Exclusive Interview with I.K.P.

By HipHopNow Staff November 11, 2025

Artist Spotlight: I.K.P.

The new single by New York rapper I.K.P. – The Infamous King of Positivity – is all about winning through resilience. Born Kenny Alvarez, I.K.P. calls the genre “grunge rap,” an offshoot of trap with a dirty and textured beat and a dark, ominous melody.

In this exclusive Q&A, I.K.P. opens up about the stories behind the music, lessons learned along the way, and what keeps their passion alive.

HipHopNow: Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?

I.K.P.: It's varied. But I wrote something once after seeing Megan Thee Stallion post a teaser of her song Lover Girl on Instagram before it came out. It samples Total's Kissin You and that got me going, big fan of Total. When I found the bounce beat that might have inspired Megan's track, I recorded a demo that day.

Lately I've been inspired by love. Self love, romantic love, desire, devotion. I've been following that energy and I'm in that mode.

HipHopNow: Where do you find inspiration for your lyrics and melodies?

I.K.P.: Pop and R&B music really. I like to study different songwriters. Taylor Swift, Addison Rae, SZA, Teyana Taylor, Ariana Grande, stuff from her Positions album and Eternal Sunshine album, then old school stuff like Aaliyah, Mariah Carey or Brandy's classic stuff to get an idea how to make melodies that move me. That type of pop is above my singing range, but it doesn't stop me from finding my tone and seeing where that inspiration takes me.

My lyrics are mostly just a way to process a certain emotion. I've felt a lot of yearning and willingness to be devoted to love and what that means to me. So once I hear something that helps me tap in, I'll journal it and sometimes the ideas for the songs come from that.

HipHopNow: How do you handle writer’s block or creative slumps?

I.K.P.: Writer's block I don't look at as a hurdle anymore. That's a sign that I need a break and I'm happy to give myself yhat grace. When I'm constantly thinking about what I'm doing next, the next song, the next project, the next piece of content, it can get overwhelming. So when things slow down, its actually a good sign to go live life!

HipHopNow: What comes first for you: the music or the lyrics?

I.K.P.: These days its the music. Sometimes I'll have music with no idea where the song will come from. Then, I'll be inspired by something I went through or something I need to express in the moment and let the process happen.

HipHopNow: How do you know when a song is truly finished?

I.K.P.: My body will know. When the nagging compulsion to fix something in the song goes away, that's a good sign.

HipHopNow: What legacy do you hope to leave with your music?

I.K.P.: I hope it's a way out for someone, just like how my favorite artists and songs have been an escape for me.

HipHopNow: What’s the most significant change you’ve seen in yourself since starting your music career?

I.K.P.: Evolving from thinking I had to show up a certain way - clean cut, perfectly packaged and manicured - to be embraced and accepted. I wore a lot of suits and thought that was a way to portray a sense of authority in my music in order to be distinct and taken seriously as a rapper with a queer identity that I wore proudly. I didn't know how to embrace my own vulnerability until I realized I couldn't escape them without facing them. That journey was when things shifted.

HipHopNow: What accomplishment in your career are you most proud of?

I.K.P.: Mostly to still be doing it actively when a lot of my peers have shifted their priorities. That I still want to make music and have something to say to my community.

HipHopNow: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?

I.K.P.: Having new experiences that could inspire new music. But I love traveling and seeing places and cultures I've never been and immersing myself in the moment. I'm definitely a solo traveler.

HipHopNow: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your daily life?

I.K.P.: Giving gratitude for the people in my life that check in. Nothing beats having people in your life that understand and embrace all parts of who you are, without question.

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B.O.A Mook navigates emotional motivation with new single “It Is What It Is”

Exclusive Interview with B.O.A MOOK

ByHipHopNow Staff November 06, 2025

Artist Spotlight: B.O.A MOOK

B.O.A Mook is an artist, entrepreneur and visionary hailing from Memphis with much more than music to offer to the rap game. Whether it be his clothing line, his label or anything else, his motto remains the same: “Believe. Overcome. Achieve.” B.O.A is more than an abbreviation for him, it’s a community-centric lifestyle that everyone who knows and respects him follows.

