Interview: Dutch Rapper/Producer Ido Discusses His Debut EP "KERN"
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“When someone listens to “KERN” I want them to experience what I felt at a particular moment in my life at the best at my ability. I want them to feel like they were part of the experience and maybe learn form it, or heal from it.”
Congratulations on the completion and release of your debut EP "KERN"; what are you most proud of with this project?
Thank you. Next to the fact I did everything alone, I’m very proud of my track called “gedachtens” which translates into “Thoughts”. It’s a song about facing self-doubt and self-hate, which can be very difficult things to face up to and get rid off.
Tell us about your creative process for the EP's seven songs as both the lyricist and producer. Also, what does the title "KERN" represent?
The songs I wrote are inspired by events that occurred in my life and things I’ve been dealing with the last few years. I tell the stories how I expired them, most of the time I write a concept for the song and meditate on it for a while or try different things. Most of the time I make the beat first then I go write a song to it.
“KERN” translates into “Core”'; the EP was written from the core of my being and that’s why I called that.
With the EP now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2020?
At the moment I’m working on my next EP and producing on other people’s records. It would also be cool to do some things over-seas.
My plans for the rest of the year are basically performing and creating.
How would you describe the hip-hop scene in the Netherlands? Are locals supportive of homegrown talent and is it difficult to build a fan base?
Not everybody, some people are very kind and supportive. Others will try to get you down; I think it’s normal not everybody will like you and you have to be prepared to deal with that kind of stuff.
The locals are supportive at in my case; that being said, I sadly have to tell I did miss some understanding in how the business works. Growing my fan base is something I am busy improving.
When someone listens to the "KERN" EP for the first time, what do you want them to take away from the experience?
When someone listens to “KERN” I want them to experience what I felt at a particular moment in my life at the best at my ability. I want them to feel like they were part of the experience and maybe learn form it, or heal from it.
Connect with Ido: Instagram