K I R K C O LL I N $
If you can find anything online about Kirk Collins, consider yourself lucky. Unsigned, he has yet to release any music in 2017, but has been rumored to be producing for a few of North Carolina's biggest stars. A few underground videos lingering on his YouTube channel show him to have some directing experience, and his steadily growing catalog of music has revealed him to be an eclectic songwriter, with intense moods & brightly shadowed stories, blending hip-hop, jazz, and techno. Although born in early 90's NYC, he appears to have strong roots in Charlotte's vibrant hip-hop culture.. but besides a few small details, there is still much remaining to be known about the young artist.
Kirk has managed to keep a strong animated undercurrent in his music, carrying sharp, bright art direction forward from his early work into his more recent material. In 2015, his record "Superstition" debuted, covered in lush red roses, emblazoned by a seemingly carved cross. This record grew into a subtle foundation for him musically, and has remained a focal point of his last few live performances.
"The whole concert was split in half bringing out artists from Kirk Collins and Austin Royale to Key! (former member of Two-9) and Denzel Curry’s fellow labelmate, JK The Reaper. Media outlets like Smoker’s Club, The Fader, and many others were present to take notice of the range of talent that came out to perform."
- RESPECT. Magazine (LINK)
The direction of his content could be described as hazy, even sometimes despondent. The music swims in conflict, floating between perspective and reality. Singing over thin drums, glazed in warping synths, Kirk minimizes the most saturated elements of present-day Rap into something between Glitch and EDM.
In a recent interview on UNC Charlotte's campus radio, Kirk named a dynamic range of influences, from Beyoncé to MF Doom. He also mentioned beginning to write music more often as a way to clear his own depression, emphasizing the "storybook" elements of his work.
"I've always associated Yoko Ono to John Lennon. I've always associated Yoko Ono to World Peace. I know her truest influence on me was creating a conversation about unity."
- Kirk Collins, 2016
The record "Yoko Ono," initially premiered on the fashion platform VFILES, August 2016. It features additional vocals from female vocalist LSHAEY, with production from King Ceez, James Malik, and PHNTM93. The lyrics have been verified and officially annotated on media site Genius.
Designed by Jamar Grant of EIDO WORKS, the artwork is a stream-lined font, blank and stark, yet filled with shades and layers.
"My newest record, 'Ben Baller' is actually a tribute to my father... Music is something to be enjoyed, but it's also a window into the mind. "
- Kirk Collins, 2017
6'0 150lbs CLT/NYC sz. 10.5