When Kawan “KP the Great” Prather was just 11 years old, a then up-and-coming 16-year-old LL Cool J bumped into him at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport while he was pushing carts for quarters. The rapper/actor started telling the preteen about his burgeoning career in hip-hop as they were playing arcade games.
That’s when a lightbulb went off for Prather: turn his lifestyle into his career. “It opened my eyes to the possibility of doing fun stuff,” he said, “being able to express myself, be paid handsomely to do it, and travel the world.”
Prather has spent close to three decades successfully making a name for himself as a DJ, producer, songwriter and recording artist-turned-major label A&R (artists and repertoire, responsible for talent development and acquisition) executive. He’s currently head of music for producer Pharrell Williams’ multimedia company, i am OTHER.
A straight shooter with a strong penchant for spotting and supporting artists, Prather previously held senior level roles at LaFace, Arista, Sony Urban, Columbia and Atlantic Records, assisting with the careers of Outkast, Pink, Usher, YoungBloodz, John Legend and T.I. He took home a Grammy Award in 2015 for his contributions to Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright.”
“That was a cool thing for me,” Prather, 48, said. “As an executive, if you’re good and you understand that everybody’s gifts are different, it’ll make you use different muscles for different reasons.”
Prather, who was born in Vine City and raised in College Park, is one of this year’s headliners at Afropunk Atlanta, coming to Atlantic Station’s Pinnacle Lot on Sept. 25 and 26. The Tri-Cities High School alumnus is among a slate of performers that includes Wale, Rico Nasty, Smino, Yung Baby Tate, Tems, SerpentWithFeet and Amindi. Tickets are $70 for single day tickets and $125 for full weekend passes.
His dilemma ahead of showtime is how he’s organizing his guests and making it an event. “It’s about the audience getting surprises at the right time,” Prather said. “My friends are dope.”
“People don’t necessarily make it a show,” Prather adds. “It’s usually about songs randomly played. I’m making sure that when I do it, it feels like an experience more so than just a flex. All of the people that I rock with are in my phone and group texts. We do a show of friendship and excellence.”
The Grady baby made his foray into music as one-third of hip-hop trio Parental Advisory (P.A.), the first group from the Dungeon Family to sign a major deal. His transition into an executive began with him simply asking questions after shooting the group’s debut video, “Lifeline,” from the 1993 film “CB4.”
Being inquisitive opened many doors for Prather. He quickly became a master connector between artists and executives. Time constraints ultimately led to Prather deciding to pivot fully into an executive.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Outkast’s double-platinum sophomore album, “ATLiens,” and the 20th anniversaries of Usher’s quadruple platinum “8701” and T.I.’s debut LP “I’m Serious.” All milestone projects for Prather, who started his own label Ghet-O-Vision, each album was an opportunity for him to leverage his relationships with his reputation to make sure quality people were constantly around the talent.
Credit: AJC staff
Credit: AJC staff
“Each project required different things,” he said. “It’s a running block to make sure things are set up for them to be creative. I used my access for Outkast. For T.I., it was using what I had as a coach to expose him, get him to focus on the things he’s good at, and try to get away from things that don’t serve because he’s amazing and gifted.”
“8701” earned Prather an associate producer credit, an effort he regards as a feather in his cap. “‘8701′ was the most A&R-centric project I had at that point,” he adds. “I knew who Usher was and his capabilities, so I could go, get records that compliment who he is, and give a taste to what his goals are. Those songs applied to who he said he wanted to be and stand for.”
Another lightbulb went off for Prather after filling in for another DJ at one of Usher’s Vegas performances at Caesars Palace. “It’s seeing your friends actually being successful at the thing they want to be successful at,” he said.
“It was the most clear moment for me to realize what’s been happening over the last 30 years for me and my friends. You realize how grateful you should be for the talent that God gives us. There would be no other routes for us to get there without our gifts.”
Prather, who’s now based in Los Angeles, is currently executive producing albums for Earthgang and Usher. He’s a music consultant on the Amazon Prime series, “Harlem,” and music supervisor on “By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem,” the companion Epix docuseries to the hit serial drama, “Godfather of Harlem.”
Tight-lipped about his own series in development, Prather is concentrating on helping Williams and his production partner, Chad Hugo, get back heavily into music. “It’s getting the guys back to a place where people know them for music and not just the goodwill,” Prather said.
“They do timeless music and fit everywhere because they know how to be different in every space: different enough to be unique but understanding enough to know what’s happening in culture.”
Being able to pivot and have a successful career in various areas of music is all a dream come true for Prather. He still thinks back to that random day in the airport when he realized he wanted a life and career he didn’t need a vacation from.
“I’m at a space in my life where I’m exploring the opportunities that come from the things that I knew I wanted to do,” Prather said. “DJing is a skill I get to use everyday, but I let my taste, integrity and gut lead me. The path is laid, and the decisions you make always lead to it.”
FESTIVAL PREVIEW
Afropunk Atlanta
Noon-10 p.m. Sept. 25-26. Daily passes $70; weekend pass $125. Attendees are required to submit proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the festival to be able to attend. Atlantic Station Pinnacle Lot, 240 20th St. NW, Atlanta. afropunk.com.
