This week the Lakeside Entertainment Group blog features Kyd Money, discussing his latest release ‘Thankful’ and the power of positivity through challenging times.
Hailing from Los Angeles, CA Sedale Hunter, better known today as Kyd Money, began writing poetry at an early age. In 2015, inspired by studio sessions with St. Louis based rapper Woodatruth, Sedale began experimenting with his own songs. There was an instant connection, and by the end of 2015 Sedale’s first mixtape, Huntin Season, was born under the moniker Lil Hunt.
In 2016 he released his first album honoring his California roots, Cali Vibin’, under his independently owned record label, Millicrew, formed by a brotherhood of artists including Woodatruth, Ebfromsac, and Kenny. Cali Vibin’ received positive press coverage nationwide. During this time Sedale joined the Army and had been deployed around the world; it was his time in Afghanistan that led to exponential growth, learning, and a new perspective on life.
After his return from Afghanistan, Sedale settled in Hawaii and changed his name to Kyd Money. He released his self-titled track “Kyd Money,” followed by “Bossed Up” and “Klap,” gaining over 100,000 streams on Spotify alone.
LEG: New music is here! “Thankful” is available everywhere you stream your music. Was the goal to make an uplifting song during a time we could all use it or was it just more of an internal feeling you had when you were in your music making space?
KM: The making of “Thankful” was definitely an internal feeling. Believe it or not the song is actually about my Father. I lost my Pops July 18th, 2020. When my producer (Kwafi) played that beat for me I instantly thought about my Dad. It does sound like I am thanking God and it can be taken that way but personally I am thanking my Pops.
LEG: Looking at the comments on YouTube and elsewhere, it looks like “Thankful” really hits home for some and helps put things into perspective. Did you realize this song would have that kind of personal impact on people?
KM: I didn’t expect it. But the energy I put into the song I somehow knew that the universe would give it right back to me.
LEG: Are you by nature a positive person? Have you always been and where do you think that comes from if so?
KM: I would like to think so hahah. A lot of negative events has happened in my life. I went from losing my Pops to losing my Brother 10 months later. I had to make a choice. Be depressed and negative or take the encouraging words my Father and Brother shared with me and be the best I can be. That strong mindset is just in the family. If you push positive energy into this world it’ll always come back to you. Believe it!
LEG: Kwafi is featured on the track. Give us the run down on him, how you guys linked up for this and how you knew he’d be the perfect addition to the record.
KM: Kwafi is my producer/engineer. I booked my first session with him in 2017 and he has been my producer ever since. That’s my brother. Kwafi actually pushes me beyond my limits. One day I am rapping and the next he’s telling me “let’s try singing on this track”. When he made the beat for “Thankful” we recorded the song literally in my living room. I knew what to say on it the moment he played the track. I insisted for him to be on it because I knew he had the voice for it.
LEG: What is your creative process like when making a track like “Thankful”? Did that process change during the pandemic?
KM: It’s always a vibe. I hear a beat and sometimes I feel, inspirational, motivated, angry or sad. The pandemic didn’t change the process it just enhanced my emotions.
LEG: With all of your success and positivity there are always roadblocks and challenges. Can you tell us about one of the hardest challenges you’ve had to face either personally or professionally and how you overcame it?
KM: The hardest personal challenge I have faced was finding the will to keep moving forward after losing 2 very important people in my life. It sucks not being able to talk to my Dad everyday and picking my Brothers brain about money moves. But I know I am blessed to have a wife and kids to help put me back together. On the professional side, it's finding artists that are as serious as you are. You got some snakes out there and people will use you for every dollar. Its a cold game but I still find the fun it though.
@kyd_money Positive vibes only! #thankful #positivevibes #hiphop #musicvideo #viral #fyp ♬ original sound - kyd_money
LEG: You’ve been around the world serving in the Army (thank you for your service!). What kind of impact did your time in Afghanistan and elsewhere have on your music?
KM: Appreciate it! I got to experience how people live in other countries and what type of music worked and didn’t. Some countries made me appreciate the small things in life and other countries was just a straight up dope experience. Those experiences remind me to just be me when I create music.
LEG: One of the slogans we’ve adopted is “Find Your Lake” which means to find the place you are most relaxed and at peace. Where is that place for you?
KM: In the car listening to beats, unreleased tracks, drake or j Cole. As long as I am in a whip with the music blasting its “Hakuna Matata”. Drake been on point lately with that “Champagne Poetry”.
LEG: What’s one piece of advice you know now that you wish you knew when you first got into music?
KM: DON’T PAY PEOPLE TO DANCE TO YOUR SONG. IT'S NOT WORTH IT.
LEG: Now that “Thankful” is out (just in time for Thanksgiving too) ….. what’s next for 2022 and beyond?
KM: I don’t know but I’m always in my “ELEMENT”.
For More Kyd Money: