Diandra Interviews Kash Juliano: From Church To Hip Hop

Meeting Kash Juliano, you see a guy whom is cool-headed, calm, does his job, and keeps it moving. He is simultaneously serene and focused; living solely for his music and the few people in his life that he has deemed trustworthy. For him, it was his loving family and deep, Church roots that became a natural launchpad for his Hip Hop career and stage presence. Something we discuss in this interview. 

Diandra: How did being raised in the Church influence your music style and performance?

Kash: A LOT! My grandmother was really heavy on Church, and she used to make us go. My uncle, he played the drums there, and my father always sang and produced music. I was always bound to be what I am right now, with musical talents, out there in front of the world. 

Diandra: Why do you think the concept of God can be so central to Hip Hop?

Kash: God flows into everything because without him nothing moves. He wakes you up in the morning. He’s powerful. Even when you are doing wrong, like thieving, and you are living well off that, but you make one mistake. The police come and check you, and you have something on you that you were not supposed to have on you. Maybe, that time you were not in the wrong, but you have been doing so much wrong. When God says its time, it’s time. He protects everybody: good or bad.

Diandra: So God is “the checker?”

Kash: Yeah.

Diandra: So then, why or how do you feel this is your time?

Kash: Cause I am going to take it. I am taking “my time.” I produce a lot of my music. I write everything. I help other people. I write for other people. 

Diandra: With doing everything yourself….

Kash: (he interrupts) It’s not everything myself. I got a team and family.

Diandra: But you are the leader? 

Kash: We are all leaders, but I’m the big leader (he smiles).

Diandra: So, with that role, what have you learned about yourself?

Kash: It makes you tough, but you have to trust the people you with, too. We fight each other, but we always got love for each other. In the end, be able to talk about stuff. If y’all can’t talk right away, leave it alone for a second, and you get back to it another time. Don’t ever be too emotional in this business. Stay balanced. Don’t let money go to your head. 

Diandra: That’s good advice, and seems to be one that always goes for any business or outlet. 

Kash: Yeah. When people see things moving for you, they expect more from you, but you gotta maintain. The more money you get, the more bills you get. 

Diandra: Then, who is your biggest support when you need someone to “maintain” you or ground you again? 

Kash: My father. My mother. They keep it funky for me. Everyone around me keeps it real with me. My brother, Sal, TK, Kenny. I’ll be here all day naming people. I don’t keep anyone around me that doesn’t keep it real with me. If I got a booger hanging from my nose then you tell me. I rather you tell me then me just walking round thinking I’m cute. People will just make you feel like you are the coolest in the world, but you really got a hole in your drawers. That’s not a real friend. Now, I might slap you if you tell me something (he laughs). But it’s all love, and everybody needs that friend. I’m that friend, too. 

Diandra: Being an artist, you are going to have people telling you who you are and what is your style and message. What has music taught you about who you are?

Kash: The creativity part of music, I really can’t explain it because it’s like all feeling to me. If me and him get into an argument, then I’ll go into a booth an make an angry song, or, if me and my girl in a good mood, I’ll be loverboy. If we arguing, then I’ll be heartbroken. Everything about music, to me, is about mood. It’s about how I feel. If my mood is a certain way, then that is how I set the record. 

Diandra: So has music taught you that you are a moody person?

Kash: (he laughs) Yeah. Not even music. I knew I was moody. I have been making music all my life. Ever since I was a kid. I used to play the drum set, but I was nicer when I was a kid. 

Diandra: Having started in music as a child, how has music grown in meaning going from childhood dream to a life/ professional career? 

Kash: It’s everything. I can’t play with it. It’s fun because it is everything I dreamed of, but I cannot play with it. I gotta put my teeth out here and let people know. Now, it’s business.

Diandra: What is your first memory as a rapper? 

Kash: As a kid I had a book of raps. I was probably 8 years old. My father used to be super strict. He used to make me read and do math and this and that. It was good for me, but all I wanted to do was play basketball. 

Diandra: What is your father’s best advice for surviving the industry? 

Kash: My father is one of those dudes like if you crossing the street, he would tell you, “You could get hit by a car!” (He laughs) You need people to tell you, “Don’t trust these people,” or give you another side. It is always good to hear his side. He wrote for people, and there are a couple whom owe him money. So I can see why he does not trust people. Yet, these people around me are family. They fight with me everyday. If I was not doing this, they would still be with me getting dollar slices. They are for the fight and the fall. 

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