
Like the weather on this day in Birmingham, AL, Druex Kaine is unpredictable. I met the Hip-Hop artist, producer, and self-proclaimed student of the music game on a dreary day at Railroad Park in the heart of the Magic City. His demeanor is calm. His choice of words is thought out. His vision is clear.
“My goal is to get 2 platinum albums. Then I’ll stick to production. After that, become an EDM DJ.” Now that you know the end of the story, let’s back up to the beginning. Druex Kaine has been creating music since he was 12 years old. Like many independent artists, he has had to play just about every role himself. “When I started, I was copying everyone” he said of his production beginnings. Because he let his creation be influenced by the likes of pre-“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” Kanye, Druex Kaine says he doesn’t really have a “style”. Being a student of the music game, the inspiration ranges from Big K.R.I.T to Smokey Robinson. All of that shows up in the wide range of sonic variety you can find on “The Sneak Up (the beat tape). “
When asked why he chose to do a beat tape, Druex said he really just wanted to do something no one else was doing. “A lot of people are learning about me and they wonder what they will get.” But then, the truth. “I wanted to make something for the people who are sleeping on me.” He declared that he is not just another rapper making his own tracks. He indeed wears the producer hat, and wears it well.
If you didn’t know, Druex Kaine has done his due time in the corporate world. 9+ years of office time led him to this line in KingzRul3. “My people perish for the lack of learning. We’re supposed to sign our own checks while we are out here earning.” He broke it down. “I’m supposed to be paying my own way and making my own money. Instead of being stressed by the employer, I have to remember to believe in myself enough to seize opportunities to push for my dreams and I can be signing my own checks.” Though he says even with a 9-to-5, he still put in maximum hours for his dreams, he has decided that he won’t return the day job hustle. “I’ve been praying that God increase my situation. I have a job. I just need financial increase. [And] God has been sending people my way. The more I seek Him, the more I put Him first… since I’ve been chasing Him, He has been opening a lot of doors.” Dig that.
“My goal is to get 2 platinum albums. Then I’ll stick to production. After that, become an EDM DJ.” Now that you know the end of the story, let’s back up to the beginning. Druex Kaine has been creating music since he was 12 years old. Like many independent artists, he has had to play just about every role himself. “When I started, I was copying everyone” he said of his production beginnings. Because he let his creation be influenced by the likes of pre-“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” Kanye, Druex Kaine says he doesn’t really have a “style”. Being a student of the music game, the inspiration ranges from Big K.R.I.T to Smokey Robinson. All of that shows up in the wide range of sonic variety you can find on “The Sneak Up (the beat tape). “
When asked why he chose to do a beat tape, Druex said he really just wanted to do something no one else was doing. “A lot of people are learning about me and they wonder what they will get.” But then, the truth. “I wanted to make something for the people who are sleeping on me.” He declared that he is not just another rapper making his own tracks. He indeed wears the producer hat, and wears it well.
If you didn’t know, Druex Kaine has done his due time in the corporate world. 9+ years of office time led him to this line in KingzRul3. “My people perish for the lack of learning. We’re supposed to sign our own checks while we are out here earning.” He broke it down. “I’m supposed to be paying my own way and making my own money. Instead of being stressed by the employer, I have to remember to believe in myself enough to seize opportunities to push for my dreams and I can be signing my own checks.” Though he says even with a 9-to-5, he still put in maximum hours for his dreams, he has decided that he won’t return the day job hustle. “I’ve been praying that God increase my situation. I have a job. I just need financial increase. [And] God has been sending people my way. The more I seek Him, the more I put Him first… since I’ve been chasing Him, He has been opening a lot of doors.” Dig that.
As with every interview, I asked what the Elevators rapper thought of the Birmingham music scene. His opinion was short and straight to the point. “No support.” He didn’t point a finger at any side, creators or “fans”. Maybe doing so leads you to believe he doesn’t want to step on any toes or possibly you will subscribe to the idea that he didn’t specify because everyone plays a part. You choose. But he did express that he would love to see people on the scene embrace Birmingham’s own sound and not try to be like other cities so much. (Insert my own opinion here… I agree. When frustrated, many Birmingham based artists take to social media to express how they don’t do this in *insert over saturated large city where every one has moved there to be a star*. Stop. Just stop. Back to Druex.) To be fair, he also stated that it can be difficult for people to truly become fans of independent artists in general. “They have heard so much garbage, they won’t give indie artists a chance.” Interesting theory.
So what’s next…
In the immediate future, you can catch Druex Kaine on stage in Birmingham, AL at:
01/27/17 – LBMX presents Skoolie Escobar / Druex Kaine / R Daniel / DJ Rhadu
02/03/17 – CURREN$Y (Opening)
Looking a little further ahead, you can expect a new project to follow up his last banger Elevator, titled Southern Nights. Of course, we inquired further about the developing album. Druex wouldn’t tell us much, but we did find out that you may hear a little singing. *insert emoji eyes here*. The track may or may not be called “Assumptions”. If it is, you heard it here first.
Get connected with Druex Kaine via Facebook and Instagram.
Don't forget to pick up Druex Kaine's most recent project "Elevators".
Jacqueline Jones
(all photography by Jessica Latten for Jessica Latten Photography)