Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydnee Wade.
Hi Sydnee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Sydnee, but my DJ moniker is KydKong. I’m an Atlanta-based artist all about fusion. I love to push the envelope and create a new experience for every audience. Classically trained with more than ten years of experience with symphonic and jazz music, I have the knowledge to take control of the dance floor and energize any crowd. My love for music started at a very young age. As a child, I was heavily influenced by my Mother, who is also a DJ- DJ Twysted Systa, and Father, who has vocal talent and is an avid music enthusiast. I grew up listening to R&B, Jazz, and Hip Hop. Now, while I will always cherish these genres, I found myself more rooted in Electronic Music and Fusion. My DJ sets continue to reflect my upbringing, my community, and my perspective on life. I’m always looking to push the envelope and I want to bring something new to the idea of music.
I have completed many years of classical music study and performed in many orchestras, symphonies, and ensembles. Chosen to be a part of the first All-Star Invitational Marching Band to perform in Miami at the BCS National NCAA Championship Football halftime show in Jan of 2013, I continued my music education attending Georgia Perimeter College for music education and student teaching at my alma mater, Rockdale County High School. Though I still love teaching, I fell in love with electronic music along the way and ultimately transferred to Full Sail University and am now pursuing my bachelor’s in music production.
I began DJing in late 2019 and with the interruption of the COVID-19 pandemic began with only three live shows under my belt before beginning my livestream career during the quarantine period. This honestly allowed me to hone my skills and grow my community, lovingly referred to as the Kyndergarden. In the past year, I have joined multiple Atlanta local artist groups such as the Atlanta DJ Collective and Titans of Bass. Since the emergence from the quarantine period, I have played some notable venues such as The Masquerade (Torch 10 Year DnB Fest), The Purple Buffalo in SC, and the Atlanta electronic music super hub- Believe Music Hall.
Although live shows have made a resurgence, I continue to grow my online platform on Twitch! Consistently live streaming 4-5 days out of the week, from curated DJ sets to gaming, it has been an amazing platform to connect with my followers. I still have a great passion for education and two segments out of the week are dedicated to deep dives into genres/subgenres and artist discographies.
I’m just getting started and I have no intention of stopping any time soon. I’m so honored to have opened for such noteworthy artists as Notixx, Breathe Carolina, Bonnie x Clyde, and local powerhouse KaventG. Additionally affiliated, through the power of live streams, with Haus of Panda, Chuck None, and Will Miles. What’s next for KydKong? Well, I hope to release original music soon while I continue to gig around Atlanta and take over the southeast!
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?
It hasn’t been the smoothest of roads given that my career was just starting when the pandemic hit. Wanting to be involved in a nightlife career- a community-driven, people-driven career when suddenly we were strongly urged to avoid human interaction. The interesting thing is live streaming helped me heavily through this. What it didn’t aid was the fact that this is a very male-dominated industry. Even in 2022, women who DJ are seen as the minority and have to work very hard to be respected, considering many believe you only receive gigs due to a physical aspect. Although house music was born in queer POC inhabited spaces, the electronic music scene isn’t quite the same in that regard today.
Safe spaces are always a concern, but I believe I continue to meet others in the Atlanta scene who are extremely supportive and want to give opportunities to those who look and are like me. Thankfully an artist friend of mine, Kaf, introduced me to Daddy Dough and Subconscious- Drum and Bass DJs truly respected in the Atlanta scene. Having persevered through the same obstacles I have as people of color, they began the ADJC. The Atlanta DJ Collective took me under their wing when the quarantine period hit. Allowing me a weekly timeslot to hone my skills, they cosigned my ability and I will forever be grateful for my ADJC Fam.
I only hope to be a part of the growth of these spaces. Myself my mother- DJ Twysted Systa, and my best friend – Kodi started a nonprofit to organize events servicing the Metro- Atlanta area. As we focus on pushing EDM outside of the perimeter, we are providing a platform for fresh artists who aren’t sure how to break into the industry, a platform for those possibly overlooked, for those who are passionate about music but may not fit into a “marketable” box. No matter the obstacle, as KydKong I aim to overcome, as an organizer I refuse to become the obstacle.
We’ve been impressed with Twysted Kyngdom, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Myself my mother – DJ Twysted Systa, and my best friend- Kodi recently started a nonprofit organization focused on bringing Electronic Dance Music outside the perimeter of Atlanta. Twysted Kyngdom may be in its infancy, but our debut show TWO’sday BOO’sday was surely a success and we plan to keep the ball rolling. It is so fulfilling to bring a genre that I am so passionate about to my hometown of Conyers. We’ve spoken to many about their desire to have Atlanta-style events, just easier to access. When you live in places an hour or more away from Downtown Atlanta it can be hard to feasibly attend all the events you wish to. From the traffic to the gas required to the inability to use rideshare apps to get you safely home without breaking the bank. We just want to bring a piece of that Atlanta nightlife to everyone.
What’s next?
With my love for fusion music, I hope to bring a bit of that symphonic and jazz background to the EDM scene. I play multiple instruments and soon, I want to start performing with my alto saxophone. As mentioned before, I aim to release original music this year and I want to continue to provide opportunities for new artists with Twysted Kyngdom.
Contact Info:
- Email: kydkongbooking@gmail.com
- Website: anymalkyngdom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kydkong/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KydKongMusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/_kydkong
- SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/KydKong
Image Credits:
Alejandro Espinoza Photography Emerald Summers Presents
