One of the most hyped, hated and adored new artists of 2011, Bay Area-raised Kreayshawn has been on a non-stop path to success since May when she first performed live at SOM. She returns New Year’s Eve at The Regency Ballroom for her biggest local concert to date.
SYNCHRONIZE WATCHES Kreyshawn gets ready for the countdown at her New Year's Eve show. WIn two tickets to the show: http://bit.ly/tqqUyk
In early May 2011 Kreayshawn released the video for what would become her first hit single “Gucci Gucci” and within three weeks it had generated three million YouTube views (It has +28 million views now). Her first live show at SOM at the end of May was packed with industry reps looking to sign her, fans anticipating an epic performance and even more attendees waiting in wonder for the unknown. Kreayshawn easily proved herself to the crowd, was quickly signed by Columbia Records and has been on a whirlwind adventure ever since.
A nomination for the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, traveling throughout the world working on new material with hitmakers of all types and packing sold out shows is only the beginning. With her first album set to be released next year, Kreayshawn will look back on 2011 as the year she got her start, but 2012 could be the year she takes over the music industry.
We chatted with Kreayshawn about her successes to date, her Bay Area roots, the adventures she’s been experiencing and more.
You’ve played two big shows in the Bay so far—at SOM in May and then the homecoming show this fall at Slim’s. What has that been like, blowing up and playing huge, sold-out shows at home?
It’s exciting doing shows at home because you have your friends and all these people who support you from your home area, that’s why I’m excited to spend New Years in San Francisco. There is no other place I’d rather be than with everyone who understands me.
You just got done working with Juicy J, how did that go? Who else have you enjoyed working with?
Working with Juicy J was exciting, he put out the song on his mixtape Blue Dream and Lean and it got a lot of good response. We had so much fun. when we were in the studio doing the song I was like “oh shit I just wrote my verse, I don’t even remember what I said in the booth” it was crazy.
I’ve been working with a lot of different producers. I did a song with 2 Chainz, a song with Snoop and I’ve got some crazy special guest features I want to put on the album but I can’t speak on it yet.
Juicy J ft. Kreayshawn “Get Higher/U Trippy Mane”
When do you think your album will be released?
I’m almost finished with it, but now it’s all about picking the songs I want and then I don’t know. It takes the label to get everything ready. It’s crazy and all a new thing. I’m a virgin.
You’ve been globetrotting – what’s the craziest place you’ve been since everything blew up in May?
I loved going to London. Just going anywhere is neat for me because you get to meet different types of people and see different places. I don’t like airplanes though; they’re the worst. I wish you could teleport places.
V-Nasty’s album with Gucci Mane just dropped and seems like it got a good response.
V-Nasty and I went to go buy it at Best Buy yesterday and the dude was ringing us up and he was like, “you two look just like those two good girl rappers—Kreayshawn and V-Nasty, just like them.” Then we tell him we are them and he didn’t believe us. We held up V-Nasty’s album and were like, “look, it’s her. Why would we be buying hella copies of this?” He didn’t want to believe but I think that proved it.
You’ve been working for years on videos, music and art. How did you stay so focused on that, not knowing where it would end up?
I don’t know, putting stuff out was just what I did. Music videos and stuff that I was into, I just kept putting it out. For a while I didn’t really put my music out so eventually I did that as well.
I never really thought it was going to blow up into this, I just thought it was going to be fun to do. I never imagined I would get a record deal or anything like that. It’s so exciting to see that happen.
Do you work on other projects now or are you mainly focusing on music?
I’m working on a bunch of different projects. Not that long ago I was picking stuff out for a clothing line I want to do—shopping at thrift stores, picking out cuts or patterns that I like. I’ve been working on some TV show stuff and really want to executive produce, work behind the scenes. I also want to keep doing the music video directing and behind the scenes on that.
What did you think about all the “Gucci Gucci” freestyles that have come out?
I think Lil’ Wayne’s was one of the best that anyone did but there’s always some that are super funny. Someone did a Kreayfish “Sushi Sushi” version and they talk about food the whole time. It’s fun when people change the lyrics in a parody way, pretty entertaining.
Any female artists you looked up to while growing up?
I listened to a lot of female artists from Eve to Missy Elliott, Charli Baltimore when she was on Murder Inc. Any female that rapped, I was pretty much into. I listen to rap music all the time and it’s always cool to hear the girls doing things.
I read that Lil’ Debbie—the third member of White Girl Mob—is no longer a part of the group. There’s a rumor going around that there will be a new third member, any secrets you can share about that?
I don’t know, that’s something you’re gonna have to ask her stupid ass. I mean that in the most loving manner when I say that.
What do you say to the haters?
I don’t talk to them, I just ignore. I don’t even say “fuck the haters” anymore because they still give you attention, which is nice. I gotta be doing something right.
Favorite strain of weed?
Cookies is my favorite, they have it in LA but up in the Bay, too, at some clubs.
Do you get any free time to just relax?
Nah, not really. Always working.
Kreayshawn performs at The Regency Ballroom on New Year’s Even. Enter to win tickets HERE.