that organization. I teased about it a Roscoe’s wanted me to do so I did it. In just memory of the Good people of LA. Inglewood to be exact.

4. You also dropped “Bye Felicia” as a diss track in 2016. What fuels your decision to speak up so boldly, especially in diss tracks like that?  

Lmfao if I describe to you, how this all started from someone jacking my shit… and then the person got tight cause I dissed her so she did numerous things to try and get my life taken away from me… even when I was locked up recently in these past 3 yrs I sat. Art is all I’ve ever had since I was a little child. I’ve been in Arts & Gifted my whole school years. So I went about it the way I seen the legends I like and that inspire me took it… & that’s to wax. But you kno she a clown to me so … I SAID WHAT I SAID

Creative Process

5. As someone who writes, produces, engineers audio and visual content, and does graphic/brand design—how do you navigate wearing all these hats while crafting a unified creative identity?  

I’m Blessed with a “God Given Gift” (Go get that album). & over the years it’s developed its own. So I’m just flowing.

6. When faced with frustration or trauma, does your creative process shift? How do you channel raw emotion into your art?

Yes, especially during the digestive processing for me and that can take some time because I have PTSD. Frfr. As far as channeling any emotions… that’s where all those hats come in. I try to project that in my music while still voicing my facts. But ART has no form so it easier to just flow through everything, for me personally.

Challenges & Resilience

7. You’ve faced serious life-threatening encounters with law enforcement and even spent time in prison. How has surviving those moments shaped your music and your message?  

I used to want only a certain sound on major platforms especially during my 5 mixtape series (Datpiff when it was up and running). Now I really don’t care to much on having that certain sound. I want to keep the abstractness in my sound an creativity if that makes any sense to you like it does to me. I know I have to use my platform to make people aware but also show the PROOF of how REAL GOD is. This music that’s coming out has the Rawest sound in HIP HOP. Especially the albums coming.

8. How do you balance being vulnerable in your tracks while maintaining strength and resilience?

My father always told me “never tell someone anything that will hurt you.” So I don’t. But I also have that connection with those who’ve been through it and I want them to know they’re not alone. I feel like I’m just authentically being the artist GOD designed me to be

Collaborations & Influences

9. You once mentioned wanting to work with Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco Pharrell and Nas. What draws you to them artistically, and who have you been able to collaborate with so far?  

The poetry behind the human spitting the bars. Creativity dynamic these artists influenced me in so many ways. As an artist they are who I feel have redesigned Hip Hop in a more intellectual behavior.

10. As both a solo artist and creative collaborator (Team Dork Nation founder), how do you choose who to work with—and what makes a partnership meaningful?

It’s about Authenticity & Transparency for me. Communication. The vibe just gotta be there.

Vision & Impact

11. What’s the core message or ethos you hope listeners take away from your music?

The story behind the human who creates it. I write from experience. So I hope that I can connect with the communities who can relate.

12. Looking ahead: what projects or goals—like new tracks, collaborations, or multimedia work—are you most excited about?

I have a few projects coming out.

Prod Kyng Pariah – Brown Skin Kids 6/19/25

Prod Kyng Pariah – Finna Trip 9/12/25

I’m excited about everything dropping I also got visuals coming as well so stay tuned an subscribe on YouTube @TeamDorkNation

Beats drop at least once a month so I’m on next years calendar for projects an I have “F.A.F.O. Starter Pack” coming 1/30/2026

& my official third Album “God Given Gift 2.”

God willing.

Personal Perspective

13. As “The Kyng of Pariahs,” what does that title mean to you personally and in the context of your career?  

I’m the reject but the original design. I cannot tell you anyone’s personal opinions because I really don’t give a fuck. I do me & this meaning has a masculine but feminine dynamic to it. Kyng with a why because I’m Young forever at heart. No matter what. I love fun.

14. What advice would you give artists who are facing systemic barriers or survival-level challenges, yet still want to build a platform?

Stay invested in your HEALTH (Physical, Mentally & Emotionally) Stay authentic. Allow yourself to digest and forgive…yourself if anyone…. Stay eager to learn and grow because you don’t know everything. Take the time for yourself because you owe it to yourself to be the greatest you can be. And you will achieve those dreams and goals don’t ever stop working. It’ll pay off in so many ways. Be blessed. – Kyng Pariah