Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Rini K of Long Beach

We recently had the chance to connect with Rini K and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rini, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
This year, I’ve developed a whole new appreciation for people with strong integrity. It’s a quality that’s often undervalued until you encounter situations where it’s missing. We live in a society that can easily push people into a survival mindset, so finding individuals who stay true to their morals and treat others with genuine respect feels increasingly rare. My goal is to surround myself with people who lead with integrity and empathy above all else.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey y’all! My name is Rini, and I’m a singer, songwriter, and actor. I recently made my directorial debut with the music video for my song “Burning,” which truly captures what I stand for as an artist. The video explores the importance of not losing sight of why we chase our dreams, holding onto the same innocent passion and purpose we had as kids. Nostalgia and self-empowerment are major themes that shape both my music and the roles I take on as an actor!

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world has been my college experience as a whole. It’s given me the privilege of meeting so many different people and gaining perspective on experiences far beyond my own. I’ve built incredible friendships, but I’ve also seen how those connections can evolve or fade over time. It’s taught me that people will come and go, but the memories and lessons they leave behind stay with you. I’ve learned to embrace the idea that people are complicated and that’s what makes the world beautifully chaotic.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that no matter what happens, I can trust myself. Some of my darkest moments have revealed the deepest strength and resilience within me. I’ve learned that while I can’t always control what happens around me, I can control how I respond and that’s where my power lies. At the end of the day, as long as I have myself, I know I’ll be okay.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’d say what you see is pretty much what you get. My music is deeply autobiographical and honest, so my public persona naturally reflects who I am in real life. I’ve always believed that vulnerability builds connection, and since my songs come from such personal experiences, the public version of me is honestly a more amplified version of my truest self.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as someone who made them feel good about themselves. One of my favorite quotes is, “People won’t remember what you said or did, but how you made them feel.” More than anything, I hope anyone who crossed paths with me felt happier, seen, and a little more at peace after knowing me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/rini-k-official-website/listen
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rinikofficial/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rini-kaffenes/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RiniKmusic

Image Credits
Alana Byler