If you remember social media from the 2010s, there are many viral stars one can remember. However, there were only a few you actually saw on Television. Rapper C.KHiD was one of those that made the leap.
After launching the CKHID site and doing a grassroots promotional tour across 12 States in the USA, his video “I Want This World” was immediately picked up by the multinational mass media network, Viacom.
If not familiar, Viacom owned the MTV, BET, and VH1 networks. An unknown figure placed the South Carolina rapper on popular College tv shows across the United States of America. The result of that action, “C.KHiD” went viral.
C.KHiD actually made the television charts of those shows, before going viral. So his fame wasn’t actually sparked by the internet but YouTube carried his career for nearly 7 years after his new ‘tv fans’ converted to YouTube.
Around 2015 however, C.KHiD began to wane from the social media world. He stopped producing content regularly. And by 2016, he released his last official music video — Sad At the Day’s End. A little after that, he even removed his music from streaming platforms.
Today, C.KHID answers questions about his disappearance, thoughts on social media currently, and how ShibArmy’s ‘SHIB Burn’ inspired him to re-add music to streaming platforms.
#1 —
First off, let me say it’s a pleasure to get this interview. I find what you’re doing with Shiba Inu cryptocurrency super creative and I was a fan of your songs “Summer Summa” and “Yeah Yeah.”
And I loved that video “Vegas Atlanta Harlem.” Incredible cinematography by Sage English
C.KHiD’s reply:
Damn, we’re starting this off kind of bad then. Did I die or something? You said ‘was.’ You don’t listen anymore ? [laughing]
#2 —
[laughing in unison] No – no! I’ve listened to your music every year since it was released . Black Box Dreams 3 through Black Box Dreams 6 are in my Amazon music library.
And speaking of streaming companies. Why did you leave them bro? That’s where most musicians’ money comes from today.
C.KHiD’s reply:
YouTube got corrupted. I feel like Lyor Cohen got control of YouTube music and everything sucked after that. It felt like radio payola all over.
And I can’t say it was Lyor Cohen and major labels but that’s what it seemed like to me. You could search my name and still you see rap and R&B artists from major labels, instead of my music.
Try it right now. Search “It is what it is” or “Cash on Deck” or “Wonderful Girl.” These are my biggest songs with millions of views and I still have artists with far fewer views showing up first.
Maybe it’s just a YouTube algorithm though and I’m tripping. I was making music and people reacted. I was never into the analytics and technical mumbo jumbo.
I stopped managing my catalog because major labels took over YouTube and Spotify. They literally have their artists showing up in the search for my artist name and song titles. Even if they have fewer views. It demotivated me.
#3 —
Why would you think Lyor Cohen and YouTube conspired to get rid of independent rap artists?
C.KHiD’s reply:
Well, let’s look at radio and tv programming. Even the billboard charts. All of that’s paid for like a h##### hanging outside the Snooty Fox in LA.
Think about this — Why would they not do it to YouTube once they see artists like me getting millions of views and generating revenue?
They went from dissing artists like me, saying YouTube artists were nobodies to trying to be YouTube rappers.
But I respect their game and their hustle. I couldn’t crack the code to get back showing up in YouTube and chose to do other things. Plus I was interested in the world.
#4 —
You have reason; Give you that.
Why did you never sign to a major label?
C.KHiD’s reply:
I got 2 record label or distribution deal offers. The money wasn’t high enough and they wanted to own my brand “CKHiD,’ down to the website.
To make a deal happen, I needed more money. Nothing beyond that.
#5 —
You also mentioned you were interested in the world. What did you mean by that?
C.KHiD’s reply:
I started traveling; Started seeing international cultures and music. I started exploring my family roots. Changed my whole perspective of life. I couldn’t go back to being a minority in America after I went somewhere, where melanin is normal and everyone treats you like family.
I fell in love with the melanted worlds of the Caribbean and South America.
#6 —
Your background is Latino?
C.KHiD’s reply:
I’m Black but I really don’t know all about my mother’s side. My grandfather and Great-great-grands were a mystery with unique looks.
Then other families have a lot of mixed heritages. I grew up under the roof of my grandmother’s home with family members that were part Puerto Rican and Dominican. I think one cousin was part Filipino.
But either way, we were all Black.
Puedo defenderme en espanol pero soy Negro!
#7 —
Complicated but let’s talk international rap. What music did you discover while abroad?
C.KHiD’s reply:
If we talk about music, I’m learning more and more about the Caribbean, Venezuela, and Colombia.
In rap, I’m rocking with DemBow out of the Dominican Republic. El Alfa, El Lapiz, Rochy RD, BlueMoney, Papa El Secreto, Musicologo, Amenazzy, Chimbala, Quimico Ultramega, La Perversa, and just the whole movement.
