An Interview with King 40+
In this exclusive interview, we catch up with King 40+, a dynamic hip-hop artist whose journey from behind-the-scenes videographer to center-stage performer has been fueled by a lifetime of creative passion and resilience. Born in St. Louis and raised in Northeast Mississippi, King 40+ brings a wealth of life experience—including his service as a U.S. Marine combat videographer—into his music. After years of supporting independent artists through his video production skills, the 2020 pandemic served as the pivotal moment that inspired him to step into the spotlight himself. His debut single, “Forty Ain’t the New Twenty,” marked the beginning of an exciting musical chapter characterized by authenticity, humor, and relatable storytelling.
Hey, thanks for chatting with us. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a longtime Hip Hop fan King 40+ born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised mostly in Northeast Mississippi. Also a United States Marine Veteran, I was a combat videographer during his time of service. This catapulted his passion in video production working with independent artist and producing their music videos and promos Although working for years in and around the music industry behind the camera and in various production roles, I never ventured into the area of being an actual music artist until recently during the 2020 pandemic quarantine where he gained inspiration to give it a shot and add to my “bucket list”, and the creation of “Forty Ain’t the New Twenty” was born!
Who or what inspired you to start making music? And, when did you start?
I think the pandemic was a catalyst for not only me but countless other individuals who possesed creative and artistic talents to uncover unknown gifts within themselves because it took away the distractions of the outside world and forced us all to sit down and focus and reflect like never before! My new interest and burning passion for producing and writing my music combated the negativity and depression that could have easily overtaken me as it did many others during that time period. I took an interest in producing music around 2019 while working a 12 hr overnight shift in manufacturing watching youtube videos during my work breaks. It was a relatively easy transition from my video editing experience of over 20+ years due to the similarities of the software platforms that video editing and audio production share. I came across a music loop that I caught a vibe with and developed a hook and the verses came naturally.
What is your biggest challenge as an artist?
Currently finding the time to be creative with my busy FT work schedule in sales.
What is your favorite project or single you have released?
Suga Daddie.
Who are your inspirations? What artists or bands are you listening to?
Scarface, Ludacris, Eightball & MJG to name a few. also a lot of 90’s Hip Hop artists but I also embrace today’s trap artists like YFN Lucci, Finesse 2 Tymes, and MoneyBagg Yo.
What’s the process behind working on a song like?
My songwriting is influenced mostly by my own true life experiences. I realized lots of hip hop artists of the young generation don’t represent their true selves in their music, but personally I couldn’t find inspiration in that. Every song within my EP borrows from true life experiences of my past and makes the process much more natural and enjoyable.
What are your plans for 2025?
Right now my focus is promoting the EP and becoming a new trailblazer within what I feel is an untapped market of grown and sexy hip hop lovers who love comedy and appreciate hip hop minus all the negativity and violence!
I want the world to know who King 40+ is!
As King 40+ looks ahead to 2025, his mission is clear: to carve out a unique space in hip-hop that resonates with mature audiences seeking relatable themes, comedic undertones, and positive energy free from negativity. His commitment to genuine storytelling rooted in real-life experiences, combined with his background in visual arts and dedication to promoting his EP, positions him as an innovator in an often-overlooked corner of the genre. With his vibrant personality and relatable content, King 40+ is poised to leave an impactful legacy on the hip-hop community.
Check his debut project out on Spotify.