Born into a musically gifted family and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Kush K has rapidly become a trailblazer in the Australian music scene. At just 21 years old, he’s a rapper, producer, sound engineer, and entrepreneur, blending his technical mastery with an artist’s creativity. With roots in percussion, keyboards, and guitar from an early age, Kush K’s passion for music has driven his journey—from performing in a school drumline to founding TheHotBox Studio and Type Shit Records. His 2024 debut album, The Revelations, showcases a distinct blend of rap, trap, and drill, marked by tracks like “Making Moves” and “The Bigger Picture.”
In this interview, Kush K opens up about balancing his roles as an artist, producer, and engineer, and how each influences his creative process. He shares the story behind his track “Making Moves” and discusses his latest project, Calm B4 the Storm, created with fellow artists Kaylo and Vatty. Let’s dive into his creative journey and what drives him forward.
How do you balance your roles as an artist, producer, and engineer, and how does each one inform the others in your creative journey?
To be honest, at times, it can be very difficult, especially when I am producing my own tracks and then engineering them too, as it can be a very long process. I also feel like it’s easy to lose touch in one or more of these areas when you put so much time and focus into being just an artist. That said, I have created a separate brand for each of these areas, so to the outside world, it all works hand-in-hand, showcasing that if someone comes to me to purchase a beat, I can also be a one-stop shop to complete a whole song. Through my studio services, I also offer one-on-one coaching and strive to create the best artist experience possible.
Can you describe a turning point in your career when you realized that music was your true calling?
Honestly, I wouldn’t say there was a clear turning point for me. Since I was young (around 11 years old), the only thing I’ve ever really wanted to do was music. I will say I started out wanting to be the biggest producer in the world. Then I perfected that and moved on to wanting to be the best engineer, and I perfected that too. Now, I’m on my artistic journey, trying to show the world what I’m capable of.
How did creating “Making Moves” challenge you creatively or push you outside of your comfort zone as an artist?
At first, “Making Moves” was a song I started writing a few years ago. At the time, I didn’t think much of it and left it. But a couple of years later, I stumbled across it in my notes and realized the potential it held to be a hit. I knew, at the time of writing it, that I could make it an anthem of success and preach about the hustle it takes. At times, it was hard to figure out the exact punchlines I wanted to showcase in the song, but once it was all set in stone, the rest of the process was quite easy. The only real challenge I faced was the mixing and mastering process, as I had to go back and forth quite a lot to get to the final version that is out now.
What do you think makes “Making Moves” different from any track you’ve released before, both in terms of sound and message?
I think the main differentiating factor is that the track holds power and meaning. Most of my previous tracks before “Making Moves” were created purely on vibes. But with “Making Moves,” it stands its ground and solidifies its own fate. Sound-wise, “Making Moves” was the beginning of my new sound and current sound. Before that, my music was kind of all over the place.
How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals, especially when faced with the challenges of being an independent artist?
It can be very difficult at times, especially as I’m in this full-time and don’t do anything outside of music. Sometimes you can get lazy and experience writer’s block or producer’s block, which can get in the way of being creative. For me, the best solution to overcome any obstacle is just to take a week off and come back stronger. I believe that to truly be a great artist, you also need to live and experience life to the fullest.
As a multi-faceted artist, what are some aspects of music production or performance that you’re still eager to explore or master?
Personally, I believe I’ve almost mastered the behind-the-scenes aspects of music creation, such as producing and engineering. The area I’d like to tackle and master next would be live performances. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve performed live multiple times, opening for several big artists. But I feel like I haven’t truly hit my peak in that area yet. I can still work more on stage presence and stage confidence, especially in engaging the crowd to the best of my ability.
Calm B4 the Storm brings together a dynamic mix of talent. How did the collaboration with Kaylo and Vatty come about, and what was the creative vision for the EP?
The collaboration with Kaylo and Vatty came about due to their diverse talent. If you listen to each song on the project, everyone has their own unique style. It just so happened that the three of us formed a trio for this project, and it worked out perfectly.
The four tracks—”Pockets Full,” “Rich Energy,” “Don’t Play,” and “Been the Realest”—each have their own unique vibe. Can you walk us through the themes and inspiration behind the project?
This project was organized and planned in just one night. Each song has its own vibe and differences because we made each song together in the studio and helped one another shape it into what it is. From picking the beat to writing lyrics together, it was a real collaborative project.
Type Shit Records is your own label. How does releasing a project like Calm B4 the Storm under your own imprint empower your artistry?
Releasing a project on our label page instead of just the artists’ individual pages is the key to helping Type Shit Records gain traction. Just like YSL, if we release music through the label page on streaming platforms instead of just YouTube, we manage to grow two platforms at once. We believe TSR has the potential to be a big record label.
The title Calm B4 the Storm suggests anticipation and readiness for bigger moves ahead. Can you share how this project sets the tone for what’s next in your journey?
This project was definitely made to be the “calm before the storm” because starting our own record label and having multiple talented artists who haven’t been seen yet leaves no boundaries for where we can go. In 2025, TSR is bringing the heat.
