Five Questions With Chart Topping Christian Hip Hop Artist KB
KB “Today We Rebel”
Billboard chart-topping Christian Hip Hop artist, KB, released his latest effort, Today We Rebel, October 20 via Reach Records. Leading up to the album announcement, KB unveiled a series of visuals across his platforms sparking social conversations and giving fans a look ‘inside the mind’ of what turns a man into a rebel.
In 2017— with the world in a social and political frenzy—KB is redefining what that rebellion truly means. “To me, resistance carries with it a certain posture,” KB says. “But I’m trying to infuse a spiritual element into it. I’m so free that it comes across as an act of rebellion.”
Sonically, Today We Rebel is a mixture of emotion and aggression, which KB describes as “cinematic trap” and throughout the 14-track album, you can feel the urgency in KB’s tone. “It’s a lot more introspective,” he explains. “The older you get, the more aware you become of the human struggle, and the struggle in your own heart.” This kind of clarity is what makes KB such a necessary voice for today’s generation, “I’m just a man being honest about the world as he sees it.”
From start to finish Today We Rebel is chock-full of wordplay, intricate flows, and chest-pounding production from the likes of KB’s production team Cobra, among others including Cardec, Mykallife, and Halo Hitz. It all comes across effortlessly, a testament to KB’s grind and respect for the craft.
The LP also boasts stellar features from Lecrae, Andy Mineo, For King and Country, and Aha Gazelle who appears on the lead single Monster. The hard-hitting track was available as an instant gratification download with the album’s pre-order in September.
Check out Monster Ft. Aha Gazelle
Today We Rebel follows the release of 2015’s Tomorrow We Live, which garnered both critical and commercial acclaim earning a Stellar Award nomination for Rap/Hip Hop Gospel CD of the Year and debuting on the Billboard charts as the No.1 Christian Album and the No. 4 Rap Album overall. Additionally, the title track 100 from KB’s EP took home the Dove Award for Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year in 2014.
The Hype Magazine got KB to weigh in on his new release
KB (Label Submitted)
Tell us about your “Today We Rebel” project as it relates to your earlier message in your hit “Tempo”
Today We Rebel is an album of progression and personal maturity. My goal is for all my music to be momentous, moving towards a goal. And that goal is to help people see God and themselves more clearly. This album is no different but the angle I take is really emphasizing freedom to take risk in pursuit of God’s call and letting no one get in the way of that.
Your message in the promo visual series “Rebel” is like a chapter book one of the spots opens with you seemingly agonizing over how the world receives rappers who profess faith as opposed to concentrating on the secular. From your view, WHY do we still ask this question of artists in the age of music diversity?
Ultimately I want people to experience something different in my music. I’m not more of the same. So I’ve embraced the “different” status hip hop perpetually gives me. My music is packed with the words of life and I want people to think of me when they are thirsty to hear more of that kind of talk.
Is there a particular vein of listeners you look to raise up who perhaps are being ignored? What, in your experience, are the main solutions being sought by your audience?
I’m always trying to empower the next generation and leave a legacy of character & excellence. People in my audience are looking for answers to life’s toughest questions “Who am I?” “What should I be doing?” “Who is God?” I hope to give answers to those questions.
What most excited you about the release of this new project?
Changing the world has always fueled me. The potential of that is exhilarating.
Is the breastfeeding incident still your craziest “Where They Do That At?!” moment?
Thankfully it is!
KB is out on the HOMETEAM Tour this fall with Trip Lee, which kicked off October 18 with stops in Jacksonville, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis and more. To stay up to date on KB and for ticket information, be sure to visit WhoIsKB.com.
Current remaining HOMETEAM tour dates
11/1 – Roseville, MN
11/2 – Des Moines, IA
11/3 – Chicago, IL
11/4 – Holland, MI
11/5 – Columbus, OH
11/7 – St. Louis, MO
11/9 – Waco, TX
11/10 – San Antonio, TX
11/11 – Dallas, TX
11/12 – Oklahoma City, OK
Bonus Editor’s Pick
The article includes content from label submitted press materials. Featured Image of KB by Mary Caroline Russel
TweetAbout the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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