In Colombia, it’s the Urban Latino. Ryan Castro, Karol G, Feid, Chocquibtown, and J Balvin a little. Then the costenos that do Salsa choque. I even learned about Bayanato and Salta out there.
Puerto Rico is rap culture to me. I dunno about Reggaeton anymore. Bad Bunny has it locked up, just a fact. “T### Me Pregunto” shuts a club down. Rip to that kid Yeruza — he was bubbling. Joel Y Randy, the legends that brought me Sensacion del bloque.
Venezuela has a really pure rap scene plus I learned a little Tambor from an ex. Venezuelan culture is a whole vibe . I mean, really. If you’re Black, you should visit one time or get to know some people from the barrio in Vzla. My experience made me feel they are really rooted to their african / black ancestry like few other countries in Latin America I’ve seen. My brother, my sister type vibes. That Tambor dance says it all. Look that up and get your 2 steps on.
Is that enough or keep going?
#8 —
You’ve been around a lot bro. Wow. I need to get my passport stamps up.
Let’s break some names for readers. What’s the 3 rap or popular music artists from each country that you think deserve the spotlight in America?
C.KHiD’s reply:
Bad Bunny, Karol G, and J Balvin already have it and so does El Alfa. Have to remove those from that list.
Colombia, Ryan Castro and Feid have some dope songs. Monastery stays in my rotation. And Chocquibtown is a vibe but they mix rap with cultural music. They are huge but Black America should tune in.
From Venezuela Prieto Gang has been putting in work for a long time. Really stuck to putting out a message with every song. But “Nuestro Shorty” is maybe the hottest rapper from VZLA right now.
I only have 2 artists for Venezuela.
In the D-R — a lot of talent here…
I think Rochy RD deserves more light. He’s like Lil Wayne in the ‘Go DJ’ era of Hip-Hop in the Dominican Republic right now. He’s really the hottest artist in the streets on the island right now I think. His songs like “Soy Un Infeliz” and “Coranao” will be in the veins of DR for as long as rap lasts.
Second, I think maybe El Lapiz could shine brighter to Americans; This is DR’s Nasir Jones. The Dominican Nas. He’s a true emcee, lyricist, and all-around Hip-Hop artist.
And last, I would probably say Braulio Fogon. He’s been tearing up the clubs lately.
#9 —
Rochy RD is on fire. I think he’s one of the top streaming artists in Latin music but I’m not sure about in the states. We need to look that up.
And again, referring to streaming platforms, you just put your music back up. Some of it. Will you be releasing all of your music on Spotify, Apple, TikTok, Instagram, and other streaming services ?
Why are you choosing to put your music catalog back on streaming platforms?
C.KHiD’s reply:
SHIBArmy helped me find a new purpose for my music
If SHIBarmy supports my streaming, I know I’m helping those same people get ahead in life. If the coins are burned down far enough, maybe SHIB can create a change in the lives of some average Joes in society.
So money made from streaming, I’ll use 50% minimum to buy SHIB. I’ll burn all those coins. Send it to the dead wallets. And I’ll post streaming results on Instagram for clarity.
#10 — How will this help the Shiba Inu token make millionaires?
C.KHiD’s reply:
A short version of what’s going on with SHIB Burning is that ShibArmy hopes to boost coin prices by lowering the total number of Shiba Inu tokens in circulation.
It worked when Ethreum’s founder burned like $1-billion or more dollars in SHIB tokens. However, it will take multiple people getting involved to burn a number like that again. But with streaming, it’s free for most, so everyone can help create a major amount of coins, at no real cost. Just time
#11 — Well, I hope that works out. I’ll put $100 in SHIB just in case.
Exiting this interview now; here’s the question that I’m sure your fans would like to know.
Is C.KHiD going to release a new rap song anytime soon?
C.KHiD’s reply:
I doubt it. But you never know. I do love making music and music videos but, I don’t know if I have the inspiration.
#12 — Oh wait, one more question before we close out. What’s your most underrated song?
C.KHiD’s reply:
The song “Me” . Shout outs AllHipHop for the interview.
An interview you won’t find on most Hip-Hop sites; it’s our pleasure to continue recognizing Hip-Hop culture’s icons that never needed a record label to gain their respect.
C.KHiD can be followed on instagram (@CKHiD) for flashes of his international lifestyle today. It’s not really focused on ‘rap’ but it’s for anyone with a progressive mindset. The photos of various international locations are quite inspiring.
Subscribe to his official YouTube for new music videos that may be released later this year or early 2023.