A DOPE conversation with a Jamaican Pop sensation: Editor Tone Swep vibes out with Block Entertainment’s leading lady KRIS KELLI.

 

Read the Full Length Interview Right Here. Right Now.

(Tone Swep: TS) Let’s start off with a conversation about Kingston. We hear about Jamaican wealth in the mansions, and then poverty on the yards; such a contrast between those two worlds. Where would you say your upbringing and immediate surroundings fell into all this? How was life coming up on the island?

(Kris Kelli: KRIS) Funny you ask that question. In Jamaica they consider me an uptown girl. I wasn’t born in the inner-city. I went to a private high school, did very well in school. I graduated with top honors. I had a very fortunate upbringing coming up, in what here in the states, would be considered the suburbs. This was because my parents worked really hard to give me the best. Everyone at home considers me an uptown girl. At the same time, I knew I wasn’t one of the wealthy kids so I was very grounded in that way.

(TS) How does the industry scene in Kingston differ from here in the states? The opportunities to get signed to a major, for instance? You have worked with dancehall stars such as Vybz Kartel and Beenie Man, and have mass popularity in Jamaica, so you were obviously in the right circles and on the right track.

(KRIS) The industry is completely different. Here you guys focus on building up a buzz, a campaign, picking a top single, then a second single. Measuring the response of those singles to see what the next steps should be. Ya’ll have a plan. Jamaican music scene, the industry… it’s really just a hustle fighting for that top spot, but that buzz only lasts for like two weeks. Everyone in Jamaica is an artist, you understand. Everybody! Anyone you meet is a producer, or somehow in the industry. So music is made, but that buzz doesn’t last long at all. I’ve been in the game for 10 years. So mentally, with my grind and hustle and experience… when it comes to work no one can out-grind me. That’s because of my culture and how I was brought up, because in Jamaica the entire industry is a hustle, a grind.

(TS) When are you and Sean Kingston going to collab? That has to happen.

(KRIS) I’m ready. And actually Sean and I chatted on Twitter. He’s very talented. We support our own. So when the time is right, I’m sure it will happen.

(TS) You dropped the “Sell Off” EP last month. What has been the response thus far?

(KRIS) I consider Sell Off as being a teaser for what is to come. The songs on that mixtape are a mix of Pop and the sounds of Jamaica. I have over a hundred songs. The mixtape only has five of those. So I have so many songs, and many of them are very different in sound and style. Sell Off is a sample of what is to come. And it’s also a Jamaican phrase which means something is crazy, or off the chain. We’d say ‘that’s a Sell Off’ if it’s DOPE.

(TS) “Home Run” and “Action” are your lead singles off the EP, but they are very different from each other. What audiences were they intended for?

(KRIS) I’m a versatile artist who grew up listening to everything. I can sing anything from Jazz, Blues, to Reggae, R&B and Hip Hop. We didn’t want to make the statement that simply because I’m Jamaican, these are all going to be Jamaican songs. I’m a versatile artist.

(TS) You went from the long silky mane to the short sexy mohawk mama. What’s up? You have a breakup with a boyfriend or something? Is that a message to the ex?

(KRIS) (Laughs) Naw Man. Nothing like that. I haven’t even thought that (Laughs more)… I have a very rebellious side to me. So I like changing up my look. It was time for a change. I like to have a kind of wow factor. People knew me for having the long hair. It was time to change it up. I do have an inner craziness inside of me as well. Next time it might be pink and orange.

(TS) What’s the dating game like for you right now?

(KRIS) It’s funny because I haven’t been on that scene. I’ve been working on the album. I haven’t even been out. I don’t know one club in Atlanta. Well, maybe one, but haven’t actually been to any. The music game is all about sacrifice. And I came over here with no one knowing me here. I had to start from scratch, so I know it’s very imperative that I step up my grind constantly. Me going out and having a social life would be a distraction.

(TS) What are the three most important qualities a man should possess?

(KRIS) Every woman is different. For me personally, I have to be able to laugh. They must have some sort of sense of humor. So I can laugh with him and enjoy myself when I am with him. I have to be able to vibe with him. I am a big vibe person. Definitely, he must know how to unwind. And I love somebody who takes care of their business. A man who takes his business very seriously and works hard at it, that’s very important.

(TS) Who is sexier, the handsome broke guy or the ugly rich guy?

(KRIS) A handsome broke guy by far! (LAUGHS!) By far, by far, by far. I don’t date for money. It’s not like that with me because I have my own. But he can’t be handsome, broke, and then be treating me badly. I am a very independent woman. If I can’t afford it, I just do without it. But the ugly rich guy won’t work at all. Not at all, at all (Laughs).

(TS) If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you need to survive?

(KRIS) That’s hard, and I’m from an Island. To be honest, it will probably shock you but… I would need somebody, a partner. Someone there to relate to and have with me. Not music. Because if I listen to that same music over and over it would drive me crazy. I’m a quiet person. I love meditating. But I am an island girl. So I would adapt easily, be out there fishing and everything.

(TS) What is your secret food fetish? The guilty pleasure you shouldn’t be eating but eat all of the time anyway?

(KRIS) Anything Italian. Pasta, lasagna. I am Jamaican. I love yams, dumplings, green bananas. Starchy foods. I love oxtails, anything that is fattening but tastes good and is highly seasoned. I am on a program now where I haven’t had bread for a year. I don’t eat any form of fat. And I have fish and broccoli every day.

(TS) How are you with money? Do you spend like crazy and then regret it? Or are you frugal, always saving?

(KRIS) Nope. I’m too frugal. Put it this way. I am a bank. You give me your money, it’s safe with me. Even my parents are always amazed by my spending habits. I used to have a bank book, at three years old, where even if I loaned people money I would keep record of it. I had so much money. I used to carry it on me until I couldn’t carry it anymore. I do believe in treating myself, though, because you work hard and you should reward yourself. But I know how to go without a lot of things. Not an impulsive shopper at all. I will walk in a store, see something I want, have the money to buy it, and still walk right back out.

(TS) What is the single greatest challenge you ever faced in Life, and how did you overcome that challenge?

(KRIS) I faced a lot of challenges coming from where I’m from… Uptown or downtown it doesn’t matter. In Kingston, Jamaica, you are going to face some tough challenges. I would say testing my faith to leave there a year and a half ago. I put so much money, and passion, and drive into my music career. I felt like I was at the edge of a cliff, and just hoped that God would catch me when I jumped. And he did. I look at everything I am doing now. If you believe it in your heart and have faith that it will happen, and the work ethic, drive and determination to match, it will happen for you.

(TS) What should we expect from this Kris Kelli chick this time next year?

(KRIS) Next year this time is going to be crazy! I’m looking forward to speaking with you again next year this time, man. We should do this again, Tone. Too much fun. But we are working. We’re focused. We have so much good music. I just want everything to be in place when my hurricane takes over. So expect a lot of great collaborations, work with closing companies, other brands, and for everything to be DOPE. That’s my favorite word. DOPE!

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Listen to KRIS KELLI‘s Latest Single “ACTION“

 

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