COUNTDOWN TAKEOVER: KILLA D

This week Killa D takes over Dynasty Radio NY's Countdown!

New York, March 24, 2026, Kim Dynasty

Straight out of Minden, Louisiana, rising independent artist Killa D is carving his own lane in hip hop with authenticity, storytelling, and a deep-rooted connection to Southern culture. Influenced by legends like Tupac Shakur, Lil Wayne, and Kevin Gates, his sound blends raw emotion with feel-good energy, reflecting both personal experiences and the world around him.

Driven by purpose and shaped by both triumph and loss, Killa D brings more than just music—he brings truth, passion, and perseverance. As an underground artist navigating an ever-evolving industry, he continues to build meaningful relationships, stay consistent, and proudly represent his Louisiana roots. In this interview, Killa D opens up about his journey, his influences, the state of hip hop today, and what keeps him motivated to keep pushing forward.

For those just discovering your music, can you tell us where you’re from and how your environment shaped your sound? I am from Minden, Louisiana (born in Shreveport, Louisiana. My environment helped shape my sound by staying true to myself and being original; it’s the different parts of Louisiana, whether north or south, through accents and slang.

How did you come up with the name Killa D, and what does it represent about you as an artist? How I came up with the name Killa D is actually my nickname turned backwards, with people calling me D. K. growing up, which is short for my name “Dekarian”. So, I decided to use that name because I've always been good with hooks.  

What first inspired you to start making hip hop music? What inspired me to start making music was Tupac (2Pac) Shakur. I loved how open he was about expressing himself, whether people liked him or not. Not only that, but he was also a very versatile, open, and poetic style artist and songwriter.

Who were some of the earliest artists that influenced your music and made you want to pursue hip hop? Some of the earliest artists who influenced my music were Boosie, Webbie, UGK, Fabolous, Kevin Gates, Lil Wayne, Soulja Slim, and C-Murder.

What motivates you to continue creating music, especially as an independent underground artist? What motivates me is my best friend, who I lost to domestic violence in 2016. She was murdered! She was a very positive person who always believed in me and wanted me to succeed in my music career, so I feel like if I even think about giving up or quitting, I’d be not only letting myself down but also letting down what I was blessed with such talent and also letting her down.

How would you describe your style and sound to someone hearing you for the first time? I would describe my style as being myself and standing out. I make feel-good music; I talk about what I’ve been going through or what I’ve seen someone else go through and tell a story about it.

Many artists struggle to stay relevant in a constantly evolving industry. How do you stay connected to the ever-changing music landscape? How I’ve always stayed relevant is by going to DJ Conferences (Different DJ Coalitions) , music panels, and mainly keeping my relationships that I’ve built up over the years with different DJs and radio program directors in different cities and states.

What do you think about the current state of hip hop today? I feel like the current state of hip hop today is coming back, all of the old school (legends) are coming back with some bangers, same style and energy that they have been providing since they started!

How do you feel hip hop today compares to the era that first inspired you? I feel like this era of hip hop is completely different than what I’ve seen or heard coming up. It just seems like any/anyone can be a rapper nowadays, and with this technology, you don’t have to do much of anything nowadays.

In your opinion, why do some fans say there’s a lack of strong new hip hop artists emerging right now? In my opinion, it’s a generation thing. I figure the more people of different generations, the more likely new hip-hop artists will keep emerging, because what we liked back then in the 70s - 80s (we thought was weird) is now what we love! As far as that, it’s using samples or whatever to reflect old-school music.

Where do you think the next generation of rappers is, and what do you think is holding them back? Honestly, no one knows where the next generation of rappers is coming from … I feel like the industry was at a standstill, with no new rappers emerging.

Some people ask whether hip hop might be losing its edge or even coming to an end. What’s your take on that? I feel like hip hop will never lose its edge because we have to think about all the legendary ones who paved the way for what you hear in hip hop now. I feel like everyone out there now has to at least study everyone else.

What separates Killa D from many of the rappers we hear today? What separates Killa D is that I don’t worry about other rappers; I focus on myself. Killa D is just a very consistent, determined, persistent, ambitious, talented, and hard-working artist who gives his all in the music industry.

Does your music carry any influence from Louisiana Bounce or other Southern hip hop styles? Yes! My music isn’t particularly bounce, but I do have that Louisiana style of music that will have you dancing (JIGGIN), which is what we call it in Louisiana (bounce) in other parts, s/o to legendary DJ Jubilee!

Louisiana has produced many influential artists who have helped shape Southern hip-hop. Who are some of your favorite artists from Louisiana? My favorite artists are: B.G., Kevin Gates, Lil Wayne, Soulja Slim, C-Murder, and Fredo Bang.  

Collaboration is a big part of hip hop culture. If you could collaborate with any artist—past or present—who would it be and why? If I could collaborate, I would pick … this is a hard one lol because I have a list of artists who I’d love to collaborate with, such as Moneybagg Yo, Big Boogie, Fabolous, Kevin Gates, Usher, Jadakiss, Slim Thug, Andre 3000, and more.

What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your music career? The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is staying up to date with the business side of things and truly understanding how the industry works, not just from paperwork.

What do you hope listeners take away after hearing your music? I hope listeners take away from hearing the pain, struggle, the fun, and just all of me as an artist, whether that’s expressing myself, no matter how I feel, in my music.

What advice would you give to upcoming artists trying to break into hip-hop today?  The advice I would give is, keep God first! STAY CONSISTENT! Build relationships! (They mean more than money!), Stay FOCUSED and relevant no matter what comes your way!

What can we expect to see from Killa D in 2026, and how can fans find and follow you on social media? You can expect another project I’ll be working on, “Small City Big Dreams 3: Blessings and New Beginnings”, Pop It (Remix), Features in Magazines, More Plaques Ordered, More Visuals, A Documentary (In the Life of Killa D), And more! You can follow me on Instagram/@TheRealKillaD713_ , Twitter/@KillaD713, SoundCloud/@iamkillad713 , YouTube/Killa D aka Killa D 713

Killa D represents a voice that hip hop has always needed—one rooted in truth, shaped by experience, and driven by purpose. At a time when conversations around the genre often question its direction, authenticity, and the emergence of new talent, he offers a grounded perspective: hip hop isn’t ending—it’s evolving. And within that evolution, artists like him are carrying forward the essence of what the culture was built on—storytelling, resilience, and real connection.

What stands out most about Killa D isn’t just his sound—it’s his mindset. His commitment to consistency, his emphasis on building genuine relationships, and his understanding of the business behind the music all point to an artist who’s thinking long-term. He’s not chasing moments; he’s building a legacy. And that approach is what continues to set him apart in an industry that often prioritizes speed over substance.

With upcoming releases like “Small City Big Dreams 3: Blessings And New Beginnings,” new visuals, a documentary, and growing recognition across platforms, Killa D is stepping into a new chapter of his career—one defined by growth, visibility, and elevation. His journey is a reminder that success doesn’t always start in big cities or come overnight. Sometimes, it’s built quietly, with patience, passion, and an unshakable belief in your purpose.

As he continues to rise, one thing is clear: Killa D isn’t just making music—he’s telling a story, representing his roots, and inspiring others to keep going, no matter where they come from. Stay connected, follow his movement, and watch closely—because this is only the beginning.