New Orleans-based electronic bounce artist Fly Boi Keno electrified the BUKU Music + Art Project audience March 11, performing a set with iconic New Orleans rappers Mystikal and Juvenile.
Bounce music’s main following is traditionally centered in New Orleans and some other areas of the southern United States. Over the past couple of years, however, the genre has emerged in the mainstream and has influenced a plethora of other hip hop genres thanks to artists like Fly Boi Keno.
Fly Boi Keno acquired a substantial mainstream following of his own after he appeared on Jack Ü’s 2015 track “Beats Knockin.”
This was Fly Boi Keno’s second performance at Buku, but his first with Mystikal and Juvenile.
The Daily Reveille: What can we expect to see from your set with Mystikal and Juvenile?
Fly Boi Keno: From me? A lot of excitement, a lot of fun, a lot of positive energy. A lot of booty shakin’. Mystikal and Juvenile really are hip hop legends, so it’s an honor to be on the same stage as them.
TDR: What’s your favorite city to perform in?
FBK: As far as bounce goes, New Orleans. As far as EDM goes, I loved Los Angeles. LA showed so much love.
TDR: What was it like working with Skrillex and Diplo?
FBK: I never expected them to be so humble. “Beats Knockin” was originally a bounce song called “Beats Steady Knockin” that I made in 2008 or 2009…It came out a masterpiece. I love the song.
TDR: Are you working on any new projects right now?
FBK: Yes, I have a lot of new projects I’m working on. I actually have a collab with Lil Jon that’s dropping later this month. It’s called “Bad Bitches.”
TDR: Bounce music is a very regional genre – it’s heavily focused in and around New Orleans. Where do you see bounce evolving in the future?
FBK: I think it’ll become mainstream very soon. I mix it with electronic music and beats – I call it electronic bounce music. It’s like a new age of bounce music. Original beats with a different vibe. I really feel like bounce music’s going to take off. It kind of already has. The world is aware of it now.
FBK: Are you going to be sticking around for the rest of Buku? What sets are you looking forward to?
A: Yes, absolutely. There are so many to choose from. Tomorrow, I really want to see Yellowclaw. I’ll try to support as many people as I can.