Rappin' Wit Kobie!
March 1st, 2011
The voice of LazyTown's Pixel is also a rapper/musician and has done other voice-over work for many commercial projects. LTP has the pleasure of interviewing the multi-talented
Kobie Powell!
LTP: Yo Kobie! Can you tell us the story of how you became involved with Magnús and the LazyTown project?
KP: Basically I was working as a successful voice over artist in NYC when my agent was approached by Nickelodeon looking for a talent that could do the voice of Pixel. The actual puppeteer's voice wasn't the right fit for Magnus...so he had to look outside of Iceland for the voice. After many talents tried and failed to nail the job, Magnus heard my voice and flew me to Iceland for a first hand audition. After some tweaking of the voice they chose to use me! Definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.
LTP: You are known as the 'Voice of Nick Jr' (as listed in Wikipedia) - Is that the correct moniker, if so, how did it come about?
KP: After landing the Lazytown gig, Nickelodeon tapped me to be the "voice of Nickjr"..which basically meant that I was going to be the voice that told the audience when and what time their favorite show would be on the air. Did that job from 2004-2009. It was a great run! They picked me after an extensive auditioning process that took several months.
LTP: Did you ever do any of the puppeteering for Pixel?
KP: No.
LTP: Can you describe your working relationship with the puppeteers on the set - like Ronald Binion and David Matthew Feldman?
KP: I didn't actually work with any of the puppeteers directly...i worked in the vocal booth to "picture". My voice was synced to the puppet after filming was completed. We ate lunch together sometimes...
LTP: Do you sing all of Pixel's songs on the show and the LazyTown CD, or are there other Pixel singers?
KP: Yes I did sing all of Pixel's parts.
LTP: What's your favorite LazyTown episode and why?
KP: I like the sport candy episode...it's the only one I can remember off hand. I honestly never really watched the show....I know that sounds weird but I'm that kind of actor that just does the work and then moves on.
LTP: Are there any similiarities between you and the character Pixel, such as, are you a real-life 'techie'?
KP: Pixel really is me as a kid! very nice,smart,sensitive kid who was really into gadgets and video games!
LTP: Who are some of your favorite rappers, besides yourself?
KP: I love all music in general! Some of my favorite rappers are Outkast, Jay-z. Kanye West is my favorite artist of the moment. He's a true visionary
LTP: Any preferred reggae / jazz bands?
KP: I love Bob Marley of course! I really enjoy all of the Blue Note artists when i hear their music.
LTP: Tell us a bit about Us3 and your contribution, i.e. lyrics, music, and any new tunes?
KP: Us3 was the best selling group to ever be released on Blue Note records before Norah Jones was signed. We were basically a fusion band that put hip-hop to old school jazz tunes. The biggest hit we had was "cantaloop"(flip fantasia). Sold a million records..toured the world with other major artists like the Fugees and UB40. I was a major writer and performer on the album "Hand On the Torch".
LTP: What do you think about the Worldwide Muslim Revolution, and what are your opinions about President Obama's performance?
KP: I'm just really curious as to why all of this is happening now....? The whole thing seems very strange to me...maybe I just don't know enough about the background of the movement. I don't trust any political movements or politicians themselves...including Obama.
LTP: Ever get a chance to tune in to "Judge Mathis" or "Tavis Smiley", and what do you think about those sorts of shows?
KP: I love Judge Mathis. Curious as to why you're asking about that. Do you think that all black people watch these shows? They don't...lol. I'm not an angry guy ..I just think it's hilarious that you're asking about Judge Mathis!!
LTP: Do you think that your Burger King commercial conflicts with Magnus' agenda for kids' health food in America?
KP: I'm a paid actor. I don't ally myself with any organization,institution,sect, or politics. That Burger King commercial paid for a lot of healthy food for my family. Just because I acted in a Burger King commercial does not mean that I eat at Burger King everyday. It was a job. So was Lazytown. I'm sure Magnus would respect my need to support my family just like he needs to support his with the work that he does.
LTP: And... Here's the BIG question - What other projects are you working on that you'd like to tell all the fans about?
KP: My next big project is a music group that makes hip hop for kids!! KBCKids.com, www.facebook.com/kbckids. Check it out. We have a music video and tunes on the site! Also ...an animated series is being developed based on our music called SPACED OUT! It will be pitched to all the major networks in May. Finally...one of our songs has been placed in a Disney TV movie called LEMONADE MOUTH(on air on Disney Channel April 15)! We have also been placed in 2 episodes of Running Russell on Oxygen network. You can check that out on www.hulu.com/runningrussell
Thanks for the interview guys! Talk soon
Peace Out, Bro!
© 2011 L.G. Wise (X RADAR Publ.)
All Rights Reserved
No part of this interview can be used, reprinted, copied or stored in any medium without the publisher's authorization.
back to top
|
|
