Multi-talented Artist K.T.A. Talks About His Life & Music

Julian Lamont Lowe, the rap artist now known to many as Kilo TheArtist or K.T.A. was born in the small town of Buckner, Arkansas.  His venture into the business of becoming a rapper began approximately five or six years ago.  Admittedly, his career has been a struggle to balance his life as an artist with his duties as a member of the U.S. Army.  Kilo clarifies that he values the experiences and friends he has gained in the military. Although things can get hectic from time to time for this high-energy performer, he is dedicated to achieving his dreams.

We recently had a conversation with him about his life and music and how is managing all. Here is the response for our readers.

Twist Online : First of all tell us about the start of your professional career.
K.T.A. : In the beginning I was more into poetry and expressing my feelings through free writing and journaling. I picked up my love for music from listening to the lyrics of Tupac Shakur, in my early teen years riding around with my father. He was always playing the greatest hits cassette tapes 1 & 2. I could really relate to the music and was fascinated with how much of an affect it had on the way I thought and began to look at life. It wasn’t long before my poetry and free writing about my feelings turned into rap lyrics over beats about my feelings. I didn’t take my rapping seriously in the beginning, it was more so a personal thing something I just did to pass the time and feel better. I never recorded when I first started, I would just write rhymes and recite them to myself and a couple of my cousins who I hung out with on the daily. Before long I had received enough complements on my flow to give me confidence to actually try to pursue a career as a rap artist. Might I add I was only 16 at the time. I would record at my cousins spot well both of our spots at the time in a home made studio we had set up and every since then I’ve been addicted to hearing myself coming out of the speakers on a dope beat.

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
K.T.A. : The power of music in general. I didn’t have the happiest of childhoods I kind of bounced back and forward between my grandmother’s and my parent’s. This had a big affect on me emotionally. I really remember feeling so alone and listening to music while riding in the car as a kid would really take me away or help me get through at the time. I really just want to pay the favor that music has done for me forward to my fans and potential fans. Something that will make life a little easier for the time being and help them make through on a day to day basis knowing that they are not alone in whatever it is that they maybe going through or feeling.

Twist Online : Your mixtapes Illuminated and Illuminated 2 has done really well. You must be happy with the kind of response the mixtapes received?
K.T.A. : I am overwhelmed with joy as well as thankful for everyone who has and still does support my music. I really put my heart into both projects and will continue to do the same with my future projects.

Twist Online : Tell us about your recent work?
K.T.A. : My most recent work “ILLUMINATED 2” stemmed from stress, hurt, and depression honestly. So much was going on during the making of this mixtape. I was becoming a father, lost a good childhood friend, lost my oldest brother. I mean so much was going on and I really feel that all these events played a big part in the sound of “ILLUMINATED 2”. This project is 16 tracks long and I really feel like I incorporated everything on his mixtape, versatility at it’s finest.

Twist Online : What do you enjoy more performing on stage or working in studios?
K.T.A. : I enjoy performing a lot and seeing the crowd’s reaction live in the physical , but I am definitely more into the studio. I love the creating process, in my opinion nothing can compare to that.

Twist Online : How do you manage art with your U.S. Army duties?
K.T.A. : It is really challenging to say the least. I am constantly juggling the two and both are very demanding of me , but I would not have it any other way. I have learned so much and met so many people from different walks of life  that have been very supportive of me and my music in the military community. It honestly feels like I am living two lives at times, soldier by day rapper by night. A lot of late nights and early mornings.

Twist Online : Have you set some goals to achieve as a music artist?
K.T.A. : My only goal is to be the best me that I can possibly be in every aspect of life and I believe  everything else will naturally fall into place.

Twist Online : Are you working on any new projects?
K.T.A. : I am constantly working on new projects. I refuse to be on the stand still while the world around me is constantly moving. I plan to keep the music coming on a consistent basis. I am going wheresoever my heart takes me.