For Atlanta-based artist Bktherula, instantly entrancing melodies seem to come naturally. Chasing a feeling rather than the clout, the 18-year-old phenom says she’s more aware than most — wise beyond her years and versatile beyond belief.
“I hope to spread my message across the entire world, that’s why I really make music,” she said. “Motivational speakers can’t get through to everyone, but through music, I can.”
In short, BK is an underground enigma, shining brighter on every track she touches. With over one million Spotify monthly listeners, she’s not only cemented herself in a genre predominantly overran with male acts, but also has curated a unique and enticing sound all her own. On breakout singles in “Tweakin Together,” “Santanny” and “Summer,” her skill-set captivates as soon as listeners press play — singing, spitting and conveying emotion and energy into every verse.
Dripped in sultry, new wave production, BK’s voice is the star of the show — seamlessly combining emo-rap, plugg and punk all into one. Sounding like a fairy tale caught at fever pitch, BK is a refined forced to be recknoned with, as “light,” “okok/depressing” and “Uh Huh” showcase her knack for creating immersive, melody-driven tracks that are not only remembered, but stay on repeat.
🔰 𝗢𝗚𝗠 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 🔰@bktherula chopped it up with #OGM host @ayoohakeem to speak on “Love Santana,” self-love and respect, the 5th Dimension & more! ⬇️
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) September 8, 2021
+ full exclusive: https://t.co/e3nnjWXfSN pic.twitter.com/N07dA7uHnY
Dropping her sophomore LP Nirvana last year, BK has her sights set on the bigger picture. Striving to take her sound to a whole new level, her experimental, alternative pocket allows her to take influence from everywhere. From hardcore grunge to new wave plugg, BK is a savant — able to incorporate and infuse multiple genres into her own sound.
Signing a deal with RCA Records in late-2019, her talent is amplified throughout her discography. Her debut album Love Santana features a plethora of edgy, off-kilt cuts that steal away listeners in a heartbeat. Her latest single “Not Wock” pushes the envelope once more, as BK uniquely flows over the track’s dark, hard-hitting production.
With BK on the come-up as of one the most defiant underground artists, her allure as a female in an emerging genre dominated by young male acts (i.e. SoFaygo, SSGKobe and BabySantana among many others) proves that she’s able to operate at a high-level — taking big-league swings with big-league talent behind her.
As a refined presence in the new wave, Bktherula sat down with OGM host Hakeem Rowe to discuss self-love and respect, Ken Car$on, Earl Sweatshirt, the 5th Dimension and more in this Our Generation Music exclusive interview.
Time Stamps
- 1:57 No features for Bktherula & only way to get the feature is to really be friends first
- 3:15 Real game on growth
- 6:15 the love for the futuristic & sci-fi
- 7:35 favorite game is Cyberpunk
- 9:01 The Matrix and Magic Mushrooms, Being out the matrix
- 12:40 the importance of Human Emotion
- 13:00 Haters
- 14:30 The Third Dimension, while Bktherula speaks on the 5th Dimension and awareness
- 16:30 What was Bk listening to growing up inspiring her sound
- 17:12 Beat Selection
- 18:50 The science behind Bk’s beat selection
- 19:30 Bktherula recording process
- 21:00 Drive to be creative in every way from producing to djing
- 21:53 Speaking on Bktherula’s father being a rapper in the group Planet X
- 22:30 School didn’t connect at the time
- 30:55 Earl Sweatshirt
- 32:40 Dream collaboration as producer and artist – Tame Impala & Skrillex
- 37:20 the Importance of the energy into the music is what will be felt
- 40:20 Good ego vs. Bad ego
- 42:15 Santanny & SUPAH Mario
- 44:48 The beauty around insanity and creatives
- 46:00 Bktherula & Ken Carson
- 47:32 The upcoming project and what’s the goal
