Releasing his debut single on January 13th, MAKENZIE gave an exclusive interview to indie Berlin, telling us about his inspirations and plans for his future.
Makenzie is a new rapper from Tennessee, USA. He moved to Berlin in February to take over the Berliner rap scene. His influences are wide: Vince Staples, Tyler The Creator, Blood Orange and many more.
He will be having an exclusive party at Wild Tales Bar on January 12th. The evening will kick off with a special DJ, Sophia Pignatiello and then MAKENZIE will perform few songs, INCLUDING, ‘You and Me’.
Make sure to join the party! Facebook event here.
indieberlin: How does the songwriting process work for you / in your band?
MAKENZIE: Well normally the idea comes first, then I or whoever I’m working with makes the music and arranges the song. Then I head over to the lyrics which honestly is my favourite part, just looking at the words and watching them come to life.
indieberlin: If your music was a movie, which genre would it be in?
MAKENZIE: Most likely a Documentary and sometimes Science fiction sprinkled with some drama.
indieberlin: Tell us a secret about yourself.
MAKENZIE: I can’t swim and I’m terrified of jellyfish.
indieberlin: Where do you get your inspiration from?
MAKENZIE: I usually get inspired from everyday situations in my life. Not every song is necessarily about me or has actually happened. It could be a situation I observed with friends or strangers, a story I read or a movie I watched and I’m just sharing my perspective of it.
indieberlin: What music do you listen to when you’re touring?
MAKENZIE: I haven’t toured yet but that is coming soon when I tour with Red Music on his “the day that was never promised” tour starting February 17th. So, I’ll be sure to let you guys know in the future. But recently I just travelled back home to the USA and I listened to a lot of Tycho, Gucci mane, Home, Tame Impala, 2pac, Travis Scott and Quavo, and a bunch of house and techno.
indieberlin: Do you prefer to play big festivals / stages or smaller club gigs?
MAKENZIE: I dream big and I’d like to say I think big, so the goal is to always do it big, like festivals and stages in stadiums. But it’s also something so attractive and intimate about the smaller club setting, plus that’s where you get hands dirty and really become yourself.
indieberlin: With whom would you never share the stage with?
MAKENZIE: Anyone who is racist, sexist, homophobic or a bigot (unless we were debating).
indieberlin: In ten years you look back to today and think:
MAKENZIE: I’m glad I didn’t give up.
indieberlin: Do you dream in colour or black and white?
MAKENZIE: Both and sometimes colours that I don’t actually know. Well my actual dreams are quite happy and full of excitement, so I guess that would lead us with colour, since colourful images are more happy and exciting than black and white.
indieberlin: Do you see your songs in colour or in black and white?
MAKENZIE: I guess both as well but I’m more focused on the meaning of the picture they want to create or at least I try to focus on that more.
