CITRUS Podcast S2 EP20: BLVSH talks new music & Performs 'Next 2 Me' LIVE!

Episode Highlights

For the grand finale of Season 2, executive producer Chris Hamel steps in as guest host for a conversation with Sacramento-based pop singer BLVSH. 🎵 He shares his unique and hilarious origin story, explaining how getting grounded at age seven led him to secretly write poetry and music instead of punishment sentences, culminating in his first-ever song: a diss track about his mom called "Psychopath".

BLVSH discusses his move from the Portland, Oregon area to Sacramento for a job with Dutch Bros. Coffee and how he's navigated the new music scene. He dives into his wide range of musical influences, from "dad rock" bands like Nirvana and Weezer to modern indie artists like Omar Apollo, Dominic Fike, and Steve Lacy. He also explains the deeper metaphor behind his name—the blend of uplifting, happy-sounding music with deep, introspective lyrics—and why he stylizes it with a "V".

Finally, BLVSH looks to the future, sharing his goals of performing at major festivals like Coachella and releasing a new project later this year. After the interview, he takes the stage for an incredible live performance of his song, "Next 2 Me".

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor

This episode is proudly sponsored by Bero. Bero is a premium non-alcoholic beverage for those who want to live a more balanced lifestyle without compromising the taste and enjoyment of a beer. Check them out at BeroBrewing.com to order, and be sure to tell them the Citrus Podcast sent you!

Timestamps:

00:02:05 Intro / Season 2 Finale with Guest Host Chris Hamel

00:02:24 Why BLVSH Moved from Portland to Sacramento

00:03:50 The Unique Origin Story: Getting Grounded & Writing a Diss Track

00:05:36 Musical Influences: From Nirvana to Aminé

00:07:50 The Songwriting Process: Melody Before Lyrics

00:09:18 Finding His Singing Voice After Starting as a Rapper

00:12:04 The Importance of Having a Solid Team

00:14:18 The Meaning Behind the Name "BLVSH"

00:15:24 Future Goals: Coachella & Working with Pharrell

00:19:55 Upcoming Music & New Singles

00:22:13 Live Performance: "Next 2 Me"

Follow the Journey:

Citrus Podcast: @CitrusPodcast

Chris Hamel (Guest Host): @chrisbyname

BLVSH (Guest): @whoisblvsh

Ky Richy (Host): @KyRichy

Dustin Woelk (Audio): @Dustin_Woelk

#BLVSH #CitrusPodcast #Next2Me #SacramentoMusic #PopMusic #LivePerformance #MusicInterview #Songwriting #ArtistInterview #IndiePop #SeasonFinale

Sacramento's own J Kent—an R&B singer, songwriter, and artist development coach—joins Ky Richy on the podcast for a powerful and deeply personal conversation. J Kent shares his musical journey, from being a freestyling rap battler in middle school to performing at the Golden One Center and making the difficult decision to launch his solo career. He discusses the viral success of his records, including his first solo hit "Woosah" and the 32-million-view TikTok sensation "No Way" with Leshon.

The conversation takes an intimate turn as J Kent opens up about his trials and tribulations, using his platform to promote mental health awareness. He bravely shares his story of navigating immense grief after losing his mother to a 15-year cancer battle and his younger brother to suicide within the same year. He explains how music has become his therapy and a way to heal, leading to his upcoming "Behind a Smile" mental health campaign.

J Kent also gives an exclusive look into his new "Woosah" campaign, which combines the release of his new single on August 29th with a charity effort to raise funds for a rare spinal disease. After the interview, J Kent delivers a memorable live performance of his hit record, "Woosah."

