King Royal Talks The Spirituality of Music, Remaining an Independent Artist & Putting On For The Inland Empire
California's King Royal has always been about greatness. An inspiration to many, he has been defying the odds, and giving the world a lot of dope content to enjoy. With a collection of singles and projects to his name, he has done a lot since making his first rap in his teens. Armed with sharp lyricism and raw delivery, he has made himself to becoming one of the West Coast's secret weapons.
With a new focus to dominate 2022 and beyond, King Royal kicked it with us to talk about his beginnings, his ability to make something for everyone, coming from the Inland Empire region, ownership, and a lot more. This one is for royalty, take a seat on your thrones for this one. Check out the interview below.
Thanks for coming thru! 2021 has been a year, but how has it been treating you?
Whats up, thank y'all for having me! 2021 has been wild. Nothing short of a blessing though. I found myself more this year. I tapped into my music more. The team gained a lot of great pieces this year! I also finished up the greatest album I’ve created. Been surrounding myself around nothing but positive energy, just so I can feed off that better. Everything has just been falling into place and getting set up perfectly for our takeover next year. King Royal & Royal Diamonds Entertainment are gonna be everywhere, remember I said that.
Your discography offers listeners a diverse mix of sounds, ranging from something for the streets to something for the ladies. Why do you feel it’s important for artists to mix it up?
I always wanted to be able to reach everyone with my music. It’s all about being relatable. I’d rather focus on relating to my listeners, than focusing too hard on whats the next single. That’ll all come naturally. I give y'all nothing but the truth when I'm in that booth and I’ve always felt like that was most important. That versatility is always important because you become one dimensional as an artist when you constantly produce the same sound and the same lyrics. People want to grow with you, and if you are stagnant as an artist, the media will leave you right where they found you.
Take us back to the time when you were 16 and dropped your first mixtape, “Total Royalty”.
Man, Total Royalty was a whole moment. I dropped that at the end of my junior year at Etiwanda High School. That was a dope time because in 2011-2012, it wasn’t too many dudes in my area that were rapping. The term “Soundcloud Rapper” wasn’t even a thing. So when I started this, it definitely wasn’t for no clout. The students were way more accepting to it then because it was rare to hear people rapping on the campus. I gained a buzz before the tape dropped, just off freestyling. Me and a few other rappers would get together at lunch and have battle sessions. I really earned my respect around that time because I was going at whoever thought they was better than me. People knew I was the King before it was even in my name.
Going back to school after that must’ve been crazy. How did your peers react?
It was a great response. The whole campus was rocking with me heavily afterwards. People weren’t even streaming music then so I was getting hot just off Datpiff, HotNewHipHop, and YouTube. I came back after summer and they treated me like a ran that mf school. I wasn’t on social media too crazy at the time though, and I feel like thats where I could’ve capitalized more off the hype. But, it was still massive success for me. People love being a part of positive sh*t, so every body was acting like they knew me and my n*ggas senior year.
What about that time sparked the motivation inside you to keep going?
The reaction that people gave me even at a early age was always crazy. It made me feel like I could compete with the greats, even at 16. When I saw the power I had behind that microphone, I knew that this sh*t was deeper than a hobby. Music is spiritual forreal, so once I saw that I was able to have people hooked off my first project, there was no way I could stop. My family was overly supportive, especially since my dad was involved in the industry all his life. Having a supportive team is fuel to the fire.
I give y'all nothing but the truth when I'm in that booth and I’ve always felt like that was most important
What do you love most about your region, the Inland Empire?
I love being the underdog. The Inland Empire has always been the underdog when you compare it to other California regions. It’s hundreds of us out here all putting on for the IE heavily. I was born and raised out here so it’s always been home to me. I’ve always seen myself putting on and giving back to the area that made me who I am. I always felt as though I had to get my region on my back first. Not too many artist make it out of here, and that doesn’t make sense to me. It’s over 4 million people and over 60 cities here, so we gonna make it hot fasho. I always saw myself being the one to put us on the map, so it’s always been personal for me.
It’s music scene is definitely on the bubble. Who are some IE artists we should look out for?
The artists on RDE fasho; Lennon Margiela, Sonny James and KP. I gotta promote the artist on my label first, and I promise you that’s not a biased answer. Everybody with RDE knows how to make a hit and get to a bag. Everyone around me pushes each other to always better ourselves and to continue to grow as artists. Dudadamthang, Doggystyleeee, and Blue Ragg$ going up too fasho, and that’s just to name a few. Anyone out here in the Inland Empire grinding and getting they hustle on, got my respect 100%.
As an artist all about ownership of your brand, at what moment did you realize that not having control over your intellectual property isn’t it?
I knew that from the beginning. Like I said, I was raised in a musical household. Pops had us in the studio at a young age so he laced me with alot of game. I always wanted to push the music on my own time and agenda and that’s why we started out independent and still are 'til this day. I knew that I was way too talented to have my music controlled. I'm pushing the independent agenda on all my young homies. You don’t need the help of anyone else to boss up.
What some people might not know, is that you’re college educated. What advantages has it given you so far?
Yessir! I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Businesses Administration with a concentration of marketing. Finishing school was hard for me because my mind was on this music 24/7; during classes, while studying, during exams, etc. All I could think about was the music. Now I’m not gonna sit here and act like it didn’t have any impact. Learning about the marketing side of things was beneficial. BUT, there’s millions of people out there who find success without a day of college education. I feel like you gain the MOST knowledge through experiences. Some situations are more based off who you know, rather than what you’ve learned. So for those who are in school, keep pushing hard, because you’re there for a reason. But for those who are hustling in these streets, that success is right around the corner regardless. It’s all about the effort you put into this game.
If you are stagnant as an artist, the media will leave you right where they found you
Aside from going down as a great, your goal is to inspire others to live life at the highest levels. How would you say your upbringing contributed to such a prolific mindset?
My upbringing had a major contribution to my mindset growing up. When you’re around bosses you become a boss. When you’re around 5 millionaires, you’ll eventually become the sixth. I was always around people who pushed me to go harder and wanted to see me win. Surrounding yourself around the right energy is key. Training your mind to be positive and motivated is one of the most important things. If your crew ain't moving on those same wavelengths then that shit will stunt your growth.
Anything else we should know?
Just know that 2022 belongs to King Royal and Royal Diamonds Entertainment. Point Blank. I don’t care what region, what state, or what country you reside in, you’re gonna know about us in a major way. Stay tapped in for more music, more investments and more success.
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