Alabama’s Multi-Faceted Rising Star KO Talks Creative Vision and New Single ‘House Party’

As a barber, contractor, sound technician, singer, and music composer/producer, KO is highly versatile and creative. Time after time, he’s proven himself as a force to be reckoned with in R&B and pop music. KO has done it again with his latest song, “House Party,” KO has done it again. Growing up in Courtland, Alabama, KO was constantly singing and making gospel music with his parents and six sisters. Over time, he taught himself how to produce, arrange, and edit music on his own. Once he discovered his unique voice, he transitioned out of gospel, embracing his creative potential with a more popular modern sound. In 2015, listeners were drawn to KO with his first R&B album, Addendum. He even got to perform at Alabama’s largest music festival, Annual Bay Fest, with other famous performers, including Wiz Khalifa, B.O.B., Ludacris, and more. Nowadays, KO lives in Huntsville and triumphs as a family man, visionary, and jack of all trades. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist with keen attention to detail in all his pursuits, people everywhere will certainly recognize his love and care for people and the work he does throughout his music.

In these challenging pandemic times, “House Party” is the perfect feel-good track for anyone skipping out on the club in favor of staying at home. KO’s smooth vocals shape his lighthearted lyrics with a message to be happy and have fun. This strays from the dark, heavy subject matter common in R&B. However, the carefree, catchy parts of pop merged with the rhythms and depth of R&B result in this flawless blend of musical genres that make this song stand out. With that, KO highlights all the perks and must-haves for any great house party: the selectiveness of your special guest list, the array of delicious food options, the type of good music to be played, and the freedom to party as long as you want without a set end in sight. Rapper Jeremy Young (KO’s cousin) shows an effortless flow, and it goes without saying that KO outdid himself arranging and producing this track’s chill beat. All in all, this single has all the right ingredients to be listeners’ favorite house party hit.

The creative vision presented in this music video is guaranteed to resonate with all its viewers. The video starts with KO doing regular party prep, with camera angles making it feel like the viewer is in the room with him through it all. After taking the last of the food out of the oven, KO organizes the dishes for all the expected guests to serve themselves as they please. He welcomes in the DJs and sets up the finishing touches in the party space just in time for his beautiful wife to arrive. With KO being a newlywed, it’s quickly learned that this big event he planned in the video is entirely for her. Everything from the food and music to the red carpet and 360-degree photo/video booth is there for the two of them to enjoy the night together. With this sweet gesture, the video ends with KO putting a blanket over his wife after she has fallen asleep from their exciting night in.

How have your Alabama roots influenced your music and shaped your voice and sound?
My Alabama roots influenced my music in such a way primarily due to it being the Bible Belt and singing in Church developed my sound. I lived Church! Singing, Sound Engineer, Musician. All had a part in me being able to perfect my art. And my journey took me outside the church as I developed my own sound.

What led you to transition from creating gospel music with your family to producing R&B and pop songs as a solo artist?

The thing that lead me into the transition from Gospel Music to becoming a Solo Artist, producing my R&B/ Pop Albums was I need to be as real and authentic as I possibly could be. I needed to be real with myself I love all genres of music. While I love the music I played in church, the opinions of others kept me from doing my own thing. And I rebelled as some would say LOL. One thing church taught me is Jesus followed his own path. I know God loves me even though I don’t technically sing Gospel, I do sing uplifting music about love and life. God is both of those things.

What does your creative process look like, from songwriting to arranging the beats to shooting a video? In what ways did the coronavirus pandemic impact you and affect how you create your music?

My creative process is very unique because I carry out all the roles. Since I’m a Producer and a writer as well as create beats. The subject matter whatever is on my heart or I hear a sound and lay the beat then put vocals with it. Whatever comes first! I arranged it and sing it then lay it out. Send it to Nashville to be mixed. Call the Videographer, find a location for the video, plan out the details for the release and get to work! I love it. Covid affected my music in a positive way. During the shutdown I had time to dig down deep and write what I believe is great music. And it gave birth to my mew album KO’s Playlist.

What was your inspiration for writing “House Party”?

My inspiration for House Party was the need for lighter music, music has a darker theme than before. And I also enjoy small friendly gatherings with friends. Which we are doing more of now due to Covid. And even when couples are alone at home it can be fun and lively not boring.

What was your creative vision in the “House Party” music video, and how did you go about executing it? What was it like shooting the video with your beautiful, newlywed wife?

Initially the vision was more people like a party. And as I thought more about it. I decided to make it more cozy and intimate, for myself and my beautiful new bride. I called the DJ, my friend the make up artist, the videographer, my friend with the house perfectly decorated. Cooked the food, and arranged the date and boom put it all together. Making this video with my wife was magical. We work very well together.

What is it about “House Party” that makes it stand out from other songs you’ve released and from other artists’ work in these genres?

What makes House Party stand out from other music is it’s alive and real. My wife and I doing what we normally do except for onscreen. Putting it out there for others, most music is scripted. This is my real life the lyrics are real too. Real music will live on thru me as much as possible.

Follow KO:

http://Koworldwide.com
http://facebook.com/koworldwidemusic
http://twitter.com/koworldwide1
http://instagram.com/ko_muzic

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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.