Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Washington
Hi Mark, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
1. Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Mesquite, TX and raised in the DFW.
2.How was life growing up?
Life growing up, like many, has its ups and its downs. Being multi-racial, I dealt with my fair share of racism from teachers and students. I was constantly bullied in school for me being mixed and didn’t really stand up for myself for a long time, until I did, and a lot of the bullying stopped. When I peaked, I got into sports such as football, track & field, and basketball. My main focuses were football and track & field because I wanted to follow in my uncle’s footsteps and be this great and amazing star on the field and on the track. I was successful in both sports, ending up getting countless medals and offers to play football at Division I schools. My life took a different course that we can call a learning curve. Becoming a Father really changed things for me and made me realize that growing up was not only needed, but an obligation. My goal has been to give them a life that I had and more, setting the example of what a man should be and what to look for in a man in raising my daughter. There’s always trials and tribulations that one experiences, but it becomes more about the outlook of life and treating those occurrences as an obstacle of opportunity. An obstacle in the way as an opportunity to become the upgraded version of yourself.
3. What inspired you to start rapping?
I started rapping in middle school, doing battle rapping. I have always been a fan of music for as long as I can remember, listening to the cassette tapes with my mom in her red Spectrum. R&B piqued my interest in music, and I found that I connected with the instruments that came together to make beauty happen. I had already been writing poetry and just turned it into a lyrical form, adding a cadence, and making things rhyme. I didn’t really focus much on the meaning behind the rap because I just wanted to make sure I didn’t sound stupid or anything, but I just kept rapping and kept focusing on my craft to not be or sound like everybody else.
4. Were there any rappers you look up to growing up?
There are so many rappers that I attached myself to growing up because of the diversity it offered. From Tupac and his methodical way of rhymes and his sense of not caring about what people thought about him. Bizzy Bone, Twista, Tech 9ine, Logic, Kendrick Lamar, Dax, Big Moe, Big Hawk, Chamillionaire, and the list could go on and on. All legends, all lyricists, all inspirations.
5. How did you develop the name KPT and what does it stand for?
To start simply, KPT stands for King Papi Texas. It’s a lot to say in one sitting so I eventually just shortened it. Plus, a lot of men don’t like calling another man Papi, so it just made sense when it came down to it. Back whenever Covid had hit, I was working security for a celebrity that many know, which I can’t say due to NDA, but to pass the time, I got into doing streaming because of the late hours I worked. It helped to pass the time and was a good source of income for me on the side. The name went through a bunch of different names. At first it was just King Texas. Then a bunch of in between, but ultimately landed with KPT. The King was something that would constantly remind me that I am worth more than mediocrity. I am someone that deserves to be treated with respect, consideration, care, compassion, amongst many other things, like a King. Papi comes from me being mixed with Puerto Rican and Texas was my nickname when I lived in California. I was working security and since we never used our real names with each other, everyone just called me Texas. So, we eventually just put it all together.
6. How many music projects do you have out today?
I just released my new EP, “I Am Who I Am” October 29th and my first EP earlier this year “KPT.” Already have projects in the works and different singles that I’ll be releasing later next year.
7. Will you remain independent, or someday be signed by a major label?
My objective is to remain independent if I possibly can. I started out doing music years ago and the outcome of it all wasn’t fathomable for me, which discouraged me from doing music for years. Getting back into music, learning a lot from the mistakes that were made at the time really gave me the inkling to keep the minimum number of hands in the pot. I make all my beats and don’t have any ghost writers. I mix, master, and engineer all my music. I continue to give my all in my music and want to remain independent as long as possible until an offer is given that caters to me and has my best interest. A lot of times artists are so quick to sign with these labels and are ultimately in debt, become one hit wonders, or are flat out manipulated and deceived. I don’t want that. I want excellence and I want to be able to know that I can make a difference for myself in the industry.
8. Does you as an artist coexist with you as an individual person is it separate?
My music is an extension of my personality. In music, you can release things that you feel you aren’t able to express in other settings. So instead of turning to drugs, excessive alcohol, or getting into some trouble with extended consequences, use that as fuel to embrace those fears, triggers, and experiences in life to create beauty with rhythmic sounds and cadences. KPT and my personal life coexist because, just like my new EP titled “I Am Who I Am,” that’s exactly what it means at the end of the day. I am who I am because of the things experiences I’ve had in my life and I will continue to adapt to change, not forgetting what I’ve been through and where I come from.
