Kenny Mason on Rock Influences, "RUFFS" Project, and His Favorite Vegan Dish
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We caught up with rapper Kenny Mason to talk his new project RUFFS, his rock inspired hip-hop sound and what makes Atlanta so special.
Photographs: Ammar Thomas
You were born and raised in Atlanta. You've seen the "Atlanta's full, don't move here memes." Why do you think everyone is so attracted to Atlanta? What makes Atlanta special?
I think it's a rare mix of creativity, diversity, and street shit that makes it a place like no other. I also think Atlanta is a big transport city. A lot of different cultures and vibes come through here, so it's like a big melting pot.
In an interview you did, you mentioned how a Kid Cudi interview inspired you to work on your rap skills for ten years. Can you tell me a little more about that?
I saw Kid Cudi do an interview. I was 14, and he was 24 at the time. He said he started rapping at 14 because he knew it would take him ten years to be where he was during that interview. So I was like, I should start rapping now so at 24, I can be where I want to be.
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Tell me about that ten-year grind of honing your rap skills.
It was tough because I had my family and shit, and they really didn't wanted me to rap. I basically had to sneak around and skip school to record and make songs on my own. Then when I graduated high school, I was pretty much like, I'm not going go to school; I'm going to work and buy my own equipment and record. And that's what I did. It was tough because we came from nothing, but I wanted it enough, so I got it.
Who are some of your rock influences?
Definitely, Deftones is probably top because their music is real. It's heavy, but melodic music, and that's how I want my music to be in any form. One band I want to mention more and show my love to is Title Fight because I love their album Floral Green and even Shed and all that stuff. That was a big influence on me when it came out.
I feel like Hip Gop has always had some rock influence. You have the Jay-Z x Linkin Park album, the Beastie Boys. Do you face any challenges getting people to embrace a rock-centric hip-hop sound?
Sometimes I do because the ignorant stigma is that it's white people's music when black people invented rock'n'roll. I think you have to remind people of that. And just like, doing it in new, more innovative ways, not just corny, simple ways, you know I'm saying. It's not really about making rock music. For me, it's about just doing stuff that's new.
How did your creative process differ when recording RUFFS which just came out, versus Angelic Hoodrat?
Angelic Hoodrat, I made it all in one place. I had a set idea, tone, and vibe that I wanted it all to be. Even though I tried different genres on Angelic Hoodrat, it was still all one mood. For RUFFS, it was different moods, different songs, and made in different places.
I also read in an interview you wanted to prove you can actually rap. Do you believe you've achieved that?
Yeah! Definitely, my fans and my family know it. And to a certain degree, I think I'm in a peer group with amazing rappers that respect me and know my caliber. People are still going to say J-Cole and Kendrick, you know, so we have to prove ourselves, and do things to reach that level.
You have a song on RUFFS called "Minute Forever", and the lyrics are heavy. How do you maintain your mental health while recording music like that?
I think making music is how I do it. It's therapeutic for me to make music. I think it's self-fulfilling, and that's how I cope with it.
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You're a gamer. What games are you playing right now? And do the games ever inspire the music?
Maybe like a subconscious level, or in the spirit of competition, Yeah. I play Madden, Mortal Kombat, and Grand Theft Auto. I'm not really looking to draw inspiration from those games. It's more like a break from thinking about my career and stuff.
You went vegan during the pandemic. What's been your favorite meal now that you fully embrace a vegan lifestyle?
That's a hard one. We do like fried mushroom burgers. We season them like fried chicken, so it's good.
Do you know how to cook?
Yes, I have mostly been cooking since I went vegan because there aren't too many restaurants you can go to, and vegan restaurants are weird. They closed earlier. Sometimes they don't open everyday. So you have to cook, which I enjoy anyway.
Photographer: Ammar Thomas @iam.ammarjamal
Styling & Editor: Nigel Isaiah @nigel_isaiah
Location: The 9 Studios
Special Thanks: RCA Records