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Artist Interview// Getting to know East LA rapper Peter Kings

Chris R.
Dec 10, 2016
6 min read

Location: East Los Angeles, CA; more specifically, the William Mead Projects. These type of project complex are home to most people who cannot afford to pay the normal living expense in the city of East LA. Statistically, these urban areas tend to have a lot of crime and are rough neighborhoods to grow up in. However, through all the crime and tough times , residents maintain the dream to become something great in life. Despite, the lack of resources that others may be plentiful in, when one wants to accomplish a dream, they will set out to accomplish it by any means. Such is the case of East LA's aspiring rapper Peter Reyes, also known as Peter Kings.

The rapper has been working on his craft since day one- as he mentions in this interview- and has released songs such as "Married to the Game", which has become a favorite for many listeners.

Just recently he released his debut mixtape "Hood Music", which the artist considers to be "modern West Coast music with a gritty twist. Filled with rhymes detailing regular nights for people from the projects.." The mixtape can be found on his SoundCloud and over at Datpiff.

I took the time to interview Peter Kings and ask him about his debut mixtape, upcoming projects, and a bit about himself. Enjoy the interview:

Tell us about yourself. What's your name? Where are you from? What's it like growing up in your neighborhood? Any interesting story that contributed to you pursuing a music career, that you would like to share?

My name is Peter Reyes, which is why I go by Peter Kings. I’ve had that nickname since I was about 14. I’m 20 years old now. I was born and raised in the William Mead Projects in East Los Angeles. I have lived on the same block my entire life. Those project buildings are everything to me. It is the community that made me who I am today. Growing up in my neighborhood is pretty tough to be honest. Most people live in these types of apartments because they cannot afford to pay the normal living expense the average person would. Statistically, these urban areas tend to have a lot of crime and certain habits, as did mine. I always considered myself different. I might have been a dumb little kid tagging on the walls, smoking at a very young age and whatnot, but there’s something different about me. I know what I want for my future and it’s set in stone. My closest homies are gangbangers and that is something that has really become a norm for me. But I myself don’t gangbang, I just choose to surround myself in that environment because it’s what I learned as an adolescent. But I definitely intend to always have that mindset that will take me places rather than that mindset that could possibly put me in prison.

When I was in high school I just caught an interest for writing lyrics. Since 17, I always wanted to try music out but I was never given an opportunity to record any music. I didn’t know the right people, so time went on and I could never give it a shot. Earlier this year in May, I went to Guitar Center and spent like $450 so I could put together my own little ghetto home studio and that is when it all started. I started making music right away, literally. Four days after the day I bought my equipment at Guitar Center, I had already dropped four tracks. I was wasting no time because I had finally

gotten the chance to do something I knew I wanted to do deep inside. Music is something I grew to love to the point where I knew I wanted to make my own music so I found a way to do it. You gotta start somewhere right?

Amazing! So what kind of music style do you consider your work to be? And who, or what influenced this style?

The style of music I’ve made so far has been a mix of modern west coast hip-hop along with some modern trap thrown in there, and a bit of some good ol’ hip-hop.

As for my influences, I would not be here without Tupac, The Game, YG, Freddie Gibbs, King Lil G, Jay Rock, & RJ. All these rappers are different in their own way but always managed to keep it G. That’s what I like to hear, some G shit. Don’t get me wrong, I love Eazy-E, Dre, Snoop, DPG, etc. But those 7 rappers are the most influential to me. That doesn’t mean that I cant occasionally catch some motivation or influence from other rappers. For example,watching J Cole’s new music videos had me really damn inspired. That dude is a lyrical motherfucker and that definitely does not go unnoticed.

You just recently released your debut mixtape "Hood Music", can you briefly tell us how it is that you came up with the project?

Yes, yes. First mixtape. The way the idea of dropping a mixtape came about is my homie telling me he was gonna drop a mixtape. I had told him it’s too early to drop a project. But he was stubborn and said he was gonna drop one anyway. Soon his stubbornness had somehow transferred over to me and suddenly I was convinced I should drop a tape too. I think it’s safe to say that I might not have dropped a tape this year if my homie had not unknowingly given me that little push I needed. Shout out to the homie Adonis, check his music out too. Talented dude.

But yeah when that was going on, I had one song recorded from my tape. Pull Up On The Block, track number 5. And so I decided I’d go and drop a tape of nothing but modern west coast shit. Material influenced by the likes of DJ Mustard, YG, and RJ mainly. I did not write the songs in order, the order just happened to turn out that way because I felt it sounded right that way. So as I was writing song after another, I was thinking “what should I name my mixtape?” I recall always telling people I like “hood music”. Hood music is how I referred to the music I listen to, so I went and called my mixtape Hood Music. I really think there is no better name for my project and I’m glad with the outcome. The mixtape consists of a bunch of little hood tales, every day stuff happening in my area mixed along with a “feel good” feeling. Not only was I trying to talk about lifestyle but I was also trying to make people bob their heads and feel my music. One song I’m particularly fond of is "My Day" because it is my way of letting people know that I’m coming. Peter Kings is coming. This is only the very damn beginning ya feel me?

That is interesting, really. So are there any other projects coming up for 2017?

There is definitely a project coming 2017. That is a must. I plan to drop at least one project a year because most of my favorite rappers do so and I like that as a fan. So stay tuned because there is definitely new music coming next year. I plan to twist things up and give my listeners a different sound from my first mixtape. It should be interesting, I’ve already started working on some new material.

Is there anything you would like to say to your supporters?

To all my supporters, no matter how little I may have, I love y’all. This last half year has been real dope, getting to express myself in a manner I’ve never done before. To those people who play my music, to those who spread the word about my music, to those who help me record my music videos, to those who downloaded my mixtape, to those who believe in my dream, your support means the world to me. The day will come when people know my name and those who were with me from the start are definitely going to be on top with me.

PETER KINGS BABY! Project shit, much love.

Keep an eye out for Peter Kings, his perseverance, dedication, ambition, and talent are a combination that call for success. Stay connected with him on Instagram, SoundCloud, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.