Hip-hop isn’t just culture or a lifestyle. It’s a way of life, and few embody it like Joseph Rey Morales, better known by his stage name Kakazi. Funnily enough, Morales didn’t start as Kakazi. Instead, he began his career with the stage name Kawasaki. But there was a problem: it sounded too much like the Japanese motorcycle brand.
Like most hip-hop and rap artists, Joseph Morales doesn’t possess formal musical training. He learned everything himself through a process of trial and error. Becoming a versatile rapper capable of captivating audiences with his flow, lyricism, and storytelling hasn’t been straightforward.
The journey’s taken Kakazi over sixteen years, beginning when he was still a child. He always enjoyed listening to Eminem’s music, and who would dare disagree that the great Slim Shady is a fantastic inspiration for any up-and-coming rapper? Kakazi loved how Eminem could slide on any beat and make the song his own while spitting intricate lyrics with complex internal rhyme schemes. He wanted to emulate his idol.
Thus, Morales began rapping at sixteen. He wasn’t Kakazi yet. But his breakthrough came soon when he rapped in a talent show in high school. The audience reacted positively. Then, he rapped at a formal event, and a similar reaction followed. He knew he had something special. Joseph Morales’ journey didn’t start alone. It was accompanied by his brother, Richie, another talented MC. Music is also something that runs in the family because Morales’ cousin, AJ, is also part of a Spanish rock band out of Laredo, Texas, called Bajo Silencio.
But the life of a musician is tough. Morales currently faces a predicament often the bane of most musical artists’ existence: making money through music. It’s not easy to get paid as an artist because selling records is no longer as simple as before. Streaming services have become the de facto method for people to consume music. But unfortunately, streaming services aren’t known for paying well, making it harder for artists to profit from their work.
It’s a struggle Joseph Morales hopes to overcome, just like he overcame getting used to rapping in front of strangers and accepting criticism. It’s part of the journey for a musical artist and requires adapting. Meanwhile, he’s focused on leveling up as an MC. He wants to continue to develop his lyrical ability. In addition, he also wants to develop his writing process, including trying different ways to craft and construct bars. He wants his lyrics to be more profound so the audience can relate more easily.
Morales’ process isn’t complex. He begins by thinking of a specific concept or topic. The next step involves finding a suitable beat. Then, he delves into the brainstorming and writing phase, ensuring the bars and the beat flow together to deliver a sonically pleasing experience to his listeners.
It’s also interesting to note that Morales differs from other prominent figures in the hip-hop community. He’s developed a firm stance on drugs and violence – he doesn’t condone or promote them. He believes his platform gives him a responsibility to be a positive role model, which means he must refrain from negatively influencing his listeners.
He’s not worried about the future because his mantra for success is consistently pushing forward. He’s ready to do whatever it takes to achieve his dream, including working harder than everyone else in the industry. His ultimate goal is to be financially free, and Joseph Morales believes his hip-hop career will get him there. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to cement himself in hip-hop history. He has multiple milestones he wants to accomplish, and he hopes his upcoming album, “A New Beginning,” will be the start of his journey to hip-hop greatness.
