K'Von Suede: Crafting a Sound Beyond Borders
- Celeste Marie
- Mar 21
- 6 min read
Music has a way of transcending boundaries, and few artists embody that truth as authentically as K'Von Suede. A producer first and an artist second, K'Von Suede’s journey is one of relentless passion, self-discovery, and an unshakable commitment to artistic authenticity. Born and raised in the U.S. with Kenyan roots, he took a bold leap by moving to Ghana three years ago, fully immersing himself in his craft.
With influences spanning from Kanye West to MF DOOM, and a production style that fuses hip-hop, R&B, and global sounds, K'Von Suede is carving out a lane that defies trends. While Afrobeats dominates the African music scene, he remains unapologetically himself—focused on making music that resonates on a deeper level, inspiring listeners to chase their passions and embrace their true selves.
In this interview, K'Von Suede opens up about his musical evolution, the impact of living in Ghana, the challenges of being an independent artist, and what he envisions for the future of African music.
Can you introduce yourself to our readers? Who is K'Von Suede, and how would you describe your musical journey so far?
My name is K’Von Suede. I’m a Producer first, Artist second from the US (Colorado/Florida), and I moved to Ghana three years ago with my mother to pursue my true passion for music to the fullest extent. I’ve always been around music since I was a baby, but I started teaching myself how to make beats around COVID time in 2020. I slowly became a producer and became obsessed with FL Studio, focusing on making a new beat every single day for a year, sometimes extra depending on the day. I love the process of getting better every day, and that’s what I still feel like I’m doing five years later.
Being an American of Kenyan descent living in Ghana, how has your multicultural background influenced your music and creative process?
As you know, music is attached to African descent, but so is the spirit of the freedom of expression. Musically, I definitely have more American influences, but the spirit of the music is extremely African.
How would you define your style of music and production? What makes your sound unique?
My style of music is primarily hip-hop and R&B, but I add multiple elements of other types of music in the mix. Just as a listener, I listen to pretty much every type of music except for country, so I’m influenced by a lot. Being in Ghana making the music that I do definitely makes me stand out, but I see it as a win, especially with how wide open the market in Ghana is. I’m unique in that way, but I also see myself as different because of the lyrical content that I carry in most of my songs, which is positive energy, motivation, and inspiration.
Who or what are your biggest inspirations when it comes to music and production?
Musically (and only musically), the artist who inspires me the most is Kanye West. He honestly is the one that made me feel crazy enough to be an amazing producer and rapper at the same time. I also draw inspiration from so many other producer-artists like Madlib, JPEGMAFIA, MF DOOM, etc. These are all artists that don’t put themselves in a box and don’t let anybody else do it either, and that’s the music that always inspires me the most.
How has living in Ghana for the past three years shaped your artistic vision and sound?
Being in Ghana has definitely shaped the vision because it called me to adapt my entire life and the way that I think. I feel more free to try new things and let things flow more freely over here. I’m a bit of a control freak in the studio, but Ghana has taught me I can’t always be like that.
Afrobeats is currently dominating the African and global music scene. How does your style fit into or stand out against this trend?
People might not like this answer from me, but whatever. I’m proud of standing out from the typical Afrobeats music because a lot of it sounds the same anyways. If we’re talking in the mainstream, there’s a lot of copying going on, and it doesn’t really appeal to me. The Afrobeats that I enjoy is usually mixed with elements of other types of music, which is a lot of the time more underground. It’s just what my ear gravitates to more.
What has been the response to your music from audiences in Ghana and beyond?
I feel like a lot of the younger generation in Ghana understands the energy of the music that I make, even if some don’t completely understand the origins of hip-hop history or anything like that. I like that I’m able to make music people all over the world can enjoy, inside and outside Ghana.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an independent artist and producer, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges is visibility. The music industry is oversaturated, and being independent means you don’t have a big machine pushing your music. You have to find creative ways to market yourself. I’ve had to learn a lot about branding, content creation, and networking to make sure my music reaches the right audience. Another challenge is resources—getting the right equipment, studio access, and even funding. But I’ve learned that consistency and quality eventually open doors.
What’s your creative process like when making music? Do you start with a beat, lyrics, or something else?
It really depends on the day. Most of the time, I start with the beat since I’m a producer first. I let the sounds guide me and set the mood before I even think about lyrics. Other times, I might have a concept or a line in my head, and I’ll build the beat around that. I like to keep things organic—whatever feels right in the moment is what I go with.
How do you balance being both a producer and an artist? Do you prefer one over the other?
I don’t think I could ever choose one over the other because they go hand in hand for me. Producing allows me to create the exact sound I hear in my head, and being an artist allows me to express myself on top of that sound. The balance comes naturally because I don’t force anything—some days I feel like making beats, and other days I feel like writing or recording.
What message do you hope to convey through your music?
I want people to feel inspired and motivated. I want my music to be something that pushes people to chase their dreams and be their authentic selves. I talk a lot about perseverance, ambition, and personal growth in my lyrics because that’s what my journey has been about. If my music can help someone get through a tough time or push them to take that next step in their life, then I’ve done my job.
What are your goals for the future? Any upcoming projects we should look out for?
I have a lot of things in the works. I’m always making music, and I plan to drop more singles, visuals, and collaborations this year. I also want to expand my reach and tap into more international markets. Long-term, I want to build a platform that helps other independent artists like me navigate the industry and get their music heard. But for now, the focus is on making the best music possible and getting it to the right people.
Any advice for aspiring independent artists and producers trying to make their mark in the industry?
Stay consistent, stay true to yourself, and don’t be afraid to stand out. The industry will try to make you conform, but the people who really make an impact are the ones who bring something new to the table. Also, learn as much as you can—not just about music, but about marketing, branding, and the business side of things. The more you know, the more control you have over your career.
K'Von Suede’s journey is all about passion, authenticity, and pushing creative boundaries. From self-taught producer to a standout artist in Ghana, he stays true to his vision, blending cultures and sounds in a way that’s uniquely his own. As he continues to grow and evolve, his music remains a source of inspiration.
Stay connected with K'Von Suede on all streaming platforms and Patreon for exclusive content. His latest single and music video for "98." are out now—don’t miss it!
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