Today we’d like to introduce you to Artist Name Kresal.
Hi Artist Name, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a household with 9 other siblings. 5 brothers and 4 sisters. I was the youngest. So I heard all types of music. I started my journey as a kid in his room listening to music. I had purchased my own equipment from the help of a girl I knew from school. Teaching myself how to record was not easy. I pursued it for years before I was ready to hit the stage. Knowing there was things to get better at.
After High School I started performing at open mics and doing a lot of local shows around Minneapolis. A few early moments that really stood out to me was opening for Afroman, Caskey, Lil Wyte, and performing at the Soundset open mic. Those early opportunities gave me the experience, confidence, and connections I needed to keep pushing forward.
As I continued performing and building my name locally, those opportunities eventually started opening bigger doors. What started with local shows in Minneapolis eventually led to opportunities to tour with Soulja Boy and perform in different cities and new environments. I also had the opportunity to open for G-Eazy in Texas at South Padre Island, which was an incredible experience and a major milestone for me.
Along the way, I also had the opportunity to meet and tour with Phora. Phora has shown me a lot of love and support throughout the journey, and I’m genuinely grateful for that. Being able to connect with artists who have already established themselves and learn from those experiences has given me a different perspective on what it takes to keep growing and pursuing music at a higher level.
Looking back, I’m grateful for every step of the journey. From performing at open mics and local Minneapolis shows to touring with established artists and performing in different parts of the country, each experience has helped shape who I am today. I’m still growing, still learning, and still chasing bigger goals, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I appreciate everyone who has shown me love and helped me along the way, and I’m excited about where the journey is taking me next.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the hardest experiences I went through was losing my dad to lung cancer when I was 15 years old. Losing a parent at that age changed me in a lot of ways and forced me to grow up and deal with things that I wasn’t necessarily prepared for.
I also grew up around drugs and alcohol and saw a lot of addiction firsthand. Being exposed to those things at a young age showed me how quickly people can get caught in cycles that are difficult to break. Those experiences had a big impact on me and shaped the person I wanted to become.
Another struggle was learning how to truly believe in myself. It took a lot for me to put myself in situations where I could be uncomfortable, take chances, and potentially fail. There were plenty of moments where I questioned myself or wondered if I was good enough. But I learned that failure is part of the process. Every time I put myself out there, whether things worked out or didn’t, I learned something and became better because of it.
A lot of my journey has been about pushing through those experiences instead of allowing them to define me. I’ve learned to take the lessons from the hard times, believe in myself even when it’s difficult, and continue putting myself in rooms where opportunities can happen. The road hasn’t been easy, but the struggles have helped build my character, my confidence, and the drive I have today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and entertainer. At the core of what I do, I specialize in expressing myself through music and connecting with people through my experiences, emotions, and perspective.
What I’m most proud of is being able to create music that people can genuinely relate to—and, honestly, that it’s good enough for people to actually want to listen to, haha. For me, there’s nothing better than knowing that something I created can connect with someone else or make them feel understood.
What sets me apart is my authenticity and my charismatic personality. I’m not trying to be anyone else. I bring my own personality, energy, and experiences into everything I do, whether I’m making music, performing, or connecting with people. I think that genuine approach is what allows me to stand out and build real connections with my audience.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I see the music and entertainment industry continuing to evolve, especially with the way artists are able to build their own brands and connect directly with their audiences. I think the lines between music, fashion, entertainment, and entrepreneurship are going to become even more connected than what they have been.
For me personally, I plan on expanding my clothing brand, The Highest Class, into more avenues, including the cannabis industry. I see a lot of potential in turning The Highest Class into something much bigger than just a clothing brand—a lifestyle and culture that represents ambition, individuality, creativity, and striving to be your best.
I’m excited about the different directions I can take the brand and the opportunities that are ahead. There are a lot of things in the works, and The Highest Class is definitely something to keep an eye out for.**
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thehighestclass.shop/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kresalthakidd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553096008222
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kresal42
