Can he find his ride or die tonight?
It’s not often you come across people who can genuinely excel in multiple areas. A recently minted Physics grad of Stanford University, singer-songwriter Son Kuma sees the connection of all things differently.
Having made his debut with the release of 2017’s warmly received mixtape “Indica,” this talented MC has shunned complacency. Following up “Indica” with hits like 2019’s “Endless Love,” Kuma continues to brightly blaze his trail in an already crowded industry.
Drawing influence from the likes of Tyler The Creator, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, and Ty Dolla $ign, Kuma has crafted a sound that’s as engaging as it is candid.
As he auto-croons about his mental health, drug use, and more, it feels like he’s opened a window into his soul. His transparent lyricism perfectly aligns with his desire to reach listeners with conscious, thought-provoking lyrics. By channeling his authentic story, he’s held audiences spellbound and shown no signs of slowing down soon.
The groovy synths that welcome you to Kuma’s latest “All Night” release instantly set a wavy tone. Although the ethereal beats might have you feeling like you’re up in clouds, Kuma’s tempo switches and emotive bars keep you grounded.
As he impassionately raps lines like “Broken records got me feeling hella played out / the way they treat you got you looking for a way out,” he bares his heart to his love interest, hoping for something better even as each party deals with their love scars. Will he succeed? Only time will tell.
Son Kuma’s latest release, “All Night,” is a groovy, R&B-tinged musical fusion that’ll have you hitting rewind again and again. Whenever you’re ready, tap in and stream Son Kuma’s latest release, “All Night,” on all majour streaming platforms.
Welcome to BUZZ, Son Kuma! We loved “All Night,” we just had to ask! What was the inspiration behind this release, and what was your favorite part of seeing your vision for this release come to life?
Thank you BuzzMusic for your continued support. Honestly, "All Night" was strongly influenced by my teen years of rocking to 00s pop punk bands like Blink-182, Man Overboard, and Sum 41. I was also a big fan of Linkin Park, who found ways to combine rock and rap elements into a record creatively.
The song shows traces of many other genres, including RnB, Dance, and Pop. Favorite part of making this track was when I initially freestyled the bare bones of what would become the topline for the song. Many sections of the song were fleshed out from the first 1-take freestyle I recorded on the beat. I posted the gibberish snippet on my IG story, and over 50 fans swiped up to let me know I needed to drop it ASAP. That's usually how I confirm when I have something cool on my hands.
What is your favorite part of the creative process with your music?
I think my last answer can be extended to answer this question. The most fun parts of creation come from the spontaneity and unpredictability of improvising and freestyling. Let the ideas naturally flow and then play them back to perceive them for the first time as a listener.
Who would be your dream collaboration and why?
My dream collaboration changes significantly based on what I'm vibing with at any particular time. Right now, I am a big fan of what SZA has been doing regarding songwriting and her ear for production. I would love to be in a collaborative session with her.
If your audience could take one thing away from your music, what would you want it to be?
We all contain the secrets of the universe within us because all of those secrets can be reconstructed using the most fundamental elements that constitute us. Everything is just a reconfiguration of something else, and this can also apply to intangible objects like ideas and beliefs. I indirectly weave this theme throughout the lyrics of my music.
What’s next for Son Kuma? Can we expect to hear more new music soon, and is there anything you want to say to your fans?
I plan on releasing at least 15 songs this year, which might be my personal record. On average I usually only drop around 7 songs a year, but now that I have graduated college, I have so much more time to dedicate to music so I'm stoked. I have another new song dropping 3/14/24 and a new mixtape dropping in April so stay tuned.