Kuhhnizer Debuts New Music
I can't tell you how many times I've asked some artists to talk about their music with me and they flat out don't want to do an interview. Look, I'm no Sway in the Morning, I'm not VICE Noisey, and I'm no MTV, but honestly we all gotta start somewhere.
I would rather talk to those who appreciate even just 1 bloggers interest in their music. So in this case, the man, the myth, the legend Alex Kniser AKA Kuhhnizer was kind enough to reach out to me about his upcoming project release. I was more than thrilled to dive into his album and ask him about what made him create this new body of work and some of the thought process behind a few songs.
OVATION was released on March 18 and I gotta say for a relatively new local talent doing this with only the help of other local talent, the work is top notch. People don't always understand the time it takes to create music that means something. Not to mention that pouring out your heart and soul into the writing process and sharing that publicly is something a lot of people will never have the guts to do.
Artwork by: Tyler Barrett aka @ch3x_mix
Without further ado, here is the interview and links to his music and videos.
1. What got you started making music and recording?
I think the fact that I was always into music since I was a kid really took a toll on me as I got older. Around 15-16 years old is when I started to really get into Hip-Hop and really out of nowhere I found myself picking up a pen and writing! I fell in love with it and didn't record my first song till I was about 18 and ever since then I couldn't stop. It was like something in me that just kept telling me to keep going!
2. What's the idea behind your name Kuhhnizer?
Well, my real name is Alexander Kniser. It's really just my last name, but spelled different. I spelled my stage name how you actually pronounce my last name because a lot of people always pronounced it wrong. I think one the best things about doing music is coming up with your stage name, so when I came up with mine I thought about what people knew me by and everybody always called me by my last name for some reason and it really stuck. So I felt it was only right that I continued that when I started to make music!
3. How long have you been doing music, performing, etc.?
I've been writing music for about almost 10 years now. I've been recording as well as performing for about 6 years which is so crazy to me because it seems like just yesterday I was walking up on stage for the very first time at the launchpad!
4. What’s your opinion on lyrics when it some to rapping? Quality vs. quantity? Elaborate vs. simple?
I'm personally all about the lyrics man, especially when people claim they are the "best" at it. To me, if you're gonna be out here trying to claim that, then I want to hear some lyrical shit along with all those melodies, metaphors, punchlines etc. I also look at the structuring of things, a lot of people are starting to sound the same in all those categories and claiming they got it when in reality it's just another person who raps to me. I like both. If you can put out a lot of songs and the quality is great then the sky is the limit when it comes down to that. For me, as I get older, I start to realize I am at my best when I take my time on things. So quality is a huge factor in my music for sure!
5. Tell me what was the thought process behind OVATION? Why title it that and what is your message?
Well, I wanted to create an album that people would actually listen to all the way through. So I knew it was going to take a lot out of me to make that happen and being away from music as long as I was I knew people expected something great when I cam back. I came up with the name OVATION because with the amount of time and effort I put into it, all I wanted from the people after they listened was an applause and with that I came up with the name OVATION. Just like a standing ovation at a play or performance, only without the standing part!
Artwork by: Tyler Barrett aka @ch3x_mix
6. Has the response to your music been what you expected? Both for Providence and OVATION.
Definitely and MORE. Providence I felt was just to show my artistry and versatility in my opinion and with that album I caught a lot of people's attention. I was barely was scratching the surface, but with OVATION it was way more than what I expected, now I feel like people know I'm not someone you can sleep on anymore. I really feel I separated myself from a lot of artists out here with this album. All I am really trying to do is make music man and longevity wise, I want to be considered one of the pioneers of New Mexico Hip-Hop and I feel like I am going in the right direction.
7. What producers do you work with or maybe even want to work with? Local or non-local.
Justin Lozano is one of those guys I can count on when it comes to beat selection, one of the best in the game in my opinion. Bosqo is another guy who produces and brings a lot to the table as well and there is so many others I could name, but one producer I really want to work with is Nikeboy. Man that dude is on another level and he is also a local killing it right now!
