Kev Kelley: "I want to become hip-hop royalty."

Thrasher Magazine, April, 2005 by Tony Vitello

ISN'T IT LAME when somebody's telling a story or describing something and they're all riled up, saying "Oh, damn! That shit was hella funny. He said this. She said that." Then, finally sensing that their audience is either unamused or not paying attention, they say, "I guess you just had to be there." Yeah, I hate that. And I hate writing this intro for Kev Kelley, because his personality forces me to write things like "That fool Kev was yellin' hella loud, dancin' on top of my desk. Then dude just started rappin' about Butterfingers and spanked this blonde chick's ass." I guess you just had to be there.

Kev Kelley's got all the star qualities, and he isn't ashamed to claim he's one break shy of BET. He's a 24-hour entertainer, and his sights are set on platinum plus.

Identify yourself.

Kev Kelley, representin' Hunters Point, San Francisco. Rapper extraordinaire, model, tryin' to take it to the next level. I'm one of three rappers starring in the film Rap Dreams, directed by Kevin Epps.

Tell us about Rap Dreams and how you became a player in the film.

I got involved with Rap Dreams through Kevin Epps. We were working together before he put out the world-renowned film Straight Outta Hunters Point. I was featured in that film as well as on the soundtrack with a song called "No Pain No Gain." He has seen me struggle and succeed as an artist, and when he decided to make this film about up and coming rappers here in The Bay he called me, because he's seen me working my ass off. I've been steadily doing shows, recording songs, modeling for Bossalini clothing, just getting myself out there. Keeping my name in the forefront of the public eye.

How did the modeling deal come about?

Through Kev Epps. He got me a catalog gig to start and it just snowballed from there. The biggest shoot I've done was for Ice T's clothing company, Icewear. The ad was in the October 2003 issue of The Source with 50 Cent on the cover. I was also in an ad for XXL.

You're very animated. Is being outspoken a necessity to make it in the music biz?

I always knew I wanted to be a star. My natural stage presence is a big part of who I am. I've always been like this, you know, real charismatic and lively, and when I'm on stage I really get juiced. That's how it's supposed to be. This is entertainment.

What will it take to make it here in the independent Bay Area scene?

Let's keep it real. I ain't tryin' to make it in the independent scene. I'm tryin' to go major. To make it independent you need to fork over lots of money from your own pocket--money that I don't have. I'm a starving artist. Bay Area artists aren't getting the recognition they deserve. We need to be striving to make BET and TRL. You know, big dints. Those are the goals I'm setting for myself. I don't want to sell just 100,000 albums. I want a big budget, a major video, real marketing and promotion behind me so I can really spread my wings. Every major city with a black community has a rapper as its representative, an ambassador, someone to show people the local culture, how they get down, how they dance, how they talk. I want to be that guy here in San Francisco, the Bay Area.

There's no doubt you have the confidence and talent to get to that level, but how are you going to get there?

I'm working with Squad Music Group on producing a 10 song EP self-titled Kev Kelley. This album is going to show people that I belong in this game, that I deserve to be in the spotlight. I want to become hip-hop royalty.

How do you think the Hunters Points neighborhood will change after the 3rd Street Light Rail Project is complete?

Hunters Point is a ghetto; it's been a ghetto for years. Right now we're seeing a typical attempt at redevelopment. This happens in low-income neighborhoods when the local economy is strong and there is a high demand for land. The city then tries to gentrify the black neighborhoods. We are definitely going to see some serious change, but it is my dream to see our community preserve its culture. Even if black people are run out of the area, the culture will live through our music and our voice.

Last words.

I want to give a major shout out to Hunters Point, the whole state of Cali. These major record execs better check out this interview. Much respect to Mr FAB and Hectic, Kevin Epps, Tony, Yukon, Louisville Slugger, the Critic, and Dogged Out Productions. Get on Google and run my name. Kev Kelley, rapper, model. I'm going to put out some good music. Check out the film Rap Dreams. Keep your eyes open.