We connected with Philly based rapper KingTay for an exclusive interview to discuss the newly released visual to his song “Sad and Lonely”, which is about dealing with depression, and pushing past it. We also got a chance to pick KingTay’s brain about what he wants the listener to take away from the song, his musical goals for 2020, thoughts about the hip-hop scene in Philly for emerging artists, and much more.

After reading our Q&A with KingTay, be sure to connect with him on social media, and check out more of his music on Spotify.

Congratulations on the release of your new music video for "Sad and Lonely". The song itself is not just the typical rap song; it addresses a serious topic, which is depression. What initially inspired you to write the song?

I created “Sad & Lonely" as a way for me to vent. It is a reminder to what I'm fighting for. A reminder of how I felt and don't want to feel anymore. I don't like being sad, I don't like being in a state of depression. My emotions inspired me to write. My desire to help others, inspired me to turn it into a song.

Regarding the visual, how did you and the director, J99, come up with its treatment?

Honestly, J99 came with me to get footage at a show that we had. We were just sitting in the dressing room and then decided to go out and shoot a video. Wasn't too much thought put into come and go with the treatment for the video.

When someone who is dealing with depression hears the "Sad and Lonely" song or watches the video, what do you want them to take away from it?

Anyone dealing with depression or may know someone dealing with it, I want them to know that they are not alone and they can get through it. I was fortunate enough to have a few good people in my corner who paid attention enough to know something was wrong. They tried to help how ever they could, when I really just wanted to be alone. I truly appreciate all of them and their effort, it helped. Still none of them could understand what was going on. It was something I felt, at the time, I had to deal with alone. I didn't like being sad and not wanting to do anything. Wanting to talk to someone yet not wanting to talk to anyone. I felt like I was missing out on life, I was not happy. Eventually I was able to build up the mental strength to concentrate on the positive things. It wasn't easy but I eventually started to look at my some of my negatives I was dealing with as a positive.

Depression starts with me; they're my emotions. I decided to control my emotions, the best I could, instead of letting my emotions control me. I'm still working on controlling my emotions in other areas. Not perfect; still a work in progress - Carlton Boyd

“King Tay delivers motivation over a energetic flow in his new single Sad & Lonely. If you’re dealing with depression this would be a song to lift you. ” - Kreadiv Kesh (LA On Lock Blogger)

Rarenorm: “Why did you make this song?


I started writing the song originally just as an entry to Kato the producers “No Sucks Mc’s Competition”. As I was writing I decided to turn it into a song and came up with this. I feel it’s relatable. Unfortunately there happen to be a few people in my life at the time, I happen to not be feeling. That helped make it easier to write the song. I wish those people nothing but the best. Hope all of them are able to be great.


VOTE FOR KING TAY: https://nsmcs.beatstars.com/entries/598 - Rare Norm

Rarenorm:
“Why did you make this song? What do you want to achieve in your music career? When did you start loving music and what are you creating next?”

I started making this song as a way to vent and just express myself. How I was feeling at the time, not wanting to be bothered. Yet still wishes someone was around who could understand me, I felt very alone. I continued writing and put the song out for others who may be feeling or going through some of the same things I was.

I want success as a musician. I want to be able to help those in need of guidance. I want to leave a positive impact on the world. I want to be in a place where I can mentally be comfortable.


I’ve always had a love for music since I was a kid. Started rapping back in elementary school, mostly just rhyming words and basically nonsense. Continued rhyming and doing poetry throughout middle and high school. Record in a few studios but didn’t take music seriously till 2015. That when I decide I was going to be a musician and been pursuing it ever since.


More music, more videos, preparing to release a 12-13 song album. Which will be released very soon.


KingTay Website:
kingtay215.com

Twitter:
twitter.com/kingtay215

Facebook:
facebook.com/weloveKingTay

Soundcloud:
soundcloud.com/kingtay215

Spotify:
open.spotify.com/artist/6IDEScwktgt0l55gSp1IID

Apple Music:
music.apple.com/us/artist/kingtay/1231074979 - Rare Norm

‘Sad and Lonely’ about dealing with depression, and pushing past it. It is meant to inspire, encourage and let people know that they are not alone.

I created the song as a way for me to vent. It is a reminder to what I’m fighting for. A reminder of how I felt and don’t want to feel anymore. I don’t like feeling sad, I don’t like being in a state of depression. I don’t mind being alone most of the time.

I honestly know how to have a lot of fun, when I’m all by myself. Still there are times when the company of others is wanted. I want my family and everyone else I care about to be happy and living comfortably. I don’t want anyone to have to feel sad and alone. Most people have a hard time connecting and expressing themselves to others.

Mostly because they don’t believe anyone will get it and understand them. I believe that everyone who has felt, how I felt, at some point, can relate to this song. I feel you can look and think if he’s dealing with the same thing I’m dealing with. He made it out, he changed the way he was thinking, so can I. That’s how I view it anyway. - Xttra Wave

Male radio host: "Man you sound like "CampLo" with some far side lab cabin California type flav, real cool and great presentation......the vibe"

Female radio host: "KingTay sound a lot like "Q-tip" which is good, which is a good thing" - Apollo Night LA

KingTay is an extremely prolific songwriter with powerful lyrics and a unique rapping style that has many taking notice around the globe. Born in Philadelphia in historic Germantown, the cultural environment provided KingTay with a wealth of song writing ideas. Like any great artist come great mentors. KingTay gives credit to several gifted individuals who came before him such as DMX, Tupac, 50 Cent, and Eminem. Each artist influenced KingTay in some way or another and portrayed a persona of realness, a key trait KingTay has always embraced. He is authentic with himself in all instances. They never taught him to be himself, but they made it more welcoming to do so.

