Houston is known for its Underground scene and I’m not talking about the tunnels. Underground rap is making its come back in Houston with Rapper KenTheMan on top. In Houston, rap isn’t just a style of music its a way of life and with this young artist blowing up the scenes she is bringing the heat and crushing all who dares to step in her way. Giving us the chance to get to know her, we couldn’t help but to wonder how she came about!

1. How did you come up with your stage name, KentheMan?

I came up with my name by accident actually since Ken wasn’t available on SoundCloud! I added my usual ego at the end not thinking it would stick! My friends and associates told me to keep it because it fits and it’s something that would always keep conversations so here I am living up to it!

2. Top Music Influences

I really admire Lil Wayne. I’m a massive fan of his work. Tupac and Eminem are right behind him, I just really love the honesty and passion behind their music. I feel like that’s how I am with my music. Not comparing them to me of course but the assertiveness and aggression that makes everything believable is what I’m meaning.

3. What’s your usual creative process for arranging these rap flows everyone is so obsessed with?

I still haven’t found my “thing” I just always go with the flow and following my heart. I never made a mistake with it so far but I find myself in a struggle if I’m rushing or forcing the energy at the wrong times.

4. Did you always know you wanted to be a musician? 

After high school I dropped out of college, twice. I actually went to college the second time to get more experience in music, thinking maybe being uncomfortable would bring out more in my music. That didn’t work out the way I planned so I figured that I would just see where music could take me. I never had a passion for anything before music that’s when I knew it was what I wanted to do and how I wanted to express myself for the rest of my life.

5. With exposure in Houston, how is the support from family and friends?

My dad and closest friends are my biggest supporters! It feels amazing to have my dad in my life in that field and I know a lot of people don’t get that. He has definitely believed in me down to stopping school and his 9-5 to do it! Super grateful for that.

6. Grungecake states that “As polished as a lot of others that I met in the city, Ken the Man is commercial-ready. Whenever I’ve played her music for power players, they’ve unequivocally compared her to Nicki Minaj.” I’m sure you want a personality of your own but hearing yourself being compared to Nicki is that a position you are willing to fall behind?

It sucks to be compared of course but I wouldn’t want any other comparison. She was one of my favorite rappers coming up in high school so the fact that people would even say that is crazy because I didn’t know I could rap back then! I’m really happy that power players hear the potential and that’s amazing to me. Lastly I don’t think I’ll ever fall behind Nicki. If anything, I feel I’m a completely different artist from her but you have to be in tune with my career to know so.

Well my fellow Houstonians, the artist has spoken and we cant wait to see her blow up to bigger screens! Dont forget to follow her on Twitter @PimpenKen