Ken The Man is next up for women in Hip-Hop. Repping Houston, just like recent breakout stars Lizzo and Megan Thee Stallion, KenTheMan is yet another reminder “Don’t Mess with Texas.”

As an independent artist, connecting with her fans on social media has been the secret ingredient to her hitmaking. She’s found beats online, like the “Migos Beat” by Keno the Producer who’s responsible for her breakout smash on BeatStars. “He Be Like” currently has almost 10 million streams across platforms and has attracted over 20,000 submissions in the Triller #HeBeLikeChallenge campaign. 

Industry co-signs from Summer Walker and Snoop Dogg validate the momentum she’s been building for the last seven years since picking up the mic for the first time as a college student. Heavily influenced by Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne, KenTheMan’s ferocious freestyles and catchy storytelling on studio records are shaking up the music industry in a major way. In an exclusive interview with Bobby Pen, KenTheMan reveals how quarantine helped her complete her latest EP “4 Da 304’s,” homeschooling her 7-year-old son, and what dating in Houston is like since her love life is in much of her music.  

Read our Q&A Below

Bobby Pen: It’s a pleasure to connect with you. I’ve heard so much about you from when I first came here to Houston. They told me early you’re next up! How does it feel to have “He Be Like” go viral? It’s really moving.

Ken The Man: Yeah, it feels super amazing to know the work that you put in, people are actually buying it– loving it and stuff, so you know you’re doing something right. It feels amazing. I just feel awesome, blessed, powerful, ready to take on the world.

Bobby Pen: How does it feel to be a woman in Hip Hop right now? I think we’re seeing more female rappers than ever so it’s a great time to be here, but at the same time, we’re having all of these discussions sparked by “WAP” and what women are allowed to talk about. In your lyrics, you say what you want.

Ken The Man: Yeah, I want to fight, girl. (laughter) I don’t see anything wrong with us expressing ourselves the way that we want to express it. The guys do it. They say the most crazy things. They’re talking about killing people and we can’t talk about a little pussy? I don’t understand. They need to mind their business and let us just have our lives. They like the WAP so I don’t know what they’re talking about.

Bobby Pen: They can talk about it but we can’t. What is that? Tell me more about how you got your start in Hip Hop. What is your artistry about?

Why do you rap?

Ken The Man: I’ve just always wanted to be that person that expressed themself the way that they truly, truly feel. I don’t filter. I don’t monitor what I say. I just really say what’s on my mind. So I just feel like that’s just the way that everybody should go about expressing themselves in their music, because it’s theirs, and if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it. I just feel like, fuck what people think. I just make music that feels good to me at whatever time. If I feel like going slow or fast, it’s me. It’s how I feel.

Bobby Pen: Talk to me about your social media presence. You are very active. You post funny stuff, you give us a little sexy, you’re dancing and stuff. How has social media helped you in your career?

Ken The Man: Well I just be myself on there. I feel like I want people to know my real personality. It’s so hard for me to capture all my moments, but the stuff I do get, they’re cracking up.

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What’s it like dating in Houston?

Bobby Pen: I told you before, I was watching your live yesterday and you were talking to us about your dating life. So, let’s go there. How are these Houston men treating you? How are these internet dudes treating you?

Ken The Man: I hate the internet dudes. I just hate Houston dudes in general. It’s stressful. I’m going to just do what I do.

Bobby Pen: I’m new here. What are three things I need to know about the dating scene in Houston?

Ken The Man: They’re all playing. They’re all having like double lives. Not all of them but the ones that I’ve come across, you’ve just got to know the game then you’ve got to play the game. Don’t get caught up. You’ve got to play the game smart. I mean, just keep your options open while you’re dating.

Bobby Pen: Because they sure as hell are. Who influences your artistry? 

Ken The Man: I feel like my supporters influence me a lot because they tell me kind of what they’re in the mood for and I’m just like, “I’m in the mood for that too.” (laughs) I listen to my friends and what they talk about. I incorporate everything around me in my music; what I like, what I see my friends going through, what I’m going through. I just try to keep it as personal as possible. If my man played me, I’m going to talk about how he played me. Nobody is going to know who, but I talk about what’s happening at the moment. If I’m ratchet turning up, I’m going to talk about that. If I’m in L.A., I’m going to talk about “When I was in LA, this, that and the third happened.”

