“Be proud of being the real you and take pride in your purpose,” K. Johns Tha General said in an interview. “Reach every aspect of life and take it all back to where you came from.”
Los Angeles-based independent artist K. Johns Tha General is quickly on the rise and is coming with the heat.
The talented rapper, who describes his sound as “authentic and real” says that his music speaks on the everyday life of LA natives. Music is his true passion and his motivation for making it comes from wanting to provide opportunities for his family and others like him.
K. Johns Tha General is an ambitious artist who is nowhere close to stopping anytime soon. He’s an artist who plays by his own rules and creates music that is uniquely his own. His talents are put on display in every project he puts out — including his most recent EP called Kobe & Shaq — where he shows off his ability to creatively craft a project that’s a vibe all the way through.
He has a new video coming out soon called “No Handouts,” which is a song from the recent project. On the track, the artist raps about who he is as a person and really sets himself apart from others. His honest and refreshing lyrics combined with his aggressive delivery set the tone and rightfully earn him the title of “Tha General.”
Keep reading to learn more about K. Johns Tha General and his inspiration behind music.
What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
I’m from the Westside of South Central LA. The Westmont District and that’s where I’m also based.
How did you get your artist name K. Johns Tha General.
My artist name is K. Johns Tha General and my real name is Ken Johnson which is obviously where my rap name came from.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?
I’ve always had a passion for music but I always thought the idea of being a rapper was funny cause I grew up in a generation where going to college and playing sports was considered successful so that’s what I did. Me and my roommates would freestyle for fun everyday and it wasn’t until then that I realized music was what I really wanted to do.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
Yes, my upbringing probably plays the biggest role in motivating me to keep going. I literally never wanna go back to the situations I come from so I do whatever to prevent that.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
My sound is LA … My sound is authentic and real. I speak on the everyday life of LA natives and the reality of our lifestyle.
What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?
I stay inspired by the desire to change my family’s circumstances and provide opportunities for people like me. That is my only true goal.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
I am passionate about music because I have a purpose behind why I make it and my supporters inspire me the most.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Outside of music I created my own brand/label called “RROTMBB” to support the movement. I also own a painting business where I do custom paint jobs on pretty much anything ranging from shoes and clothes to bedroom walls.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I take most of my musical influence from Nipsey Hussle Tha Great but also other legends like Lauryn Hill, Lil Wayne, Drake and Wiz Khalifa.
What are some of your music career goals for the future?
I want a distribution deal that will change my life, a diamond album, a sold out tour, and an XXL Freshman cover.
Tell us about some of the last projects you dropped, 1 Man Army 2 and most recently Kobe & Shaq.
1 Man Army 2 was an EP and is the second installment to my first official debut project. The latest project I released was the Kobe & Shaq EP wit producer MarkDaMack. Since the release of both of those, I’ve put out multiple singles.
What has the response been like to that project?
My last project (Kobe & Shaq) did okay in my eyes. The numbers don’t lie so if it didn’t go viral it wasn’t a success to me. I try to make quality over quantity so I expect the most from every release.
What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?
I’m proud of everything I put out cause I know what I put into it. But my goal is always to be the best at whatever I do so until I’m at the Grammys, I ain’t proud yet.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?
To keep it 110, just be on the lookout for me.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music?
Be proud of being the real you and take pride in your purpose. Reach every aspect of life and take it all back to where you came from.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Follow me on Instagram @KJohnsThaGeneral & Twitter @K_J0hns
