Often referred to as a renaissance man, or more commonly a jack of all trades; Kwan Lee is grinding. A man of many talents, some of which include media specialist, artist, entrepeneur, as well as producer. Success has not always come easy to Kwan Lee, its been a process. The result of hardwork, focus, and surely a lot of sleepless nights as he perfected his craft. At times the vision was not so clear, making him want to gracefully bow out. However, the passion, the love for the music, as well as a great support team has contributed to a renewed grind, and bigger hits. Currently the mind behind KwanLeeTV.com, one of the biggest underground media outlets for artists of all genres, Kwan Lee is undoubtedly doing his part to help the movement along. That movement being HIP HOP. Since first picking up a mic, and getting busy on a beat machine, Kwan Lee has found many a way to make his name a household one. If you were in need of grind 101, here it is for you exclusively through Basquiats Mind, kicking it with the brother Kwan Lee:
what did hearing your track at the BCAT event in 2005 do for your drive and focus?
It made me take something I did for fun seriously. I downplayed the whole idea of actually getting my music heard. I didn't picture a few years later that it would be so easy to push your music and put it out there.
What was the turning point that changed your mind about getting out of music?
I talked to a few friends of mine and got convinced not to quit. I also produced this record by Mala Reignz called "Hey Love" as well as other records that just took off and the EP I produced records on got quoted in The Source July 2010 where Mala was listed as Unsigned Hype so I am very appreciative for that.
You have your own website, what can people get on there?
I have a few sites. On my personal website ThisKwan.com you could get my personal thoughts on things as well as the music. On KwanLeeTV.com (which is my media company) you can catch a whole lot of videos on there sort of like an MTV on demand. For BYCPromo.com (with my partners Mz. Real and Mz. LaLa) we promote whatever is going on in the hip-hop community and not only just hip-hop, but any talent that anyone would like to show the world. In all we can say that I do a lot.
Production or your own music, which one gives you a bigger rush?
Honestly both. I am a producer so I know how to help artists when it comes to records. I've been part of creative teams. My favorite part about production is sampling. I love to dig in the crates and find records. For writing, whenever I can freestyle and just make people say say that line again I know its dope. I produce all of my music unless its an industry beat I freestyle on so its fun just creating a record by myself
Tell us about the mixtape people vs Kwan lee:
The People Vs. Kwan Lee was my first solo mixtape. It was a lot of my thoughts of what was going on right when I felt I was going to walk away from everything. I touched on a lot of issues artists have and it was a great experience. Everyone knew me as a producer and I had released Purple Pain a few months back and a lot of people started paying attention to my production style. TPVKL made people say oh snap I didn't know he did that or, wow he said what I was feeling.
How have you progressed since dropping that?
I've dropped the I Warned You EP which got on to HipHopIsRead along with the samples I used. I also dropped The People Vs. Kwan Lee 2 which is still getting downloaded now and I am very appreciative of that. My next EP which is called Don't Bench Me is releasing August 3rd.
What other interests and roles do you play in this Hip Hop movement?
I work to make Hip Hop better to sum it all up. Kwan Lee TV alone has been a major outlet for the underground. Music wise I have produced a lot of records for artists in every borough. Some call me a renaissance man because I do so much.
You've tore down every underground showcase imagineable, whats the motivation to continue on that scene?
To realize there's always going to be new people to perform in front of. I remember shows where it was just me the promoter the staff and a few people. A lot of times my people can't show up. It dosent matter who is there it is a privelege to actually get on a stage and have people like your music and I appreciate it because the same people who said I couldn't do this and they were next up are coming to me for advice now. I'm just humble.
Any shoutouts or mentions?
First I'd like to shout you out for allowing me to be on your site. I'd also like to thank everybody who supported from day 1 and those who've grown to support along the way.
For more on the brother Kwan Lee and to download his music, or check out his literary as well as other contributions to HIP HOP, check out these sites:
Kwan Lee
www.thiskwan.com
www.kwanleetv.com
www.bycpromo.com
www.twitter.com/kwanlee
www.facebook.com/kwanleemusic
www.reverbnation.com/kwanleemusic
www.youtube.com/kwanleesworld
I wanna thank Kwan Lee for sitting with me and letting me present himself as well as his product and creativity to the masses.
SUPPORT PEOPLE's DREAMS and HARDWORK
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