Who will perform at iHeart’s Jingle Ball Village, get mentored by Grammy Winners and Win $10,000? You decide!
KIING TERF
About KIING TERF
KIINGTERF is a New York melodic hip-hop and R&B artist blending trap soul, raw storytelling, and emotion. Returning with a new identity and evolved sound, he bridges love, pain, ambition, and the streets while staying true to his roots.
Performances & Content from KIING TERF
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SJW
Learn More About KIING TERF
What makes you the Next Music Star?
I believe what makes me the Next Music Star is that I bring more than music to the table. I bring experience, growth, and a story that people can connect with. Years ago, I built a following doing what I love, but life took me in a different direction. Now, after nearly a decade away from releasing music, I’m returning with a new name, a new sound, and a greater understanding of who I am as an artist and as a man. My music reflects both sides of life: love and pain, struggle and success, the streets and personal growth. I blend melodic hip-hop and R&B to create music that people can feel, not just hear. KIINGTERF represents staying grounded no matter how far you go. I know what it’s like to start something, step away, and find the courage to come back. I’m not chasing a moment. I’m building something that lasts.
What do you love about music and performing?
What I love most about music is its ability to connect people from completely different walks of life. A song can bring back a memory, help somebody through a difficult time, or express something they couldn’t find the words to say themselves. For me, music has always been a form of expression. Whether I’m talking about love, heartbreak, ambition, or the realities of life, every record gives me an opportunity to tell a story. What I love about performing is being able to bring that music to life. There’s something powerful about seeing people connect with something you created. That energy and connection are what make music special to me. Music is bigger than entertainment. It’s a way to leave something behind that people can carry with them.
Who are your biggest music inspirations and dream collaborators?
Some of my biggest musical inspirations are Heavy D, Lil Baby, and Drake. Heavy D is especially meaningful to me because we’re both from Mount Vernon, New York. He put our city on the map and proved that where you come from doesn’t determine how far you can go. His legacy inspires me to represent my hometown and leave my own mark on the industry. I respect Lil Baby for his authenticity, ambition, and ability to turn real-life experiences into music people can relate to. Drake inspires me through his versatility, longevity, and ability to blend hip-hop and R&B while connecting with audiences worldwide. Collaborating with Lil Baby or Drake would be a dream, but ultimately, I want to bring something of my own to the industry. I’m inspired by their success, but I’m focused on creating my own legacy as KIING TERF.
What would you do with the $10,000 Grand Prize?
If I won the $10,000 grand prize, I would invest it directly into building my career as an independent artist. I’ve learned that talent is only one part of the equation. Having the right resources, strategy, and opportunities to get your music heard is just as important. I would put the money toward professional music production, visuals, marketing, and promotion to help introduce KIINGTERF to a larger audience. After spending years away from releasing music, I’m approaching this chapter with a different mindset. I’m not just making songs. I’m building a brand and creating something that can grow beyond me. Winning this competition would give me the opportunity to take what I’ve already started and push it to the next level. I have the vision, the experience, and the determination. This prize would help me turn that vision into something bigger.
Participation supports Musicians On Call, a 501(c)(3) charity, which brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families and caregivers in healthcare environments.