In the realm of contemporary music, Kahlil Nash shines as a visionary akin to the enigmatic recording artist Prince, forging a unique path through a tapestry of modern sounds. His compositions, blending genres and influences, weave tales of love, joy, and the intricate nuances of existence. Much like the character from, and mystical allure of the iconic Nat King Cole classic “Nature Boy,” Nash’s artistry beckons listeners on a soul-stirring journey. His music resonates with an ethereal quality that captivates and transforms, echoing the wisdom of troubadours from eras past.
Here is my interview with him; I hope you’re as inspired by his musical soul as I am!
Let’s start with the Elephant in the room, you’ve often been compared to Prince. How do you feel about that, and how has he influenced your music and performance style?
Kahlil Nash: At first, I didn’t like the comparison because those are big shoes to fill and can offend a lot of diehard Prince fans. But it’s been eight years, and nothing’s changed, so I’ve learned to appreciate it. Prince taught me to just be me. He was fearless in his self-expression and influenced decades of music through his unique sound. We just so happen to be similar. When I started listening to Prince at 16 years old, it made me go “finally, someone like me!” Prince and I grew up listening to all kinds of music, so our influences are all over the place.
You started performing at a very young age. Can you share a defining moment from your early years that solidified your passion for music?
Nash: There’s a Black History Month event in San Diego, spearheaded by Dajahn Blevins, called The Kuumba Fest that celebrates black community, art, culture, and heritage. That’s where I got my start on stage. It gave me confidence to hear people from my community cheer me on at such a young age and set a great tone for my determination in pursuing the arts.
Your father is DJ Jam, and your uncle is the reggae icon Johnny Nash. How have their careers and legacies influenced your own path in music?
Nash: I’ve always been told to find my own path. I’ve been given the tools, but it’s been up to me to do something with them. I didn’t know Johnny until I was about 10, and my dad provided me with any of the equipment I’d need to be able to make my own music. I spent a lot of my time going down the rabbit hole of YouTube videos to learn how to produce and engineer my ideas. I had a mentor, Francesca Valle, who would help me when I would need guidance on what to learn next and helped me prepare for my first solo gig at Hard Rock Cafe.
You’ve performed at various notable venues and events, from the NAMM Yamaha Mainstage to San Diego Pride. Which performance stands out the most to you, and why?
Nash: I think my favorite would have to be the first time I played the Yamaha Mainstage. Playing the biggest music convention for music industry professionals was very affirming for me as an artist and a guitarist. Performing at NAMM led to PRS Guitars reaching out and giving me the opportunity to endorse their guitars. It was also the first time playing live with my backing band, which was an incredible experience.
Singing background vocals for Grammy winner Andra Day is a significant achievement. What was that experience like, and what did you learn from it?
Nash: It was an incredible experience that I almost didn’t get to be a part of. I was in a choral ensemble in high school, and there were 18 students, but only 7 were chosen. One of the students that was originally chosen couldn’t go, so I was lucky enough to be next in line. Each of us had our parts for her song ‘Rise Up’ written out on sheet music, and we would practice them with our teacher during class. Then we practiced it with Andra during sound check the day of and performed it in front of thousands of people. The experience taught me that I could handle the pressure of singing for a major artist in front of thousands of people. It was also a fun experience to be backstage. There were games all around; we decided to play connect four (I won), and they even had an amazing ceviche bar.
Your second EP, “Transcendence,” recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown, won the 2021 San Diego Music Award. How did the challenges of the lockdown shape this EP, and what does this recognition mean to you?
Nash: The biggest challenge was promoting the EP because it was 100% just through social media promotion during the pandemic. I had a virtual release concert out of the music studio in Tribal Streetwear, run by DJ Artistic, but I wasn’t able to go out and do shows to promote the EP like I was used to. Because of the roadblocks in promoting the EP, the recognition from my city carried even more weight because I wasn’t able to connect with them face to face. The music truly spoke for itself.
What recording artists today would you like to work with, and how would you see that collaboration working?
Nash: There are so many artists that come to mind, but what I look for are musicians and artists that are kind and have mutual values and morals because it would set the foundation for a more successful collaboration and, in turn, a more successful song or project.
Your fans are eager for new music. Can you give us any hints about what you’re working on next and when we might expect to hear new releases?
Nash: I’m constantly working on new music. I’m currently going through and finding the best singles to put out and will be releasing music in the next few months.
If you could encapsulate your entire musical journey into a time capsule for future generations to discover, what three items would you include and why?
Nash: I would include my outfit from Bayfest San Diego because it was my first major festival performance, opening for Damian Marley and other great reggae acts; One of my PRS guitars because back in 2022, they endorsed me after seeing me play on the main stage at NAMM which was a big accomplishment and goal of mine; Lastly, I would put my sequin glove in the time capsule because my very first experience on a stage was singing Michael Jackson songs at a local black history month event called the Kuumba Fest that happens annually.
If you could blend two seemingly unrelated genres of music together into a new genre, what would they be and what do you think the result would sound like?
Nash: I would mix folk and R&B which don’t quite match but I love the way in which folk music tells stories. They give specifics like what they’re wearing, the smell in the air, down to just the specific state that the world around them is existing in a very present manor. I chose RnB to go along with it because of the specific way it omits soulful expression and evokes emotions from listeners that moves people in a way other musical styles usually don’t. I grew up in church and seeing the way the music would move people to the point of shouting, waving their hands, and stomping their feet was something I knew I wanted to accomplish when I performed for audiences.
Beyond Music: Besides music, what other art forms or creative outlets inspire you and how do they influence your musical compositions?
Nash: I grew up a musical theater kid so I would say theater has influenced my showmanship and taught me how to be on stage in front of an audience; All styles of dance inspire me and influence my music because it makes me ask myself “can people dance to this?”
Collaborative Chemistry: What qualities do you look for in a musical collaborator, and how important is personal chemistry versus technical skill in creating memorable music?
Nash: I look for someone I have a solid relationship with because I think that’s where the best music comes from. The people you have the best connection with and understand on an interpersonal level can be the difference between an okay song and a classic. With that being said, I wanna collaborate with new people that can bring something different out of me, something that’s different from my norm.
Future Soundscapes: Looking ahead, how do you envision the evolution of your music and artistic style over the next five years? What new directions or experiments are you excited to explore?
Nash: I’m excited to do more upbeat and rock music. My very first EP was a soft rock project and I originally solely played rock music so it’d be nice to jump into that landscape over the next few years. I wanna have more energetic songs in a live context because it makes shows just that much more exciting.
Last question, if I were an alien from another planet, how would you describe your musical sound to me, and how would you want it to make me feel about the people of Earth?
Nash: I would say it’s smooth, sometimes rocky, but always trying to set a positive atmosphere to everyone that listens. I want to spread a message of love and peace, acceptance and harmony to all that listen.
