The Koifsh Interview

Get to know the Southside Chicago artist, Koifsh.

What do you do?

I make rap songs with my homies. Im a college student at Cornell, in Iowa, majoring in computer science with a minor in art history.

When did you get into rap?

It was 6th grade when my interest started. I had to write something for an english class. Then in 7-8th grade was when I started studying artists and music. All throughout high school I had lil rhymes I was pushing with homies on the bus, in the halls, or at lunch. Senior year is when I linked up with my crew and dropped my first project on SoundCloud. From there I just been engrained in rap.

Was there a music scene in your area? / Who were some artists you first got into?

At the time all my inspo came from pre mainstream Chance The Rapper, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, and Joey Bada$$. Then I got off into a bunch of other artists that fit my niche such as MF Doom, Earl Sweatshirt, Wu Tang Clan, etc. The scene I knew of was everyones interest in drill music or gang music and it wasn't my thing. By the time I was ready to actually drop stuff, I was in my SoundCloud phase finding artists/producers. In doing so, I compiled writings and practiced verses and had my first project. It was at that point I knew I could orchestrate music pieces well enough to just have a catalog and be an actual artist.

Was it hard in the beginning to find your sound? / What were some of the challenges you faced?

It actually wasn't so hard finding my sound. I was always listening to instrumentals and one day it hit me to start writing and I found the cadence or "golden range" for me. My only challenge was getting use to recording and hearing my own voice. I still have troubles figuring how I wanna sound at times but that's where all the fun is.

Have you done any shows or is one of your goals to go on tour?

I've done open mics and lil underground performances. I will be opening for B.O.B. here at my school soon.

What are your current goals for your music career?

Just make good music. If things take off then I'll go all the way. My main focus right now is my college career. Tryna make the most out of that. Realistically a lot of people and I could be somewhat alright without this college focus but my situation already getting paid for so I feel I gotta do my part. Amidst me doing my part, the music is always on my mind.

Do you feel like if college wasn't a priority right now, that you would be further ahead in your music career?

Honestly, yes. Being back in the city working with my guys would give me more opportunities. I only record when I come home for periods of time like my breaks or a quick weekend.

In the future do you plan on doing music full time or are you going to pursue a career that is based around your major?

I don't fully know. Right now how I see it, after I graduate, I can focus and do it way more while still pursuing careers in my study.

Who are some artists you want to work with? Either some local artists or bigger artists?

Outside of my own group members, I wanna work with the Black Marsh collective, Yesterdayneverhappened, Char, Grvdrm, Jordy, Illatheillatrator, and whoever else wants to work. I'm open to work with anyone really. I never thought about reaching out to big name artists since anybody I work with as underground. I just wanna make good music with folks who got the same vision in mind.

Who are the people in your group?

The team is @realslutmob . We met in our senior year of high school around fall of 2016 to be exact. Making it was just an idea cause I was rapping in the hallways and stuff at school but when I got up with them I felt more official. Before them, my homie @atlasquest was bout the music too and he knew hella people who was with it. I recorded first cover and had my first show with him. Eventually we faded apart a bit but I still contact him every now and then.

What advice would you give to young creators who want to follow the same career path as you?

Create whenever you have the chance. Don't be afraid to take leaps and nurture your network, stay true to self.

What was the process like creating your first album?

First off, being in album mode was a complete accident. It essentially took from July - August to compile everything. As soon as I got home for the summer, I linked up with folks from @blckmrsh and made the demo for "High Voltage". Then I dropped "SSS" and was feeling the groove for my music. So I started a list of titles and things I had done or just little ideas. From there, ideas just bounced around. I was just with the right people and honestly, I didn't face any challenges in the process. It was all a matter of me and the guys locking in and having the most fun. "Rollin" was made in a @blckmrsh session because I was talking with @jayfromlimbo about how we need a song together and in that moment my homie @blackrobeblackrobes made the beat and we hopped on. "On sight" was originally Khair's song but he liked my verse and said I could have it for the album. "Pure Platinum interlude" was conceived around the same time we made "Hot Boy Anthem". I heard the loop and it stuck with me. It was one of the last songs to be completed. "Lord of Lightning R7" was me casually rapping. "Still Here" was another @blckmrsh session because we got in deep with that one. "Velvet Durag Freestyle" was a flex I knew @dontbekendall would be perfect for. "Koifsh" was my go to screaming on a song. Fun Fact: I just recently opened up for B.O.B. here at my school and had a mosh pit I envisioned for that song. The whole time people asked me "You sure this not just a tape?" and my thing at the time was that I had dropped three tapes back to back and then a two song EP. I felt pretty ready to have a full length project.