Bobby Pen: Your music is kind of like a little diary. We get to go along with you and grow with you.

How do you connect with your fans?

Ken The Man: That’s why on my [Instagram] live I talk about my love life, because we’re all going through it and people just don’t know it. I’m a rapper and I’m a player ass bitch.

Bobby Pen: That’s real. How important do you think it is to be relatable to your audience? You could have a bunch of followers and be unattainable, but you really do feel like the girl next door, we want to root for you. 

Ken The Man: I kind of have a relationship with some of my supporters and stuff. If they need advice, I give them advice. If they DM me, if they want to FaceTime me in the DM, I actually talk to them. When they talk to me on Twitter, I talk to them. I respond to their DMs on Twitter. You can’t get to everybody but maybe nine times out of ten, if they keep talking to you, they are going to get what they need out of the interaction or whatever. I just try to keep it close with them. I guess people don’t care and understand, but they are the reason that you are able to do it, because they’re promoting you, pushing you, loving you, telling friends about you, and family members. You’ve got to appreciate them deeply because they are literally consuming the music.

Bobby Pen: That’s a major key. How has the pandemic impacted you? I’m sure you would have been touching your fans by doing shows. Are you still recording?

Ken The Man: Yes, it actually has me recording a lot more, because I wasn’t distracted by anything. The studio was the only thing open, and even that wasn’t open for a little bit. So, when it opened back, I was just like–

Bobby Pen: Ready to work.

How’s the pandemic affected you?

Ken The Man: Exactly. We don’t know what’s going on. I don’t have my pandemic money saved. (laughs) I’ve been spending money, living free. But I was able to finish my project “4 Da 304’s”. That’s a really big deal to me. I was really excited about that. Finally! Because it’s been a long time. So, it impacted me in a way that was showstopping. You know, stuff’s going down, everybody money’s slowing down. It’s really unfortunate, but something beautiful came out of my situation.

Bobby Pen: What producers have you worked with on this project? Are there any features we need to know about?

Ken The Man: Bigg Cuz. He’s actually in the building right now. My favorite person ever in the whole wide world. He’s the first person that I worked with and got a bunch of work in with. I always dig in, hear good beats and stuff but it’s always like, “Okay. I like that beat, but I don’t know…” I’m really picky about  my beats. I was like, “This man really makes beats that I like.” It’s crazy. Then I worked with DJ Chose on a project he did, ‘I Don’t Give a Fuck’ and Sergeant Jay, he did ‘Dime’. Keno, he did ‘He Be Like’. I saw his beat on BeatStars.

Bobby Pen: Really?!

Ken The Man: Yes.

Bobby Pen: That’s dope! So producers, that means get out and network and get on these websites because you never know who’s listening.

Ken The Man: For real. I found that beat.

Bobby Pen: You can’t help but throw ass on when it comes on. (laughs) Talk to me more about how you craft your sound. What are you listening for? What stands out to you?

How do you pick your beats?

Ken The Man: It just stands out, girl. We’ll be in the studio, we’ll be cooking it or whatever and I just start rapping or not. Sometimes we build the beats from scratch. We have beats– we have songs we scratch, we have vocals we scratch. I just feel like when it’s the one, you just can’t deny it. I started bouncing around to them.

Bobby Pen: Talk to me about some of these campaigns you’ve been having with iHeart and Apple. You’ve been on all the playlists. Spotify recently featured you. Talk to me about that.

Ken The Man: I was like, “Wow, Spotify is like putting me on playlists.” I was very excited about that. I did not know they were going to do that. I’m on a few playlists on Apple; ‘The Plug’. I’m on the ‘Feeling Myself’ on Spotify and ‘Workout, Twerk out’. I’m grateful for that too. They’re liking the music, it’s crazy.

Bobby Pen: So, how do you get those deals? Is it you building relationships with their teams or just ear to the street?

Ken The Man: My manager is the best manager in the world so she is planting the seed extra hard. Then, people, I guess, start listening cause maybe they’re hearing my name. They’re supporting me. I’m always thankful and grateful too. You can’t just act like that isn’t anything. You’ve got to thank them. I was really surprised. They were posting me and stuff.

