[Exclusive Interview] Keys, More than a Rapper

Three months ago, no one in the world of Hip Hop would recognize Keys. The relatively newcomer was focused on becoming a social worker and had no plans of pursing a rap career. However, when the Baltimore native came across a video of rap star Nicki Minaj, she realized it was time to change the game.

Bmore Fab! caught up with Keys, who is now an Internet sensation to learn more about how she envisions the future of Hip Hop and about the beef between her and Nicki Minaj.

Bmore Fab!: Do you remember the first time you wrote your first rhyme? What was it and how did it make you feel?

Keys: I was about 12 years old when I wrote my first rhyme. It was about the struggles of living in the ghetto. I performed for family and a few friends and they actually loved it!

Bmore Fab!: What do you love most about living in Baltimore? What was life like growing up?

Keys: I love how real Bmore is; it’s fast paced. I’ve lived down south when I was younger and it was just not for me. I love how we hold each other down. Bmore just has its own style.

Bmore Fab!: Does anyone in your family rap or sing?

Keys: My father actually rapped back in the 80′s but he didn’t pursue it.  He’s really the one that got me into Hip Hop at parties. He used to make the entire family get together and freestyle.

Bmore Fab!: When did you decide to pursue music full-time?

Keys: I actually had no plans of pursuing music full-time. I had my mind on something else: social work. I’ve always had a passion for Hip Hop, but I just didn’t like where the game was, and a lot of people saw me on YouTube and said the game needs you.

Bmore Fab!: What do you think about female rappers today?

Keys: I think that’s it’s not just the females that’s changed, it’s everyone.  Hip Hop is a watered down version of itself. The females are not as outspoken as they used to be. They don’t talk about politics. Now everything is about being at a party, shaking your butt, or talking about all the material things. It’s just really not the same.

Bmore Fab!: Why did you decide to come for Nicki Minaj?

Keys: It wasn’t planned out. It was literally just me and a group of friends voicing our opinions on her. We put it on YouTube just for fun and before I knew it we had 700,000 views. It definitely was not planned at all.

Bmore Fab!: What makes you unique from other artists?

Keys: Nothing I do is censored or planned. I make my music in the hope that my fans will like it and accept it, but I don’t make it and say this what they’re gonna like. I say what I think they need to hear.

Bmore Fab!: Who is your favorite artist?

Keys: I’d have to say KRS-1. He kept it real now and then.

Bmore Fab!: Why do you call your true fans Spartans?

Keys: That movie has been parallel for everything that happens in my life. Although it was only 300 of them fighting against a huge amount of people, they fought anyway. My fans remind me of those Spartans… they’re still fighting hard for me anyway and I appreciate it.

Bmore Fab!: What do you say to your critics?

Keys: They don’t understand Hip Hop in it’s essence. If this [rap beef] happened in the 80s, this wouldn’t be that big of a deal. Our generation is not used to people being up front when it comes to Hip Hop. It was nothing back in the day for someone to drop a diss track on someone else. Now it’s such a big deal when it really shouldn’t be.

Bmore Fab!: Do you consider yourself a role model for young girls?

Keys: As a person, yes, but as an artist no. I try not to think about stuff like that when I write. I said I’d never write for a particular person and I don’t consider my lyrics child-friendly.

Bmore Fab!: Ultimately, where do you want to be in your career and in life?

Keys: I want my music to reach the masses. I want to take it one day at a time. I want to be different. I want to be real and I just want to continue to make good music.