A Quick Chat with Katija

Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration for your single ‘Do You want It’

                The song was started by the legend himself Coolio and he was originally inspired by the old school 90’s style beat as soon as he heard it. The song is light hearted, funky and fun. My goal for this feature was to ensure that I was matching the energy, vibe and lyrics enough to compliment Coolio as he was the inspiration to me. 

What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting? 

My influences are Eminem, 50 cent, Scribe, Drake, Nicki Minaj and so many more talented rappers I would need the rest of the page to put them all here. The person I take the most away from when it comes to writing is Eminem. I love the way he is so clever in putting together his lyrics. He is a lyrical genius and he uses different characters to tell different stories. He raps slow and fast and always switches it up. He is also not afraid to use different accents and voices so no two songs of his sound the same. As an artist I want to show variety in my rapping sometimes I want to rap with feminine energy be loving light and fun and other times I love to be masculine and hit harder with stronger emotion. I love playing around with different characters and also playing with the speeds of my rapping.

What’s the creative process like for you?

At this current moment in time I find that I am inspired by the beat and music that I hear first. This comes before the lyrics and theme of the song most of the time. When I am listening to new music I haven’t heard yet I will know within the first 10 seconds if I can connect with the song and write something to it or not. Then if I connect with that beat I will start humming some tune that came to me out of nowhere (I like to say the Universe)  and once I hear that humming of the hook or chorus It can’t be unheard. I then take that feeling and emotion that has settled to the beat and start to develop my lyrics. A lot of the time I also like to freestyle to the verses before writing the lyrics just to continue with the natural energy and timing before I evolve the song further. I try not to overthink it the more natural and free you can be to what you first write the more unique the song will sound. In the future I would love to experiment more with starting with my theme, emotion and lyrical concept before finding the beat and see what I can create the other way around. 

If you could change something about the Australian music industry what would it be? 

More Australian music to be played on the mainstream radio stations! They should have a few hours a day or a few days a week where they are playing only AUSTRALIAN music! We need much more exposure as Australian artists and it starts with your local hometown and country. We shouldn’t have to go over to America to try and have a chance to get our music out to the world. It is mind blowing how many crazily talented Aussie artists we have in our own backyard! If we can continue in every way possible to support and promote our local Aussie artists we will have more chance at them being heard on the International stage. 

What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet? 

This question just got me thinking about all of the people in the world who are truly less fortunate than us who don’t have music as an outlet because I was about to say there is absolutely no way on Earth I could live without it! Music has carried me through every single moment in my life and is always there in your ear like your best friend to help you work through those moments whether it be happy, sad, angry

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?  Why?

Eminem then I can die happy tomorrow! I have a million and one questions I would want to ask him and pick his brain on how he creates his raps. I feel like I would learn so much collaborating with him and I would love to challenge myself to be able to match his energy and vibe the way I did Coolios. I feel like I have had more than enough practice as all I do is rap over Eminem lyrics all the time haha. Eminem if you’re reading this it’s your sign hit me up!

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry? 

It is never too late just start! You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to have it all together. Just start and the momentum will follow and keep pushing you forward. Being an Artist is about going on a journey and sharing that journey with the world. So don’t be afraid to grow and develop along the way. Just be true to yourself and don’t try to follow trends or be like somebody else, do what makes you happy and makes you feel comfortable. 

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with/met? 

Coolio is at the top of that list. I idolised Coolio growing up and always loved listening to his music. He really is one of the best OG rappers of his time. It was such a special experience I will cherish for a lifetime to be able to spend some of his last few months here on Earth creating with him, hanging out with him and being mentored by him. RIP Coolio you are missed!

Any plans for a tour on the cards?

Absolutely a tour will be on the cards in the next two years. For now as I have only just started releasing my music so I am focusing on releasing my next few singles so that my audience can learn more about who I am and connect with my sound. I also love creating the visual elements with my music and enjoy creating video clips. I am also going to be doing more live performances locally early next year around Melbourne.