At just 18, Kodie Shane already has all the ingredients for stardom. A member of Lil’ Yachty’s “Sailing Team”, the artist, who has been writing and rapping since the age of 14, told us about her new video “A OK”, her latest mixtape Big Trouble Littler Jupiter and Atlanta’s fem*le rap scene.
When and how did you start rapping?
I started taking rap and music seriously at about the age of 14 but I’ve always had like melodies in my head to be honest.
You just dropped the video “A OK”. What is the track about?
For me, “A OK” is all about a good time, kids having fun and letting it all hang out, just one big party!
You also recently released the mixtape Big Trouble Littler Jupiter, which sounds more R&B than your previous project Zero Gravity. How would you explain this shift?
There wasnt really a shift in my music, with Big Trouble Little Jupiter, I wanted to show another side of my creativity so that fans (and haters) could get a better idea of who I am musically.
So many listeners judge my talent off 1 or 2 records that they might have heard in the trendy scene but I’m much more than that. And I wanted to touch on it just a little bit to let everyone know that if you thought that was all there was to me, think again. It’s Big Trouble Little Jupiter. And still there’s more to come.
You’re currently touring in the US. What role does performing play in your music? Are you planning to tour in Europe as well?
Absolutely, when the time is right and Europe wants me, I’m there! Can’t wait for that, my team is surely cooking something up for the European market.
Touring is the best part for me, I love performing my music and relating to the audience and just putting on a show. When I perform, I take the energy that the audience gives me (good or bad) back to lab and invest in whatever is next creatively.
How is the fem*le hip hop scene like in Atlanta?
I think the female hip hop scene is pretty competitive everywhere, not just in Atlanta, but the competitiveness in Atlanta prevents a lot of female hip hop artists from collaborating.
Let’s face it, there are never too many female hip hop artists winning at one time so everyone is fighting for a shot and holding their cards close to there chest. We all want to win but collaborations help to move things forward and I think we suffer from that.
Who are your fem*le role models, if you have any, and why?
Well, for starters I’m blessed to have four big sisters and I look at them as role models just based on them being good human beings. And I wanna keep that at the fore front of my life.
Musically, I love Nicki Minaj and always have because she pushed the envelope at all times.
I’ve always looked up to Ashanti because she was such a talented young writer and I LOVE LOVE LOVED everything she ever wrote as a little kid, I couldn’t get enough.
Missy Elliott for being a trend setter and breaking boundaries.
Lisa Left Eye Lopez for building team and family and supporting the talent around her.
Do you consider yourself a feminist?
Well yes, by nature I support women’s rights, everything about who I am is all about women being equally as talented, as intelligent, as powerful as men and deserving equal reward for that.
What are you listening to these days?
My new music, old school hits, Future, Drake, Uzi, Carti, Frank Ocean, Travis Scott, anything I can find that’s fresh and new, oh and my new music.
What are your upcoming projects?
I’m working to have an album out this fall.
What do you think of Madame Rap? What should be changed or improved?
I like it, not too many publications are built to celebrate the ladies of rap or hip hop so it’s lit! Maybe it could be exposed more…
Find Kodie Shane on Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud and Instagram.
