Being a college rapper is one of the most cliché things in the world right now, yet KAM Royal is still succeeding. This freshly twenty-one, DC native produces highly intelligent and eclectic music, that separates him from the rest of the pack. theCampusStyle caught up with Kam this past week to get a feel for how he got his start in music, some info on his upcoming mix tape (Quit Your Day Job comes out early 2012), and if he prefers Stüssy to Ralph Lauren. Check out Zoë Björnson’s exclusive interview and photo shoot with KAM Royal here.

Name / Age / Hometown: Eli Kamerow (KAM Royal) // 21 // Washington, D.C.

University / Major: Tulane University // Jewish Studies

What do most people know you as?

The best rapper they know! Most people call me Kam. My friends, who have always known me as Eli, call me Eli. Whenever I’m on the road or introducing myself to someone in a musical capacity, I’m Kam.

Where did KAM Royal come from?

My last name is Kamerow, and I have this really terrific idea for an oil company called KAM Royal Oil. So that’s why I’m rapping, to get money for KAM Royal Oil. I needed a rap name, and KAM Royal sounds pretty cool, sounds like my last name, I’m proud of my heritage and my last name and people have always called me Kam.

When did you start rapping?

I’ve always been rapping, I wrote my first rhyme in fifth grade. My little brother sparked it, and we were just goofin’ around one night and he said, “Man, this is really dope, you gotta take this seriously.” So freshman year, I went out to this bummy ass studio in Metairie with this strung out rock and roll guy and recorded some songs over popular beats and I put them online. Summer after my freshman year I went up to Boston and started putting together a mix tape. In August of last year I sent my first song out to a blog, and from there fifteen or twenty blogs just picked it up and it kind of just grew organically from there. The more I did it, the more demand there was for my music. The more I did it, I got better, and so people liked it more. It’s really just been a beautiful cycle ever since.

How would you define your music in a genre/style?

It’s hip-hop music. I’d say it’s very intelligent; above all, I strive for authenticity. So yeah, it’s intelligent and authentic hip-hop.

How would you respond to the saying that hip-hop is dead?

Hip-hop is not dead, hip-hop can never die. For me, what hip hop is, hip hop is taking beats, taking rhymes, and taking raps and putting your own spin on it. So, I would argue that hip-hop is more alive than ever. Maybe the original definition of hip-hop is dead, but it’s a very young genre, it’s 30 years old. Look at the drastic changes that occurred when rock and roll turned 20 and 30. There were tons of derivations of rock and roll, so it’s just like that with rap. It might not be your cup of tea, it might not be Buddy Holly anymore, but it doesn’t mean it’s any different. It’s still hip-hop.

Who are your musical influences?

Music that really influences me would be Billie Holiday; she’s got a beautiful voice. The fragility in her voice, and it’s really tender; I think it makes it really accessible. I really like Pink Floyd; they had this one album called Meddle, one of my favorite Floyd albums. They just did some really unconventional things on that album, and sonically, that really ended up paying off for them. It really pushes you to take risks. I really like the album Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys, first of all because it’s a terrific album, but also the back-story. It’s really one of the first rock and roll albums, and every track was really worthwhile. In terms of modern stuff, I’ve really been listening to Bon Iver; their new album really paints emotions. And I think the purpose of music is to really draw out emotions, and I think they do that. To get to rappers, the rappers that influence me most, in no particular order would be Notorious B.I.G. and Big L – two dead guys, got mad love for them. When it comes to established veterans, Jay-Z is my favorite rapper; he’s the best rapper of all time I think. He’s the alpha and omega of hip-hop. Ludacris is another huge influence on me. Tech N9ne is another guy who is a big influence on me, Andre 3000. Newer guys too, Drake, J. Cole, Dom Kennedy, Kendrick Lamar.

Where do you draw inspiration for lyrics?

I really just draw inspiration from my everyday life. On my new mix tape that I’m putting out in early 2012, it’s called Quit Your Day Job; you’ll see it’s by far my most personal work. I think it really trumps my previous work; I’ve really come into my own as an artist. And from that, a lot of the songs are about my life. About relationships, I finally got in a kind of serious relationship, which unfortunately ended, but from that comes good inspiration. I made some fire songs from that! But other than just, looking around my everyday life.

