A QUICK CHAT WITH CITIZEN KAY

‘Funny Business’ is a funky, feel-good track. What was the inspiration behind it?
The greatest playlist of all time – ‘80/s Soul Weekender’. Try listening to that playlist and not having a good ass day. I wanted to make music that felt the way those songs made me feel!

What was the recording and creative process like, working with long-time collaborator Ben Garden and your brother Genesis Owusu again?
Both are hella easy to work with. With Ben, once I had the initial instrumental idea down (bassline, keys and drums) it was up to him to let it sparkle, which he did! Brought in those mad 80s synths and beefed it all up to what we all hear now.

Genesis was on his A-Game as always. After I sent the track through, he sat with it for a couple weeks, sent through his verse idea and I was like “YEP. SICK. DONE. COME RECORD IT”. And just like that we have ‘Funny Business’ lol.

You’ve toured with legendary acts such as Public Enemy, Ice Cube and Run the Jewels, how was that experience?
Incredible. Public Enemy in particular was a vibe. Sit down, get a snack and let Uncle Kay tell you a story:

The year is 2012 (what a time to be alive). I was nearing the end of the day at my first ever big festival as a punter (Groovin the Moo). I’d lost the crew I went with and found myself in front of one of the outdoor stages with A LOT of people around. The screen on the stage reads ‘PUBLIC ENEMY’. Now I’ll be straight with you – I didn’t really know who they were at the time but I was already there, so I figured I’d see what it was all about. AND BOOOOOOY DID THEY COME OUT SWINGIN! LIKE CRAZY! I was almost in shock at how much charisma and energy they came out with! I remember about halfway through their set I stopped and everything kind of slowed down and I said to myself “THAT is what I want to do. I want to be on this kind of stage. Performing with this much energy. To this many people. I have to do this.”

2013 comes around, nearly one year since I’d seen Public Enemy and I find out that I’ve scored a spot as one of the opening acts for that years Groovin the Moo. WHAT?! You can only image how unbelievable it all seemed to me. I honestly couldn’t have wished for more.

BUT THEN 2014 ROLLS AROUND and I find out Public Enemy is coming back to the country for a tour AND I’M GONNA BE ONE OF THE SUPPORT ACTS. WHAAATT?!! Sweet baby Jesus gaddamnit. AND not only were those shows incredible but Chuck D and the whole Public Enemy squad were some of the most grounded, humble, kindest people I’ve ever met.
CRAZY.

What does the rest of 2020 have in store for Citizen Kay?
I’m honestly pretty as unsure as you are haha. I’ve got music and I want everyone else to hear it too.

Last question, if you could do a co-write with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Ok ok I’m gonna give you one of each. My first instinct is to say Michael Jackson. BUT also, I think I just like being a fan...I’d for sure crumble with nerves if we worked together.

Alive: Childish Gambino. Duh. Do I even have to say why?