By: Todd “DG” Davis
Rapindustry.com
Just in the nick of time for Christmas, Hip Hop heavyweight Redman unleashed his long anticipated sequel to Funk Doc’s classic 1996 album of the same name, Muddy Waters Too; his ninth LP in total, and first in nearly a decade. The behemoth, 32-track magnum opus contains high profile appearances from frequent collaborator, Method Man, Snoop Dogg, KRS-One, Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature, Shaquille O’Neal, Faith Evans, Sheek Louch, Kid Capri and Rah Digga, among others, with stellar production courtesy of Erick Sermon, Rockwilder, Mike & Keys, Rick Rock, Khrysis and Reggie himself.
Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you first become interested in it? And how did it all begin for Ke Turner?
My father got me into music! He served in the Navy, and when he would come home from base at Norfolk Naval Station he’d play his electric guitar for hours. He would let my two older brothers and I join in and horse around on a single mic that he had plugged into an amplifier. Although I was kidding around most times, he noticed I could hold a note and taught me how to harmonize. Singing was my first love, but I was swayed by Hip Hop from my brothers and eventually started writing rhymes at a young age; about 12 years old. Singing has never left me, and I still incorporate it in my songs.
Now where exactly do you hail from? And growing up there, who all did / do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
I was born in Jacksonville, Fl – navy brat – but grew up in Virginia Beach, VA. Aside from my father and brothers, I was equally influenced by MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Nikki D, Antoinette, Krs-One, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Gang Starr; pretty much all the ’80’s, ’90’s artists who were doing it at the time. R&B influences were Teddy Riley, En Vogue, Michael Jackson, Black Box, Kool in the Gang.
Having said that, How do you classify your overall sound and / or style?
Definitely boom-bap, no question! But never boxed myself in. You’ll hear a little House music, or something Trappy, whatever the vibe is. I allow myself to just feel the music, and let it take me wherever it wants to go, #versatile
You appear alongside Redman on the Mike & Keys laced banger, “Goofy,” taken from his stellar Muddy Waters Too LP — What particular string of events actually led to this pairing?
It’s all divine connection at the end of the day, and I must salute Jayswiftz and then DJ Static; who also appears on MW2! Some years back, Redman made a post on IG that he wanted some women emcees to submit music for his playlist. Since I knew Static was making tracks for him, I’m like, “bro, is there an email or something where I can send my music over instead of just dm’ing?” He was like, “yeah!” Next morning, I woke up to Redman snapping over one of my songs, “Shoot for the Stars,” produced by JR Swiftz. Shortly after, I was contacted about collabing. The concept and the track by Mike & Keys was already there, he just needed me to bring balance.
Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?
I want them to get what I always get out of music I enjoy! Inspiration!! The goosebumps, the lemon face, the witness you get when you can relate to what the artist is saying. I want my listeners to get all of that, even a closer relationship with God!
If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Just one? Ugh! Then it would be Kaytranada, full stop! His music puts me in such a beautiful zone! To be able to compliment anything he does would be a dream come true!
If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Glasgow Music Festival. It’s one of the biggest in the world. To experience that type of crowd and that energy would be monumental.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop?
Mainstream, nah! It’s like one long song because everyone sounds the same. I came up in the time where variety was everything! You had Lil Kim and Lauryn right after each other on the radio. There was something for everybody. Balance is key!
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
Being consistent and uncompromising. Letting my yes be yes and my no be no. Staying humble and giving God the glory each and every day!
Do you have any other outside / additional (future) aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
I never really saw myself doing anything other than music. Sounds cliché, but maybe acting, lol. People always say I’d make a great teacher, but music would be involved if I ever did that. Maybe like artist development or something in that capacity.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far anyway?
Definitely being featured on Muddy Waters Too! It’s very surreal because I grew up listening to Redman and thinking to myself that’s the pinnacle emcee right there. He is as top tier as it gets! And now, here I am on one of his most anticipated albums. Its all very crazy to me!
What’s an average day like for you?
I‘m a dog mom, so I get up and make sure my furchild is straight, lol. I work for 8.5 hours, and then get to the music side of things until its time to shut it down.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans…
On social media, I try to be very responsive to my listeners on IG / Facebook. I don’t care if I’m at a million followers, I will be the one liking posts as much as I can and interacting directly! I like being personable.
What is your favorite part about this line of work? Your least favorite? And, why?
My favorite part is creating! Making something out of nothing is magical, then seeing how it connects people from all over the world is beautiful. My least favorite part is the politics that can be involved.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Stay your authentic self! Have patience, be anxious for nothing because great things don’t come overnight. Have tough skin because you will not win over everybody! Keep your dayjob and invest in yourself until the music pays you more than the 9 to 5. Let God in to guide your steps, so you’ll be safe from these ravenous wolves! IJS!
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
Alive, healthy, thriving overseas, getting cheesecake with bae from Marks and Spencer’s before I go to rock a headlining sold out show! Maybe in possession of a few awards from some dope projects I’ve put out between the time …and, of course, still penning bars!!! lol.
As for the immediate, what’s next for you, Ke?
I’ll be releasing an album Spring 2025!!!
Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
I don’t think so!
Lastly, any “parting” words for our readers?
Keep running up Muddy Waters Too! Follow me on the Gram, thank you for all the beautiful comments on “Goofy,” and God bless y’all!
