Hip-Hop Wired: So when did you have the audacity to start calling yourself “King” within the rap game?
King Los: Believe it or not, I didn’t name myself that. But I did a record referencing “King Los” so I guess you could say I summoned it. And around the time, I had released the CD, The Crown Ain’t Safe. It wasn’t like I was saying I was a king then; more so I was coming for whoever may be the king at the time. My nickname at the time on all my social media handles was “Swagga Boy Los” but the people immediately switched it when that dropped.
Hip-Hop Wired: By officially taking on that moniker, do you feel like it elevated your confidence and skill level?
King Los: I feel like I always had elevated confidence because I realize that there’s a certain element of champion that comes along with confidence. If you’re going to take the final shot [in a basketball game] and you want all the responsiblity in your hands–at the game’s most detrimental point, then it takes audacity. Straight up.
Hip-Hop Wired: When you dropped Zero Gravity II, it also came along with a headline: “King Los Is No Longer On Bad Boy Records.”
King Los: Oh yeah. That happened.
Hip-Hop Wired: What was your first reaction to people reacting to it?
King Los: To be honest, I didn’t people would even care…as much as they cared. My fans are my biggest critics.
Hip-Hop Wired: It’s been documented that Bad Boy Records has an extensive track record of letting their artists go.
King Los: Do they? I have no recollection of such! This is all new to me! I’ll have to do some research and get back to you on that one.
Hip-Hop Wired: At the end of the day, it’s still business right? You and Puff Daddy are still cool, no?
King Los: Of course! That’s really my personal friend. It had nothing to do with the actual Bad Boy label. The entire business was just shifting. And when things like that happen, you have to know how to manuever around. You don’t want to get smashed in the middle and be left out.
Similar to when Jay and Dame separated. There were artists that had to make an educated decision on which way to go despite personal feelings. And some people didn’t make that best choice. You have to know how to move. And that’s actually what me and Puff spoke about before the situation happened. He actually gave me options to be perfectly honest with you. I lowkey almost wanted him to make the decision for me but I’m glad he gave me that option because he empowered me to take my destiny in my own hands.
