In 2016, hip hop artist AK went viral with his remixed freestyle Youtube cover of Desiigner’s “Panda”. Four years and 1.6M subscribers later, he is continuing to impress with his masterful lyrical ability.
His notable talent is evident on his latest single “Good Thing.” In collaboration with producer Goldmvn, AK has created the ultimate pump up track to inspire, motivate, and “tap into the beast within,” through a blend of straight spitting rhymes and melodic verses.
We chatted with AK about “Good Thing,” writing and something new to excite fans.
What is the inspiration behind your new single, “Good Thing”?
It was more so a feeling that drove this song’s inspiration. I just had a moment to reflect on everything in my life and it made me thankful that I work hard for what I have, and I basically just ran with that idea.
What did the writing and production process look like for “Good Thing”?
I was in the studio with the bro Goldmvn in LA and we put this one together in a night with no 2nd verse, when I got back home to Jersey right as the pandemic got crazy in March I recorded the 2nd verse in my bedroom and finished it up!
How do you hope people feel when they’re listening to “Good Thing”?
I want people to feel motivated, inspired, confident. This song is all about going hard at whatever it is you’re doing in your life so I hope people use this song as a tool to put them in the right mindset before going after something big.
What comes first for you: the beat or lyrics?
It varies from time to time, but I’m definitely more of a beat first kind of artist. But with this song specifically I was writing the lyrics at the same time my bro Goldmvn was making the beat at the studio.
What elements do you think make the perfect track?
You have to have an idea/topic, if youre telling a story. A plot, flow that’s easy to understand what you’re saying, You have to portray a feeling without anyone seeing your face so whatever it is you’re saying in your song, say it confidently, mean everything you’re saying, believe in the beat as much as you do the lyrics and put all the elements together and make them one.
If you could set fans up in the perfect environment to listen to ”Good Thing,” what do you imagine it looking like?
The studio I made the song in. Goldmvn’s studio is one of the best places to listen to music in the world. I swear to God. Dudes’ got the craziest speakers and his room is treated so well.
Your EP On Me dropped this spring. What song off the EP are you most excited to perform live?
I can’t wait to perform “Closed Off” and “30 Blunts.” But honestly if you listen to the EP, every single one of those songs will go INSANE at the shows.
Who did you listen to growing up and do they have any influence on your sound today? And if so, how?
J Cole, Hopsin. These two guys are like the foundation of who I am as an artist, J Cole’s way of telling literally any story no matter what it’s about or if he was even actually involved in it himself personally is something I always admired and strived towards getting my abilities with story telling at that level. Hopsin was the first artist I ever heard and had an “ahhaaa” moment with. It was the first time I ever connected with music rather than just heard it, you know? It was “Ill Mind Of Hopsin 5.” And as I became a bigger fan, he was kind of the artist who made it cool to be yourself, and that’s something I always took from Hop and it’s made me proud to be who I am in a way.
How has your music evolved since your first viral youtube video at 16 – a remix of Desiigner’s “Panda”?
My music has evolved in many ways. I’m writing songs of every genre, I’m producing my own beats now, I’ve found my bridge of singing and rapping in a way that works for me and stands out, I’ve made a lot of big evolutions artistically since that remix went viral.
What made you make the jump from remixes to original music?
I was doing original music before I was remixing. I had so many songs from random beats I found off Youtube back when I was a sophomore in high school and was first starting out. Its just when my first time going viral was a remix I knew I had to ride that wave for a little while
What has it been like to see your audience grow?
I can’t wrap my head around it. I know I’ll never be able to either, it’s just such a trippy thing for me knowing there are so many people who are strangers to me that I can connect to the way I can through my songs. And when I’m on the road and I get to experience my own music with them all in one big ass room and just going crazy with them it hits me even harder. So thankful, and forever appreciate the audience I have, I have the best fans in the world.
What can fans look forward to next?
New single, ‘Family Tree’ September 4th!! I’m soooo stoked for people to hear this one.
What is one quote that you have heard or that you go by that you want to ECHO out to the World?
“Give effort to your happiness.”