Welcome to an exclusive insight into the world of King Abdul, the Vancouver-based rapper whose music transcends boundaries and speaks to the soul. With a journey rooted in inspiration and a commitment to meaningful storytelling, King Abdul invites you to join him on a voyage of self-discovery and empowerment.
From humble beginnings to the release of his latest track, “Hold It Down,” we delve into the heart of his artistry, exploring the themes that shape his music and the influences that drive his creativity. Get ready to embark on a journey that goes beyond beats and rhymes, as we uncover the essence of King Abdul’s unique approach to rap.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in the music industry? What inspired you to pursue a career in rap, and how did you come up with the name King Abdul?
I fell in love with music at the age of 12 while watching Kendrick Lamar’s Swimming Pools music video. I never really liked music until that moment and eventually it became an escape for me. I started writing poetry every day for 5 years straight at 13 and was performing at poetry slams to practice.
I didn’t decide to pursue creating music until my high school talent show, when I was able to create a remix version of Truffle butter by Nicki Minaj, Drake and Lil Wayne, with my friends Dizzydamage (alex) and Sardon. It was a dope experience and really enjoyed writing that verse.
I did take a long break from music and poetry for about 2-3 years but found my love for it after talking to my friend and now business partner Simbasupreme. He shared his love for music with me and we decided to pursue this seriously and the rest is history.
The name King Abdul actually came from my high school. A few friends called me that and as well as the people within the school football team that I played in.
The name felt right and I decided to go with that as my Artist name. King Abdul reflects the better version of Abdul-Dhahir Ajani (me). It is to serve as an inspiration to not just myself but to everyone who wants to better themselves.
Your latest release, “Hold it Down,” delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and maintaining relationships. Can you share the inspiration behind this track? How does “Hold It Down” reflect your personal experiences and values as an artist?
Well with every track, I aim to be vulnerable about myself, my life, and my experiences so “Hold it Down” is no different. I appreciate Elli joining in for the second verse on this Simbasupreme beat, as he helped tell the overall story for this record. The hook is written from the perspective of a past lover as these are the things that are said during arguments when I messed things up.
The first verse showcases my perspective and me trying to defend myself during this argument. The second verse speaks from the perspective of the hurt person but with Elli drawing inspiration from his past relationships.
I guess the overall idea and lesson of this record is accountability. I know it was something i know i needed to work on personally but it something i feel everyone can work on in all relationships, both platonic and romantic. We’ve all hurt people due to selfish reasons or lack of awareness, this record is made to help take the first step towards accountability.
You’ve described your music as an “audio-book with melodies,” emphasizing lyricism over hip-hop beats. Could you elaborate on this unique approach and how it sets you apart in the rap scene?
The goal with my music is to inspire and the main way I feel someone can be inspired is through knowledge. Personally, I’ve always loved learning through audiobooks on Audible as it is so easy to digest the information.
I call my music an audiobook with melodies because when making music, I want to say things that inspire people to be a better version of themselves and spread valuable knowledge to people in a way that is easily digestible; which is through catchy melodies.
I kinda want to get the attention of people at the first listen through the melodies but keep them hooked through the relatable, authentic and hopefully inspiring lyrics.
As a Vancouver-based artist, how has the city and its culture influenced your music and creative expression? Are there any specific experiences or aspects of Vancouver that you draw inspiration from in your songwriting?
Vancouver is a fairly relaxed feel to me. Yes, it is a big city but compared to places I’ve lived such as Lagos, Nigeria, or even Beijing, China; it is a very calm city. I feel this has influenced the type of beats I decide to rap on as I now prefer the bouncy and groovy yet calm beats as that is how I interpret and project the environment that I am in.
What can fans expect from you in terms of upcoming projects or collaborations? Are there any particular themes or concepts you’re excited to explore in your future releases? Will you continue to incorporate elements of storytelling and introspection into your music, as seen in tracks like “Hold It Down” and “Change II”?
I have 4-5 singles coming from my end this year but we will see more collaborations between myself and my team, 910Music. Elli will release his debut single and a few other records and Simbasupreme will do the same. It is an exciting time.
I will continue to incorporate elements of storytelling in further releases but I will aim to be more reflective in my music. Taking the time to reflect rather than examining the situation that I am discussing. Major concepts I would like to explore are desire and escapism.
In my mind, they go hand in hand, and understanding that discipline is the key to ensuring that you’re in a state of desire and achievement rather than one of escapism where you’re not approaching your destiny with the right mindset and beliefs.
I would also want to talk about my childhood and past experiences a lot more. I’ve been through some crazy things, and been to and lived in crazy places as well, so I would love to talk about that.
When thinking about the next single, EP, mixtape, or Album coming from myself and all other members of 910Music (Simbasupreme & Elli), always think bigger and better. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve and grow so we can give you a better experience each listen.
What advice would you give to aspiring rappers or musicians who are looking to develop their own unique style and voice in the industry?
They should look deep within themselves to figure out who they truly are, because that will determine their brand, their music, and everything they do.
Another main advice I would give is for artists to educate themselves on the business of being a musician.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fans or potential new listeners? Any messages or insights you’d like to leave us with? Where can listeners find your music and stay updated on your latest releases and performances?
If you’re someone who believes you can achieve more in this world, like to have continuous growth or have been through trials and tribulations that have left a mark on you. Listen to our music, it will help you.
You can listen to me on Spotify, Apple Music and all other streaming platforms, just search up King Abdul. You can find me on instagram, Twitter & TikTok at kingabduldhahir.