In this week’s get-to-know-you piece, 49th street catches up with Saint Kay – based in Hatfield, England, as he premieres the video to “Ahead Ahead”, an upbeat street anthem about determination and treading on no matter what.
To find out more, I caught up with the crooner on the phone just days after booking his first UK gig, to talk about his music journey, the U.K. recording experience vis-a-vis The Motherland, and how the stars have seemingly started aligning for our man. I wasn’t sure what to expect; [you gotta understand, this man is BUFF]. I was expecting anything from mid-responsive to non-communicative – but I was happily surprised to get stark opposites.
So let’s dive in, shall we?
Hi Saint Kay, you good? Let’s get to know the artist. When did you start making music? How did you get into it properly?
Saint Kay: Well, I’d say I started doing music professionally in 2011, but prior to that, in Secondary School, SS2 to be precise, I discovered a knack for writing poems, and you know how that can help with lyricism. I remember really liking Hamlet because of my literature teacher. She made us write a poem based on the book, and I wrote an octave [An 8-lined poem].
That was it. Then in 2010/2011, I recorded my first song… You know, back in the day with my group then: “Dope Boys”. It was a cover for 1.2.3. [by Dj Neptune, DaGrin, M.I. & Naeto C]. It blew up within my social circles at the time, and that’s how my popularity began.
So how did you come up with your stage name Saint Kay? I can imagine it’s a fun story.
Saint Kay: Haha… so my stage name, Saint Kay, the full thing is Saint Kamikaze yeah… It still boils down to poetry at the time. I actually had just found out what oxymorons meant [using contradictory words in conjunction] and I was playing with lots of fun examples in my head. Saint Kamikaze really stood out as an oxymoron meant for me because while I’m cool [a saint], I can be explosive [kamikaze]… on the pitch/in character. So, I kept the moniker.
Great story. So, tell me what artists have actively influenced your sound growing up and now?
Saint Kay: My first real music influences were M.I and Black Magic cause we all have husky voices. chuckles then internationally I’d say Ja Rule, 50, Sean Paul, Beanie Man. Then swag wise I’d say Sauce Kid [now called Sinzu] and Kas Beats, fimile baby [from my hood] heavily influenced my style.
49th Street: Oh, so you’re an Orile/Coker boy, speaking about your hood and roots, what influence do you think Coker/Orile has had on your music and message?
Saint Kay: Orile/Coker is like another world on its own. I got exposed to a lot of things at an early age there. My parents don’t even know. I learnt the ropes about being a hustler. In secondary school, we were all thinking about how to make money. I want to appreciate my big brother’s influence… He was really popular. He was making money from the streets. Coker/Orile made me focus on life really early…. that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. That place taught me how to be tough. Taught me how to be confident in myself no matter what, no matter where.
Interesting. What’s the most important lesson you learned along that journey?
Saint Kay: Biggest lesson? Well, I’d say patience. I’ll be real with you, I’ve lost some friends, seen homies die. So, the big lesson that’s stuck is: “Be patient, keep grinding cause everyone has their time”
THE VIDEO, THE EP
What inspired the E.P. Music Rejuvenated? Was there a turning point?
Saint Kay: First of all, I opted to go with Music Rejuvenated as a title because over the years I have grown into how I sound now. So, the title basically references my evolution as an artist.
What was the recording process like for the album? How did being in the U.K. as opposed to Lagos affect the energy on this E.P.?
Saint Kay: The recording process was very interesting because I met YT Nelson. We recorded in a really quiet, ambient environment with total respect and pleasant ideas coming in. Totally different from recording in Lagos. I’d just say it was a less disjointed experience. It’s also easier to plan things here. Being in the U.K. has made my mind clear. I could just immerse myself in my pain and record more effectively out here… Can’t explain it. you know… Omo! Story plenty abeg.
And recording the visuals to Ahead Ahead? What was that like?
Saint Kay: Man, I felt RIGHT AT HOME shooting that video. A lot of my day ones pulled up… It was crazy. Imagine being all the way here and it’s my childhood friends pulling up with whips, supporting me and shooting a visual with me out here in England. Nah that feeling was pure. Can’t wait to replicate that in future videos.
What was the most challenging track to write on the E.P.?
Saint Kay: Nah no track was actually challenging per se. I recorded this project in my full element. Everything was flowing. While I was doing this E.P. I was in the right frame of mind and I knew exactly how I wanted it delivered. So, I wouldn’t exactly say any track posed a real challenge.
Everything is seemingly really aligning for you right now. Did something change? Or is it just the right timing now?
Saint Kay: To be honest I believe in timing and destiny. First of all, I feel like everything right now is working together for my good. Because now everything is just clearer, I’m in a good head space at the moment, I got booked for my first show here, I have like the right people around me pushing me […if that makes sense]. Cause while I was in Nigeria, I wasn’t really living with my friends, so no one was there to put in 100 for me. Because they were always travelling, but now they’re paying attention and playing their part.
What inspired Right Words [Track 7]? That’s my standout song. It sounds gospel – a step away from your usual theme.
Saint Kay: [Ha-ha. Great spot.] So, before I came to the U.K. yeah, I made a sort of covenant with God to do a song for him if my plans came through. So, once they did, I made sure that was the first song I recorded. So, I did it for God, because he’s made all this possible. I believe in my spirituality and giving him props in my songs.
I’m living a miraculous life right now. In the future, there will be more songs like Right Words, because a lot of things happening right now are beyond me and like I said, I have to give God His props.
Amazing. This interview was exhilarating. Thanks for your time, Saint Kay!
Saint Kay: My pleasure! Big shoutouts for the cool job done at job 49th street guys!