We sat down with B.O.A Mook to talk about their creative journey, inspirations, and what’s next.

HipHopNow Magazine: When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?

B.O.A MOOK: Honestly, that’s a trick question for me — I feel like I’ve always done music. Even as a kid, I was singing around the house or in the church choir. In middle school, I joined school plays and the choir, too. I wrote my first song at 15 called “Can We Live” after my brother passed away from gun violence. That moment really changed everything for me — it made music more than just a hobby; it became my way of healing and expressing what I was feeling.

HipHopNow Magazine: What inspires you to make music?

B.O.A MOOK: Music itself inspires me — the beats, the dancing, the energy of performing in front of people who know your lyrics word for word. That feeling is everything. I love this career because it’s beautiful — you get to create your own world and connect with others through it. That’s real inspiration to me.

HipHopNow Magazine: Tell us a little about your background.

B.O.A MOOK: I’m the third child out of my mom’s ten kids, so I grew up surrounded by a lot of people and a lot of energy. I was raised in the South, where it’s soulful — we love music, love to dance, love to joke around, and of course, love some good BBQ. I grew up playing football in the street on Durby Circle, stopping by my boy HB’s house for snacks throughout the day — those were the days for real.

I actually have 24 siblings total, so I grew up with a lot of brothers, and it definitely made me tough and taught me how to stand on my own.

HipHopNow Magazine: What’s your favorite memory related to music?

B.O.A MOOK: That’s a good one. I’d have to say performing at a celebrity basketball game in my city. I had to sell tickets just to earn my slot. Back then, our cars barely worked — no heat, so we’d wrap up in blankets just to ride. I remember begging my mom to let me and my little brothers perform, and she finally agreed. All we needed was gas money, and somehow, God made a way.

We performed our song “Can We Live”, and after our set, a woman came up to us asking if we wanted to be on TV. Turns out it was for a Lifetime reality series called “Ms. T’s Music Factory” that was filming in Memphis. That moment changed everything — I was 17, performing on national TV. Definitely one of my favorite memories ever.

HipHopNow Magazine: What are your passions outside of music?

B.O.A MOOK: Outside of music, my biggest passion is being the best dad I can be — giving my kids a good life and a strong foundation. I’m also passionate about acting and being on the big screen. That’s another dream I’m chasing for sure.

HipHopNow Magazine: What keeps you motivated?

B.O.A MOOK: Just wanting more. Not being where I want to be yet — that hunger keeps me going. I know what I’m capable of, and every day I’m pushing to get closer to that vision.

HipHopNow Magazine: What’s your favorite song right now?

B.O.A MOOK: Right now, I’d have to say “It Is What It Is.” That one means a lot to me — it’s real, it’s raw, and it tells my story.

HipHopNow Magazine: What’s your creative process like?

B.O.A MOOK: It really just comes to me. Sometimes I go to the studio and come straight off the head. Other times, I’ll hear a beat that just speaks to me and the lyrics start flowing naturally. It’s all about feeling and connection for me.

HipHopNow Magazine: Who are your biggest musical influences?

B.O.A MOOK: I wouldn’t say I have one album that shaped me, but I’ve been heavily influenced by Yo Gotti. Seeing what he built from Memphis — the way he turned his grind into an empire — that inspires me and shows me I can do the same thing for real.

HipHopNow Magazine: What’s the most challenging part about being an artist?

B.O.A MOOK: Man, being an artist is challenging in itself — for real, for real. You have to have a strong hustle both on and off the stage. It takes money, strategy, and patience. You gotta know how to invest in yourself the right way, because this game isn’t cheap. But if you stay consistent and believe in yourself, it’s all gonna be worth it.