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Music

DR. MARTENS SPEAKS TO CAKES DA KILLA

Following his explosive performance at AFROPUNK Paris, we caught up with Cakes Da Killa to find out what inspires his music and what he stands for.  
 

Cakes da Killa performing at AFROPUNK, wearing Geraldo sandals. Photographed by
Cakes Da Killa performing at AFROPUNK Paris, wearing Geraldo sandals. Photographed by Aurélien Gillier.
 
 
For those who don’t know Cakes Da Killa, how would you sum yourselves up in a sentence?
I think I would describe myself in one sentence as, "the physical manifestation of having no f*cks to give. 
 
Can you talk us through the inspiration behind your music?
A lot of my music is very high energy and in your face but sometimes I can be mellow and personal just depends on the narrative. I touch on various things that I experience in life from all the amazing traveling I get to do to hookups; you know, the spice of life. Ideally, I want listeners to just be able to have fun to my music and feel the same sense of freedom I have during the process of making it.  
 
Tell us about your first Dr. Martens:
My first pair of Docs were a custom pair I received when I played the Afropunk Festival maybe 2 years ago. I remember being happy because I always wanted a pair and to finally get a pair with sick custom artwork was amazing! Ever since then I’ve been obsessed.  
 
Name your favourite track you’re listening to right now:
I’m listening to LSDXOXO’s latest release Fuck, Marry, Kill on loop.  
 
Cakes da Killa performing at AFROPUNK, wearing Geraldo sandals. Dancers wear black 1B99 Zip boots. Photographed by
Cakes Da Killa performing at AFROPUNK Paris, wearing Geraldo sandals. Dancers wear black 1B99 Zip boots. Photographed by Aurélien Gillier.
 
 
What’s your favourite thing about the city you live in?
My favourite thing about living in New York is the pulse of the city. I like to constantly be doing something and the city pushes me to always be on the scene, stay inspired and hustle hard to pay my inflated rent. It's a win win situation if you make the best of it.   
 
What advice would you give someone trying to break into your industry?
My advice to newbies: find out who you are as an individual first because everyone is going to have an opinion on who you are as an artist and it’s your job to set the record straight. Also, pack light.  
 
What made you want to play at Afropunk Paris?
It’s very rare that I play events where the majority of the audience looks like me, talks like me, dresses like me, and can relate completely to the show. That’s a feeling I love to experience and Afropunk crowds always deliver. 
 
And finally what do you stand for?
I stand for making the world a better place for the kindred spirits who will follow after me. 
 
Find out more about Cakes Da Killa on his website, Twitter and Facebook