ROX-TV chops it up with Pontiac’s KREEPWITHAK about his influences, music, and more
Welcome to the ROX-TV website. We appreciate you taking the time to chop it up with the readers tonight. Before we get going, can you introduce yourself to our first-time readers and let them know what city your repping?
Steven King aka KREEPWITHAK plus a few other unworthy aliases. I’m an artist/producer originally from Pontiac Michigan.
Before we get into the weeds, I like to talk to artists about how the music became important and when. When you were coming up, do you remember what group or artist really caught your attention and got you excited about music?
I’ve been interested in music all of my life and my family tree is full of musicians. The first artists to have a direct effect on me were relatives. A few people that made me a fan of sounds and want to create early on were…Esham, Mike E Clark and DJ Paul.
From the time that you became a fan of the sounds, how long did it take for you to want to “create” music yourself? What did that early process of creating your own music look like?
When I was eleven, I started my first metal band called “Electra Flight”. I was the vocalist and we had three self-made demo tapes. A couple years later I began making Casio keyboard beats and messing around with recording on a Tascam 424 that gave you four tracks to put to cassette.
For the readers getting turned onto your music for the first time, how would you describe your music to them?
My music is raw, abrasive, dark, lonely, and desperate. Unapologetic sonic encapsulations of pain and suffering. I purge my demons through the creation process, and I think it comes across that way in the recordings. The best way to enjoy my music is on mute.
How did Hive Studio get going?
I created the Hive Studio and was one of the original partners.
There is a post on Instagram from December, where you are tattooing Redd Dollaz for an upcoming video. Can you talk about that a little bit, and maybe about your relationship with the ink and the needle? (I’m an avid fan of ink and I’m covered myself)
Redd Dollaz is my homie from Flint town. He had me tattoo his face while recording a music video from his album with Mackk Myron titled “Vincent and Jules.”
We had a blast filming and had the tattoo studio full of talented people that night. I have been a licensed tattoo artist since 2011 in multiple states but no longer work in the industry because of physical limitations.
Your album “Killing Season” which was released last year is doing really good on Spotify, with 82k streams, 2.4k hours, 53.8k listeners, and includes over 65 countries (as of December). Can you talk a little bit about that project? The artists on the album? Or anything else you think the readers should know about that release?
“Killing Season” is an album I made with a rapper from Cleveland that goes by 216ZAY. The album is our first project after departing from the group O.B.E. There are features fromXtra Overdoze, Bobby Krea, Ether, Brotha Mic, Wyte Out, and Maximum Ovrlod. We released the album in February of 2020 and it’s often blamed for causing a pandemic.
Can you talk about Return to Ashes for the readers just catching up with the music?
Return To Ashes is a trap/metal collaborative project between PhamousPhantom, Gringo Loco and myself. We recorded the first self-titled album in 2018 in Orlando Florida and it features Keagan Grimm. You can expect more from the group in the future.
Are you currently working on new material? If so, when can the fans and readers expect the drop? (Anything you want to tease out for the readers?)
I’m currently working on some metal material. I have a track that I produced with Mackk Myron ft. Ant G that will be dropping soon so keep your face holes open for that beast.
Do you have any upcoming shows in the near future?
I don’t have any live performances scheduled but the future has potential.
I’ve seen some dope merch on your Instagram account. Where can the readers and fans pick up the new shirts and hear your music?
Thanks I appreciate that and my website is KREEPWITHAK.COM
The page features limited time only and custom merch. You can hear my music with Return To Ashes on all platforms and my first single as a solo artist called “Lone Wolf” will be released next week.
How did you become “Kreepwithak”? (inspiration behind the name?)
Some guys that I used to tattoo with started calling me Kreep because I move slow and methodical. The name became unavoidable, so I just enhanced it and made it my own.
Do you have any advice for future artists getting into the industry? Do’s or Don’ts?
Do have fun building your own brand, learning new skills and making connections with artists you consider an inspiration. Don’t trust everyone in the game! There will be people showing you fake love and looking to leech off of your talent. Do take breaks and give your self time to harness new inspirations and gather knowledge to apply to your craft. Don’t get discouraged when the people you already know including family don’t support your music. The one’s that relate and support the most will be complete strangers so find a way to get it to those listeners.
What genre do you lean into when you have time to relax and listen to sounds? What are you listening to in your ride right now?
Most of the music I listen to is heavy metal but I dig all genres and styles. My current playlist looks something like this…
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Slim Guerilla, BB King, Gorillaz, King Diamond, Gorilla Biscuits, Kings of Leon, Gorilla Monsoon, King Crimson, Gorilla Zoe, King’s X.
If you had six hours to live, what the fuck would you do to pass the time?
Ferociously masturbate and cry while eating ice cream in a confessional booth. The other five hours and fifty five minutes I’m unsure about.
What is wrong with popular music today? Who is getting it right?
Sexual exploitation of our woman and the glorification of the “bad guy” are what’s wrong with popular music. The artists that use their music to have a positive effect on the listener and world are getting it right.
Velvet Underground or Iggy Pop?
Velvet who? Iggy Pop it don’t stop from the bottom to the top. Iggy is from Detroit plus he was in one of the Crow movies, so easy win.
What’s your favorite flavor of Faygo?
My favorite flavor of Faygo is Arctic Sun. It’s the most disrespected and misunderstood flavor of all time. I’ll probably be making music under that name in the future. The flavors that wash down my throat the most are cream soda, cotton candy and candy apple but they all smack like a pimp with roid rage!
Ringmaster or Riddle Box?
Ringmaster was more unrefined and less cohesive as an album when compared to Riddle Box. The beats, stories, skits, intro and artwork of Riddle Box all work together to form a consistent album. Riddle Box is my favorite Insane Clown Posse album.
Sorry this ran over the usual 10 questions but fuck it. Before we close this out, I like to do shout outs, like we did in the 90’s. Who are you shouting out tonight G?
I’m sending a shoutout to all the one’s that have been in my corner showing love despite my reputation. To all the new people that discovered me through this interview, I appreciate you reading this, and I hope to meet you all individually. Much Love to my ill-wishers and peace to the world!
Thanks for taking time out of your day to talk with ROX-TV. I really appreciate it.
Signing Off,
Mike Shepard
ROX-TV Head Writer
kidvicious810 on IG
