Published: Thursday - October 23, 2008
Words by Tha Advocate
Khao (Photo: Khao Music Group)
Acknowledging his father as the catalyst of his work ethic built on the "patience, silence, and consistency" motto, Khao continues to ascend, while never forgetting about the indie movement that provides opportunities for others' growth, and raises the bar in musical production.
Starting out with his own mixshow, as a DJ, for Hot 105 WZHT in his hometown of Montomery, Alabama, superproducer Khao (real name: Kevin Cates) embodies the multifaceted elements resembling that of many veterans in the industry. From working in radio and helping hip-hop independents break ground to producing for Universal recording artists and being asked to appear as a featured artist himself, Khao's talents are undeniable and humbly possessed. His passion for helping others has manifested into a career that has his name being mentioned in the realm of triple threats (producer, writer, and artist).
Through a chance meeting with then independent Grand Hustle chief Jason Geter in 1997, Khao decided to focus the majority of his efforts into production, simultaneously achieving his first major placement with Universal recording group, Dirty. The connect with Geter would prove to put him several steps closer to his breakout success with T.I.'s "Why You Wanna," winning the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award for Best Rap Song in 2006. Overseeing the development of Grand Hustle mixtapes and doing production for other artists on the label naturally lead to another golden opportunity to place two tracks on T.I.'s 2002 release, Urban Legend, and four placements on T.I.'s 2006 release, King.
Now, with an resume full of hit singles under his belt and bragging rights of working with several a-list artists, Khao has grown into a one of the go-to beatmakers in the industry. We got a chance to pick his brain.
BallerStatus.com: How has 2008 been treating you?
Khao: It's been busy, so that's always good. Along with producing tracks for everyone, I made time to focus and complete my own project and still found time to be with my family. I ventured into different genres of music and different business opportunities outside of music and took a stand in the community, linking up with civil rights leader Dr. Steele (President of the SCLC "Martin Luther King Jr. organization") to bridge the gap of our generations, for us to learn from him and for him to learn and be apart of our era.
BallerStatus.com: When you are crafting a beat, what are your weapons of choice to make it?
Khao: MPC 200XL, Motif rack, the old school TR Rack, and the Phantom rack.
BallerStatus.com: What new projects have you been working on? Khao: [I'm] working on stuff for [Young] Jeezy, Ludacris, Yung Joc, T.I., Young Dro, Plies, 50 Cent ... the list goes on. I have been working with Bryan Michael Cox and Kendrick "Wyld Card" Dean on alot of R&B projects, various Disney projects.
BallerStatus.com: Those royalty checks are gonna be insane. Who and what were your inspirations that made you come into the music field?
Khao: Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J and Run DMC were the artists that made me realize that music was my calling. My father was one of my main inspirations. [He taught] me the fundamentals to be able to move and grow to get to where I am now in this business.
BallerStatus.com: You have a heavy resume. A lot of producers wish they worked with as many A-listers as yourself. The question is: who else do you want to work with that you haven't yet?
Khao: Justin Timberlake, Marshall Mathers, Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Dixie Chicks, and Korn.
BallerStatus.com: Out of everyone you worked with who was the biggest challenge thus far?
Khao: I have been lucky. All of my sessions have been real easy. They always end up hearing something and we get right to work. If anything, the biggest challenge is meeting with some A&Rs that try to pick for the artist.
BallerStatus.com: For the people that don't know, can you tell them about your company Intaprize?
Khao: Well, I actually dissolved that company and started Khao Music Group, which is the hub of all my business ventures -- from my production company, record label, promotion and consultant company to my barber shop and import/export businesses.
BallerStatus.com: How important is it for you to stay relevant to the underground and on the come up artists?
Khao: It's more important than anything. It's so many producers out there that toot their nose up at independents, chasing the big names, but don't realize that what's up must come down eventually. These independents grinding is the future. I still do gravy deals for indies and I will even lease tracks to them if they can't afford to buy one exclusively.
BallerStatus.com: Overall are you happy with hip-hop in the past two years?
Khao: I'm not happy with the way the business side of things have been ran. A&Rs are not looking and developing new artists with talent these days. They just throw records out there with no intentions on promoting the artist, leaving artist only to be known by their single. When records aren't selling anymore, they act dumb founded. Digital downloads of singles is at an all-time high because the single is all that the consumer knows. When every record label used to have an urban department, they worked hard on their artist becoming household names and made sure that album was dope enough to where the consumer believed in that artist and would buy whatever that artist came out with because were a fan of the actual artist. Now the labels actually hunt down the next quick lick and flood the market.
BallerStatus.com: We'd like to ask questions a bit out of the norm. So buckle your seatbelt fam we are gonna get grizzly.
Khao: Bet.
BallerStatus.com: You have a history working with T.I. and Grand Hustle. So let that not effect this question (laughs). Who is the real King Of The South -- T.I., Luda, or Lil Wayne?
Khao: (laughs) Tip, as far as swag and consistency. Luda, as far as accomplishments and skill. Wayne, as far as lyrical content.
BallerStatus.com: Are music sales down in your opinion because of "lack of subject matter" or "downloading from the net?"
Khao: A little of both because of so many one single ringtone wonders. It almost makes some artists with talent and subject matter feel they have to simplify their music to sell records. Hip-hop fan base age ranges from 40 to 2 years old now, and the older crowd has lost faith in buying CDs because of this. That's another reason why Lil Wayne, and Kanye did so good. People want to feel good about spending their hard earned money.
BallerStatus.com: Maybe this is getting a bit old, but Ice-T or Soulja Boy?
Khao: (laughs) This has to be the funniest beef of all-time. I respect Soulja Boy's hustle and music. My 3-year-old son loves it.
BallerStatus.com: Is that a cheapshot? (laughs) Who would you rather "make a beat with" (laughs) ... Kim Kardashian or Esther Baxter?
Khao: A threesome would be nice.
BallerStatus.com: Are UFOs real?
Khao: Hell yea. They just don't make these movies up.
BallerStatus.com: Back to the norm. What would top winning the ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award for Best Rap Song in 2006?
Khao: Winning Grammy's in 2009.
BallerStatus.com: In five years from now, where would you like to be?
Khao: In route to being a Quincy Jones of the new generation. Having the accomplishments of charting and winning many awards in every genre of music.
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