Artist Spotlight: Kfir

markstratis
3 days ago
6 min read

YouTube - @KFIR

Let’s start at the beginning — what’s the origin story behind your music?

I’ve always felt I was meant to perform. Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mom sang in a folk group, and my parents both loved music—my dad’s Pink Floyd records fascinated me, while my mom exposed me to a wide universe of pop. Later, when I joined ballet, I discovered the beauty of classical music, opera, and cinematic scores. Anything dramatic, sweeping, and rhythmic has always felt like home to me. But as a child, I never imagined I could be a singer. Growing up, I was the only boy in my hometown who studied ballet, and I was bullied heavily for it—by kids and even by adults. They mocked my voice, which made me ashamed to even try singing. So I convinced myself that dance would be my way of expressing artistry, because it allowed me to speak through my body without using my voice. Looking back, I wish I hadn’t let that shame silence me, but as a kid, it was my way of surviving. In my early twenties, I went through a very dramatic and tragic breakup with my first love. That experience pushed me into therapy, and as part of the healing process, I started keeping a diary. I noticed that I naturally wrote in rhyme, with a rhythm to my words, and one day I realized these could be songs. That was the turning point where I began transforming my emotions into music—and where I finally found the courage to give my voice a chance.

How would you describe your sound for someone hearing you for the first time?

My music is like throwing classical art—ballet, opera, and theater—into a pop-dance blender and turning it up to full volume. Growing up in ballet schools, theaters, and opera houses, I always envisioned my music in that kind of mixed, dramatic style. Later, I had the chance to perform in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, which shaped the way I think about music as more than sound—it’s a full show, a spectacle.

Who are your biggest creative influences—musically or otherwise?

One of my biggest inspirations has always been film scores. My favorite piece of music is Elmer Bernstein’s sweeping soundtrack for Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 epic The Ten Commandments. I’ve always been drawn to that kind of drama and scale, and I try to channel that same epic, theatrical energy into my own pop-dance music. Hans Zimmer is another composer I deeply admire for the way he creates atmosphere and emotion through sound. When it comes to pop, Annie Lennox has been a huge vocal inspiration for me—not just her voice, but also her bold aesthetics and artistry. Michael Jackson’s Dangerous album and tour were my absolute obsession throughout my youth, and even today I’m still inspired by his creativity. Madonna has also had a huge influence on me; her live shows—especially the Blond Ambition Tour, The Girlie Show, and Drowned World—taught me the power of art direction, choreography, and detail in building a true spectacle. I also admire artists like Amy Winehouse and Aretha Franklin, whose voices carry such raw emotion and truth. Ultimately, I draw inspiration from everywhere—history, theater, fashion, the pop world. For me, music is about weaving all of these influences into something theatrical, emotional, and larger than life.

What’s a lyric or song you’ve written that means the most to you, and why?

There are so many songs that are personal to me. Some of my most revealing lyrics are on my EP Free Delivery, which I released a few years ago. That project was very cinematic and storytelling-driven—an introduction to me as a person and as an artist. Now, with my new single "Being Who I Am", I feel like I’ve reached another level of honesty. The lyrics are emotional and very true to me. Lines like: “Ima keep it cool guy, On auto pilot fly, So you won’t figure who I am” are about a guy who hides who he really is, only to discover his true self when he falls for an unattainable love interest. The bridge of the song feels like a dagger to the heart for me: “Now life choose different cuz we let them all decide. Instead of being together You’re a wish that died” That song captures the bittersweet feeling of love, loss, and self-discovery all at once. But really, all of my lyrics come from a place of truth and authenticity. They’re very revealing, and my hope is that others find solace and a sense of cathartic release in them, just as I do when writing them.

Your latest release, What was the creative process like behind it?

I’m constantly in a creative process—it never really stops for me. Going into the studio and actually recording is just the cherry on the pie. Most of the time, I’m hunting for strong melodies, big musical ideas, and the visuals or direction that bring them to life. My Notes app is overflowing with concepts and inspirations that I jot down every day—it’s almost like I’m constantly pouring ideas out, and then later I shape them into something real.

Being an indie artist isn’t easy—what’s been your biggest challenge so far, and what’s kept you going?

The struggle to rise above all the noise out there is very real. For me, the biggest challenges are often marketing and budgets. But in the past year, another struggle has entered my life—antisemitism. As a Jewish gay man, it’s been extremely difficult. At times, I feel like I’m living echoes of my grandparents’ nightmares from the Holocaust, and that’s been both painful and shocking to experience. Recently, I was very excited to work with a new producer—the connection and enthusiasm were mutual. But out of nowhere, I received an email saying he had a “gut feeling” he couldn’t work with me. No explanation, no apology. When I reached out to ask for clarity, he never responded. I can’t say with certainty that his choice was because I’m Jewish, but it’s hard not to feel that way. That situation even led me to postpone my new EP for a while, because I didn’t want my work to be judged based on who I am rather than the music itself. But after some time, I realized I can’t let that fear hold me back. A few months ago, I made the decision that nothing—prejudice, rejection, or judgment—is going to stand in the way of my art anymore.

What’s a moment in your career so far that made you feel like “I’m really doing this”?

The best moments is when I have a total strange contacting me or leaving a comment that something in my music moved them and that they can’t get the sound out of their heads! Anything that makes someone else happy is a win for me.

Visuals seem to play a big part in your work—how do you approach your aesthetic or branding?

When I start writing music, I often see visions and colors in my head—it’s like I’m already imagining the show and the story behind the song. I’m always asking myself, what would it feel like if I could see this on stage as the ultimate performance? That’s where a lot of my inspiration begins. I also create visual mood boards from movies or specific scenes that move me. Then I’ll place my music over those visuals and study the emotions it creates. That becomes a kind of jumping-off point for me, helping me expand the sound and shape it into something bigger than just a track—it becomes an experience.

What’s your dream collaboration—living or not?

Sound-wise: There’s a world-renowned DJ/producer I’m already in contact with, and he’s definitely at the very top of my collaboration list. I know I might still be considered a bit early in my career for him, but I think our sounds could align beautifully. Dream Collaboration: Ultimately, Lady Gaga is my number-one dream collaborator. At the core of our artistry, I feel we would truly connect and create something powerful together. Visual Influences: Visually, I draw a lot of inspiration from art in general , I like Japanese art and culture. I’ve always felt a strong connection to Japan, and I’m especially inspired by the film Memoirs of a Geisha. One of my biggest aspirations would be to work on a music video with Rob Marshall and his team, who directed and produced that movie. I love art in general paintings, sculpture architectural designs, the universe of art is my inspiration.

Where can new fans find you next—any upcoming shows, drops, or projects we should know about?

I’m about to drop my new single, “Being Who I Am,” and I’m currently developing a club show that I plan to start booking around the NYC area this fall. In the meantime, people can connect with me across all social media — Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. On YouTube, I run my mini music vlog, the S.I. Vlog, which gives a glimpse into both my artistic process and personal universe. I release new episodes every few weeks, and it’s named after my upcoming EP, S.I.