Bobby Pen: I love your gratitude. I think that is so key. I don’t want to get too deep, but I’m into some level of spirituality. I hear that and I sense that and I think that’s definitely going to take you far. It’s awesome. Now, you mentioned this twerk out playlist. Sis, you’ve got a body. Let’s talk about that. How do you stay in shape?

How do you stay in shape?

Ken The Man: Well, I just started working out for two weeks. This week has been a little up and down. I’ve got to worm myself back into it. I kind of strained a muscle. I’m trying to get it right because I was like, “Ladies, don’t try to think that you’re just not perfect how you are, because I just have to do the angles.” The guys are not complaining.

Bobby Pen: Especially down here, they like it thick.

Ken The Man: They’re like, “We’re going to accept whatever you’re going to accept. WAP, that’s all you need to be.”

Bobby Pen: Have you been getting any Megan Thee Stallion comparisons?

Ken The Man: I mean, not as often as, I guess, people think it would be. I mean, I get compared to Cardi and Mulatto. I get compared to a lot of people and I’m like, “You all are just starting to blend people together. You’re trying to figure out which one of them I sound like.” I mean, I feel like it’s just what people do. I tell them about myself as well. It sounds crazy but all right.

Bobby Pen: One of one, okay? Let’s talk about the name. I think that’s really dope; KenTheMan but you’re a whole girl. Talk to me about that.

Ken The Man: It’s just my ego.

Bobby Pen: Said she got a big ego.

Ken The Man: Right. I feel like it’s not that feminine, my ego. I feel like it’s a little more aggressive, dominant. It’s just a little more in your face. Men are usually the person that’s kind of like that. Girls are supposed to be a little more quiet. She isn’t me.

Bobby Pen: I love it, but you are still a girly girl; hair and makeup.

Ken The Man: But I don’t like getting my hair done a lot. I don’t like getting my nails done a lot.

Bobby Pen: Why not?

Ken The Man: I don’t feel like sitting there. I could be doing stuff but I’m here sitting to get my nails done, my toes done, my hair done; and it takes the longest time to do the stuff that we’ve got to do. Those sew-ins, they take long. You’re in the beauty shop all day. Who wants to do that? Yes, I want to look beautiful.

What’s your astrological sign?

Bobby Pen: When’s your birthday? What’s your sign? You’re giving me Aries energy.

Ken The Man: I’m a Gemini. What are you?

Bobby Pen: So, my sun is Taurus but my moon rising and Venus is Gemini actually. I’m a Taurus but I’m on the cusp of it; Aries-Taurus.

Ken The Man: My son is Aries. I like Aries, my best friend is one too.

Bobby Pen: I like you all too. You’re really creative but you are a realist too.

Ken The Man: I definitely say pretty much what I think, off the top. I’m like, “I’m your friend. I’m not going to sugar coat this for you.”

Bobby Pen: You need to hear it. This is the truth.

Ken The Man: I’m the one that’s going to tell you if no one else tells you.

Bobby Pen: But it’s coming from a place of love. I love that. Talk to me more about motherhood and the music gang. How do you manage both?

What’s it like being a mom in Hip-Hop?

Ken The Man: It’s cool because my son is so supportive. He thinks I rap so well. He gets excited and stuff. When we go out sometimes, he’s like, “People know you. That is so cool.” Luckily, I have a very supportive family so when I’ve got to go, they’re always there to kind of get him for me. They’re trustable people. I’d say it’s pretty easy for me being a mother right now and rapping. I can split time up well. I told him, “I don’t know what you’re getting comfortable for because you’re going to have to start going with me.” I can’t leave anywhere for longer than two days.

Bobby Pen: Is it because you miss him?

Ken The Man: Yes, because I miss him. I don’t feel right. I’ve got to be with him.

Bobby Pen: He’s my little best friend.

Ken The Man: Yeah, he’s my best friend. I can’t be gone for too long for real. My friends are like, “Is this amount of days good for you?” Yes, I cannot be away for too long.

Bobby Pen: How old is he?

Ken The Man: Seven. I’m addicted to him.

Is he your soulmate?

Bobby Pen: Aww, that’s so awesome. He could be your soulmate.

Ken The Man: Did you just say that? Did you see that thing on Instagram with the lady that was dating her son for 19 years?

Bobby Pen: No.

Ken The Man: That’s weird. That’s why I thought you were being funny.

Bobby Pen: She knew him for 19 years? That’s her kid.

