Meet My New Best Friend, KTLYN

Judging from her vibe, I had a strong feeling KTLYN and I would be friends! It is her time to shine right now after being chosen to join Russ on his Handsomer Remix. I got to know the TikTok queen and she spilled all the tea.

I want to take it back at first to the very beginning. Where did you start? How did you get into music all that?

I've always been obsessed with hip hop. When I was about 10 I saw a movie that changed my life and it was You Got Served. The soundtrack to that had me going crazy. And I was a really big fan of hip hop dance, like, obsessed with it. I was watching YouTube videos all day, every day of people doing choreography to my favorite songs or whatever. I saw that movie, I got really into it. And I started, you know, heavily listening to hip hop and just started writing my own stupid raps in my bedroom. And yeah, ever since then, I mean, I just kind of, you know, built my sound. And now I'm here which is pretty crazy.

Do you still dance too?!

I'm a good dancer, but I'm a little rusty, so I got to get back on it. I don't know if you're gonna catch me on TikTok dancing anytime soon, but maybe, maybe I might. I might just bust a little something out. But it's definitely has been like a long time coming and just a passion of mine. I've just always been obsessed with it. You know watching Wayne, Drake, Nicki. Big Young Money and Eminem and just kind of like watching them as a kid and through high school and just I mean, I was like, lyric genius. Sing every word they row and like practicing all the rapss until I was able, you know, to do it myself. And I was like, Oh, I'm I'm pretty good at this actually. So I then you know, in high school, started rapping with my friends freestyling recording myself on like, GarageBand with like, a shitty mic. And yeah, just having fun with it until I got to LA and then linked up with Too $hort who got me in the studio and all that fun stuff.

How would you say being from San Diego has shaped you as an artist?

San Diego is beautiful. I love it. But it's a pretty small town, sleepy a little bit. I think it really just pushed me to get to LA because I had such a love for music. There's not a big music scene out there. So I was like, I got to go find it. And the closest place was LA and I knew that's where it was poppin’ and happening so it kind of just pushed me to want to like you know, be in a city that's a little more you know, fiery, get some fire under my ass and like meet some people that you know, are in the industry and can show me the ropes and stuff.

Flash forward to today. Let's talk Handsomer. Handsome HER should I say?! Congrats on making onto the Billboard Hot 100!

It's such a moment. I couldn't have even pictured this happening. Like the way it has. It's been the coolest story. It just blows my mind that we're top 40 on Billboard Hot 100. Like for independent artists. It's crazy. Amazing. Russ is the coolest dude. I actually just met him for the first time yesterday. So he's the coolest and yeah, he's really just iconic for independent artists. And just proving like, you know, if you work hard enough, and you're talented enough, you can really do it on your own. And yeah, it's just it's so cool to have him like as a mentor and like someone to talk to as an independent artist myself, so yeah, it's been awesome. I'm so grateful that he opened that song up to artists to jump on, because you know, I had to do my thing on it so I was so excited that it was so well received.

Take me through that moment when you found out he was going to use your verse.

It was actually my birthday. So on my actual birthday, which was on a Tuesday, I believe and, he just hit my he hit my DM, it was like, give me your number. Send me the Handsomer verse and just was kind of cryptic, like, just send it send it over, you know, with all the sauce on it. And I was like, Okay, so, yeah, like, say less, I got my shit together, like, sent it direct. And then I was just like, What is he gonna do with it? Like, obviously, I was hoping he was dropping the official remix. But I didn't know like, I didn't know if it was for TikTok or what it was for. And then he's like, we're doing it. We're doing the official Handsomer remix. And I was like, It's my birthday. Like, this is the best present ever. So yeah, it was such like, it was a cool moment. Really cool.

It really was meant to be. It obviously popped up on my TikTok, but I also saw so many other people reposting it and stitching it and you have a whole team behind you just rooting for you.

I know that was so incredible as well to see like, you know, I did the open verse and it and it was going crazy. And I didn't you know, it didn't seem like Russ was gonna drop a remix just you know, wanted people to jump on it. It's great. You know, promo, it's genius to do that. And, you know, so I just wanted to slide in and I wasn't really expecting too much because I've done these. I've been doing them so you know, nothing thus far had come of it. I was just doing my thing trying to have fun. And yeah, I just like couldn't believe my support and the fan base. Like, wouldn't let him post a video without being like, Where the fuck is the remix? Like, literally drop this shit or we're gonna be pissed. And I was like, Oh my God. They're really like, they've been following me. They know that I've been doing this and they're like, this is it like, this is the time put her on the remix. And he did and so very grateful for that.

It's still blowing up as we speak. People posting these lip synching videos on TikTok. Have you seen any that has just blown your mind that THAT person loves your song?

What's blowing my mind the most has been the dance created. Because that's been such a huge thing for me growing up. Like I said, I've loved choreography. Their names are Kailey and Trav. They're a couple on TikTok and they created the dance and started a dance trend to the beat of a song I'm on it’s like the craziest experience because I've always been watching everybody else dance to other people's songs. So I'd say that has been the coolest thing thus far for sure.

In addition to the song, there’s also Handsom(Her) merch! Tell me all about it.

