Tap'N With Long Beach Rapper KingCaliDro
Today we’re talking to Long Beach rapper KingCaliDro. He’s a true west coast rapper who has really endured a lot on his journey, and continues to beat the odds.
Before we get started, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
KingCaliDro: My grandfather was an internationally known pimp from Long Beach, California named Frederick McIntyre, aka “Mac the Pimp.” Legend has it that the character Goldie from the movie “The Mac” was based on my mom’s father, so growing up was a little different for me.
My mom’s side [of the family] was very mafia style and low key. My dad’s side of the family was kinda flashy and traditional. I played basketball for Petrolane at Martin Luther King park on the eastside of Long Beach from the age of six through fifteen. That’s where I met all my homies, friends, and even family members from Insane Crip.
Shortly after that I got involved with street life in every way except prison, thank God. Two of my homies died and one of my favorite cousins went down on a murder charge. Soon after that, I had my son which slowed me down dramatically. In a dominoes effect type of way, I started losing “friends” left and right, week after week, month after month, until it was just me. I took that as a sign from God to get my shit together and [get] out the streets and went all in on the music tip.
Karma kicked my ass, but I kept it crackin. My mom had two aneurysms, a stroke and breast cancer and beat all that. Then in 2016 I had twins that died after birth. One [died] two weeks later, and the other [one] six months later. It was the worst time of my life. Losing one of my best friends really took a toll on me. The day after his funeral my six month old baby Kalil passed away.But now I’m stronger with my chest out and chin up. Ten toes, two feet I stand.
Wow. You’ve been through a lot, my condolences to you, too. And I commend you for having the strength to keep going after all of that. What have been some other challenges you’ve faced since then while pursuing a music career, and lessons you’ve learned?
KingCaliDro: Making sure that I’m putting just as much energy into my kids’ life as I am into my career, and making sure everything I can do benefits them. And I’ve learned to never expect someone to treat me how I treat them.
I salute you for that, Black fathers are so important. Tell us a little bit about your music. How would you describe it?
KingCaliDro: My music is authentic, meaning it’s what music is supposed to be. Basically, [I’m] saying my shit got that one verse everybody can relate to, instead of rapping about the streets, politics, family or life in general.
How would you describe your sound?
KingCaliDro: If you take 2005 - 2014 Bay Area bounce, ‘91-2001 Long Beach/Compton g-funk sound, 2007 - 2012 LA party beats, and Louisiana’s No Limit Records sound with today’s bass lines you get KingCaliDro.
That’s quite a combo. I think it’s a pretty accurate description though. Are there any other artists you would compare yourself to?
KingCaliDro: Nipsey Hussle. We have the same type of struggle when it comes to trying to make it out of our tough surroundings, so I understood him the most. I relate to him a lot more than a lot of these other artists.
RIP to the late Nip Tha Great. What else should we know about your work?
KingCaliDro: If a true hip hop head listens to my music they would hear me flip certain words or phrases from pioneers of rap such as Naughty by Nature, Lil Boosie, DJ Quik, Notorious BIG, etc., not on no Drake or Tory Lanez type shit, but on some appreciation type bars lol, should out to them guys though, salute.
What are your plans for the future?
KingCaliDro: My plan is to become a successful business owner and use all my resources to put my people and family on, from music, film, trucking, education, etc.
Yes! We love to see it! Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, but if you can do it, do it. What else sets you apart from others?
KingCaliDro: My ambition. These days people give up or stop what they do if they don’t feel like they’re getting the right amount of likes or views they deserve. There’s a lot of discouragement going on in this game and at the end of the day it’s on you to move past that and keep stepping. A lot of rappers you hear today won’t be here in six years, trust me.
Ambition and tenacity are definitely the key. Would you say that’s what got you where you are today?
KingCaliDro: I had to take real route, meaning I was outside really networking and still being active in the streets. Back then it was more about what you were doing rather than what you got, and you really had to be in the studio everyday like a real lab rat. But patience and keeping it solid got me where I’m at today. Mix patience with never giving up, then boom.
Outside of music, what matters to you the most?
KingCaliDro: Family. And when I say family I’m talking about people you trust and that trust you. People who are loyal to you and vice-versa.
Tell us something that might surprise people about you?
KingCaliDro: I’m a crip, but I really love the color red.
LOL definitely wouldn’t have guessed that. Ok, tell everyone where they can find your music.
KingCaliDro: