We recently had the chance to connect with Kocaine Kay and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Kocaine, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now I am learning from AJ “BuckTv” Johnson (google him BuckTv)… He is one of the greatest to take any camera and tell a story. When I say any camera that mean your phone, iPad, drone or any device that’s capable of recording. I always had a passion for music and filming my own videos. Until one day I wanted to make films, so I started with the knowledge I already had. Meeting AJ “BuckTv” Johnson was much needed, because I used to think I gotta make a perfect Hollywood looking movie until he said u have to tell your story and show your work. Now I’m 2 movies in (Cold Nights and Loyalty & Love). Since I feel like I already mastered the art of music only because I had more time doing that and it’s my passion but filming is starting to take that over. It’s a lot of great film makers and music directors I know but AJ “BuckTv” Johnson really gave me classes and lessons up close to help work that was started before I knew him.
Shoutout
FreeYao
AsapWittaCanon
4k visions
Other great people who touch a camera and show they greatness
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Tremaine J Riddick born January 25, 1990 in Elizabeth City, NC. I go by the stage name of Kocaine Kay.
I been doing music since a child but got serious with at 15 or 16. I went from writing at home and in class until I landed in a studio. Where things change hearing my voice and letting people judge it. Made me turn it up a notch knowing I had fans to do it for and plus people were watching so I made it my lifestyle music is a part of my life it’s a on going thing for me. My homeboy Hostyle was the first person to join forces wit me coming up in the music scene.
I been engineering my own music since I been rapping but i always use to go to my homeboy Tailz Devonci spot and let him do it. Meanwhile I’m always recording other artists that was in the neighborhood in my own studio.
Now I be filming movies started that back in 2021 now I’m doing great at it so that’s my new journey. Along with the music I will never let go all the way.
Also DSR is my clothing brand (DSR clothing on IG)
Google DaSoundRoom (DSR) we next up
Shoutout
NevaHate
Dolo
BuckTv
Row
And Gman Live for all the opportunities
1WM
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
12 or 13 years having the ability to rap a little bit, but when I finally got some recording equipment everyone who did music needed or wanted me to record them. So I felt powerful knowing I was becoming an engineer and other people trusted and needed me to get there sound to the world. 20 something years later they still count on me.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
When I was suffering with my music it made me go harder and have more motivation. When nobody knows you or heard your music you get real creative trying to get noticed or heard. Once people start to know you sometimes that drive leave you and you get comfortable where you at because you was never that far. Until you realize it’s always more learning more knowledge to gain and the top don’t end. Example get a new car they make a newer one next year even bigger and better. So even if you not suffering act like it when it come to your mind set of elevating.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
My brothers Blimp,Tra Shill,BuckTv, The Cardi man (family) & Mon these are very powerful people in different places,and mean a lot to people. Still they remain them like a show of Undercover Boss they can be in the room and not look as powerful as they really are.
Shoutout to my hip hop friends that’s powerful and humble
Jeopardy J
Jhawani Smalls
OuttaTownShort
Getz
Ratchet Rico
D-BOE
Shoutout to my crowd movers best energy ever
Kapo
Nine Fingaz
Rahscoe
JaeSluggerSlugz
DreBoi
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Yes I’m doing what I was born to do since music been apart of my body I been doing it somehow but now I’m on stage more and get paid for what I love. Also I have kids now so even though I’m doing what I was born to do it’s time that I split now and I’m okay with that.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Ibmsouth_kay
- Twitter: Kocaine Kay
- Facebook: Kocaine Kay
- Youtube: Kocaine Kay
- Soundcloud: Kocaine Kay
