Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenny Hailey
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story starts in Washington, D.C., where I was born and raised, navigating my adolescent and teenage years before moving to Maryland, a D.C. suburb.
Growing up, I faced my share of struggles and challenges, which pushed me to find a way to express myself. I began searching for meaning at an early age, and that’s when music entered my life—or maybe it was always destined to. I had a lot inside me that needed to be released, so I started writing. That writing turned into poetry, poetry into rhymes, and rhyming into storytelling. To me, that’s what rapping is all about.
Now, 28 years later, I’m living bi-coastal, mostly in Los Angeles, California. As I matured, I made a bold move, leaving the East Coast to fully pursue my dreams and make them a reality.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nah, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My life has been a rugged ride. I watched my mother suffer from Parkinson’s disease, feeling powerless as her health declined. Pops wasn’t around, leaving a void that made life even harder. Losing both parents at a young age, I found myself orphaned and struggling to adapt to a new family and environment. The weight of my brothers going to prison added another layer of pain and responsibility.
When I moved to Los Angeles, I hoped to leave my hardships behind, thinking my struggles were over. But the reality hit harder than expected. I found myself homeless and financially strained at times, dealing with pride and the difficulty of asking for help.
I’m self-aware enough to recognize that early exposure to significant loss and instability has led to complex emotional responses, impacting my daily life and my ability to trust and form secure relationships. But overall, these experiences have shaped me into a resilient individual with a strong drive to succeed. Nothing can break me at this point—I’ve already been broken and had to pick up the pieces to put myself back together. Reaching my lowest point means to me that the only path forward is to rise.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an independent artist in the music industry and entrepreneur. My work is all about making music that not only sounds good but also tells a story, pulling from my own experiences. I specialize in blending raw, authentic storytelling and turning those experiences into something you can feel and relate to.
People know me for keeping it real in my music. I’m most proud of using my music to make a difference, being able to connect with people on a personal level and use my platform for good is what drives me.
What sets me apart is my story and how I pour it into my music. My journey through the struggles and triumphs shapes every track I make.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Yes! I’m a book junkie, ya dig? Here’s a few of my favorites:
1. The Artist way
2. The Four Agreements
3. The Power of Focus
4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Contact Info:
- Instagram: /Kennyhailey_
Image Credits
Jana Akkari
IG: Jana_Akkari
