KIIKIN
Meet Sucre, Bolivia-born UK Open Mic performer KIIKIN:
Hi KIIKIN, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:
Do you play solo only, or also in a group?
Solo
How old are you?
23
Where were you born?
Sucre, Bolivia
Where did you grow up?
Santa Cruz, Bolivia
How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)
I grew up with a mix of cultures but also in an American school which influenced my musical style. Also growing up in a Spanish speaking country means that I do use some Spanish in my songs.
Where are you based now, and why?
Santa Cruz, Bolivia (in the UK for a month and a half).
What got you into making music in the first place?
I used it as a type of personal therapy and in-fact, never planned on releasing it but as time passed I greatly improved and my friends encouraged me to throw myself out there and thank God I did.
What instrument/s do you play?
Singing
Rapping
Rapping
Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?
Lil Peep: when I was beginning to write Peep is all I listened to and definitely influenced my music.
Kendrick Lamar: I have always loved the well thought out lyrical genius that Lamar is and I aspire to write lyrics of his standard one day.
J Cole: for the same reasons as Lamar I have always enjoyed Coles music and metric and it has influenced me undoubtedly.
Mac Miller: the concept of some of my songs have been inspired by Mac and the type of lyrics also. I do plan on learning many instruments and have started to do so same as him.
Ghostemane: althought the lyrical content is not similar in many songs I love and have been inspired by the dark aspect with heavy bass.
$uicideboy$: around the same time I began writing the dark trap sound of this duo that inspired me is very notable in some songs such as “Vent”.
Post Malone: his versatility is what really inspires to this day, in the future I plan on stepping out of my bass genre “trap” and experimenting into new genres.
Bones: again due to the dark trap sound with really influenced my music.
Pouya: along with $uicideboy$ the dark trap was really with me and the beginning of my career.
Stormzy: although not as evident in the sound he was one of the artists who got me on to rap music.
Do you write your own songs?
Yes
How many years have you been writing songs for?
5
What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?
I usually write when I have some mental conflict, as I began writing as personal therapy that really stuck with me. It is not always the case but it does tend to be. I also speak only truths of my life and tell story’s of my past.
How long have you been playing open mic nights?
1
Why did you get into playing them in the first place?
Althought I usually do shows I often enjoy taking part in open mic nights as well.
What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?
I honestly thing connecting is the most important, even if it is just a select few in the audience I like to really make people feel I am speaking to them directly and do this by looking into people eyes etc. I think that makes it much more memorable and personal and creates the real fans.
What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?
The wait before it starts, I can’t wait to get going I absolutely love performing.
What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?
The most amazing was my first own concert in which I involved the use of elements such as facke blood and a real coffin to keep the audience on there toes.
If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?
Yes
What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?
Getting music into people ears, the music is there what’s coming is better but connecting A to B is the tricky part.
What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?
That I was born and raised in Bolivia and that I have had many really heavy experiences that influence me and my music.
What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?
I have a really good song with a artist that is much bigger than me and the video will be recorded across 3 countries. Here, Spain and Bolivia. Also I will be part of a project by the artist “Viudita Moderna” which will be reviewed my Sony Bolivia which is a step in the right direction!
Do you have your own music video, channel or playlist you’d like to share?
https://www.youtube.com/@kiikin
Do you have music on streaming? What’s you main streaming channel to send people to?
Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?
https://www.instagram.com/zac.kiikin/
What other sites/profiles should people go to to find out more about you?
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We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?
No thanks!