9. As a rap artist, have you accomplished all your goals?
I haven’t even begun to reach half of the things I’ve aspired to do. Just like with my TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channels, I was never out to see fame or gain popularity. I was merely using them as an outlet to fight anxiety from PTSD and dealing with the loss of my Dad, which I was never really afforded to really acknowledge those feelings. My goals are to stay consistent and allow the opportunities to be beneficial for me and my family. Not merely saying yes to every avenue that is presented to me because of the plethora of snakes in the industry. I went down that road and many people, unfortunately, see me as a dollar sign and don’t really care about the talent. It’s about “what can you give me” and not “what can we do together build a foundation of consistency, trust, actual loyalty, and create ways to give back?”
10. Will there be another chapter for KPT?
There are stories that have been written and have created memories, tragedy, excellence, and obstacles that have shaped and formed the present. If I’m breathing, there will always be another chapter because despite being able to change the past, which is already stamped, the present allows me to realize that I made it another day, which is something that not everyone is able to say. The future hasn’t been written yet and intend to embrace that future to engrave yet another triumphant success in the battles I face daily. The battles that have allowed me be better, allowed me to learn, and have allowed me access to adaptation to self and to life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life growing up, like many, has its ups and its downs. Being multi-racial, I dealt with my fair share of racism from teachers and students. I was constantly bullied in school for me being mixed and didn’t really stand up for myself for a long time, until I did, and a lot of the bullying stopped. When I peaked, I got into sports such as football, track & field, and basketball. My main focuses were football and track & field because I wanted to follow in my uncle’s footsteps and be this great and amazing star on the field and on the track. I was successful in both sports, ending up getting countless medals and offers to play football at Division I schools. My life took a different course that we can call a learning curve. Becoming a Father really changed things for me and made me realize that growing up was not only needed, but an obligation. My goal has been to give them a life that I had and more, setting the example of what a man should be and what to look for in a man in raising my daughter. There’s always trials and tribulations that one experiences, but it becomes more about the outlook of life and treating those occurrences as an obstacle of opportunity. An obstacle in the way as an opportunity to become the upgraded version of yourself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Mark Washington, also known as King Papi Texas (KPT), is an energetic and compassionate, multi-versed artist, originating from Dallas, TX. With a life involved in music and feeling the passion from the vibration of the instrument and plethora of sounds, it only seemed fitting that music was a pathway of freedom and escape into a world of open opportunity.
KPT created his own clothing line with the motto of “I Am Who I AM,” establishing and instilling in individuals that everyone has a story of trial and triumph, but each step should be viewed as ana mere obstacle to be overcome. An opportunity to be able to know that their voice matters and they are whom they are because of the experiences faced in life. It’s a humble confidence and a daily reminder to believe in self and you are who are.
KPT separates himself from the traditionally labeled “Rapper” as he continues to expand his repertoire in creating his own beats, mixing and mastering songs, and creating his own lyrics in a variety of genres. With a focus mainly in Rap, KPT’s interests stem into R&B and Latin Pop. Some of the voices that influenced the music path range from artists such as Eminem, Logic, John Legend, D’Angelo, etc. Being that they have so much variety, it has given way to create diverse music that relates and caters to all walks of life.
KPT is privileged because of the hard work and dedication by his Mom and her working two and three jobs sometimes, as a single parent, to provide the best for him. Growing up an only child, she definitely paved a way for opportunities for him. Teaching to stay humble, ensuring grades were stellar. His Mom is a highly educated, bilingual Black woman amassing two Masters Degrees and a Bachelor’s Degree. Of course, he did what he could to make her proud and build a name for himself. He now has his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology: Pre-Counseling, registered as a Personal Trainer, Firearm Instructor, with certifications and training.
Currently, KPT released his new EP Yellow , with the expectancy of his new EP released October 29th, 2024. He has had countless performances, ranging openers for NB Ridaz and Lil Flip, featured on the radio with 97.9 The Beat. Being represented by Shine Agency, KPT has a bright future ahead of him, building a solid foundation of partnership and guidance to excel to new heights.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory would have to be when I won three Track & Field Junipr Olympics medals.
Pricing:
- Features (Voice Only) – $50.00
- Features (Voice & Mixing) – $100.00
- Mixing and Mastering – $40.00
- Instrumentals – Starting at $25
- Performance – $30.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://KingPapiTexas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkpt_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/hG3B32KASq6sAYJV/
- Twitter: https://x.com/IAmKPT?t=_ntrWcXuTLW9gDVbn4S30g&s=09
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@iamkpt?si=y_ZaMkx0K776QQ0H
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamkpt_?_t=ZT-8reaR4f0k2g&_r=1
Image Credits
Mark Washington
Carter Anderson
Demetrius Mitchell
