With “The Calm” out now, we took some time to hear from KB-S. Read below to learn more about KB-S, the story behind “The Calm,” and what’s to come.
Hi KB-S! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
‘KB-S’ is a blend of a nickname that I’ve carried for longer than I’ve even been making music, and a quiet nod to KRS-ONE—someone that I’ve always respected for his depth, influence, and intentionality in hip-hop. The name stuck because it feels like a bridge between who I’ve been and what I’m trying to create—something rooted, but forward-moving.
What city are you from and where are you based now?
I’m based in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. It’s one of those places with just enough creative energy to stay inspired, but also enough stillness for ideas to actually take root and grow. There’s a quiet kind of intensity here that’s shaped the way that I approach both sound and storytelling.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I’ve been making music off and on for over 20 years. Over time, it stopped being just a hobby and turned into more of an obsessive passion—something I couldn’t not do. I think the real turning point came when I realized how deeply music helped me process the world around me. It became a kind of therapy, a way to document emotion, memory, and story. Once I started building full projects and seeing how people connected with them, I knew this was something that I wanted to pursue seriously.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
Absolutely. My upbringing played a big role in shaping both who I am and the sound that I create. My mom had Madonna and pop radio on constantly, while my dad leaned into LL Cool J and other ‘80s hip-hop legends. Add in some country from my grandparents and the Nu-Metal and indie rock that I fell into as a teenager . . . And you start to hear how all those layers found their way into my sound. I didn’t set out to blend genres—but looking back, it feels like it was inevitable.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
If I had to describe it…I’d say that my sound is the feeling of remembering something that never quite happened. It’s cinematic lo-fi hip-hop at the core—but layered with textures pulled from different corners of the world, threaded with ambient haze, live instruments, and rhythms that drift in like weather. Some tracks move slow and ache. Others crackle with energy under the surface. I’m less interested in genre than I am in atmosphere—in building spaces where listeners can get lost, feel something, or find their way back to a part of themselves that they forgot was still there.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Nothing quite as consuming as music, but I definitely have other creative outlets. I sketch here and there when time allows—nothing formal, just enough to keep my hands and imagination busy. I read a lot—somewhere between fifteen and thirty books a year, depending on the season—and I unwind with a bit of Xbox when I can. Staying creative, for me, isn’t always about output—it’s about staying open. Absorbing stories, visuals, and moods helps recharge the part of me that writes music.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
If we’re talking hip-hop, it really starts with Atmosphere—being from the Twin Cities, their influence hit close to home. From there, it branches out to KRS-ONE, MF Doom, Aesop Rock, Grieves, and Wu-Tang Clan. On the rock side, I’ve always connected with artists like The White Stripes, The Black Keys, Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Gorillaz, and Incubus. Truth is, my influences are kind of all over the place. If the music had grit, mood, or an emotional core, it probably left a mark.
Who, dead or alive, would be a dream to collaborate with?
Ramin Djawadi. The way that he transforms classic hip-hop and reimagines it across genres is absolutely fantastic. His work walks the line between cinematic and grounded—exactly the kind of musical storytelling that I try to do. That kind of collaboration? I’d be all in.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Honestly? Just returning to music after more than a decade away—and realizing people still connect with the sound. I wasn’t sure how it would land, or if it would land at all. But seeing that there’s still a space for the kind of music I make…that’s meant more to me than any stat or playlist placement.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
Take the time to find yourself and your sound. Be your authentic self with what you create. The fastest way to lose the music is to stop listening to yourself. I’ve learned that authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the difference between making something that lives and something that just fills space. The songs that last—the ones that I’m proud of—came when I wasn’t trying to impress anyone…just trying to tell the truth the best way that I knew how.
Now onto your release, ‘The Calm .’ What inspired this song? What is ‘The Calm’ about?
‘The Calm’ was designed to be a sonic retreat—something that gently echoes the ebb and flow of ocean waves at night. I wanted to capture that moment where the world goes quiet and your breathing starts to slow. The entire track is built around a soft, steady rhythm that mirrors the movement of water, inviting the listener to drift, reflect, and let go. Even though it starts and ends with a quiet field recording of the sea, the goal was never about showcasing technique—it was about creating a space of stillness and emotional grounding. A reminder that peace doesn’t have to shout to be heard.
What was the creative process like when making ‘The Calm?’
The process was more about restraint than layering. I intentionally avoided overproduction—every element had to earn its place. The ocean field recordings came first, sparked by a passing suggestion—almost like a breath. From there, I built around it: soft percussion, a few understated melodic snippets, ambient textures that swelled and receded gently. I approached the entire track like I was sculpting space, not sound—trying to leave room for the listener to bring their own stillness into it.
How long did it take to complete ‘The Calm?’
Honestly? Just one very long night. With everything going on in the world, the idea had been quietly lingering for a while—but once the suggestion to start with ocean waves landed, everything came together fast. It was one of those rare sessions where emotion and sound aligned almost instantly. Simple, peaceful, and intentional—no overthinking, just a quiet kind of clarity.
What do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘The Calm?’
I hope they find a space to breathe. Not every track has to be loud or heavy to be meaningful. ‘The Calm’ was meant as a pause—a reminder that stillness is powerful. If someone plays it and feels just a little more centered, or a little less alone in their quiet moments, then it did what it was supposed to do.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
Honestly? A lot. I’ve been building toward this moment for a while, and 2025 is shaping up to be my most active release year to date. I’ve got singles, EPs, and full albums lined up nearly every Friday for the rest of the year. I’ll let folks speculate on the sounds and stories to come based on a few titles: Altered States, Living Margins, and a little something called Saint Paul Noir.
Beyond that, I’ve been experimenting with new ways to tell stories—think shadow releases, narrative zines, and sonic case files that blur the line between music and fiction. For anyone looking for something deeper than just another banger or generic lo-fi bop—trust me, I’m just getting started.
Where can we follow you on social media?
As odd as it might seem—I don’t really participate in social media. I’ve chosen to focus more on the music itself than the constant campaign of online promotion through social media. I don’t knock anyone who uses it—it’s just not the path that I’m on right now.
If you want to keep up with my work, everything you need is right here:
Before you go, let’s ask you something random. Describe your music as a drink or cocktail.
It’s a Long Island Iced Tea—definitely. A little bit of everything: lo-fi hip-hop, ambient, rock, soul…all mixed into something smooth and unexpected. And, just enough of that familiar Coca-Cola finish to keep you coming back for another round.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
