Interview: Worcester, MA Rap Artist Burny Kev Discusses His Clip For "Talmbout", Featuring Casket Gonz
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“Didn’t know at the time the music was going to be therapy to me. When I’m sad I write, when I’m happy I write, when I’m mad I write, when I’m inspired I write; I just write man.”
Tell us about how you got started writing rhymes and who some artists were that influenced you early on.
It’s crazy cause when I think of it, I’ve been rapping when I was little like ever since I was introduced to rap but never took it seriously of course. The song that really made me want to take rap serious is XO Tour Life by Lil Uzi. I heard the chorus and was like man I’ve made choruses similar or as catchy as that joking around all the time. Didn’t know at the time the music was going to be therapy to me. When I’m sad I write, when I’m happy I write, when I’m mad I write, when I’m inspired I write; I just write man.
J Cole is my favorite rapper of all time but I love Drake, Lil Wayne, Kendrick, Wale, Hov, Eminem and Old Kanye. I think those are my biggest influences in my music. They have no idea but their music hasn’t only given me inspiration but it pushes me to make music as good or if possible better than theirs.
I set a certain standard every time I write I’m always trying to get better every word, every flow, every chorus never want to feel comfortable; I’m always looking for improvement and if you just hear my music throughout the years, I think you’ll hear it too. It’s a actually a big theme for this next tape I tried to push my sound, I’m trying new things and new flows and really proud of the way it’s coming out so far.
Congratulations on the release of your music video for "Talmbout". Tell us about your creative process for the song itself, how you connected with Casket Gonz, and who produced it.
Thank you I appreciate the love, “Talmbout” the song and music video is some of my proudest work up to date. As soon as I heard the beat made by “Pale 1080” I knew that it would be one of the hit singles from my newest project “The Venting System”. It was actually one of the last songs I made for the tape.
I was looking for a beat that would set the tone for the tape and as soon as I heard it, it was love at first hear lol. As for connecting with Casket Gonz, he family. We’ve know each other since little kids. Dude is really freaking talented in almost everything he does and he has some of the best music in my city in my opinion. Love everything he is about and I thought he would add a missing element to the song. His smooth vibe really elevates the song to a new level and I can’t wait to create with him again.
How did you and the director, Nieves Filmz, come up with the treatment for the video and why did you decide on this song off your "The Venting System" album?
Nieves Filmz is the guy fr. So sad he moved from Worcester. He is so patient and he really wants to bring your idea to life.
Once I gave him the idea that I wanted to do a restaurant type video we brainstormed to create this masterpiece. The customers are getting bad customer service, they are upset and the crew doesn’t seem to care or even know what’s going on. So basically no one knows what is going on or what any one is “Talmbout” lol.
Nieves and me worked before and he is as professional as it gets. This video I couldn’t have pictured it coming out any better, from my guys and the ladies incredible on spot acting skills, to all the crazy edits my guy Nieves did. Really really proud of “Talmbout”, so shoutout to my guy Nieves. Like I was saying before I just knew hearing the beat just one time this was the song and I’ve been getting great reviews on it.
Speaking of beats, what do you look for in the instrumentals that you select to write to?
I never really know what to expect when I pick out beats. Every time I explain how I pick a beat to a friend they are always amazed but to me it seems like it’s nothing special. Whenever I pick a beat, the beat has to speak to me literally. Whatever is on my mind or my subconscious that I cannot just say aloud or do not know how to express it at the time, literally a beat will come on and it will tell me exactly how I’m feeling.
Some songs when I finish I look at the lyrics and be like wow I didn’t know this how I felt about a situation but at the same time it’s me that just wrote those words dow. Now actually saying that aloud that’s crazy yoooo; it has got to be God lol.
I believe before music I didn’t know how to express myself; I always just made jokes about my feelings and it was really killing me inside. This music is just my way out and I love it I’ll listen to 1000 a beats a week and I only find one beat that really speaks to me it’s worth it every time, even if I don’t, I love listening to beats and trying to understand the producer and how he or she ideally wanted the rapper to sing on this.
I really love what I do everything about it from listening to the beat at first, to writing how I truly feel, to making a crazy music video to connect everything I’m thinking. Cannot wait to create and share more of mind to the world. I know I said a lot but I really love talking about all this music.
How would you describe the hip-hop music scene in Worcester? Are locals generally supportive of homegrown talent?
Worcester, Massachusetts… man I love my city; I wouldn’t want to grow up any place else. There’s so many talented artists in this city; some I know about, some I have no clue about because the hip-hop scene is nonexistent. Though I think it’s nonexistent now, I do think it has potential, too many talented artists not to change that.
I look forward to the future fasho and def want to change the hip-hop scene. In the future I would love to go to Atlanta or New York to kind of study how they get an artist to blow it seems like every year or month. It’s all a part of my plans; I can’t wait to get to work for real.
With "The Venting System" now released, what are some of your goals musically as 2021 is winding down, heading into 2022?
I actually have another tape on the way. “CHB”, I’m waiting to give out what in stands for in a few weeks. It has nothing to do with Drake’s “CLB” but I think it’s funny when people try to decipher the name and guess things like Certified Hustler Boy or Certified Hater Boy.
I think I’m getting to the point where I’m almost done with it and hopefully I can get it out November or December. That’s my goal for the end of the year.
I have a single with a new video coming out soon called “Smooth Operator”; we will probably be interviewing about that soon too. Another song and video I’m proud of.
I’m working with my guy JJ, also known as “J Vazquez Visuals” on that one; he did an amazing job. I can’t wait for people to see that one. Hopefully by the end of October, depending how far along I am with the tape, I’ll drop it.
Stream and Share “The Venting System” on Spotify
Connect with Burny Kev: Instagram