- Red Bull Music Academy’s United States of Bass - July 19, 2016
- Red Bull Sound Select: Adrian Younge, No ID, Joey Dosik - April 14, 2016
- LA Red Bull Sound Select: Stormzy, Lizzo, and Kauf - March 28, 2016
Born and raised in Motown’s backyard of Detroit, Karlos Farrar has spent the last few years honing his musical craft on the West Coast. Having opened for some major R&B acts over the years, Karlos is excited about his new project Karlos With a K, and spoke with GroundSounds about it.
What’s going on Karlos, how you been?
What’s going on fam? I’m good brutha just been grinding man. Just Finished The EP already started working on my album set to drop next year.
So I know when I first met you it was on set for a music video shoot in Las Vegas. You still rockin’ it out in Vegas once in a while?
Oh Mos Def! I actually just had a show at Hard Rock Café in Vegas a few weeks ago and it was super Turnt up! Vegas is always fun to perform in because it’s were I really took my craft to the next level.
But you are originally from the motor city, Detroit right?
Yeah Detroit is the Hometown. I love my city to death. That’s were all my influence and early beginning started.
I know you toured with Mishon back in the day, and you have opened up for a few big names as well right?
Yes Sir! Yeah I toured with Mishon for about a year in a half. I’ve also opened for Jon B, Trey Songz, Ray J, J Holiday, Lloyd, Mishon, Audio Push etc.
What made you decide that you wanted to pursue music?
I remember being 3 years old watching Michael Jackson all the time and he kind of just influenced me to want to dance. The singing runs in my family so when I was about 5 or 6, I remember being in the car with my mom singing to a Brandy record and my mom telling me, “Karlos you can sing!” So from there I started dancing and singing in talent shows around the city. Plus my father also pursued a music career, so his influence definitely rubbed off on me. I was always around music. It was just in my blood.
Who are your biggest influences? Tell me about “Pop-n-B.”
My biggest influences are Michael Jackson & Donny Hatheway. My current influences are Usher, Justin Timberlake, Bruno Mars, Miguel, & Frank Ocean. Pop-N-B is a genre I created for myself due to the style of my music. My Music is universal. It can’t be placed in a box. Pop-N-B is R&B music that appeals to pop listeners, without me selling out by trying to dumb down the lyrical content. Very similar to how Neyo and Bruno Mars create music. They make popular music, but its meanful music. Only difference is I sound like me, and I really do believe my music doesn’t sound like anything that’s out.
Now I know you are about to drop a new project Karlos with a K. What is the inspiration behind the project, and what can we expect to hear on this project?
“Karlos With A K” is pretty much the set up for my album coming out next year. I dabbled here and there with different topics and kind of just told a quick story with 7 solid songs. I try to do that with most projects. I think if you tell the listeners a story as their listening they’ll respond to the project better. The past year inspired a few songs on it, but the album I’ll be releasing is really the full story of thoughts and situations that myself, and people around me went thru. It’s going to be an incredible album. I’ve been working on it for the past year and half. So the EP, Karlos With A K, is pretty much a shorter version that I wanted to give the supporters until the actual album drops.
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
In 5 years I see myself making my mark on the music industry hopefully 1 or 2 Grammy’s, touring full time, and a platinum selling artist. In 10 years I plan to have my own record label up and running and putting out other artist giving other talented musicians the opportunity to pursue their dreams. I’m all for “Everybody Making It”, I think there are so many talented hard working artist out there & other than inspiring people, helping someone accomplish their dream is the next best thing a person can do.
If you were on deserted island and only had 3 albums to bring with you, what 3 albums would they be and why?
Damn man…..this is a hard one lol I’d have to say Michael Jackson – Thriller, Usher – Confessions, and Justin Timberlake – Future Sex/Love Sounds. Those 3 albums inspired me the most as a artist and I listen to them everyday Still to this day.
Anything else you want to say to your fans (and soon-to-be fans)?
For those of you who have been supporting me I appreciate you, my family appreciates you and y’all inspire me to be great! Y’all inspire me to always keep going and keep improving. For the soon to be fans all I can say is buckle your seat belt because I’m just getting started!
