JM: Hi, Kynt! Thank you for meeting with me. Tell me about your new remix album, Club Electronica. Who are some of the DJs you’ve been working with to get the remixes together?
Kynt: I’m known as New Orleans’ first House music recording artist. My first demo was recorded around 1992, and it started circulating around the world in 1997. So it’s a collection of remixes from DJs and producers I’ve been working with over the years. A lot of them are well-known, Billboard-charting producers like Edson Pride, Cesar Vilo, Erick Ibiza, Fred de France, Alain Jackinsky, and others. These people are huge in House music culture and at Tribal circuit parties. These songs have played on the radio and in clubs worldwide for the past twenty years. So this album is a collection of some of my most popular songs, as well as new songs that were recorded this past year. I’m trying to give my fans and the people that support me the best. It’s a really great project. The DJs have really taken their time to work with me and I really appreciate that they trust my vision.
JM: How do you pick which DJs you want to work with?
Kynt: In most cases they pick me. When my first demos went out, my vocals were on the web and, DJs would find my vocals and remix them. And they ended up being included on Dance music compilation albums. So the popular DJs would remix them, and all of a sudden they’re being played worldwide in dance clubs.
Jim: The album includes some of your classic hits like “Adrenaline,” “We Can Work This Out,” and “Makes Me Hot.” What are some of the newer tracks?
Kynt: “Inspiration” was produced by Fred de France, and it’s one of my favorite songs that I’ve written recently. We also have “DJ Turn It Up,” which is a big smash, a Dance club banger from Erick Ibiza. “Fortify” is another of the new songs; that one is with Edson Pride.
JM: It must be exciting to work with so many of these great producers.
Kynt: I’ve been releasing music for such a long period of time, and it’s amazing to see that it’s still having an impact on the world, and on the DJ culture, and on the people that are listening to it. I recorded “We Can Work This Out” back in like 2000 when I was still attending Loyola University. That song has had more than 50 remixes. By DJs like Alain Jackinsky, Edson Pride, and Erick Ibiza.
JM: What is it about House music that brings you so much inspiration? And who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Kynt: Oh my goodness. I grew up in foster care, and I was always looking for a way to express myself, and to understand why the world was the way it was. And I used to sneak out at night and go to the clubs. And I would get out there and dance, and sweat my little heart out. And, you know, those anthems that would come on, songs by artists like Kristine W., CeCe Peniston, Sylvester, Madonna, and Clivillés and Cole. Martha Wash is a very big influence. Oh my gosh, she has the best voice on Earth.
JM: In addition to your singing, you’re also pretty well known as a dancer and choreographer. One of the things you’re most well-known for locally is the Thriller flash mob each Halloween. You long have you been doing that?
Kynt: This year was the tenth anniversary. We were actually on CNN the morning after Halloween this year. My brain almost exploded. I’m just very thankful, you know? Being on the news is one thing, but I’m just passionate about keeping the memory of Michael Jackson going. People love “Thriller,” and they love the dance moves, and it’s become a tradition.
Jim: You’re also a film and TV actor. What are some of the upcoming acting gigs that you’re excited about?
Kynt: There’s so many things happening right now. I’m working on the new reboot of Queer As Folk. I play one of the featured drag queens. I really can’t tell you the storyline, but it’s gonna be really, really amazing. The director’s vision is great, and the writers are really amazing. It’s gonna be a great show. I also have and role on Cherish the Day, a drama on the Oprah Winfrey Network. And then there’s Iron Mike, a documentary about Mike Tyson. And there’s also, Saturdays, a Disney series about a young girl with a disability who’s on a skating team. I was one of the lead skaters in that show. And I’m getting ready to work on a short film next week. That one’s still untitled. Oh! And I’ll also be in the Jefferson Ballet Theater’s Nutcracker on the 18th and 19th.
JM: You’re definitely staying busy! Can you tell me what it’s been like to have such a long career as a gay person in the music industry?
Kynt: When I first started, the record labels and the promoters would tell me, oh, you’re too gay. They would love my music, but they would never want my image to be on the records. So I had a really hard time accepting what people were doing to me and telling me. They were like, something’s wrong with you; you’re not right. And it took me a long time to reclaim who I was, and find myself again. To understand that my voice was more powerful than what they were saying to me. But now we have globally successful artists like Lil Nas X and Big Freedia. And it’s really a good time to celebrate the artists that we have locally. Not all music from New Orleans is jazz! We do have Electronic music, and we do have House music. We just need to get people to pay attention to it a little bit more often.
JM: Well, let’s hope that Club Electronica will do just that, and get folks in New Orleans out there dancing again!
Kynt: Yes, most definitely. And it’s also good for working out! Put this album on, and you’re not gonna stop dancing. It’s just a great record. I’m excited about it.
JM: Congratulations! And thanks again for taking the time to speak with me about all of your amazing work.
Club Electronica debuts on December 10. Click here to check it out! You can also check out some of Kynt’s YouTube videos here.
