We had a moment to wrap with Kendro, the upcoming rapper from Georgia. Check out his full interview below and be sure to follow JukeboxCulture on Instagram.

Where are you from and how was life growing up? I’m from Morven/Barney, Georgia (Two country towns combined) and that’s why I stay hollering m-townnnnnnn! in my adlibs. Growing up, I won’t say life was bad and we never had good moments, but I feel just like a million other mfers in da hood. We’re all hoping for better days and situations as we’re growing up. All I had was my Mom and my G’Ma, my father wasn’t present. My little brother and I live totally different lives as well, so that’s another reason why I have other people that I consider real brothers just as much. I’ve had a bunch of ups and downs in life but it helped me to be stronger! 

What inspired you to start your career? I was inspired to write music as a way of dealing with my life and all of the trials and tribulations. I didn’t talk and open up to my people when I was young so I put all the good, bad, anger, happy, fun, partying, life etc into my music instead of just venting and talking. Even as a jit when I didn’t rap well, I still wanted it to make sense and put my pain and thoughts into it. I just had to find my delivery and way to tell my story, and music was how I was able to do it. 

What was the first event or experience that really boosted your career? I’ll have to say between “Flexxin” and “Goin Thru Sum Thangs”. I say “Flexxin” because it was my first song to really get in radio rotation in South Georgia, which was strong for me. At that time, I had just finished dealing with a case, cut my hair and revamped all that shit, so by then I was happy to say I was “Goin Thru Sum Thangs” because I felt like the people chose that shit and made it BIG! Everyone and their mama’z was playing it and it inspired me personally and motivated me to say, this music thing is for me. The song was real and full of pain. The song also had a campaign and movement that landed me a major label meeting with Universal Records and Naim Mcnair.

How did you get your name? “I can’t light up off a make believe story”, so one day my dawg just said “dat shit one day Kendro”. It wasn’t even a lyric, it was some street shit and I didn’t even know how to rap yet, but it stuck and now here we are. 

Who is your biggest inspiration? Kinsley, Kaleb and Kayden – My KIDS! Now that I’ve grown up and see what I have to do to win and who I have to do it for? These are my inspirations. Of course my Momma, G’Ma and everybody that has truly supported me from DAY 1! #100K

Most expensive piece of jewelry?  At the moment, it’s a $2500 Cuban Link. I have a couple of chains and a few watches and  bracelets. I’ve got my eye on something worth bout 10K (Big Tyme Cuban Links) so I’m grinding to get that and you the custom “Kendro” is on the way fa sho!  

What has been the most difficult part of developing your career?
The hardest part has been finding a consistent team to help make moves and keep things organized, while I try to focus on being a great artist and entertainer. Financially, you have to put money into things as well, so it can be difficult and it wasn’t the same as it used to be 20-30 years ago. The game used to look for people to bring up from the hood, the slums, the projects and the trailer parks, but now if you don’t have a bag or at least look like you’re getting a bag, people don’t check for you. So you have to be strategic on how you move and who you deal with in this game, so you can learn more. 



Where do you see yourself in 5 years? ON DA TOP! It’s my time to have my run I feel. I just have to put all the right puzzle pieces together now that I’ve found myself. On to BIG TYME meetings, deals, investments and endorsements. 

If you could collaborate with a celebrity? Who would it be?
Being that T.I. is my favorite artist, I’ll have to go with Da Kang! But Drake is also goin’ bar for bar wit em! 

What type of advice would you give to young artists that want to have a career in music?
My advice to any up and coming artist that is truly serious and wants to make something out of themselves and out of life is to KEEP GOIN! Don’t let anything stop you. I’ve ran with 20/30 niggaz before and I’ve ran by myself or with 4/5 niggaz. And to be honest, sometimes less is best! Nothing can stop you, but you! 

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