EQUATE Introducing Karun
"I’ve always loved music and always known that I was going to make it my career."
Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 2019 rising artist Karun is more than just a musical force to be reckoned with, this singer, songwriter, producer, and mother has successfully (and effortlessly) captivated audiences since she was a teenager, and her trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. Hailing from Nairobi, Kenya Karun is a Berklee College of Music Alumni and has recently caught our attention through the release of her highly anticipated 7-track EP ‘Catch A Vibe’. Providing the audience with an introspective look into her journey thus far, the project is an amalgamation of neo-soul, contemporary, and alté RnB, with Karun’s main influences ranging from Flying Lotus to Erykha Badua and Lakua Kanza which makes for a sultry, exciting sound. Having previously released a series of singles: ‘Roses’ feat. Ukweli of EA Wave, ‘Make Believe’ feat. Blinky Bill, the sonically uplifting ‘Glow Up’ calling for female camaraderie, and the sultry ‘Hit Me Up’. ‘Catch A Vibe’ is a show of Karun’s adept penmanship, explores themes of gratitude and self-discovery with a clear message and declaration that Karun is back – and is ready to firmly take her place at the forefront of the global music scene.
Read the feature below…
Words & Interview by Danielle Temeng
EQ: Hi Karun, welcome to EQUATE! Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you developed your love for music?
K: Hi! Thank you. I’m an R&B artist from Nairobi. I’ve been making music for a while, and kinda have a name here in Kenya, but I’m really just getting started with the sound I really resonate with. I’ve always loved music and always known that I was going to make it my career, but when I set foot in a studio at 13/14 years old and really heard a full song with my vocals on it, (just the hook) I knew I was going to do this for the long run.
EQ: Which artists would you say you were most inspired by growing up?
K: I was really inspired by Alicia Keys, Ciara (I even had her dance tutorial tapes on CD!), India Arie, and Amel Larrieux, to name a few. I listened to A LOT of music growing up and had stacks and stacks of CDs.
EQ: If you could choose one song that represents the soundtrack to your life thus far which would it be and why?
K: Prototype by André 3000. For two reasons. This song feels dreamy, and my head is always in the clouds, and second, I feel like one of my life’s purposes is to be the guinea pig, or like the tester, “prototype”. I always feel like I’m on paths that no one else has walked. Plus this is my favorite song of all time.
EQ: You’re making huge waves in the alté scene, would you say as a Kenyan artist you’ve found it easy to break through with most of the attention always focusing on artists out of West Africa?
K: No, I wouldn’t say I’ve found it easy. I also can’t really see it from the outside, but what I know is that I’ve been around for a couple of years and I still feel like I’m just starting.
EQ: If you could describe your artistry in 3 words which would they be and why?
K: Honest, because I put my real-life lessons and stories into my music. I also always choose a sound that I resonate with at the time.
Meditative, because of my vocal layering. They come from a meditative space sometimes, and I hope I make people feel calm.
Uplifting. Because a lot of my songs are. Words are powerful so I want people singing along to them to feel positive.
EQ: You’re a mother and an artist who’s pursuing your dreams and utilising her talents. What do you hope your son takes away from all the hard work you’re putting in now?
K: I hope he sees that you can create something out of nothing, and I hope he feels encouraged to pursue what he’s passionate about. I want him to feel that he can do anything if he works at it.
EQ:….and any advice you’ve been given in your journey that you can pass on for aspiring artists hoping to follow in your footsteps?
K: Hmm, I’ve found it extremely helpful to know how to handle the many aspects necessary to run the business of being an artist i.e. production, writing, directing, pitching, etc. Get a good lawyer (who’s experienced in music law), and constantly work on your craft.
“I write about a couple of hard lessons I had recently learned, “sometimes letting go propels you forward” from a time when I had to let go of a lot of stuff that was weighing me down. Some of that stuff was music…”
EQ: Your brand-new EP ‘Catch A Vibe’ was recently released - congratulations! Which song would you say is your favourite (if you could only choose one), and why?
K: I love them all for different reasons, but since I have to choose one, I’d say that “I Know” is my fave. I love the production from Le Mav (Nigeria) and the lyrics came straight from the heart. “I Know” is an ode to my fans. I write about a couple of hard lessons I had recently learned, “sometimes letting go propels you forward” from a time when I had to let go of a lot of stuff that was weighing me down. Some of that stuff was music that I had worked hard on but was surrounded by the drama that wasn’t serving me. I felt bad for that because my fans had been asking me for new music for months. But I had to let go of all that stuff so that I could make this EP, and now this song is a thank you to my fans for sticking around.
EQ: What do you hope fans and listeners take away from your project, is there an underlying message in it outside of your mesmerising vocals and the infectious production?
K: Ha, thank you. Well, I lace the EP with lessons I learned along that way, but through all those lessons I really just wanted to have a good time. Life can be so intense, but we have to keep it moving, so I think that’s what I want the listener to take away from it. I literally just want them to catch a vibe and heal and grow.
EQ: We’re so excited to see what you’re going to be up to the rest of 2021. Can you give us any hints or exclusives on what to look out for?
K: Oooh, hopefully, some new visuals and live music. Maybe some new music too, collaborations. We’ll see!
Watch the visuals for ‘Catch A Vibe’ below…
YouTube/KARUN MUSIC
Stream ‘Catch A Vibe’ HERE