Urban Steez: Tell everybody your name and what area you represent?

My name is Kenille, born Christopher Sivells representing Dallas, Texas. I consider myself to be a Hip Hop and R&B artist, but I also write music in the pop genre.

Urban Steez: How did you come up with your music name?

Kenille: Well, my dad is an R&B artist by the name of Seville. When I was younger, I naturally chose the name “Young Seville” as a way of paying homage to him. However, once I got older, I realized Young Seville sounded more like a rap name, which wouldn’t fully show off the R&B image I also showcase. So I simply combined my dad’s artist name, Seville, with my middle name, Kenyatta, and came up with Kenille.

Urban Steez: How long have you been doing music and what made you get into music?

Kenille: Honestly, I have been involved in music my entire life. From the moment I could form words I was singing and memorizing lyrics of many artists ranging from R Kelly to Naughty by Nature. When I got to be about 8 years old is when I began writing lyrics of my own. Truthfully, I never thought I’d be pursuing music  as a career. The reason being, I knew growing up how hard it would be to get inside of this industry. I thought of so many alternatives: dermatologist, pediatrician, sports-entertainment attorney. But when it came down to it, music is where my heart lies. Since I’m young I figured I’d try my hardest to do it now while have the ability to do so.

Urban Steez: That’s Wassup! How would you describe your style and why? And what do you feel you can bring to the table as an artist?

Kenille: I know this seems cliche, but I feel I’m extremely unique. As far as rap goes, my favorite artists are Eminem, T.I., Andre 3000, Mos Def, J Cole, Wale, and oh so many more. I feel like each one of those artists kind of molded how I rap. I love to give word play, metaphors and structured punchlines to make my audiences think. And I love to give both a smooth-vibe-type of poetry feel, as well as complete spazzing type, where I just spit fast with a lot of syllables with multiple rhyming patterns in the verse. As far as R&B goes, I look up to Musiq Soulchild, Brian McKnight, Tank, Donell Jones. I want my R&B vibe to have the same affect on listeners. I have a skill for making deep, meaningful songs, as well as making sensual ones. I just feel I can truly bring a larger fanbase to a label. I work hard, extremely hard, and I feel I have an amazing talent.

Urban Steez: Good stuff, you named all my favorites. If you had to pick which label to be signed to what would it be and why?

Kenille: If I truly had to choose, it would be either Jive or Atlantic, unless I just go completely to the top of the list and choose Universal, lol. This is simply because of the brand these labels have worldwide, plus they have signed some of my favorite artists.

Urban Steez: What’s the biggest challenge you feel you face as an artist?

Kenille: Exposure! It’s hard to get your music out to the masses as an independent artist with no manager or established connections in the industry. The only way you can make a budge in the industry with no help, is to have money, and frankly, I’m far from rich. I feel even with exposure though, it is hard to maintain credibility with the musical audience seeing that so many people want to make music these days. For some people it is more of a way to make money and leave their current environment. For me, it is my heart and passion, I see nothing else. So to be looked over by audiences simply because the artist before me was untalented kind of hurts my chances.

Urban Steez: Actually, the internet scene is the best FREE exposure, with unlimited return. The more relevant you are in various websites the better. Who would you want to collaborate with in the music industry and why?

Kenille: Great question. It’s just so many to be honest. But I feel at this point I’d have to say J Cole. From the jump, I liked his music, which is hard because I tend to be very critical of new artists. I just like the vibe his music has, his lyrics, his swag, just everything. His album was the first album I have truly bought in a while, just because I knew he truly put his heart into it. That’s rare to find in the industry these days.

Urban Steez: DOPE!! I just copped the J. Cole’s Album, I actually think you and J. Cole compliment well based on what I heard. So how do you feel you rank against top music talents today? And why?

Kenille: I feel once I get a name for myself I can be considered one of the greats in my era, as well as all time. The reason being, I force myself to strictly listen to my songs from a fan’s perspective. Every person I get to listen to my music truly enjoys it. The fact that I put my heart into my music, combined with my level of talent truly helps me out.

Urban Steez: I can dig that! What are you working on now and when can fans expect to hear more from you?

