When Stack Bundles and Chinx Drugz were tragically taken from the hip-hop community, Far Rockaway lost its voice. Now, Keen Streetz is picking up that torch with a vengeance, bringing bars back to the forefront in an era where lyricism often takes a backseat.
In this raw and revealing conversation, Streetz opens up about his unique journey from Queens to becoming Jim Jones’ protégé—a relationship that began with Jones silently evaluating him for nearly two years before finally acknowledging his talent. “He was plotting on me the whole time,” Streetz reflects with a laugh, describing how that patience led to him landing on six tracks of Jones’ acclaimed album “At The True Steps,” catching the attention of tastemakers like Joe Budden who demanded to know: “Who the fuck is this?”
Streetz’s strategic approach to his career stands out in today’s landscape. When others abandoned bars, he locked himself away for six months writing freestyle after freestyle, preparing for opportunities that eventually came knocking at Sway in the Morning and Hot 97. His preparation extended to collaborations with heavyweights like Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher—always arriving with finished records rather than concepts, maximizing every opportunity.
What makes Streetz’s perspective particularly valuable is his understanding of both hip-hop’s traditions and its evolving platforms. He respects radio’s historical importance while recognizing content creators as the new gatekeepers, bridging the gap between purist values and contemporary distribution methods.
For anyone who believes bars still matter, King Streetz represents hope that authentic lyricism can still cut through in today’s musical landscape. As he puts it himself: “I’m going to learn from this. I’m going to do this and that and I’m going to hold it down.”
