Bang and K $tone are two South Asian creatives determined to bring a new energy to the wide artistry of Detroit. Both artists have pretty extensive discographies to their name, and they recently teamed up to produce a track called ‘On The Run’. A high-energy banger, it was a tune that I instantly connected with and kept returning to.
Keen to get to know the two a bit better, I was stoked when they agreed to an interview! Chatting with us about some of their biggest musical influences, what their unconventional creative processes look like, and how they feel about today’s music industry, please give a big welcome to our new friends Bang and K $tone!
Welcome aboard Bang and K $tone! I’m stoked to be able to introduce you to our ever-growing audience! Let’s kick things off with an easy one…Who are Bang and K $tone and when did each of your love affairs with music begin?
Bang: I am a South-Asian artist from Detroit, Michigan. And I make dope sh*t! My love for music has been there ever since I was a kid. I grew up listening to all kinds of music. Eastern and Western styles…it’s just been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
K $tone: I’m a producer from metro Detroit. Growing up, my cousins were always putting me on to new music they were finding and listening to, so I got a good mix and influence of music I couldn’t find or get myself. Since day one I was hooked on the beats and production, especially the ones with soul. From there it was easy to see what I wanted to do.
Your latest single ‘On The Run’ is an absolute banger! It’s just pure hip-hop at its finest! Do you remember the song’s “birth” so to speak, and what would you like our readers to know about your recent track?
Bang & K $tone: The song was 90% done by the first few hours of us even coming up with the idea to make the song. We were listening to a lot of alternative and punk tracks that heavily influenced the outcome of our song. It was such an organic process, we were really in a flow state.
Who would you each put down as some of your biggest musical influences and who would you ultimately credit for helping shape and mould your overall sound?
Bang: My biggest musical influences are most definitely: Thom Yorke, Jai Paul & all of Bollywood music. They all have specific elements of intimate songwriting and ambient soundscapes that I just gravitate towards.
K $tone: Erick the Architect from Flatbush Zombies, The Alchemist, Sade. Discovering their music definitely influenced the way I approach creating a record.
What do you believe music’s role in society is?
Bang: I believe that music is the key to love and freedom in the world. It is a universal language that everybody can understand. Music makes you think, it helps you escape, it makes you wanna jump around or even just sit still and lay back. Life without music would be such a dull world.
K $tone: Music is meant to bring together. It’s about community. You might not have anything in common with someone but when a record plays and you feel that feeling, you are in the same space. That can’t be replicated with anything else.
Please tell our readers a little bit about your creative processes. How do you take just a thought or an idea and turn it into a song?
Bang: My creative process, in my opinion, is so unorthodox. I don’t have a specific routine I follow. I like to let creativity take control and allow me to go into a flow state. Sometimes I’ll write lyrics of a full song without any music, then I’ll record the vocals to a metronome and build the beat around that. The lyrics and composition have to be able to coexist in the same realm every time.
K $tone: There’s no process. Everything is in the moment. The more you set a plan the more the session will guide you in a different direction. You should operate with intention but without force. The creation of ‘On The Run’ is a great example of that.
What are your thoughts regarding the music industry of today? And, if you could, what changes would you make to it?
Bang: It’s such a touchy and debatable topic for an artist to talk about the music industry lol. We live in a time where everyone and their mom wants to make music. And that is honestly so dope and such a privilege. The more I get into the music industry, the less I wanna be a part of it. But, with that said, I keep going because I want my music to really speak to people.
K $tone: Shit is a mess, but everything is a cycle and the pendulum will swing back at some point. As Bang said, the ability to make music is a luxury. Never take that for granted. And if you don’t like the way shit is set up, change it and move on your own.
OK, guys – desert island time! You can each grab 3 albums before being stranded on an island. Which do you choose?
Bang:
‘OK Computer’ – Radiohead
‘FULL CIRCLE’ – RAREHEARTED
‘Channel ORANGE’ – Frank Ocean
K $tone:
‘3001 A Laced Odyssey’ – Flatbush Zombies
‘Promise’ – Sade
‘Cilvia Demo’ – Isaiah Rashad
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us Bang and K $tone! It’s been awesome getting to know you each a bit better. Do you have any words of wisdom that you’d like to leave us with? And, also, what comes next for you musically?
Bang: Inspire love! Watch out for RAREHEARTED in the near future. And, thank you Jeremy for this opportunity!
K $tone: Keep running ON THE RUN up!