Kenille: Well, I recently just released a mixtape entitled “Out Shoppin” which can be downloaded via Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes or via Datpiff. This mixtape was basically a compilation of covers, remakes, and remixes I did to songs of mainstream artists. It, in my opinion showcases the talent I can truly bring to the table. The next project, entitled Getting Ready, is a mixtape of all original songs. It truly shows me as the Hip Hop artist & R&B artist I actually am. I plan to release this mixtape late 2011 or early 2012. It mainly depends on where my career is around that time, and the funding I have to budget it.

Urban Steez: Give us a quote, the best represents what you are about?

Kenille: "Most birds were created to fly. Being grounded for them is a limitation within their ability to fly, not the other way around...You on the otherhand, were created to be loved. So for you to live as if you were unloved is a limitation, not the other way around."

-A Wise Person

Urban Steez: DeeEEp, I just facebooked that one!! Who and what are your influences?

Kenille: My main influence is my mother. She is the hardest working woman I know. She showed me that nothing in this world is promised, and if you want something, go get it, at any means, that aren’t illegal of course, lol. My mother has set a great example for me and my sister to follow; I have make her proud

Urban Steez: I can relate. If music never existed what do you think you would be doing?

Kenille: Wow! To be honest, I don’t know how to answer this question. Mainly because music is more than just a career choice for me. Music has molded my entire life, completely. When I’m sad, happy, music can relate. Like, it truly is who I am, it’s completely lodged into my bloodstream. But I mean, I do also hoop, play basketball. So I guess if music didn’t exist I’d have ample time to workout, meaning I’d probably be looking at places to go play overseas.

Kenille - Its Crazy

Urban Steez: Yea man,I see how that question can throw you… What do you think of the hip hop/ music world right now?

Kenille: This is a complicated question to answer, allow me to explain why. As far as “mainstream” goes, there is a lack, in my opinion, of the Hip-Hop art form. Most artists are more concerned about what fans want to hear than just actually putting truth behind their music. Of course, as J Cole stated, you do need that in order for actual artists to standout. But aside from mainstream, I’m really in love with the Hip-Hop culture. There are many underground artists who are truly talented. And not just music artist, I’m also referring to DJ’s, painters, and dancers. Hip-Hop is more than just simply music. When you break it down away from its art, it is simply rap. I do see artists such as Wale, J Cole, and Kendrick Lamar bringing this art form back into the eyes of mainstream lovers, and I truly like that.

Urban Steez: What music do you have playing in your sound system right now?

Kenille: My own, naturally, lol. But I also have some close recording artists in heavy rotation. Their names are Feenom, Fudge, Mickey French, and J Whitty. I have J Cole playing, some Wale, Big K.R.I.T., Cyhi the Prince, Meek Mill, Eminem, Royce da 5’9, a little bit of some Mario, Sammie, Trey Songz, and Chris Brown in there too.

Urban Steez: Who is your celebrity crush?

Kenille: Wheeew, just one?! lol. Well, I’d have to say my top three, in no order whatsoever are Nicole Scherzinger, Jordan Sparks, and Zoe Saldana. All three are gorgeous to me, and they each seem like rather cool individuals. I definitely have to take each on a date! lol. Or maybe just one, that’ll perfectly suffice

Urban Steez: You named some winners!! How can business heads and fans contact you in the future (myspace, email, number, etc.)?

Kenille: Well my twitter is @OfficialKenille, thats the best way. Also you can search my youtube channel “Kenille09”. I’m on facebook as well if you search “Christopher ‘Kenille Sivells”. I don’t really give my number out like that, unless Nicole, Jordan, or Zoe happens to want it, lol. But social networking is a great way to reach me. That’s how I give people further contact info of mine.

Urban Steez: Lol, just to be clear Zoe is mine!! Any shot outs?

Kenille: First and foremost I have to give a shout out to THE MAN above. Without GOD I wouldn’t even have the gift of music. Next is my entire family, I truly love you guys. My little sister Nyah, just had to give her some shine, is the greatest friend in the entire world, I love her dearly. Have to send a definite shoutout to my musical team #WEIN, a coalition of guys who’ve gotten together to help each other get our music to the masses. This consists of Keri Rogers (Feenom), Melvin Fudge III (Fudge), Mickey French, Johnathon Whittaker (J Whitty), Michael Arefaine, and Derrick “Sip” Johnson. Shoutouts to everyone that knows me, and everyone I know. Of course, I’m not finished till I say my bro’s Darius, Jordan, Donovan, KQ, and Los. I love y’all all with the bottom of my heart.

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