Well-Known Musician, Producer and Director KEVIN RUDOLF Opens Up About His Newest Music with LIL WAYNE and What He Has Learned Along The Way!

“I Will Not Break” is the newest single from the well-known musician, producer and director, Kevin Rudolf. He has teamed up once again on this track with the rapper, Lil Wayne.

Check out the video for “I Will Not Break” here-
https://youtu.be/mNcSwvo007s

It’s also been 10 years since Kevin and Lil Wayne released the smash hit “Let it Rock” that became a Top 5 Single, sold over 5 million singles, was featured in Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Singles of 2008, and arguably become one of the most definitive songs of that year. This song was on Rudolf’s debut album, “In The City.”

When discussing the inspiration for the video created by graphic artist and director Fenwik, Rudolf explains, “It represents my growing up in NYC, the lights projected on to me symbolize my being broken into pieces,  the journey through the heart and mind to an elevated reality where I am shown as   a child followed by the pieces on my current self-come together lined in gold. This references Kintsugi at the beginning of the video. Coming together as stronger, wearing the scars, as they beautify because they are part of the journey of life and self-realization.”

This new track marks something of a comeback for Rudolf. While he spent a few years in Nashville, where he co-wrote and played on Keith Urban’s “Little Bit of Everything,” before moving back to Miami, he has been mostly silent in the music world. Next week, the singer plans to release another new single called “Hold Your Head High.”

Learn more about Kevin Rudolf and his newest music in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

I’m back home in Miami.

Now that we are into the 5th month of the new year, how has 2019 been treating you so far? What are some goals that you have for yourself this year? How are those New Years Resolutions going?

It’s been great getting out new music. I dropped my first single in a while called “I Will Not Break” featuring Lil Wayne. I was really happy that we got to collab again. Just seeing him got me inspired. It reminded me of a time when shit was just fun. I also started working with a director who called Fenwik who did a groundbreaking video for the song. And I’m looking forward to putting out more. My only resolution this year is to create music and release it. Thats it.

Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

Music was always in my house. My mother was a singer and always had a band so I was exposed to it early. I never wanted to admit I was into it because she was doing it, but once I got my first electric guitar, it was all over.  After that I told everyone I wasn’t going to go to college and probably wouldn’t finish high school. Not happening.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?

I never considered anything else long term though I did explore a few side hustles. If I could start life over, I could see being a tennis player or pro surfer. Some kind of me-against-the-world solo sport.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

It’s all been a surprise. I never though I would be on the radio, I always saw myself as more of a left of center artist. I never thought I would be on a label like Cash Money or getting to connect with such a wide audience. Other parts are challenging.  It’s a political game that is played and often the people who play it well win. It’s not all about the music of course, there are many parts that you have to play, but in the end, there isn’t anything without the music. It’s a balancing act and I had to adjust to it. But an artist must create art. Period.

Let’s talk about the newest song that you just released with Lil Wayne called “I Will Not Break.” What was the inspiration for this track? What was it like working with Lil Wayne on it? 

When I made the beat I knew it was something special. I could keep listening to it over and over and it was moving me. I wrote the song about standing in your own power and that no matter what gets thrown at you – you continue to stand. I played it for Wayne and he gave a crazy verse back to me and now it’s out there in the world.

Is it hard to believe that it has been 10 years since the two of you put out “Let It Rock”? What has changed about you do work on music since then?

I’ve lived a lot of life since then. I went off in a lot of different directions since then, from living in LA and producing in Nashville and having a number one record in the country. It just feels like I’m back home now. Back in Miami and back doing my shit myself – how I started. I’m not allowing myself to get pulled in a million directions. I’m just staying focused and intentional.

Do you have plans to release more music this year?

Yep, I have a new single and video coming out June 14th called “Hold Your Head High”.

Where can people see you perform live next? What has been an ideal show of yours in the past?

I’ll be out there soon! I need to finish up more music right now. So many great shows it’s hard to remember!

How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started singing and writing songs?

I’ve learned to be more direct lyrically and leave the production a lot looser than I used to. I love that everything is more lo-fi now sonically. Staying with the first inspiration rather than going back and redoing everything all the time. The most important thing though, is to have fun. That leads to good things happening.

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

It’s a new world – but it’s better than it ever was. I was late to the party but I’m catching up now. The fact that I can make a song and have the whole world hear it 10 minutes later is amazing. It’s endless possibilities. I always felt misunderstood in the past, but now I have no fucking excuse.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

I’m inspired by Jay-Z and Wayne all the way to U2, Coldplay, The Clash, Led Zeppelin. I don’t have a limit when it comes to music. I can listen to Tyler the Creator, then Pat Benatar, then Bon Iver, then Van Halen. I’ve worked with a lot of people and I’m grateful for every one.

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

Right what I’m doing now. The video for “I Will Not Break” is magic. It’s visually out of this world. It’s smart. It has meaning and depth. I’m doing more like that.

What has been a favorite place that you have heard your music played? Can you remember the first time you ever heard a songs of yours on the radio, on TV or elsewhere?

My mom called me from New York when she heard “Let It Rock” for the first time on the radio freaking out. That was the fucking best.

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

I want them to feel powerful because that’s what the music I grew up on did for me.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

You can check me out @kevinrudolf everywhere and see what I’m doing. I’m going to be releasing a lot of new music.