Coming straight from the city of Compton is Kee Riche$, a young and motivated rapper who’s been working exceptionally hard to make a name for himself over these last few years. It’s been working too as he is getting more attention every day and opportunities continue to present themselves. The talented individual has intertwined himself with other rising stars out of his area and actively performing in the city. He’s gearing up to take Los Angeles by storm the rest of this year and is rolling fresh off his latest hit “Westside Lady”. Get to know Kee Riche$ below.
Who are you and where are you from?
I’m Kian Nellum A.K.A Kee Riche$ and I’m from Compton, California.
What was your life like growing up?
I guess you could say it was average, I ain’t have a lot but I ain’t have nothing either. I went through a lot with family issues and having family members who meant a lot to me pass at a young age. I was confused a lot growing up trying to find my purpose in life early, but I always knew I wanted to make money. As a kid I used to always scheme on ways to get a little dollar to buy snacks or whatever at school on some Ed Edd n Eddy shit. My life was real character building growing up, I went through a lot and don’t regret any of it.
When did you start rapping and deciding you wanted to really pursue it?
I started rapping in 2015, I used a demo of fl studio on the computer I still own today and iPhone earphones. I knew nothing about music not even how to upload on SoundCloud. I took rap serious the year I graduated high school which was 2016. I put my first project out with JHawk Productions titled “Road To Riche$” and from then on everything was history. I kept working and eventually found a studio to work in and from there I just never stopped. I’ve pursued elevation of my progress ever since.
You’ve def kept it consistent since then, talk about your other projects you’ve got out.
Forsure, I’ve dropped a project every year since then. I dropped a couple that I’ve deleted for quality purposes, but the ones up now would be “Get Rich” (2017). Which was inspired by the loss of one of my homies who I held dearly like a brother Marquez Trammel. Get Rich 2 (2018), which to me was more of a coming to age project. Following after I’d just performed on some of the biggest stages in my life so far, on the first Shoreline Mafia OTX tour earlier in the year.
Go check out those both those “Get Rich” projects! Would you say you’re pretty well connected with all the other artists coming out of LA right now then?
Yeah I’d say I’m very well connected with other LA artist coming up , Rucci , Bossman , Black and the whole Bassquad camp have become another family outside of my own Get Rich camp. I’ve connected with a few members of Shoreline, I mess with a lot of the up and comers in the city. MCF, the younger dudes from Dreamville or the MitteGang camp. I’m tapped in with young producers, Prod by JR is in my camp. I got songs produced by YikeMike , TeeGee The Producer and RoMo who’s also produced a number of Rucci songs.
Are there any particular people who inspire you or influence your music?
Nipsey hussle , I’ve been told I sound a lot like him in my music. Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, YG, most of them because of the process and story. How they’ve overcome a lot and been able to have they music stretch and become timeless. That’s what I aim to do.
What are your goals as an artist for the rest of this year?
I’m coming with a new game plan for the end of the year, I’m redesigning my brand and reinventing myself as an artist in a way. I plan on becoming more of a mogul doing more for my community and more for my supporters or what some would call fans. I have a mixtape and EP in the works right now, I plan on dropping them both before the year is out. I plan on establishing myself as one of the premier artists in Los Angeles, I want to be another symbol for the city of Compton and I want to push the west coast forward. By the end of the year I want Kee Riche$ and Get Rich to be featured in every conversation when it comes to music and clothing on the west coast.
The potential is there you just have to keep pushing it. Let everyone know about your latest track and visual you got out, “Westside Lady”.
That’s the plan right now, I’ve been known for earlier work but the reaction to “Westside Lady” has been amazing and feels great. I’m taking this love way further than it would normally go.
What’re your top 5 favorite albums of all time?
In no order: Good kid m.A.A.d city, My Krazy Life, Nothing Was The Same. Victory Lap, Dark Sky Paradise.
Is there anybody you want to shout-out?
Shout-out to my team! Get Rich! Shout-out to my little bro the next biggest producer out of LA, Produced by JR. Shout-out to my Cousin and artist in my camp Von Don. Shout-out to my fam they all know who they are. Shout-out to LA Unsigned Hype and my boy T Furlow! Shout-out to the blogs and big sites in LA pushing my music, Rosecrans Radio, GxpoTv, Slap Media, Hip Hop Hundred and Newest Magazine. Also shout-out to Cali Music Plug! Shout-out to KhyriCo a upcoming clothing line coming out of LA ran by my brother Khyri Rice, man shout-out everybody who support me and Get Rich , it’s all love! Shout-out to you for this too it’s too many people but just know it’s all love. Shout-out OnThaRizeMagazine too. RIP my brother Quez! #FreeCC!