Ottawa’s own Kool Krys recently connected with HipHopCanada to discuss her new project FEMINUM, produced and arranged by JUNO-nominated producer and Chops Mag Creator, Bix. FEMINUM is a tribute to female empowerment and the Wonder Woman legacy, aligning with the June 2nd release of the Wonder Woman movie in theatres – the first major studio film featuring a female superhero, directed by female director Patty Jenkins. Check out the Q&A down below.
Q&A: Kool Krys
HipHopCanada: So, it’s been a minute since your last album, as well as your last visit to HipHopCanada. What have you been up to?
Kool Krys: I’ve been working as a publicist and amplifier in the local arts community supporting public relations and community engagement for arts initiatives and organizations. For the past 2 years, I have led Communications/Marketing for House of PainT’s annual festival that draws 10,000 attendees each year and features more than 200 national artists at Dunbar Bridge near Carleton University, celebrating and elevating urban art and expression in our nation’s capital. We’re going into our 14th annual festival this summer on Aug. 24-27!
HipHopCanada: Why FEMINUM as the name of your new album?
Kool Krys: 10 years following the first Kool Krys first album The Return of Diana Prince, my fourth album FEMINUM highlights Wonder Woman’s 75 year legacy in pop culture, comics and longevity, inspiring the next generation of girls.
This project is a tribute to female empowerment and Wonder Woman, aligning with the June 2nd release of the Wonder Woman movie in theatres — the first major studio film featuring a female superhero, directed by female director Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot. Major shout out to Lynda Carter!
In 1976, the live-action Wonder Woman TV show introduced a new source for her indestructible bracelets, forged from a metal called FEMINUM that could only be found on Paradise Island (a fictional, lush island nation on Earth and place of origin of Wonder Woman and her sister Amazons).
HipHopCanada: Who produced the album?
Kool Krys: FEMINUM is produced and arranged by Juno-nominated producer and Chops Mag Creator, Bix. Bix has produced all of my albums including The Return of Diana Prince (2007), Perfume (2010) and Listen to Your Art (2012).
HipHopCanada: Chops Magazine?
Kool Krys: Yes Chops Mag, it’s Bix’s website where he does beat tutorials and features beat tapes from around the world.
HipHopCanada: You just released a really dope video promoting the new album. What can you tell us about it and if you’re planning to release more videos of tracks from the album?
Kool Krys: The “Amazon Hot Wax” video (directed and produced by Toni van Eeden) is an introduction to the FEMINUM album, showcasing Ottawa’s dynamic, talented and inspiring women in hip-hop contributing to our community and creative entrepreneurs who support and connect us with bigger ideas and opportunities to grow.
The FEMINUM album is available at KoolKrys.com. The track list is available there.
HipHopCanada: Let’s talk about House of PainT. What is your involvement and can you tell us about 2017’s event coming a little later this year?
Kool Krys: I’m the Communications/Marketing Director of House of PainT. We’re getting ready for a summer filled with community arts events that go beyond our annual summer festival (starting with Jasmine Community Arts Festival on June 3 and MOZAIK on June 10). House of PainT is going into its 14th annual festival attracting more than 10,000 people each year where we feature more than 200 talented national artists at Dunbar Bridge near Carleton University, celebrating and elevating urban art and expression in Ottawa. Our squad is now working on four days of exciting visual arts, dance, music, DJ/beatmaking, spoken word and Knowledge Conference programming for this year’s festival, taking place Aug. 24-27.
Interview conducted by DJ Ducats for HipHopCanada
