Actor/Rapper Page Kennedy Talks New Single ‘Fear’ and Craziest WTF Moments

Page Kennedy (Photo credit Dustin Poteet)

Back Story – Page Kennedy is a multi-hyphenate performer who has seen success on screens both large and small. He’s built an impressive resume with appearances in some of the biggest shows on television, with roles in the likes of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE, WEEDS (where his character U-turn became a huge fan favorite), S.W.A.T., BACKSTROM, RUSH HOUR, and most recently, the blockbuster feature THE MEG. Up next for him is an anticipated project for Netflix which is slated to release next year.

While likely most recognized for his work as an actor, Kennedy is also a respected rapper and lyricist, who is well on his way to making his mark in the world of hip hop.

Despite his success as an actor, Kennedy never forgot his first love: Hip-Hop. With a new focus on his passion for writing and rapping, Kennedy completed “Torn Pages”, released on March 10th, 2017. Lyrically charged, and from a fresh perspective, this album is an eclectic collection of songs with features from powerhouses like Royce da 5’9, Crooked I, Mr. Porter, Elzhi, Fred the Godson (RIP), Trick Trick, Kuniva, King Los, a very special collaboration with Marsha Ambrosius, and three installments on the mixtape series Straight Bars. The last effort was Kennedy’s 2018 studio album “Same Page Different Story.”

His new song FEAR which released on September 22nd is powerful, timely, and a call to action.

The Hype Magazine got Page Kennedy to weigh in on a few things

From the outside looking in, who is Page Kennedy

A multi-talented guy, present father, lover of people, and the Lakers. He fights to be accepted and appreciated for the crafts that he loves so much and aspires to be legendary.

Was there a defining moment that brought you to the entertainment industry?

Michael Jackson has always been the guiding force for me. His impact on me throughout my entire life is the bug that perpetually bit me in the heart. I would say at around 6 or 7 years old, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life; to tell stories in the most entertaining way possible.

While your main focus has been acting, what made you step into the realm of Hip Hop?

I started rapping before anything. I’ve been rapping since I was 7. My first rap was called “My Telephone,” so hip hop was actually my first love. I did it throughout all my schooling and was always the best– or one of the best—throughout elementary school and into college years. When I moved to LA, the acting happened for me first and the rapping didn’t. So now that you don’t need record labels anymore to make music it seems like I’m new, but I’ve had over 35 years in hip hop.

What do you want people to get from your music?

I want them to get how good of a story-teller I am. I want them to hear my voice and perspective of life. I want to make them aware of my world and social issues, and I definitely want them to get these bars. Lol.

Tell us about your current single Fear and what it means for you

“Fear,” is a perspective that I feel isn’t discussed often enough, and it’s on both sides. Fear is deleterious to us as a society. And the irony of it is Fear isn’t even real. It’s an expectation of acts that have yet to occur, predicated off past events. Like if you’re walking down the street and someone is walking their little dog. The dog decides to bite your foot. Now the next day you’re walking down the same street with a different dog what will your natural instinct be? To remove yourself from appeared present danger–which may not be the case. If you just walk by chances are nothing will happen. That was that one asshole dog. But that’s what happens with us. Black people see cops and we automatically become on edge based off being bitten before. And vice versa. The cops see young black men together and they act as if they are prescient, and know how an event is going to unfold and become aggressive toward us. Long story long.

Aside from Fear, is there a song of yours you feel best introduces you as an artist?

“Torn Pages.” It’s a song and my first album title. It tells of me as a person and an artist. I’m not the artist that’s going to make dance music. Sometimes it’s fun. But usually my music is based off my upbringing and life, and contrary to what I present on social media, it’s not all fun and jokes. I’m a layered individual and I want to show all aspects of myself.

Tell us a bit about your work and passions OUTSIDE of the entertainment industry

I’m a very simple person at my age now. You can write my actions down in a diary. They are the same. I wake up. I watch first take and undisputed every morning while I do push ups sit ups and curls. I watch sports everyday especially my Lakers. I watch TV shows and movies all the rest of the hours lol. I’m super simple. My couch and my two TVs on top of each other are my best friends.

Last but not least, HYPE wants to know…What’s your CRAZIEST “Where they do that at?!” aka WTF?! moment…

Anyone that I watch on tik tok doing crazy nature things. Whether that be in the ocean, jumping off precipitous heights, or messing around with wild capricious animals.

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About 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.