If you are from Chicago, I am pretty sure you have heard of up and coming sounds of OA KZ. Birthed from the South suburbs of Chicago OA KZ also known as “Chicago Playa” has been creating music since the young age of 5. Inspired by his Uncle Kid J, OA KZ said;
“My uncle, Kid J, has been making beats since I was a baby basically. I used to watch him do it while I was on the couch and I used to try rhyme and put flows together. It was nothing honestly, I had one line I would always use. It went like “my name is Isaiah and I am a playa” and I never could think of my next line.”
Now at 20 years old, OA KZ birthed as Isaiah Dunbar is paving the way to start his lane on the Chicago rap scene. In 2017 he dropped his first EP named Let’s Fly, which caught a lot of attention within the Chicago area. When you think of Chicago rap the first thing that comes to mind is Drill music, or Conscious rap along the lanes of Chance the rapper, or Common. But interstingly, OA KZ does not put his self in the same lane as other rappers from the area. He describes his style of music as;
“I speak from my soul anytime I write down lyrics, so I mean I’m really in my zone I would say when I’m on some real hip hop stuff. I really like groovy smooth type of music. Whether it’s Rap or R&B it doesn’t matter whatever type of music that makes your body move in a groovy, smooth way and opens your ears is my style. So I really try my best to blend my old school vibe roots to my new school life.”
Other then his Uncle Kid J, OA KZ is also inspired by Pharrell, Isley Brothers, R. Kelly, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Lupe fiasco, and Selena. I found this selection of artists to be really interesting and unique due to the versatility of sounds in his catalog of music inspirations.
“I respect different things about all of them. For example, Pharrell is probably my main influence he can make beats, sing, rap, do rock, and he’s still a big name in the game. I grew up with him playing all the time, everyone else I respect some of their writing, singing, performance. I take something from all of them. ”
In August OA KZ will release his second EP named “Playa Chronicles”. The debut single named Swang release last month in which he Co-directed. As a multi talented artist with the gifts of singing, song writing , rapping and directing in this project Isaiah wanted to convey more of his creative side. He describes the new as “something new” far beyond what people would expect
“I plan to show what I really have in store for my supporters just to give them a glimpse of what my career will be like. They should expect a different level of music, not something you would feel like a 20 year old from Chicago would make. I tried to make it worldwide and look past where I’m living really. Its my life though no fabrication, all factual from the heart telling different parts of my life and piecing them together. It’s very smooth and it definitely has a vibe to it. It’s almost R&B in my opinion because that’s just the type of zone I was in but it’s something for the ages no doubt. ”
Definitely checkout the new EP when it drops this fall and follow him at;
Facebook: @OverAverage KZ
Snapchat: @kvngzai2
Twitter: @chicagosplaya
Instagram: @chicagosplaya
