Meet Kalumanauti Malone: Musician & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kalumanauti Malone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kalumanauti, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I feel like everything inspires me when it comes to music or painting or performing etc. I’ve been inspired by my own mistakes and moments of happiness, I’ve been inspired by others love life, I’ve been inspired seeing someone at the park playing their guitar, and even a beautiful landscape inspires me at times. I think life itself is inspiration and unlocks creativity on a whole new level the more you sit back and observe. Sometimes creativity will hit me right at that moment or sometimes later when I’m thinking about the day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a singer/songwriter & a musician I am pretty much self taught in everything from recording mixing &mastering all the way to producing some of my own songs. I love to be as honest and raw as I can in my music, I’ve always said the truth is hard to hear but maybe if it’s in the form of a song it’ll be easier. So i talk about everything in my music from depression and drug abuse to love and heartbreak I don’t limit myself to one thing ever so I think that’s what sets me apart from other artists I don’t stick to one topic or one sound and that’s the biggest thing to me is my sound why limit myself. I’m most proud of my most recent album called Musings of a Butterfly. I’m so happy with everything I’ve poured into those songs and I wouldn’t change anything about it, it shows my heart, it shows my versatility, it shows truth and my dreams and aspirations and people seem to love it so I’m proud of myself. Creating the album was not easy at all, I work full time and trying to balance music and work and have time to actually write was tough so one thing that I do I would heard a phrase or melody in my head and I would record myself singing or hurry up and write it down and when I went to the studio I would put all of the separate phrases together sounds so unorganized but trust me it worked for me. I’ve learned so much about patience and comparison during this journey I’ve learned to wait for the right moment and everything will fall into place if I do the work and comparison is the number one inspiration killer for me I see others doing something and it’s amazing and I try and it’s awful but I realized I’m created to do things no one else can do so I can’t compare myself to others on their creative journey because I’m not designed to do what they can do. I would want the world to know I’m just trying to spread healing through my art, operate on higher frequencies and just spread love or real messages throughout my music, that’s who K.Shakur is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sunday is first day so that means brunch lol going to west gate the Lola for some mimosas or Old town for Sunday funday. Monday sounds like we are going to the butterfly museum off the 101 I love butterflies and it’s also an aquarium it’s so peaceful. Tuesday I’d find horseback riding trail via Groupon because they have everything on Groupon. Wednesday night it’s Poetic Soul night Open mic downtown Phoenix good drinks, good food good people and good music! Thursday & Friday I’d plan a Sedona trip go hiking go to slide rock it’s the most beautiful scenery in my opinion. Saturday night go to Tempe hit the bars and party til 2 am

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to recognize Poetic Soul it’s a weekly open mic event hosted by Qosmic Qadence it’s a creative space and high energy filled environment where any creative can let out everything they are feeling I have been attending for years and each time is a different experience to inspire and be inspired by all different artists in AZ . Also one of my closest friends he goes by Razzberrie his music is phenomenal and he’s definitely an underrated gem and he keeps me going with this music stuff ! Also J.Stckz he’s one of the hottest producers in Az he produced mix and mastered my entire 1st Album and it was AMAZING !

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealshakur/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kshakurmusic?lang=en
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/KShakurmusic/
Youtube: https://youtu.be/oPrjfVsvasU
Other: https://linktr.ee/therealshakur

Image Credits
Phlixphotography, Hayes photography, Poetic Soul photography