Today's feature an artiste with a model’s flare who also has a taste for fashion and who will soon be the head of his empire and at the rate this young man is going I'm pretty sure he will someday be featured on Forbes Africa when all is said and done! Oh and did I mention that he is also from Cameroon? Yeaaaah!
THJ: John thank you for taking time out of your seemingly very busy schedule to have this interview with The Hotjem. I recently read on the internet that you lived in South Africa where you were a model for some time prior to moving to Germany where you are currently based. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself as I'm sure the readers and fans would love to know where are you from in Cameroon (as I gave that part away in my intro) and when did you leave Cameroon to go abroad?
John K: Thank you HotJem for doing an interview with me. My name is Dzeton Tchato John Kevin but I go by the name John K and I was born in Douala Cameroon in an area/surburb called Beedi. I left Cameroon at the end of 2008 and went to Cape Town in South Africa.
THJ: So tell us... When and how did you get into modeling and music? Did you do both at the same time or did one lead to the other?
John K: I got into modeling in 2009 after being scouted by a modeling agent of Pure Management in Cape Town. My passion for modeling later led me into an industry where I got to meet very talented artistes from the Entertainment Industry (Music, Acting etc). Being exposed to these entertainers made me develop the passion for music.
THJ: It seems as if you were one of those lucky guys who go sought after and not you running after modeling agencies to sign you up as a first time model! Kudos to you! What inspired you to get into hip-hop music versus R&B or any other type of music genre? The three songs I listened to, you sing them in English… are there any songs that you sing in any other language?
John K: I have been inspired by different artists and I do believe Hip Hop and R&B was the best way for me to express myself. I do a bit of R&B too. No, I only sing in English but I will probably do something in French or German in the future.
THJ: Is John K Records your record Label? If not then who owns it.
John K: I am a Co Founder of JK Records.
THJ: Do you write all your songs or not?
John K: I write all my songs yes as they portray my life experiences or Journey.
THJ: That's great! I always respect artistes who write their own songs as it makes you feel like they are giving you their mind and soul when they sing their own lyrics! I have listened to three of your singles; 'How We Do It', 'Let Me Be' and 'Pretty Girl' and I have to say I enjoyed all three songs and it was hard deciding which song was my favorite one. I really like the beats for 'How We Do It' and 'Let Me Be'. 'How We Do It' has more of a hip- hop feel to it whereas when I was listening to "Let Me Be" it sort of made me feel as if I was listening to a song from the West Coast. It has a very laid back vibe to it.
THJ: What inspired you to sing 'How We Do It', 'Let Me Be' and 'Pretty Girl'? Are these songs telling a story about your life or are they just songs?
John K: They are not just songs they are my life experiences. 'Pretty Girl' is a song inspired by a girl. ‘Let Me Be’ was written to stress or express a certain feeling towards the way society or even families dictate or try to influence peoples choices or paths in Life. How we do it is a song to encourage and motivate people to follow their dreams.
THJ: When will the videos be out for all the 3 songs and when is your Album expected to drop?
John K: ‘Pretty Girl’ Music Video is expected to be out on the 1st May 2015. Will shoot ‘Let Me Be’ in June and how we do it at the end of the year. I am still working on my Album.
THJ: As an African hip-hop artiste what obstacles have you faced in the music industry in order to get yourself better recognized and listened to by both Africans and non-African people?
John K: It is a very difficult industry to be in as a lot of people do not believe African artistes are talented enough or have the ability/quality to make it internationally. Some people do not believe in you, some say you tryna sound American. So there is a lot criticism in it and I think people should be more supportive of others and as long as an artiste is good, it shouldn’t matter where they come from.
THJ: Name one African artiste and one Cameroonian artiste whose music style inspires you and your music.
John K: Despite different genres of music done by these artistes, I would say Youssou N'Dour and Manu Dibango are the two African musicians whose music inspired me because they music expresses reality and their journey in life.
THJ: I didn't see that coming -your pick of Youssou N'Dour! Your taste is much diversified. For those of you who do not know him, he is a Senegalese singer, songwriter and percussionist and I love Manu Dibango's music!
THJ: Which musician or band would you like to do a collaboration with and why?
John K: I would like to collaborate with artistes like John Legend or Ryan Leslie because I enjoy their music.
THJ: Good picks! If you were successful equally in both music and modeling, which would, you rather do if you had to choose one and why?
John K: I wouldn't see myself choosing because I love them both equally.
THJ: Very smart answer! The next few questions will be about you and your fashion style! Most pictures that I've seen you in so far have you wearing jeans and a tee-shirt or not shirt :-) probably due to your type of music. On any given day what would you consider your general fashion style to be like and what are you most comfortable in?
John K: I dress in other to look/appear good and at the same feel comfortable depending on the occasion.
THJ: As a model, is there constant pressure to always look good even during your down time when you are not acting as an entertainer or model?
John K: I really do not feel any pressure because dressing good has become a Lifestyle.
THJ: What are two items (clothes/accessories) you cannot travel without?
John K: My iPod to listen to music and my iPad as I am always writing new Ideas or songs.
THJ: Name two things that guys should always have in their closets even if they are not into fashion and do not follow fashion trends?
John K: A Suit and a nice pair of classic shoes.
THJ: How does your music style influence your personal style if at all? How important is what you wear to your music and brand?
John K: My music style influences my way of dressing as I love dressing smart casual. What I wear portrays or represents my values and therefore is expressed in my music.
THJ: What can your fans expect from you in the near future and will you be doing any local or international concerts anytime soon?
John K: I will be doing my Music Video Launch for 'Pretty Girl' here in Freiburg, Germany on the 1st of May, accompanied by a performance. I’m working on projects at the moment and I will keep my fans up to date.
THJ: As if having a full-time music and modelling career is not enough, John K also has his has a new clothing line coming up later in 2015!! When do you plan to launch your clothing line and what kind of clothes do you plan to have in this line? Urban, HipHop etc and why are you starting a clothing line?
John K: I will launch it next Year. It will be urban And Hip Hop stylish and sexy. I started it because I always loved clothes or dressing and I wanna share my talent to the world by creating exciting designs as well as raise the awareness about my Brand John K.
THJ: Thank you very much for this interview. I can already see that you are doing so many big things simultaneously and I look forward to your upcoming album, your expanding modelling career and I will also be on the lookout for your new clothing line. After all there is no stopping this mogul to be aka Mr. P-Diddy!
John K: Thank you for interviewing me, you can keep up to date with me and watch my career grow as it is going to be exciting. Thank you.
