Born to the East Coast with his heart in the West Coast, D Kirk (KV)’s music embraces his lineage as he looks toward the future. Influenced by his Jamaican and Caribbean family, he creates music on island time—with all the boldness of island-style dancehall beats and the smoothness of the islands’ sanguine sense of style. D Kirk (KV) claims to get his love of music from his father, and the way he calls upon his lineage for inspiration further goes to show his father’s strong influence.
D Kirk (KV) grew up on the likes of Kid Ink, J. Cole, and Big Sean, allowing them to mold both his music and his confident sense of self. On Instagram, he clarifies that he’s an artist, rather than a rapper, and this is made evident in his music. Fueled by passion for love and passion for dance, making music—both as a creative outlet while he was getting his degree in business and as a career—has always been a safe place for D Kirk (KV).
With his debut album “Oceans,” released earlier in 2020, D Kirk (KV) has proved his capabilities as an artist and entertainer. Boasting 18 tracks and multiple features, the album has connected concepts and written-from-the-heart lyrics that are central to D Kirk (KV)’s musical brand. The first single from the album, “Put It Down,” embraces his raw emotion while fusing his cultures—and allows the listener to envision and embrace palm trees and tropical vibes.
On the week of September 7, D Kirk (KV) released the “My Type” music video, an exploration of his flirty relationship with another woman. Self-assured and fearless, he sings “I know you’re my type” to the female subject of the song, the bass and backing tracks inducing images of a smoky club pulsing with neon, flashing lights—the song serves as an oasis in the midst of quarantine. “My Type” flaunts a smooth danceability and kinetic dynamism that encourages the listener to groove with the beat. The song, although somewhat low-key, has a coy element to it, emphasized by the visuals of the music video. Three models groove to the song, making heady eye contact with the camera and with D Kirk (KV) himself. They flirtatiously dance to the song, confident in themselves and their ability to romance men. With the models flaunting their hair, outfits, and upbeatness, and D Kirk (KV) flaunting his pink overalls and sense of fun, the music video makes the viewer wish they were there for the party.
His highly anticipated newest single is “Baddie,” and is dropping October 9. The song seems to begin on an island with D Kirk (KV)—he gradually brings us in with a throbbing bass and his crooning voice. “I know she bad,” he murmurs, the sexual tension between himself and the woman in the song nearly palpable. He fluently describes what makes this woman a “baddie”: she wears Fendi, she already knows she’s bad, she knows him and wants him, and her name is something along the lines of Cece, Kiki, or Riri. In this song, he doesn’t need a hype man—his own vocals serve as a backing track, humming, repeating, and crooning phrases. The song blends his island and West Coast influences, seamlessly integrating styles old and new.
Hailing from Philly yet embracing Jamaica, the Caribbean, and, more locally, the West Coast, D Kirk (KV) is set to prove himself at the rate he is releasing music. With his fresh sounds, inspired lyrics, and unabashedness to collaborate, D Kirk (KV)’s notable work ethic and drive are sure to take him places.
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