KonFiiDent who derived his name from an article titled Be Confident In Yourself, is a young rapper with the hustle and mindset of a veteran. Born Tobi Sosanya on August 9th/1994 in Nigeria, KonFiiDent relocated to Canada with his family in 2005. Now KonFiiDent is a Toronto-Based Rapper coming strong into the game with catchy singles and memorable music videos.
KonFiiDent first realized his lyrical skills when he was only 11-years-old. Writing poetry to channel his emotions, KonFiiDent soon switched his poetry into Hip-Hop. Influenced by his families love for all types of music, KonFiiDent has used his abundant musical knowledge to connect with a diverse audience.
KonFiiDent depends on writing to express his emotions, but he has also discovered his love for performing. Apart from the local talent that surrounds KonFiiDent, his musical influences include artists like Rick Ross, Michael Jackson, Notorious BIG, and Nipsey Hussle.
In an exclusive interview, Konfiident gave Rick Jamm some insight into his thoughts and ideas.
How long have you been in the music game and how did you get started in the first place?
KonFiiDent: I’ve been in the music game for about 6 years now and i got started by writing poetry of all the issues i was facing then later turned those into raps.
Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?
KonFiiDent: My first influences where notorious BIG and Cashmoney because those where the first artists i began listening to when i got introduced to Hip HOP.
Which artists are you currently listening to? And is there anyone of these that you’d like to collaborate with?
KonFiiDent: Right now I’m currently listening to August Alsania, Meek Mill, and a few kats from Toronto, I’d like to do something with August Alsania. I think me and him would sound dope on a record together.
Have you suffered any ‘resistance’ or skepticism from within the industry, and if so how have you handled that?
KonFiiDent: I haven’t come across that yet.
Do you consider video an important part in promoting and marketing your music?
KonFiiDent: Yes video is definitely very important in promoting your music, because visuals is when a fan can vividly see exactly what your talking about in your music and see what you really look like, and dress like which draws them closer to you.-pit
Studio work or performing live in front of an audience, which of these do you prefer most and why?
KonFiiDent: I like performing live in front of an audience better, because it’s a way I can physically connect with the fans while they jamming out to my records.
Tell us something about the beats and music production on your releases. Do you create them or do you work with other Producers?
KonFiiDent: I have a couple of producers I work with when working on records, and I’m really selective on the type of beats I go on so I like to work hand in hand with the producers when selecting records to rap on.
On which of your songs do you think you delivered your personal best performance so far, from an emotional and technical point of view?
KonFiiDent: one of the songs I feel I delivered the best performance is ‘LIGHT IT UP’. I feel I went deep with this record and you really hear and feel exactly what I’m talking about.
Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist?
KonFiiDent: I feel my voice makes me very unique and the style of music i bring to the table with my music and dressing also makes me special and unique.
If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business. Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?
KonFiiDent: Definitely joy because this is a crazy industry were in and the only thing that I feel can keep you going is seeing the joy of how far you’ve gotten and the joy you see in someone when they’re jamming to your music.
Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?
KonFiiDent: The most exciting part of the music making process is finally hearing the mixed and mastered version of the song you been working on for so long, and no aspect really discourages me every aspect is fun in its own way.
Tell us something about your songwriting process. What usually comes first the lyrics or the beats?
KonFiiDent: Definitely beat first, I’m one of those artists that always write to how the beat is sounding.
How involved are you in any or all of the recording, producing, mastering, and marketing processes of your music. Do you outsource any of these processes?
KonFiiDent: I am involved in all these processes because I like seeing the growth of an idea , from when i first hear the beat to finally hearing the record on the radio, and I only outsource the producing aspect most of the time.
The best piece of advice in this business you actually followed so far, and one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?
KonFiiDent: One piece of advice I should have followed is that not everyone that comes to you with a proposal really cares about your interest, there is a lot of snakes in this business. And one piece of advice I actually followed is to always persevere because there’s a lot of challenges you are going to face chasing this dream but you have to learn to keep on going.
At this point, as an independent artist, which is the one factor you desire most, and feel will undeniably benefit the your future (for example increased music distribution, better quality production, more media exposure, bigger live gigs etc…)?
KonFiiDent: One factor I definitely desire the most is more media exposure because I feel I release good music, good videos and I have a positive brand, all I need now is the world to be exposed on this movement.
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Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites, as fundamental to your career, and indie music in general, or do you think it has only produced a mass of mediocre “copy-and-paste” artists, who flood the web, making it difficult for real talent to emerge?
KonFiiDent: The social media websites has its positive and negative sides about it, it has definitely brought a flock of artists emerging everyday some good and some bad. But it has created a platform for me and every other independent artist to really promote our music without the need of a million dollar budget and really gain have the opportunity to gain new fans everyday we release new material.
Could you tell us something about your latest single, album or mixtape release and where fans can find it?
KonFiiDent: My latest release is LIBERTY hosted by DJ ROBEROB I got word its one of the hottest mixtapes out in Toronto this summer. And you can find it right now on Datpiff and Hotnewhiphop.
Which song (or songs) in your mixtape best describes the sound and style you ultimately prefer and why?
KonFiiDent: I really think ‘Lights off’ and ‘You can get it all’ describes my sound and style because the beat selection were beats I’d hear anywhere and know this is a hit record and they have a sound the hip hop community has never heard before.
What do you think is the biggest barrier you have to face and overcome as an indie artist in your quest to achieve your goals and wider spread success?
KonFiiDent: The barrier I think as an indie artist is definitely the budget size and knowing the right people to get on your team, compared to dealing with a major label where this situation is already in place.
What is the ONE thing you are NOT willing or prepared to do EVER, in your quest to achieve a successful musical career?
KonFiiDent: One thing I’m not willing or prepared to do is to sell my soul and do something i believe truly is wrong and my family would be disappointed seeing me partake in.
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