Kutee Lee, the talented emo-rap artist and one of the best amongst his peers.
The Port Harcourt music scene keeps expanding daily with various new artists emerging from the southside scene. The artists to have emerged from Port Harcourt in recent times need no mentioning as it has become one of the main base of talents.
Kutee Lee is one of those newly emerging creatives. Having started his professional career in 2019, he has established himself as one of the burgeoning act of the region. With an EP and few singles, Kutee Lee boasts one of the most impressive discography of underground artists from the region and beyond.
We had the opportunity to get a closer audience with Kutee Lee to discuss how he has come of age, his artistry, his upcoming single amongst others.
Q: Tell us about yourself and your background.
A: My name is Metu Chibuike Pascal. I’m a native of Anambra state. Growing up, it was not easy because we moved through different cities in the east. So different cities contributed to my background. It was fun anyways with a lot of experiences that have rubbed off on me and got me involved in music.
Q: So, tell us, who were you musical role models or heroes whilst growing up.
A: I listened to a wide variety of music. But Wizkid and Burna Boy inspired me on a whole another level. They are Nigerians and we all know what it means to make it here in Nigeria with music, its really not an easy thing. Also, in terms of my emotional and dexterity of story telling abilities, Juice Wrld and Isiah Rashad inspire me a lot. I think these artists played a lot of roles in my music. There are others though, but these ones top the list.
Q: There is always a lesson learned from our models, what is yours?
A: I learned a lot of lessons and from different artists but I will streamline it to the artists I mentioned earlier. I’ve learned patience, especially with yourself as an artist. Music is an art, so l know you have to be patient to properly learn the art and grow with it. If you look at Burna Boy and Wizkid, they are both artists that grew with their art and with time. They improve literally on every release and its one of the thing that has kept them ahead of the game. Also, Isaiah Rashad and Juice Wrld know how to portray emotions in a record, this is very obvious. It’s something I resonate with and try to incorporate in my music.
Q: Great. Tell us about what inspired you to do music.
A: My life experiences and basically I grew up in music. I listened to music a lot and different artists. This is because my parents and older siblings got great music taste so it rubbed off on me. You know, in that kind of environment, it was easy to get influenced with good music. So it all began there and then and as I begin to age, the interest was more solid than ever, so I just decided to delve into it.
Q: So when did you start properly?
A: Yeah, my career started professionally in 2019 when I became a member of Black Federation. It is a group of crwatives and record label based in Port Harcourt. I actually did a freestyle and Momos signed me up at the spot. I’ve come a long way in my development as an artist since then.
[PRE SAVE] South Side by Kutee Lee.
Q: Wow, on the spot ? The freestyle must have been a very good performance.
A: Yeah, it was. It is one of the most memorable times in my career so far.
Q: You still have to tell me about your stage name. How did you come about it?
A: My stage name came in a really funny way though. So I got the name ‘Kutee’ from my friends because of my affinity for weed and ‘Lee’ was just my nickname back in secondary school. Now, my manager takes the honours of combining both nicknames to one. And yes, that’s how I got my stage name.
Q: Wow, cool stuff. Let’s phase into your music career proper. How has it been since you started?
A: Its been a lively journey so far. One that I’m loving and trying to enjoy every bit of it. Honestly, it has definitely had its ups and downs but I’ll not change a thing.
Q: Let’s pick the highs first. Can you share a memorable moment with us?
A: Specifically for the ups is that I get to do lots of amazing things with great people. It’s one of the things I’m so happy about, being with people of like minds in a room and just creating something great. I really appreciate that. A memorable moment I would like to share would be the Community Show last year in Port Harcourt. That was a different kind of show in the city, brought so many cool people and ideas together in one setting. I really enjoyed myself performing at the show last year.
Q: Oh, cool. Now, let’s talk about the lows. Can you shed more light on that?
A: The downs has to do with the downsides of interpersonal relationships between people. I just feel like in a team setting where you have so many people working together to achieve a goal, active communication is important. That’s how we operate in the southside, we build together. I just believe the earlier we create real and clear connections with each other, the better it will be for us as we progress.
Q: That’s been the only challenge?
A: Yes, so far.
[PRE SAVE] South Side by Kutee Lee.
Q: Okay. Let’s talk about the new single that arrives next Tuesday. How was the recording session?
A: Yeah, Southside is a special song to me as you can see. I heard the initial beat and started writing to it, I was with Clogz, Eddy and Miickey Metro during the process, Clogz had some new ideas for the beat and he did his thing, it made it more soulful and bouncy actually. I finished writing and recorded immediately.
Q: Wow, that’s awesome. Has it always been the same routine for most of your recording process ?
A: More or less, Metro is always around. I get inspired by the beat and it directs the story and emotion I pour out on the record. I just felt really calm working on Southside.
Q: Well, what lessons have you learned at this stage?
A: I’ve learnt that persistence and consistency is important. There are so many storms to go through in this business, one just have to face them. Consistency is also key, you have to keep improving to avoid being left behind. You have to give your all on any release to keep people with you. Also people are important as well. There is only so much one can do on their own. It pays to treat people with respect.
Q: Share with us, what is your plan moving forward?
A: I’m just working on building my catalogue and audience, exploring more of myself and what I am capable of as an artist as well working with some amazing producers. I already worked with some, but I would not say no to more. Also, let me announce, I’ve got this joint project with SoundOfBoma dropping next. The date remains anonymous. But it is something everyone should watch out for. This is project we have given a lot of work into, when it comes out, everyone would understand what I mean now.
Q: Okay, we anticipate. Any message you would like to drop for your fans?
A: If you connect with my art just stick with me, I’ve got something solid going on and I will love you all to be a part of it. Its gonna be big and epic.
Wow, I like that confidence.
Kutee Lee drops his next single titled ‘Southside‘ next Tuesday. Tap into the wonderful sound of this amazing artist.
[PRE SAVE] South Side by Kutee Lee.
