Through The Ups And Down, Music Gets You Through: KGODD
Photos provided by KGodd
By RayJaun Stelly
Coming straight out of Federal Way, born Kiere McCoy but to the world he is known as ‘KGodd’, during his school days those who knew him would catch him rapping and free styling either acapella or over a beat throughout the day. In addition to having a love for music, McCoy was an athlete and his basketball talent led him to playing for a Division II school two hours away in Portland, Oregon.
His collegiate career didn’t go as planned, but McCoy’s passion for music never faded, with that he would meet one of his best friends’ and collaborated on a song together, from that moment the legend of KGodd was born.
”Once we met and did a song together, he told me I have to take music serious because I’ll make it,” said McCoy. “I didn’t get along with the coach at the school, so I stopped playing and started taking music serious dating back to 2018-2019.”
From hanging up his basketball shoes for the studio, it had become time for Kiere to solely focus on his gift which is music. Knowing he had the ability to make great music and no outside distractions, with Kiere’s vibrant and contagious energy he hit the ground running.
”I just feel like I bring a vibe that people need, I got that West Coast flavor and at the same time I really can rap if I need to,” said McCoy. “I always loved music, I felt like I had a gift but I was focused on other things at the time.”
McCoy expressed, “I make the type of music that makes you want to roll the windows down and just feel like you’re taking over the world, you know when you listen to KGodd I want you to feel like you know your best self, so for me that’s the message I am sending through my music.”
Bring a sense of joy, happiness, and conquering the world spirit through his music, Kiere’s motivation not only for music but life in general comes from his responsibility of being a father first to his daughter. Knowing his purpose of always being there and providing, and what better way to do that than making music?
“I want her to never have to worry in her life and I know that music is a way for me to do that, I know I am gifted, and I wasn’t put on earth to work a nine to five,” said McCoy. “That’s what keeps me motivated, one making sure my daughter never has to worry, that’s what my journey supposed to be so it’s only right for me to go out there and make it happen.”
Making the decision to move to Atlanta, Georgia to further his career at the time where his song ‘Daygo’ was gaining extreme traction at 60 million streams and counting, McCoy unfortunately met the worst side of the music industry. Having to overcome dealing with career and personal issues all at once, while being on a completely different coast away from family and friends, he made the decision to move back home.
Digging himself out of hole, Kiere was back home in Washington and immediately felt the love.
”When I moved back out here, I was finally back around love and people that love what I do, it’s the most love in the West Coast and I feel like we’re slept on for our sound and vibe,” said McCoy. “Being back home has done nothing but elevated my music and for me personally being around support and people I love, I went from a dark place to finding the light again and I am good to go.”
Officially back to himself, KGodd can be seen live July 20 as he’s set to perform at the Sewer Park Amphitheater for a festival celebration plus he’s working on an upcoming EP titled ‘Her Favorite, recently releasing a music video to his single ‘You And Me’, and plans on releasing another project either this upcoming fall or winter.
“I will continue to give my audience what they want by continuing to be myself, I’m going to always make something they like and that’s my confidence level. Even though I am heavily slept on by a lot of people not even just from here, but it’s cool though,” said McCoy. “It’s all good just know I am going to make something happen this is what I do.”