KingTay relies on his personal feelings and vibes for music insight. He eagerly shares himself with the world using music as his vehicle. Music always revolves around KingTay’s feelings. His perspective towards life and the people in his circle is always changing, therefore his music follows. Overall, KingTay is a chill personality. His single “Coolin” displays his balanced frame of mind.

At a time when the music industry lacks compassion and drive, KingTay is significantly gaining attention with his distinctive style that is connecting with thousands of loyal fans around the world. His vision of work has attained credited performances such as the 2015 Spring Bling Concert where he performed alongside other highly recognized artists, an invitation to Marsten House Cypher Circuit where they hold the longest running cypher series on the East Coast, , and the recent invitation to Dream Fusion 3-day music festival this July. Additionally, his music has been featured on numerous radio shows. - RBL

Philadelphia emcee KingTay returns this week with his latest offering, the head-nodding "Check". Check sees the young rhymesmith wax lyrical about his desire to make bank. This one follows a common theme in Hip-Hop but takes an uncommon approach. Check is intended an inspirational track about working hard, achieving your dreams & enjoying the fruits of that labour.

Stream/Download "Check" below, via KingTay's official SoundCloud - DJ Crank

Today we have upcoming hip hop artist, King Tay! Hailing from Philadelphia, the artist stated that he always had a passion for music and writing. “I've been writing poetry and doing amateur writing since elementary school,” Tay said. “Not to say that I was good at it, but I started playing around with writing and rhyming around then.” Though he at first preferred to stick to ghost writing, he was pushed by different producers and music figures to pursue rapping. “I decided that I was going to take my career seriously [and] started going to the studio, recording tracks, Tay said. “In 2014 I performed for the first time, [and] haven't looked [back] since.”

Being from Philly, he admitted that his city plays a huge role in his story and music. “We are labeled as the City of Brotherly Love yet there isn't much love shown here,” King Tay admitted. “The things talked about in my lyrics have been inspired by the things I have seen, heard, currently going through, and feel.” Also inspired by artists like Tupac, DMX, 50 Cent, Eminem, Nas, Beanie Sigel, James Brown, and Michael Jackson, he listens to a variety of genres which sparks great inspiration in his own music.

One of King Tay’s most recent tracks, “Coolin,’” is an example. The track, which was recorded, mixed and mastered at Marsten House Recording Studios, was also written and produced by Tay himself. “[It’s] a representation of myself and my laid back attitude,” he stated. Check out the video for the track below!




Currently, the artist is putting the finishing touches on his EP, More Than Dreams, which is set to be released this summer. “I'm aiming for June but it could be a little later,” Tay said. “I do not want to rush this project.”

In terms of what sets him apart from other artists out now, King Tay believes it’s his creativity and versatility that separates him from the pack. “My train of thought, my way of thinking ,is just different,” he said. In the future, the artist has hopes of being well off financially, but also in a position where he is able to assist other artists and entrepreneurs on the come up. He plans to develop a few business ideas, create his own record label, and give back to his community!

You can check out more from King Tay on YouTube and SoundCloud, as well as follow him on Twitter and Instagram! - Brittany Shawnt'e

“Honestly I’m trynna motivate, I’m pushing past the hate. You the one I’m trying to celebrate. There’s no excuses, you say you gonna do it then do it, got something to prove, then go prove it…”

– quote from “Be Great”

Philadelphian hip-hop artist KingTay is out of the studio with a fresh track and this one is all about positivity, motivation and beating the odds.

KingTay puts together this one produced by Kato On The Track and directed by J99 just to spread his positive energy, inspire his friends and fans as well as remind us that greatness is what to push for regardless of the challenges surrounding us.

The lyrics of “Be Great” speaks a lot about the creative ability of KingTay.

“Just be great” KingTay calls out all through the track as he tells his fans not to bother about what people say or the situations they face. Just be great; it is what you owe yourself.

Filled with positive and highly creative lyrics and rhymes, KingTay jumps on a very lively beat with the flows that just keeps you happy and positive.

“Be Great” is a total recipe for motivation day in day out that keeps you positive and gives you the drive to fight through whatever challenges you might be facing.

The visuals for “Be Great” shows the artist doing his thing, giving us his simple moves as he spits his worded lyrics in the fast paced positive video.

KingTay has been an admirable source of consistent flows and melodies ever since he stepped up the stage to bring us good music with a style that goes far beyond typical hip-hop but is seasoned, diverse, unique and different.

Tay has overtime been influenced by artists even before and during the development of his career. He listens to the likes of DMX, Eminem, 2 Pac and 50 Cent, Michael Jackson, the Beatles to name a few. The talents, sounds, experiences and feelings of these artists have helped him touch base on different levels even as he creates a style that is distinct and unique to him.

Many hearts go out to KingTay due to his ability to display and deliver pure emotions and passion in his works, giving us something we can always feel and relate to.

KingTay has come a long way from the young talent who found his passion for poetry and the arts of rap to becoming a sound we have begun to love and crave to see more of, even as he brings passion and diversity to his listeners.

Check out “Be Great” today on YouTube and other media platforms. Other songs from KingTay you can check out are “Sad and Lonely”, “W.Y.O.H.O.M”, “Gangsta” and “Coolin”. - The Grid Magazine

KingTay- Feels Good - Tideswell – Reika

Com uma sonoridade enérgica, KingTay apresenta seu novo videoclipe. Trata-se de “Feels Good”, que em sua sonoridade transita pelas diversas facetas do hip-hop, mostrando conhecimento de causa do artista. O clipe também segue a linha do estilo norte-americano, mostrando o artista em lugares coloridos e carros esportivos de luxo, seguindo a cartilha. - Vitor Franceschini