"From the Top Bunk" Mixtape by Kennedy

After a couple of singles, alternative boyband Kennedy released their mixtape - From the Top Bunk! The work shows glimpses of mainstream potential with a collection of songs showcasing their rap chops with a splash of RnB. Overall, the beats can be placed right at home with modern rap songs you hear on the radio. Some lyrics fall a bit short, but the delivery is well done and can even be mistaken to be American. The songs talk about a lot of things but the ones that stand out are s.y.m. and m.i.a. for their reference of being in the pandemic but still finding a way to be relevant. randy’s track also hits home for that feeling of being lost and unsure. It would have been better if the group showed more of their singing chops in the mixtape - the overall vibe of the group being more like a rap collective than a boyband - but they do show promise and here’s to hoping for an improvement in their next releases!

I was able to have a quick chat with the group about the mixtape.

JANLOR: Why release a mixtape and not an EP or an album?

KIEL: “From the Top Bunk” was honestly just a group of songs we put together during the quarantine. We had no intentions of making or calling it an album.

MIGO: It’s too long for an EP, and we really loved the term “mixtape”, cos’ we grew up on mixtapes. Summer of 2016, being 14, bumping “Acid Rap” [by Chance the Rapper], “Days before Rodeo [by Travis Scott], “Nostalgia, Ultra” [by Frank Ocean], “Barter 6” [by Young Thug]? 

NICO: Good times. 

MIGO: We felt like that was the most appropriate way to encompass this project. We’re saving the term “album” for when we actually release a project with a clear concept.

J: How was the process of making the mixtape during the pandemic?

K: Rocky, but it smoothed out eventually.

N: Honestly, making this mixtape really made me miss the days back in my bedroom just making music. Nowadays, it’s a whole lot of Discord calls and passing around links.

M: The first part of “s.y.m.” was the first track we made that’s on the tape, way back in October 2019. I still remember making that beat in Nico’s room. 

K: On the bunk bed.

M: “m.i.a.” was the first track we actually finished during the pandemic. That was probably the fastest we ever worked on a song. I made the beat on a Wednesday, and by Friday night, everyone had sent in their verse.  From October to December, we really went on a hard grind just to finish the tape, while still juggling our first semester of college and other matters as well.

J: What's next for the group?

M: We’re always working. We got some stuff that we can’t really go into detail about right now. 

N: Right now, we’re working on stuff with the rest of our guys over at RausHaus (Lucy Dee & Lagooon), as well as some joints with our friends.

M: Jandro for sure. That’s my brother.

K: Gotta say school…

N: Yeah... We’re always making music, but as of right now, academics is still the main priority.

M: Y’all just gotta stay tuned for what’s ahead.

Stream From the Top Bunk below!