Ken The Man: They’re together.

Bobby Pen: Hell no. That’s not what I meant at all.

Ken The Man: I was like, “Is she being funny right now? Did she see that video?”

Bobby Pen: That’s not what I meant. Next question. Talk to me about how schooling is going. Is he e-schooling right now? How are you managing that? A lot of parents are having a hard time, but some have it down to a science.

Ken The Man: He’s really tech savvy. I taught him what to do and now he only asks me when he needs help with problems and stuff. He pretty much has it down packed; getting back in the Google Meets and Zoom. He pretty much has that. I mean, it was a little complicated at first. Of course, it takes time. I was trying to plan my schedule around his breaks and his schedule. We’re getting the hang of it. We just had to kind of start getting familiar.

Bobby Pen: That’s good to hear. Do you have any advice for some parents that could be watching John to figure this out?

Ken The Man: Don’t be mad at little John John when he doesn’t know how to count down because I know you can get frustrated. He was like, “Now he has seven apples.” “Six?” “No, seven. Seven apples.”

Who would you want to work with next?

Bobby Pen: Cut them some slack, parents. If you had a dream list of people you want to collaborate with, who would they be?

Ken The Man: I always say Summer Walker. Drake would be an easy choice. City girls, Cardi B, I would love Nicki Minaj of course.

Bobby Pen: You’re a Barb. Are you a Barb?

Ken The Man: I love her. You could catch me with the bangs in high school.

Bobby Pen: Not the bayang.

Ken The Man: With pink in the back. There are way more, of course. I can’t think of everybody. Rihanna, Beyonce…

Bobby Pen: Talk to me more about your upbringing in Houston. What part are you from?

Ken The Man: I’m from the Northside of Houston. I’ve been here my whole life. I’m not leaving.

Bobby Pen: How does Houston influence your artistry?

KenTheMan: I guess I could say I got the culture of freestyling from down here because everybody be freestyling. I feel like I always try to screw something in my music. I screw all the time. I’m like, “We’ve got to keep that screw” to Bigg Cuz because he’s from Chicago.” I keep forgetting that he’s not from here.

Bobby Pen: What are you doing down here? How do you help her develop her sound?

Let’s get to know your producer!

Bigg Cuz: Just by listening to her. We sit down and figure out what it is that we want to do when we do have an idea for it. I’ve been doing it a long time so I know where I want to go with it, but I base everything on her and what kind of sound she’s trying to go for. At this point, I’ve been working with her for a long enough time so I know that when Ken gets into the booth, this is how it’s got to sound. When I’m making a beat, I know exactly where to bring the 808 in because she needs her time to talk her stuff on the front of it before the 808 comes in. So, just knowing that and stuff like that, it helps to kind of build sound.

Chicago influence in Houston

Bobby Pen: So, is a big Chicago population here?

Bigg Cuz: There’s a bunch of people from Chicago out here. We have a thing in Chicago called The Taste of Chicago where it’s like all the local restaurants come out and you can just try all the foods. They have one out here. There are so many Chicago people that all the Chicago restaurants out here have a little Taste of Chicago.

Bobby Pen: KenTheMan said she incorporates screw in all of her tracks. So, as someone who’s not necessarily native here, how did you learn to mater the sound?

KenTheMan: You’ve been down here though. [To Bigg Cuz]

Bigg Cuz: Yeah, I’ve been down here a little over 10 years so I picked it up over time, but I did not get it when I first got down here. I was like, “So you just slow it down. That’s the way.” It just took some time to figure it out. Chicago tempos are a little faster so coming down here, figuring out that whole slower tempo thing… even now when we’re doing some beats sometimes it’s just like, alright, that might be too slow. (laughs)

KenTheMan: I’m like, “That is too slow. How Houston do you think I am?!” (laughs)

Bigg Cuz: There’s a little space there that’s like the perfect range of how slow to make it.

Bobby Pen: So you’ve got it down to a science?

Bigg Cuz: Yeah.

KenTheMan: Go get ‘For the 305’. I just want to insert that. Go get that, you will not be disappointed. You will be turnt up. Go workout to it, go break niggas to it, go to the trap to it, for the real ones who go to the club, get dressed to it.

Bobby Pen: Thank you so much Ken. Until next time, it’s Bobby Pen.

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