Favorite track ever produced?

Well, released so far, Dude has been my most successful. I’d say that’s my favorite just because of what is has accomplished for me. But I’d say I have songs that I have a much deeper connection to. All of my real favorite material is on my new album.

Who has been your favorite artist or producer to work with and why?

Definitely Felix Beats. He makes a majority of my beats. He’s the Quincy Jones to my Michael Jackson. He really brings out the best in me. I can’t believe I just compared him to Quincy Jones, and me to Michael Jackson, but if only.

Dream producer/artist to work with?

Jay-Z, because he is so selective in who he works with. He is my favorite rapper; he is the pinnacle of not even rap success, but American success. He really embodies the American dream. Dream producer? I’d say again that’s Felix Beats. If I ever got to a point in time where I could do a track with Jay-Z and put it on one of Miles’ beats, that’d be amazing. Loyalty is really important to me, so if I could have stuck with Miles and we could have created something. Because right now we have this vision that we share together, and I’d love to see that come to fruitions.

What does the future hold for KAM Royal?

I’m gonna ride this music out as long as it is sustainable. It’s really what I love to do, it’s my passion. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. In the immediate future, I’ve got some videos coming out in a couple of weeks, and the new mix tape coming out early December. I have a bunch of shows coming up. I really intend to work on music, I really love it.

What advice would you give to college kids trying to make it in the music industry?

It’s the most cliché thing in the world trying to be a rapper right now. I’d give them three pieces of advice. First, you need to believe in yourself. If you don’t firmly believe that you’re the shit, and that you can really make this happen, don’t half ass it. You need to throw everything into it. Because first people aren’t going to like you, people are going to say that you can’t do it. Definitely, you need to believe in yourself 100 percent. Secondly, it’s tremendous amount of hard work. I really view this as if I was starting any business; it just happens that my business is me selling my own music. The third is to be patient. Because it really is a process. I remember when I first starting working on my music, four or five times I would come running to my friend Mike’s room and say “This is it man, this is it.” And even this mix tape, I don’t expect to blow me up, it’s just another step. And for a fourth piece of advice, you really gotta find your own sound. There is no way that you’re gonna do what Jay-Z does better than Jay-Z does it.

Do you get recognized around campus at all?

Definitely. Not walking around campus, but most kids at Tulane, if they don’t know my face, they know my name. I get recognized most at the beginning of the school year, especially when I go out.

How would you describe your personal style?

Eclectic. Just like my music, there’s really a wide range of what I like and what I’m comfortable with. I’m just as quick to throw on like Stussy and Supra as I am to throw on Ralph Lauren.

What are you wearing?

I’m wearing some Supra sneakers, some really cool looking socks – I’m really big on socks. Most people don’t even see them, but I’m really trying to be fresh from head to toe, right? And when people do see the socks, they love it. I’m wearing some Levi’s raw denim, a Stüssy cardigan, and a Georgetown fitted – gotta represent from where I’m from. This is actually a shirt that my mom got for me in Cambodia, I really dig it. I feel like this is a color that isn’t really seen in American clothing.

What shoe best describes you?

Definitely a sneaker, something classy.

If you could have a meal with anyone – a musician, politician, Jesus, anyone – who would it be and why?

Jesus is a good answer, but because you said Jesus, I’m not gonna say Jesus. Well, you could get some questions answered. As I said, I’m Jewish, so I’d be like “What’s good? Are you really God’s son?” and if he says no, then I’d be like “Yeah! That’s what I thought mother$*&%$@!” and if he says yes, and he is God’s song, then I wouldn’t even be that mad. I’d be like, alright, “Take this glass of wine and let’s get wasted, Jesus! Divide this! Let’s go.” But, probably my Grandfather. He died before I really knew him, and that’s upsetting for me. My father is an amazing guy, so I would definitely like to talk to my grandfather as a man.

What is your favorite thing about theCampusStyle.com?

I saw y’all interviewed Rufus, this kid I know, recently. Anyone who is trying to be supportive of DC, I’m in favor of that.

Check out KAM Royal on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

For all y’all in DC this Thanksgiving break, be sure to stop by his show/birthday party at Ultrabar on Wednesday night. Peep the Facebook event here.

GET SCHOOLED.

- Zoë Björnson (Tulane)