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Rising singer-songwriter and producer Lutso Puro, better known by his stage name Kay Ryukei, is making waves in the music space with his blend of hip-hop, indie and pop influences.
Hailing from Pfutsero, this multi-talented artiste discovered his passion for beatboxing at 15 and began penning his own lyrics a year later. Now, with a handful of acclaimed tracks already under his belt, Puro is offering a compelling look into his creative process, musical inspirations and the therapeutic role that music has played in his life in this candid interview with Eastern Mirror.
Eastern Mirror: What sparked your interest in singing, and when did you realise you wanted to pursue it professionally?
Lutso Puro: I have been a huge fan of music since I was a child and have been singing for as long as I can remember. Along with singing/rapping, I learned music production from my younger brother (Nezho Puro), who is also actively pursuing a music career. He has always been an inspiration to me.
Music helps me deal with my anxiety and other issues that come with it, which is a major reason why I want to pursue singing as a career.
Eastern Mirror: Can you walk us through your creative process when making a new track?
Lutso Puro: It depends. Sometimes I start by producing the beat first, and sometimes I write the lyrics first. However, most of the time I start with the beat, if I have access to the tools needed to make one. Travelling and the people around me inspire me to write new songs. I write my songs based on the atmosphere I'm in, which can be gloomy at times, and sometimes bright.
Eastern Mirror: Your lyrics frequently address personal experiences and societal issues. How do you make sure that your music reflects your authenticity?
Lutso Puro: Yes, my songs are about my personal experiences and societal issues. I can ensure the authenticity of my lyrics because I am not imitating someone else. My thoughts are only kept to myself and later expressed through my music. My lyrics are not based on fantasy, but on real-life experiences that I have had emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
Lutso Puro: This part is heavily influenced by my personality. My music reflects my personality, and I choose the sounds based on how I am feeling. Every producer has different ears for different sounds, and each sound has its own key, which can be shifted, but some keys are darker and brighter than others. I choose the sounds I want based on the song's mood, which can range from upbeat to sad.
Eastern Mirror: The hip-hop trap genre has evolved over the years. How do you see the genre progressing, and what are your thoughts on trap beats?
Lutso Puro: Yes, it has. We now have new sub-genres like Yeat, Opium, Phonk, and others. The new sounds we hear in trap beats today are influenced by EDM music, which has been popular worldwide since the 1980s. So far, the sounds have changed, but the overall patterns and rhythms have remained consistent.
Eastern Mirror: The rise of digital platforms and streaming services has had a significant impact on the music industry. How has this impacted your approach to releasing and promoting music?
Lutso Puro: In my opinion, it has both advantages and disadvantages. Compared to the past, we now have greater access to media and the benefits that come with it. Today, we can share our content with the rest of the world with the click of a button. Although this appears to be a simple and fascinating concept, it does have some drawbacks. It is easier for people to judge your music based on their opinions rather than what is actually portrayed, resulting in backlash. Overall, however, the media has greatly aided me in getting to where I am today. It has helped me connect even more deeply with my own family, as well as with many others who share my views on society.
Eastern Mirror: Can you share the story behind one of your favourite tracks and what inspired it?
Lutso Puro: I have only released two songs of mine—’Life Goes On’ and ‘I’m From the East’. I do not have any favourites because every song I write is inspired, so it is difficult for me to pick one, but in this case, I will have to go with ‘Life Goes On,’ because it was the first song I released and my first experience as an artist. I made a lot of friends while working on that track, which helped me learn a lot more about how the systematic approach to music and videography works.
The theme of the song is ‘self-independence’. It depicts our life problems as well as our ability to move on. My personal struggles inspired me to write the song. I believe that music and its platforms are underappreciated in our society. As I worked towards becoming a full-time musician, I received a lot of criticism. My work was not well received, particularly by the older generation. I took the criticism as a challenge and pushed myself to release that particular song.
Eastern Mirror: Collaboration is an important part of the music industry. Who are some of the artistes or producers you would like to collaborate with?
Lutso Puro: Artistes such as Jpollnd, Moko Koza, and Z World inspire me greatly. It would be an honour to collaborate with them. I have been making beats for JP, but we have not done a song yet, so I am looking forward to working with him.
Eastern Mirror: Many singers find inspiration in a variety of musical genres. How do you incorporate various influences into your own music?
Lutso Puro: Hip-hop, Indie, and Pop genres are my main sources of inspiration. Artists such as Juice Wrld (R.I.P.), The Kid Laroi, Post Malone, Ed Sheeran, Suriel Hess, Drake, Lil Tjay, and PoloG inspire me to create new music.
It is important to have artists who inspire you because inspiration breeds dedication. Having said that, I try to maintain my own unique signature style, but in order to do so, one must go through personal experiences and write songs based on how they truly feel, rather than a fabricated reality.
Eastern Mirror: What message or emotion do you hope to convey to your listeners via your music?
Lutso Puro: I want my music to evoke a variety of emotions and experiences, from joy and inspiration to introspection and reflection. Finally, I hope listeners find connection and resonance with the melodies and lyrics, whether it is storytelling, conveying raw emotions, or simply providing a soundtrack to their lives.