Clover Kiid, “The Prologue EP (SMOKE IN THE AIR! ft. TEKWAR!)”
Clover Kiid is a rapper and musician from Queens, NY, who currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, after moving there in his youth. Growing up in these two regions has impacted and motivated Clo’s artistic works, providing him with a wide landscape of cultures, influences, and creative ideas to develop.
Clover’s experiences in the City during his early youth set the foundation for his career, in awe of the “vast and different” style of New York, void of unoriginality. He explains that “even the (artists) who do drill music”, a genre he says dominates Queens, “(have) creative ways of doing it.”
According to Clover Kiid, Charlotte shares that unique sense of creativity, claiming that “the Charlotte underground scene is just as diverse, if not probably a bit more (than New York's)". Clo also explains the key contrasts in the cultures of the local music scenes in his two hometowns, mentioning the lack of community among the artists in Charlotte compared to a more communal energy in NYC.
Clover Kiid found his artistic community in Carolina through his close friend and frequent collaborator “TEKWAR!”. TEK is the founder of “3”, a creative collective that Clo represents and frequently works within. Inspired by TEK’s creation and success with the “3” collective, Clover took on an alternative founder’s role himself, by starting his own group “NPCK”, a collective with members including Space Prince, Greeen, Kill Santana, and OG Truth.
TEKWAR! and Clover Kiid recently collaborated on the track, “SMOKE IN THE AIR!”, which is the 2nd song of Clo’s 2-track EP, “The Prologue”. This project was released to SoundCloud on September 12th, 2024, with a cover art showcasing the “3” collective’s “III” Roman numeral logo overlayed onto a photo of a polar bear staring up at a cross, amidst a cold barren landscape.
The first track, the 2:48 “Close Quarters” is a solo track that flows over a punchy and wavy abstract synth instrumental. Bragadocious lyrics and clean bars set the EP’s tone for the upcoming track with TEK. “SMOKE IN THE AIR!” is a crazy dual freestyle over a “heavenly” orchestral instrumental, which drops into a drill-style beat as the duo comes in with their verses.
Clover Kiid began to seriously discover his passion for rapping through his older brother “Snype”, a fellow artist who introduced Clo to the art of freestyling at an early age. Clover fell in love with the process, explaining it to be “a great way for (him) to express (him)self in a healthier way”. These initial freestyles over “boom-bap” beats pushed Clo in a lyrical direction, methodically forming rhymes and flowing over the classic hip-hop instrumentals.
The skillsets built during this experimental process helped Clover to develop a signature sound that suits him artistically. Despite the years of stylistic alterations and personal flairs between now and then, Clover Kiid is confident that he can still “rap circles around” his competition.
Clover’s confidence in his music and creations weren’t always as strong as they are now. Beginning his career with the stage name “TyRant’s Vengeance”, he recalls times in high school when peers would poke fun at his music, often leaving Clo’s songs left on read when he would send them around. His persistence payed off, building his character and skillset to a point where he can now say that those who “use to laugh at (his) s***, (are) now bumping (his) and (his) homie’s music.”
In an exclusive interview with RSO Underground, Clover Kiid gives insight into his “evident” musical influences of XXXTentacion, Destroy Lonely and more, describes his early career experiences, alongside sharing a message to the world of prioritizing longevity and being yourself!
RSO Underground Interview with Clover Kiid
Who are you?
I am Clover Kiid but you can call me Clo.
Where are you from? (How is the music scene there?)
I'm from Queens, New York, moved to Charlotte NC when I was young. I would say the music scene in New York is very vast and different than a lot of different places, it's not just a whole bunch of niggas doing drill and calling it a day and even the ones who do drill music has creative ways of doing it. The Charlotte underground scene is just as diverse if not probably a bit more , niggas just don't be supporting each other down here like they need to you know?
Why did you get into the music/creative industry??
My older brother actually is the reason I even do music for real he use to be a rapper, He taught me to freestyle and I just took off after that so shout out Snype for real. Plus it's a great way for me to express myself in a healthier way.
Who and what inspires you?
It's pretty evident my main influences is from the SoundCloud era like Xxxtentacion, Carti, Uzi , but even some newer artists like Jace, Destroy Lonely and damn near everybody in 3 (my collective) that my nigga Tek started. NPCK is my group that I started also some great artists shout out space prince , greeen, kill Santana and og truth.
Do you have any stories of your artistic journey to share?
I'd say my music journey didn't really start till after highschool (I was doing music since middle school) but it wasn't till after I graduated where I really put my focus into music and trying to get me and my homies put on type shi. A lot of niggas use to laugh at my shit now they bumping me and my homies music acting like I don't remember being left on read when I sent them our songs early in our career lmaoo
What song/project are you currently promoting and what is the story behind it?
This song right here "SMOKE IN THE AIR" With my brother TEKWAR. Was a freestyle I just heard the beat and instantly knew this shi would be crazy with Tek on it. And shit we snapped lol.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
One thing people might find surprising about me is I use to be a boom bap rapper for real well a lot of people use to start off like that but I wanted to be a lyrical rapper first but over time I developed this sound that suits me more. Don't get it messed up I can rap circles around niggas still
Where can we find your music and art?
You can find my music on soundcloud , apple music, Spotify, YouTube , shi everywhere just search up Clover Kiid and enjoy bro.
What is your message to the world?
My message to the world is don't let society tell you what you age you have to be successful at, take your time, master your craft and actually put the work in it. Longevity is the goal. Most importantly bro just be yourself gang on 3.
Check out Clover Kiid Everywhere!
“The Prologue” EP on SoundCloud
Clover Kiid on Instagram @clowitda4