8. Do you think music artists from New Mexico can do better by joining forces rather than being off in their own crews and doing things all individually?
That's a really good question. I'd have to say joining forces for sure because when collaborating with artists from New Mexico it makes it all that more entertaining especially when you connect with that artist on a personal level and you get to know them. Things become more interesting when you start to actually work with them, then you realize how many things you have in common and you gain a lot of support that way as well.
Photo by: Kyle Bilbo
9. How do you think the city you're living in, affects how you make your music?
I mean, being from the Midwest you see the style they come with and living in the Southwest you see a different style as well, so I think with my music I'm combining the two and creating something very different that's never been seen before around here. I think where you are from plays a huge roll in your music and you should always respect that!
10. What would you tell your younger self if you could go back 10 years?
I would probably just say enjoy life and understand that everything you will dream of takes a lot of patience and dedication. Really, just know that God has something for you out here in this crazy world, but all together just continue the life I'm living!
11. With so many rappers and Hip-Hop artists in New Mexico, and around the world, how do you plan on standing out from the crowd?
I try not to look at what other artists are doing unless it's something positive you know. I know that if people love my music I've got to be doing something right. All I wanna do is make music man. As for trying to stand out, I think as long as you are just being yourself and staying in your own lane, you cant really go wrong and that's what people really love!
Photo by: Marcos Travers
12. I personally liked “Pursuit of Happiness” off OVATION, shout out to Bosqo. Can you give me some insight into the inspiration behind this song?
Well, actually the reason we called the song "Pursuit of Happiness" was because Bosqo had a Martin Luther King sample from one of his speeches and MLK actually speaks on the pursuit of happiness, but I think due to copyright we weren't allowed to have that sample in the song which was a huge bummer for both us. But anyway, yeah I think the lyrics hopefully help guide the listener to understand what I'm actually saying and really it's me just trying understand myself and what makes me happy. Then by the second verse I'm convincing myself like wait, why am I searching when I have everything that makes me happy in the end, it's like I am almost speaking to myself its crazy!
13. Who do you got filming your music videos? Any new ones in the works for this album?
I usually have Marcos Travers from Bsteez filming for me. As of lately, I have been seeing a lot of other filmmakers doing their thing out here as well. Me and Marc have kinda plotted something here and there, but I really want to work with @id_ya man his stuff is amazing. We actually met a couple weeks ago and both talked about working and getting something together so I'm thinking it's about that time to give that man a holler soon.
14. You collaborated a lot on this album, which is dope! Tell me why you chose a couple of the collaborations you did…..
I feel like everything flowed so smoothly with how I wanted to approach this album and the fact that the collaborations I have are with the people I am extremely close with and work very well with is amazing. Every piece just fit so perfectly to the puzzle!
15. Tell me more about “Late Nights”. That track seemed to come from a personal place….
Ohhh man, haha it very well did! I mean really that song speaks for itself. Those are real, raw emotions and things that are true from the heart. I think every relationship has it's struggles and what not, and every relationship can't admit that sometimes you know, but to me if you are strong enough to admit that, then you should be able to understand that everything is gonna be alright in the end. It was a message that no matter what, we are gonna be alright, really just a reassurance song so if my girlfriend ever is upset at me I just throw that song on you feel me? Haha
16. Red chile or green chile?
Go Green all day!! And I'm from Kansas, we don't have chile, we have BBQ.
17. Anything else you would like to mention?
Man, just thank you to everybody who was involved with helping get this thing out and everybody who has stuck by me through this process. I want to first thank Bosqo. Man, if it honestly wasn't for him engineering a majority of the songs and spending those endless hours in the studio with me this wouldn't have happened and I couldn't be more thankful for that man. One of my best friends no doubt and always will be. Also, Justin Lozano for producing a lot of the songs and engineering as well. Thank you Tyler Barrett for the album artwork! He has done my last three projects. I'm so thankful for that and I can't forget the people who are still supporting me on this journey, from my family to my friends and the listeners who hit me up telling me to keep going. That's what motivates me more and more! Just thank you man, thank you so much!!! Much love.
-kuni
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