Review Fix Exclusive: Kal’L Interview: R &B’s New Superhero

For many music fans, the days when Boys 2 Men ruled the airways are a distant memory. What is considered R&B today is a far cry from the soulful ballets of Johnny Gill and R. Kelly. However, the future of R&B may not be as dim as it seems.

There is a man, like none other now that is coming to save the day. He might as well be Superman.

Kal’L is the man focused on bringing RnB back to its 90s roots. With songs like “Addicted” and “Caught in the Rain,” Kal’L creatively brings us back to the time when Joe was rocking the charts while still incorporating the pop style of R&B today. His creativity transcends his name.

“I needed a name that would last through the test of time, something strong,” said Kal’L. “My oldest son who was five at the time suggested I call myself Superman. Superman made sense, but I didn’t want it to be corny. So, instead, I used Kal-el I just took out the “E,” capitalized the 2nd “L” and the rest is history.”

Well, not exactly. With so much hardship facing the music industry, it is not always easy for an up and coming artist to break into the business. But many of music greats have admitted that defeat is just more motivation. Kal’L, who hasn’t seen a record contract with his own eyes yet, continues to have high hopes.

“I haven’t really gotten my big break just yet seeing how I’m still unsigned,” he said. “I’m focusing on building my buzz in hopes to get the opportunity that will open all the necessary doors for my career.”

And as Kal’L continues to build steam for his career, he has truly dedicated a lot of his time and effort into showing how passionate he is about opening those doors.

“I’ve promised a new song every two weeks in an attempt to help create more buzz for myself,” he said. Regardless, he doesn’t feel he has enough exposure for an album.

Or maybe he’ll open up those doors his way. An independent artist, Kal’L is in complete creative control of his work. From his music, to his style, there is no behind the scenes people when it comes to his reputation and sound.

Kal’L promises that even after he reaches the peak of his career, he will never let anyone control him. “I am, what I wear, what I write about, the way I carry myself is all me. I’m currently without management, and even with management, I like to be in control of what happens with my music.”

He feels he is is exactly what the R&B world has waited for, like the days of the 90s when a song told listeners a specific message he aims to do the same.

“I would say my style is storytelling,” he said. “Using melody and lyrics to tell a tale and to create a musical journey my listeners can relate to and, if nothing else, simply enjoy. That alone is the music superhero’s main purpose.

He also has many musical influences, which are clear throughout many of his songs.

“The first concert I ever saw was NSYNC on the Disney channel that’s what I grew up listening to,” he said. “So when I write, I tend to have a Pop/R&B mix.”

As the Buzz around Kal’L slowly, but surely turns into a swarm of hungry bees, the independent artist hopes to be able to deliver a full-length album sometime in 2013. “I don’t want to put the time, effort and money into a project that only my close friends and family will hear,” he said. “If everything goes as planned, I may start working on a project to be released in the summer of 2013.”

There are also two people Kal’L cites as being great influence on him- people he would love to collaborate with in the future. “I’ve followed Jamie Foxx since he did stand-up. I would love to be a feature on any of his songs,” he said.

Ne-Yo is also one of his favorite songwriters and he would jump at the opportunity to work with him. “He’s written for everyone. I would love to co-write a track with him and use it to help jump start an up-and-coming artist’s career,” he said.

While his son gave him his name, it is his unborn daughter that gave him the inspiration behind one of his latest songs.

“There’s a song called “Count On Me” that has yet to be released. I wrote it for my daughter who is due to be born on August 20,” he said. “It’s a song describing my unconditional love for her and letting her know that, no matter what, I’ll always be there to catch her when she falls.”

As he continues to write songs and stick to his promise of releasing new material every two weeks, he is beginning to pick up momentum. His name is being mentioned and his songs are in slipping their way into many a bedroom. And while he is still fairly new to the game, he is very confident in what he can do.

“I think today’s R&B is lacking in the storytelling aspect and I want to bring that back. Songs like Tyrese’s ‘Signs of Love Making’ and Joe’s ‘I Wanna Know’ are classics because that type of song isn’t around anymore. They should be the norm,” he said. “I can bring the passion of the 90s back.”