Special Thanks to Our Sponsor

This episode is proudly sponsored by BERO. BERO is a premium non-alcoholic beverage for those who want to live a more balanced lifestyle without compromising the taste and enjoyment of a beer. For those who are sober, it's the go-to drink in social settings. Check them out at www.berobrewing.com and follow them @berobrewing

Timestamps:

00:02:25 Meeting Leshon on the Basketball Court

00:05:13 J Kent's Musical Beginnings & Early Influences

00:08:03 Performing at the Golden One Center & Deciding to Go Solo

00:12:16 The 32 Million-View Viral Hit "No Way"

00:14:52 Performing at Concerts in the Park: A Full Circle Moment

00:18:18 A Candid Discussion on Mental Health, Grief, and Sobriety

00:18:47 Losing His Mother and Brother

00:25:55 Using Music as Therapy and the "Behind a Smile" Campaign

00:31:30 The "Woosah" Single & Charity Campaign

00:37:32 Advice for Aspiring Artists

00:38:46 Live Performance: "Woosah"

Connect & Support:

Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know your favorite part in the comments below!

👍 Like this video if you enjoyed the conversation or the live performance!

🔔 Subscribe to The Citrus Podcast Show for more exclusive interviews and live music sessions!

🔗 Watch more episodes from Season 2: https://www.youtube.com/@citruspodcast/podcasts

🎧 Listen to the audio version on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Follow the Journey:

Citrus Podcast: @CitrusPodcast

Ky Richy (Host): @KyRichy

J Kent (Guest): @jkentofficial

Dustin Woelk (Audio): @Dustin_Woelk

#JKent #CitrusPodcast #Woosah #SacramentoMusic #MentalHealthAwareness #RnB #LivePerformance #Grief #ArtistInterview #MusicPodcast #BERO #BeroBrewing

In this episode, Ky Richy sits down with Sacramento-based hip-hop artist KEYBO. Keybo details his musical journey, from his early days being "forced" into church choirs to finding his passion in an after-school program with a mobile studio. He shares his unique writing process, which often involves sitting in his car and drawing inspiration from a wide range of artists, from Outkast to Panic! At The Disco.

KEYBO opens up about his biggest influence, Rod Wave, and explains why many fans call him the "Sacramento Rod Wave." He gives an inside look at the Sacramento music scene, discussing the challenge of establishing his melodic sound in a city known for gangster rap and his belief that the city's artists could dominate the industry if they came together. He also speaks candidly about his personal struggles with mental health and how he channels his life's chapters into his music, including his debut album, "Book of Keybo."

Finally, Keybo gives us an exclusive look at his upcoming second album, "Keybo World," his new distribution deal with Empire, and what's next for his brand. Following the interview, KEYBO delivers a powerful live performance of his hit song, "On My Mind."

Timestamps:

00:00:18 Intro

00:02:36 How KEYBO Got Into Making Music

00:05:20 The Writing Process & Recipe for a Perfect Hook

00:07:38 Biggest Musical Influences (Rod Wave, Panic! At The Disco)

00:08:24 Being an Artist in the Sacramento Music Scene

00:12:11 What KEYBO Would Change About the Sacramento Music Scene

00:13:47 Using Music as an Outlet for Mental Health

00:15:00 The Story Behind His First Album, "Book of Keybo"

00:20:09 Upcoming Album: "Keybo World"

00:24:41 Signing a Distribution Deal with Empire

00:25:43 What's Next: Shows, Merch & Branding

00:27:51 Live Performance: "On My Mind"

Connect & Support:

Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know your favorite part in the comments below!

👍 Like this video if you enjoyed the conversation or the live performance!

🔔 Subscribe to The Citrus Podcast Show for more exclusive interviews and live music sessions!

🔗 Watch more episodes from Season 2: https://www.youtube.com/@citruspodcast/podcasts

🎧 Listen to the audio version on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Follow the Journey:

Citrus Podcast: @CitrusPodcast

Ky Richy (Host): @KyRichy

Dustin Woelk (Audio): @Dustin_Woelk

KEYBO (Guest): @keybosworld

#KEYBO #OnMyMind #LivePerformance #CitrusPodcast #SacramentoMusic #MelodicRap #HipHop #livemusicsessions #Sacramento