KBlocks Q&A: Making plans in Montgomery after 'American Idol'

You might think Montgomery artist KBlocks has an easier path ahead after making it on national TV with “American Idol.”

You’d be wrong. Nothing is easier, and the obstacles will get greater, but that’s life as an artist.

“My big takeaway from being on the show was regardless of what genre of music you sing, there’s still a certain level of hustle and some level of confidence that you have to display if you really want to be an artist,” said 27-year-old Kenyona Blocker, whose artist name is KBlocks. She said it's a “cooler” version of her name.

“People think like once you make it to a certain point, the work stops, but that’s when the work actually begins,” KBlocks said.

Her journey to "Idol" began during auditions in nearby Tuskegee, continued to Los Angeles, and eventually took her to Hawaii. Now that she's back home in Montgomery, KBlocks is in the process of planning a live show on May 10, 6:30-9:30 p.m. called "Let's Talk About It!" at 39 Dexter Ave., Montgomery — but it won’t just be a concert. It'll feature a panel of special guests that includes Lady K, John Boy Speaks, Rap Sardines, and Evan Milligan, and will dive into the city's music scene and the "Idol" experience. The event is KBlocks' way of giving back to the community. Tickets are available for a donaton online at eventbrite.com/e/lets-talk-about-it-tickets-882701914187.

“It’s basically going to be a panel of conversation that I think is needed in the industry, as far as the development of performing arts in Montgomery,” KBlocks said. “As adult artists, we weren’t really taught how to perform.”

Performances are what set her apart from other artists on “American Idol” this season — the depth of expression was palpable. That and her unique takes on songs brought her to the top 24 this season, and a chance to showcase her artistry in Hawaii.

On the recording side, KBlocks has music out now.

“I just dropped a song a couple of days ago (“Kan’t Get Close”), that I’m about to drop the radio edit in a few days," she said.

KBlocks emphasizes that she’s an artist, not just a singer, and recently put an emphasis on her full name being “KBlocks The Artist.”

“I never considered myself to be a one-dimensional being,” she said. “I’m an artist, first and foremost. I create.”

When she’s not serving up fresh music, she works as a cook at the Cajun Leprechaun on Dexter Avenue in downtown Montgomery. But that’s not all.

“I am a photographer. I do that on the side,” she said. “And I am a graphic designer. I do fliers and things.”

KBlocks answered a few questions about her time on "Idol" and her art:

What was the overall “Idol” experience like for you. I’m sure it was kind of a whirlwind.

“It was a very cool experience. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I’m not going to lie to you, it was hard. Everything happened so fast. It was hard to process it at times. Overall, it was the experience of a lifetime. It taught me so much about myself, so much about my arts, so much about the industry. It was great.”

It seemed like you had a good connection with everyone, especially Katy Perry.

“Yes, I love Katy. Katy loves me.”

How did you get started in singing?

“Well, I started singing as far as shows and stuff, I started in 2020. I got interested in it because I’m a poet. I’ve always read little poems. Not necessarily like spoken word poems, but poems that just stayed in my journal. It got to a point where I was kind of depressed a little bit. Writing was the only way I was able to pull myself out of a dark hole, if you will.”

Do you still do poetry?

“Yes, I still do it.”

Talk a little about your singing style. You were probably the most expressive person on “Idol” this season. Does it take time to prepare, or is that something that just comes natural?

“I was in a band and we had this saying: ‘Proper practice prevents poor performance.’ It’s kind of like half and half. As far as emotions, that’s kind of like natural. But as far as the actual performance of it, I do practice. I practice a lot.”

Where do you perform back here in the Montgomery area?

“I’ve performed at B.B. Kings a couple of times, but I usually put together my own shows. I call them the ‘Writer’s Retreat.’ I put together a show, and within that show is my poetry and music. I partner with some of my favorite up-and-coming artists and have them perform as well.”

I saw video of one of those you did at the library.

“That was one of my very, very, very, very first shows that I put together by myself, as far as content is concerned.”

Did your mom like Hawaii?

“My momma loved Hawaii, child,” she said with a laugh. “She loved Hawaii. She could not stop talking about Hawaii. She went on a hike and everything. She did Hawaii right.”

Did you get a chance to explore as well while you were on the show?

“As far as Hawaii, it was pretty much ‘American Idol’ and Disney. As far as (Los Angeles), I actually have friends in LA, and they kind of like scooped me up and took me on a whole LA tour. We had like a foodie journey. I think LA has the best Tai food. Best food in general, hands down.”

What was it like working with special mentor Jelly Roll?

“Jelly Roll, oh my God. He has such a pure spirit that just radiates. He’s such a cool guy. I think his story was very inspiring.”

With shows like “Idol,” it seems like there would be some pressure to fit a mold of what the public expects an artist should be. You seem kind of the opposite, standing on what you want to express.

“You have to stay true to who you are as an artist, or you’ll forget why you do art. I feel like I do art to express myself. I think that with the general public, the general public feels like being that you are on their screen that they now own you and you should recreate yourself in a way that’s digestible to the mass public.”

If you had the option of going through the “American Idol” experience again, would you do it?

“Actually, I would. I would do it probably the exact same way, just maybe like a little more elevated. I’d probably be a little bit more fearless. I know it looked like I was fearless on the show, but I’d probably be a little bit more. I’d probably believe in myself a little bit more. I’d probably really go for it. I feel like I kind of played it safe on my behalf a little bit.”

Follow KBlocks on social media @kblockstheartist.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: KBlocks Q&A: Making plans in Montgomery after 'American Idol'