Introducing The Genre-Bending KennyHoopla

Wisconsin-based artist KennyHoopla is a dynamic rising talent that needs to be on your radar. Growing up in Cleveland, the DIY artist was surrounded by music, absorbing an array of genres. But even with a musically immersed childhood, the emerging talent didn’t initially gravitate to pursuing a career in it. It wasn’t until three years ago that KennyHoopla found his calling after a uniting his love for breakdancing and photography. With his newfound passion, the breakout star dove into his craft and released his first single ‘Waves//’. Since then, he has dropped a plethora of singles including his highly anticipated debut EP ‘how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway?//’. With a genre-bending sound and intimate lyrical content, KennyHoopla is expertly crafting his own realm of music. 

We were able to chat with him about everything from his new project, the video for ‘plastic door//’, his musical awakening, and more… 

Your fantastic debut EP ‘how will i rest in peace if I’m buried by a highway?//’ has just dropped! Can you take us into the making of the project? 

It’s been a wild ride. Lots of me bombarding my fav artists DMs to work with me and extreme mood swings and trying to time everything perfect haha. I think the sound of this ep really speaks on the journey I’ve had bringing this to life//

The sound of the record is out of this world. How would you describe the sonic direction of the EP in 5 words or less?

Colourful, hollow, blurry, naked & blue

Out of the six tracks on the project, which was the most fun to create and which was the most difficult? 

thinkingoutloud// and then the hardest was def “how will I rip?//” haha x

What do you want fans to take away after listening to the EP? 

I just want them to feel something. 

Let’s talk about the video for your track plastic door//. Can you take us through the creative direction for the visual? How did you navigate making the video during this time of self-isolation? 

There were only four people on set, and we had to like stay distanced from each other. It was pretty sketchy honestly lmao. Everyone was staring at us outside, and I didn’t know if the cops were coming and things of that nature. I was also scared it was going to come off as socially unaware you know? But it’s been the opposite actually, so I’m really grateful for that//

Taking it back a bit, what type of music did you listen to growing up? 

Honestly everything lmao. Tupac, to passion pit to like apex twin to the Ojays. I was really all over the place lol

You just started making music three years ago. When in particular did you have your “musical awakening”?  

I feel like the universe was telling me it was time honestly. I can’t remember when exactly but yea haha.

With your new EP finally out, what else can fans expect from KennyHoopla? 

A broader conversation//

Make sure to check out KennyHoopla’s brand new EP ‘how will i rest in peace if i’m buried by a highway’ below…