![\"Kenna\"](\"\/\/media.wonderlandmagazine.com\/uploads\/2013\/10\/2051972-e1382360481838.jpg\")
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Cited as an early influence of former ghostwriter rapper Frank Ocean, Ethiopian-born American musician, philanthropist and technology creative, Kenna remains relatively unknown.<\/p>\n
A founder and producer of Summit On The Summit clean water initiative, the overly-active singer\/songwriter has also climbed to the peak of Kilimanjaro an impressive three times for an MTV documentary to raise money towards efforts in his country of birth. The buzz in the U.S circulating Kenna is rife, with Pharrell Williams and Justin Timberlake tweeting their admiration. Kenna previously partnered with Timberlake to re-launch Myspace and the pair have since remained close friends.<\/p>\n
He’s just about to release three EP’s as part of a series ‘Land 2 Air Chronicles II” Imitation Is Suicide’<\/em>, and we were lucky enough to nab an exclusive listen!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you had to describe your overall aesthetic in 5 words, what would they be?<\/strong> You seem like a very busy individual. How did you find a platform to the industry?<\/strong> We hear both Pharell and Justin Timberlake are fans?<\/strong> What inspires you to write who has inspired your journey, thus far?<\/strong> Tell us a little bit more about the new EP’s?<\/strong>
\nThe eye of the storm.<\/p>\n
\nI am an Ethiopian-American immigrant who was born in a developing nation, raised in both the inner-city and the suburbs and because of those environments my influences are wide and varied, but the connection to all of them is my DNA and my spirits ability to recognise those influences in everything I make.<\/p>\n
\nI met Pharell and Chad Hugo early on in my musical life in Virginia Beach. They became my mentors. I was lucky to meet them, and have like minded friends who knew I was contributing to the musical landscape in new ways and respected it.I am lucky to have a lot of peers who know and respect my work. \u00a0It’s a blessing. \u00a0Obviously Pharrell and Chad are at the top of the list. \u00a0Justin [Timberlake] is one of my greatest allies, but I am also thankful to meet new artists that inspire me like Vic Mensa and draw from super artistic ones like Santigold.<\/p>\n
\nI get inspired by the void that people are afraid of. \u00a0The unknown inspires me more than anything. \u00a0Those things that exist in between. \u00a0I feel as though I reach up into it and grab a handful of energy and translate that into words and meaningful thoughts.
\nI listened to everything from Michael Jackson to the Stones and Beatles. \u00a0I loved U2 and The Clash.<\/p>\n
\n‘Imitation is Suicide! \u00a0Chapters 1-3’<\/em> are a sonic journey through my historic partnerships, my personal creations and my potential future collaborations with new allies. \u00a0The first chapter is Chad Hugo and I. \u00a0The second one is fully produced and created by me. And the last is produced and co-written by RJD2.
\nThe one you will hear here is very much the heartbreak chapter. \u00a0I had gone through a fairly troubled relationship with someone, and the result of it can be heard in these 3 tracks. The last of which is the focus track, and there is a realisation in the end, that it is better to have loved than to never have.<\/p>\n