Hunned Kay is an American rapper, actor, & entrepreneur who made his way into the music industry growing up in Mizpah, Nj and Riverdale, Ga. Hunned Kay is known for Tv appearances such as Judge Faith, LHHH, Mona Lisa, and many more with his latest single “Scars” garnering attention on various Spotify playlists. We had the chance to interview Hunned Kay to talk more about his background and career journey in the music industry.

Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Since I was a kid I’ve always had this passion for music. I remember writing my first rap at 10 and even got to perform it at the shells gas station to Mr. ColliPark himself in College Park, Ga.

Can you share the most interesting story that has happened to you since you started this career?

The most interesting story that has happened to me since starting my career would be…  2015 I was shot in the hand in a hotel room on the south side of Atlanta and continued to perform live shows with open wounds. All while going through a record deal with Courtney Platz and Platinum Door Entertainment. Courtney picked me up from the southside hotel after she’d heard about her new artist being shot. She was mad at me lol but made me promise to never hide anything from her again no matter the reason or if I thought it would jeopardize my deal. As she stood there in her BuckHead Fur Coat she told me to get in her car and take me to her doctors, put me on the insurance, and have them save my hand as I am a great musician. Upon being discharged from the hospital she then moved me to her BuckHead Mansion where I could just focus on work and not have to worry about the streets.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

The funniest mistake I made starting my music career was Partying way too much. Drinking and Drugs definitely hinder your ability to perform and man was I wasted to the point I forgot my own lyrics. So happy the crowd already loves the song.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? 

Most of the interesting projects I’m working on would have to be “All Of Me”, which is also my debut project. I’ve only released a collaboration EP and a few singles since starting my career.

Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Some of the most interesting people I have worked with are Young Dro, who gave games as new artists. The day of his “I Do The Most Video Shoot ”, featuring Grand Hustles TI, as well as Hustle Gang artist Yung Booke. We rode around BuckHead talking with a mutual friend and my cousin. He told me how he messed up $1.5 Million when he got his deal and moved to BuckHead. This was a real game for a new artist who was already planning to go crazy. We later went to Videoshoot which was the dopest experience from a celebrity to someone who was basically nobody at the time. Young Dro even wanted me to be in the “I Do The Most ” Official music video but after declining due to contractual agreements and my deal at the time I could not appear in the video. Young Dro was kinda mad but he let it go and took me and my cousin to meet the rest of Hustle Gang introducing me like Bruh go crazy.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

I would recommend artists to focus on building their brand, catalog, and fan base before investing in marketing themself to the world. Saves so much time and energy and actually gives you a break to solely focus on where to invest your budget.

You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure?

I give any aspiring artist or independent advice to never quit! Your growth depends on the work you put in. As long as you check off goals you are closer so keep pushing. Expect to be ahead the next day!

Can you share with our readers any self-care routines, practices, or treatments that you do to help your body, mind, or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.

I self-practice meditation and visualizing my goals. I try to focus my energy on completing tasks that I have set for myself.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

5 things I wish someone told me when I started would be… To invest in yourself, Learn the knowledge you will need, Don’t waste time, learn the business,  and Build Your Credit.

Can you please give us your favorite  “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

“Everything is for a reason”! This has helped me tremendously in accepting failure and staying consistent throughout the years.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Help comes in many ways. I’ve looked up too many businessmen, Musicians, and successful people to understand that knowledge is Key in any business and the more you obtain is up to you. One person who is very relatable to me is Russ who independently launched his career and owns all his masters by staying consistent and releasing music until people catch on.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

If I could start a movement it would be to challenge each celebrity to pick one community a year to help grow and develop.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂

I would love to have breakfast or lunch with Jay Z. Game and Knowledge enough to feed a village!

How can our readers follow you online?

I can be followed online:

https://www.instagram.com/therealhunnedkay

https://www.facebook.com/bwekay

https://www.twitter.com/hunnedkaymusic