Russ is quick. He acts fast. He knows what to do. Like he's definitely the GOAT in that regard. And he's like, Yo, we got to drop Handsomer merch and you got to put some of your you know lyrics on the merch. And we asked the fans like what do you want to see on it? And they came up with Handsome HER which like, now hearing it I'm like, Duh, like, That makes so much sense. But I would have never come up with that. I loved it and they got really creative and the merch is is super fire. It's like simple, really cool and literally I'm gonna wear head to toe and not take it off. You can get it on Russ’ website.

What is your writing style like?

The funny fact is I write a lot of my verses in the bath, I love to take a bath, I love to relax. And when I'm relaxed, I put on an instrumental and I write my verses there or I'll just be in my bedroom or in my car, I write a lot of my music. It's really kind of like on the fly like, inspiration when I'm feeling like in the mode and getting creative. And I really take my time with my pen. Like, I don't like to force anything. I don't like to rush anything. I like to simmer on my bars and come up with witty like, you know, play on words that people can listen to my verses over and over and might just discover something like a play on words that I said. That's what's fun for me. It's like poetic in a way. And I like I like to write like that. So that's kind of my style is just like, witty punch lines, but really smooth and just not doing too much. And just keep the flow like bounce, bouncy, groovy ride on a beat, you know, just simple.

Do you have a person in your life who you will like bounce bars off of to make sure they're up to par?

I definitely talk to my manager all the time. I've known her since fourth grade. So I'll come home with like, a demo or whatever. When I recorded Handsomer I had two versions and I brought one. And I was like, What do you think? And she's like, it's dope. She thinks everything I do is dope. But I could tell she wanted to, to hear a little more. And so I went back did it again. And she was like, that's the one. So fire. And then my producer that I have most of my back catalogue and what I have out right now, for original music, I'm always throwing ideas at him and bouncing them off him. And yeah, so I definitely like to, and my best friend Jack. He's like my music consultant. Like, I sent him everything he's like, it's hot or not. And so he'll let me know, but I definitely have a few friends that I like to get people's reaction and, you know, try it out before I drop anything.

Speaking of your original tracks, there's a song called Manifest that you have that I love! What was the last thing you think you've manifested in your life?

Honestly, I really feel I manifested this Russ track in particular. I've been a fan of Russ for a really long time. I just I actually did a verse as if I was on on one of his other songs Small Talk that he had commented on a year ago. He's definitely somebody I've always wanted to collab with. And I think it just was a matter of like, what artists was going to take the risk and believe in me and want to collaborate. And it just felt really right. Like I feel like I manifested that particular collab. So I'm really excited about that. My song came to fruition. It's crazy.

That's so cool to watch. And while we're talking about manifestation, what other artists would you love to work with in the future?

I have so many I have a lot, but just to name a few I really want to work with obviously the GOATS Drake, Nicki, of course. J Cole. Jack Harlow. I love Kehlani, I love Chris Brown. I love YG, Ty Dolla Sign, G-Eazy. There's so many I have like, these are all goals. I would die to collaborate with Cardi B. I mean, you name it, like, all those people are very talented.

Are you at that point where you're making music and content full time?

I am. Yeah. Which is so crazy. Like, the craziest thing you know, I was at a nine to five like not too long ago. Working, answering phones. It's crazy. The turnaround and everything. When you work hard and really put yourself out there, you can do it. So yeah, I'm full time making music and making content on social media and TikTok, shout out TikTok. If it weren't for TikTok, I wouldn't be here.

If you weren't doing music, what do you think you would be doing?

Ooh, that's a good question. I well, I have a degree in psychology. I really love people. They're so interesting. So maybe something in that realm, or, um, let's see what else? Something creative. I feel like I'd have to do something creative.

What is next for you? Is there an album and tour coming?

Yes, definitely working on a follow up single, that will hopefully turn into a project whether it's a mixtape or an EP. I'm definitely working on dropping some music videos for sure. So that'll be fun. I definitely am gonna have to come out for one of Russ' shows. And I think it's going to be San Diego. And I actually graduated high school in the venue arena that he's performing at. So that's gonna be full circle moment, like fully so I'm really excited for that. But a lot more music on the way and just a lot more, you know, really doing it, like, hopefully, have my own tour coming up. And after I drop my project, things like that. So I'm super excited.

What advice would you give to other independent artists?

I'd say consistency is key. And if you're not on TikTok, you're not doing it right. And I don't care who says it's corny. A lot of people tried to tell me to get off TikTok because as real artist you know, you don't want to be a “TikTok artist.” Music is happening on TikTok that is the waves. So I don't care. You know, if if you don't want to get on TikTok, great. More space for me. I think every independent artist should be on that app, should be showcasing what they can do. Really throwing out you know. I don't love the camera. I'm very camera shy. It's not my forte. But if you put aside caring what people think and just doing it, because you love it, that is going to show and people are really going to like that. So I think a huge bit of advice is consistency. Get on TikTok and just, you know, believe in yourself. And if you're if you're consistent enough, you work hard enough, you'll get somebody's attention eventually. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

In Maine, our state motto is “the way life should be,” so I want to know, according to you, what is the way life should be?

I think I think that the way life should be should be how you want it to be! It should be fun and people should be kind. I think people should be supportive. You know, you're nothing without a good support system. And I just think that's how life should be, maybe not taken too seriously. You know, don't over think anything. And really just live it. Live it the best way you possibly can and just appreciate what you have in front of you.

Much love to KTLYN for taking the time to chat with me. I can’t wait to keep watching her shine!