Last week's release of KennyHoopla's SURVIVORS GUILT: THE MIXTAPE// took the pop-punk, Emo, and Screamo worlds by storm with his eight-song collection of collaborations featuring blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.
Following his path since 2017, Audacy's Emo Nite host Morgan Freed noticed that the Cleveland-born songwriter has found a comfortable space on this record, perfectly blending all of the musical styles he's become known for on his EPs. "I never spent this long on music either, like consistently" Kenny admits about the new offering. "So it was easy... everyone in the room knew what was good. And Travis, who came from the same world, so it was just second-nature. It was perfect."
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Born in Cleveland, OH, growing up in Wisconsin, and bouncing around in between numerous cities as he built his fanbase, Kenny says he has "never really felt like I was necessarily from anywhere. Growing up around Osh Kosh and then not spending a lot of time in Cleveland, I struggle with an identity, but what I can say is that there is something that runs in your blood. Being from Cleveland, there's a lot of pride."
As you sing along to the new record, you may find yourself stuck on lyrics or questioning where Kenny is taking you in the storylines of each track. "I think a lot of the times I just like to say what I feel," he explains. "At the end of the day I needed my point to get proven and at points I'll just say what I'm saying and it won't rhyme or anything."
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Aside from the new record excitement, Kenny is heading out to play some of the biggest shows of his career just as the world opens up following the easing of health restrictions. Perfect timing for the newcomer who already has dates set to support Machine Gun Kelly and YUNGBLUD, as well as a scheduled appearance at the Reading & Leeds Festival. Kenny has also added some dates to his initial headlining tour schedule which has been selling out fast since the announcement.
It's a stressful time but Kenny is ready to meet the challenge. "I feel like a lot of my life has just been me having my back in a corner and not being able to 'be ready,' so that's just how I've always attacked everything; I just go head-first. That's even a lot of the way I perform; I don't have a put-together band, don't really know how to play any instruments, and I've never done shows this big in my life; it's just been me and my best friend Malik. We're just gonna do what we do and they're gonna rock with it or they don't. But, we're gonna give it a 100% -- I'm just gonna be Kenny."
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Emo Nite is not a band, and they’re not your usual DJs – Host Morgan Freed throws epic parties and now has a radio show for the music they love. Listen Sundays from 7PM - 8PM on your favorite Audacy Alternative stations
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