Born Jacksonville, Florida March 24, 1988 under the name Donovan C. Payne, rapper Killa MC is more than “jus another brotha trying to rap”. Being the son of a retired air force man, Killa MC has been exposed to all different types of cultures ranging from the gritty east coast, to the lax atmosphere of the west coast, and finally finding home in the south pulling all those influences together to make a sound of his own.  

After sitting in his high school cafeteria in December 2003 listening to other guys “rapping”, KMC decided to take a stab at it himself. One of his friends introduced him to a computer program and a cheap microphone, and Killa MC began recording tracks that were, “wack, and should never be played for the ears of other people”. However, even though he didn’t turn into master lyrical assassin overnight it was clear that music was going to be the road he traveled on. “I love music, everybody I hang out with has the same passion for music as me, and if you ask me a question about sports I probably won’t be able to answer it but if you ask me a question about music, I would definitely amaze you with my knowledge.” Don’t think he’s trying to pull a fast one either because he actually does know what he is talking about, after all, “being in band for 7 years did teach me something,” laughs the rapper.

Fast Forward a couple years, and you witness the MC placed before your eyes. Cut from a different kind of cloth, and raised in an environment where drugs, violence, and sex “existed, but only if you surrounded yourself in it” its clear too see that Killa MC is someone with a message. His maturity can be felt throughout songs as he is joining efforts of destroying the negative stereotype of rap music by not cussing and degrading women. “Kids won’t have to cringe when listening to my music around their parents, and I won’t be ashamed to play my music in front of any crowd, I have music for everybody.  

With that being said, Killa MC is more than “just anotha brotha trying to rap” he is a movement. With solo and group projects on the way, as well as appearing on various mixtapes across the nation, he is definitely someone you should be on the lookout for.

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

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

KillaMC, but I also go by KMC, and I’m reporting live and in color from Fort Worth, Texas.

Urban Steez: So, KillaMC how did you come up with your music name?

KillaMC: My name stems from a lot of different ideas and wordplay and it’s a very long story but I’ll condense it into a nutshell for the sake of time. To fully break it down it means Killa Microphone Controller, and the wordplay aspect of it that I’ve used in previous raps were “I’ll Kill-a-MC, ‘cuz I’m a KillaMC”. I’ve always like the idea of being considered an MC vs. Rapper because being an MC requires creativity, knowledge, and respect for the other 3 elements of hip hop, whereas being considered a “rapper” generally tends to be limited to one lane and often overlooked and underestimated due to the limited creativity that has been created by today’s mainstream, ringtone dependant music industry.

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

KillaMC: I’ve always been into writing, but I seriously started back in 03’. The shift really started back in the old high school cafeteria when I was observing the regular lunch time legends “freestyle”. Being an avid fan of hip hop, I determined a lot of what the dudes were rapping about were trash, and decided to take a crack it because I could come up with raps WAY better than what they were spittin’.

Urban Steez: How would you describe your style and why?

KillaMC: I guess if you were to label my style I would fall into the “hipster” category.That’s only because as of right now, everyone that has fallen into has made GIANT leaps in the music industry for them to have only been on the scene for less than 2 years. I share the same fashion sense, and have been disgusted with “ignorant-look-what-I-got” rap scene. I aim to make music that everyone can feel good about, and relate too and you can’t do that if every song you create paints an image of a super-pimp, super-gangsta, or someone with too much money. People have wanted change in music, equal to the change in politics and the “hipster” rap scene is symbolic of that change!

Urban Steez: Yea man you put a lot of energy into your tracks.. If you had to pick which label to be signed to what would it be and why?

KillaMC: Psh, honestly I don’t know. Labels are doing too good these days haha.Def Jam would be dope simply because they’re pretty much the definition of hip hop, but so many of their artists complain of foul play and business practices so I dunno. I’d just be happy to be on a label so I can stop coming out of pocket funding this career haha.

Urban Steez: Who would you want to collaborate with in the music industry and why?

KillaMC: I’m not real big on collabs but I really want to link up with The Cool Kids, Wiz Khalifa, Kid Sister, and Wale. I bump them on an everyday basis, and feel we could make some sick music together if given the opportunity.

Urban Steez: Yea I can I feel you and Wiz Kahalifa can kill a track if given the opportunity…What are you working on now and when can fans expect to hear more from you?

KillaMC: Let’s see right now, I’m currently in the lab working on my new mixtape that will be available for free download titled “Phreshmentality” and following that tape will be the “Bitter Boyfriend” tape as well. If you want to hear more, check back on my myspace. I’ll stop slacking, and post new tracks more rapidly now that I have my own studio. So just hit the page!

Urban Steez: So,Who are your influences?

KillaMC: There’s lots of people who influence me, and people always laugh when I give them my list because everyone who influences me are usually the exact opposite of what I live on a day to day basis with a few exceptions. But the list goes in no order of: T.I., 50cent, Kayne, Jay, 2pac, Lupe. Etc...

Urban Steez: What do you think of the hip hop/ music world right now?

KillaMC: I think the game is slowly starting to get back in a path. A lot of cats are stepping up their pen game and with cats like the ones that were featured in XXL’s freshman class of 09 making crazy noise with the internet good music isn’t that hard to find like it was a couple of years ago.

Urban Steez: Very true, I can digg that!!What do you plan to do with your first royalty check?

KillaMC: My first royalty check imma pay off ALL/ANY debt I have. College loans, etc. There’s nothing like being debt free, and I don’t want to owe anybody NOTHING! Especially the gov’t haha!

Urban Steez: Lol yea credit is a must!! What car do you feel will serve you right when you make it big?

KillaMC: Uh, a smooth BMW will be nice. 2 door, and sleek. Not nothing to flashy but something were peeps know, that I’m doing something! Haha

Urban Steez: Who is your celebrity crush?

KillaMC: Wow, let’s see. I have an unhealthy crush on Beyonce haha. Kid Sister, Amanda Diva, uhhh Katy Perry is on my radar right now, and Lauren Conrad could definitely use a brotha in her life. And Rosci from 106 and park can hit me up anyday as well.

Urban Steez: Kid Sister is pretty hot fam, Imma have to give you credit for that pick!! How can business heads and fans contact you in the future (myspace, email, number, etc.)?

KillaMC: Myspace: www.myspace.com/KillaMCraps or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Those are 2 things that I’m on almost 24/7 since they’re connected to my phone. So hit me up and I usually respond immediately.

Urban Steez: Any shot outs?

KillaMC: Shout out to all my drill gang affiliates: Gunz, Nemo, Patbeats productions, all my peeps out of sky rocck academy(sin, caspa, tab, myneiss) My ride or die chick nely, the future singing sensation keshia,(sorry if I forget you, I’m speaking fast) my family, city, and anybody rockin with me!

Phresmentality: the documentary

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