CityPages Kuwait June 2016 Issue June 2016 | Page 91

Please introduce yourself to our readers:
My name is Reno Ka. I am a Berlin based singer, songwriter and
producer.
Tell us about your education:
I completed my studies in Media Management and Music Management
last year. Now I want to fully focus on my music.
What inspired your passion for music and who has been
there supporting you from the beginning?
I discovered my love for music at an early age.
I was inspired by my uncle who is only eight years older than me and
has always been like a brother to me. When visiting my grandma as a
child, I would sneak into his room to listen to his Soul, RnB and Hip
Hop records. He had a huge record collection including great artists like
Anita Baker and Randy Crawford. This probably had the biggest impact
on the music I am producing today.
How would you describe your musical style?
My musical style combines soulful music with electronic music. I like to
mix different genres to be able to get the best out of the music I create.
As I mentioned before, I love Soul, Funk and old school Hip Hop. I think
the last couple of years have influenced today's electronic music a lot.
What music genre do you prefer?
Music wise, I don’t like to put myself in a box. I like Soul, Hip Hop,
House, Funk and Jazz music to relax. I couldn’t listen to electronic
music all the time; sometimes my ears need a break. When I am writing
a new song, listening to old classics always inspires me.
Do you think singer/songwriters are the best interpreters of
their own work or do you believe some cover versions can be
better than the original?
I think that covers are a wonderful way to show how different each
individual can interpret a single song. It is beautiful to see the different
inputs when seeing someone else perform one of your favourite songs.
Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?
There are too many to mention but my biggest musical influences are
definitely Anita Baker, Randy Crawford, Whitney Houston and Lauryn
Hill.
From your experience so far, what have you found to be most
challenging and how are you dealing with it?
In terms of being an artist I realized that most people think that being
a musician is always fun, fun, fun. Indeed, most of the time it is but you
have to stay disciplined and humble; there are definitely more ups and
downs than in any other profession and you have to be able to deal with
them, otherwise you get forgotten about or simply replaced. I would say
discipline is the most important part of being an artist. Like they say,
without the bitter, the sweet isn’t as sweet. I believe that if something
is meant to be it will happen. Stay true to yourself and things will come
naturally.
Would you say you’re making music for yourself or for your
audience?
Creating music always means I am happy with the end product. If I am
happy with it I can be sure that I am able to present my artwork the
most authentic way. Of course I am super happy if listeners like it too
and appreciate the hard work. That’s the most beautiful feeling - if you
see your hard work has paid off and you touch people with your music.
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