Today we’d like to introduce you to King E.
Hi King, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born Samuel Ethan Mitchell on December 23rd, 1995 in Dallas Texas. My parents are both pastors, that’s what gave me my love for music. Growing up listening to choirs and gospel music instilled a lot of core values that I still carry today. After moving to Hendersonville, Tennessee in 2009, my two best friends, Jordan and Andre convinced me to start taking rap seriously, and we formed a group called the ‘Young Boyz’. We performed at our middle school and at a local shopping plaza in our area. That reputation followed me throughout Station Camp high school where I became known for rapping for my teammates on the ride home from away games. It spread around school and I was affectionately called “Franchise” before they started calling me “King E.” I left for Bowling Green, Kentucky to attend school at WKU, where I’d continue rapping for my friends and releasing early music on SoundCloud, having people from all over the world who didn’t know anything about me tell me how much they enjoyed my talent helped cement my belief that I could really have valve as an artist and I appreciate my time in Kentucky greatly. Once I moved back home from college, I started hanging around the Nashville rap scene, attending open mics at Cafe Coco and Rappers Rounds hosted by the artist Cinko. I made lifelong friendships and connections during this time. I released my first album, self titled King E on December 23rd, 2019, it was an incredible achievement for me and I’ll never forget the feeling of seeing it live on streaming services. I dropped 2 EP’s, Homecoming and The Prequel during covid before creating Quarantine King, a 24 song album with all types of different genre styles, with 24 being in honor of Kobe Bryant and the victims of the helicopter crash in California. My 2nd album in my King E series was King E II: 25, released December 23rd, 2020 and it was an introspective album about my general feelings after Breonna Taylor and George Floyd lost their lives. It was a very special album to me but very bittersweet as I know a lot of African American’s don’t live to see 25. I took a 2 year break before dropping the 3rd installment of the King E series with K3: The Prodigal Son, this album focused on my feelings about preparing to propose to, and marry my wife Bethany, while also acknowledging my roots as the son of two pastors and the grandson of two pastors. The Prodigal Son is a story of a boy who fell from grace, but was shown mercy when he returned home, it really resonated with me during that time and a lot of people call it my best album. I took another break before releasing my latest project K4: Stories For My Heir, an album I made entirely for my son Maverick Joseph Mitchell. The album covers my emotions from pregnancy, to birth, and a month of his life. It released on April 12, 2025 which is a month after he was born, it the project I am the most proud of so far, it’s real, it’s genuine, and it’s tailored just for him.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t always been easy. I struggle a lot with seeing artists who don’t understand the responsibility they have as musicians and artists. We are supposed to speak for the people, we owe it to them to talk about genuine things that happen in life. Early on, I was young and impressionable just like most kids, and I made music the way all my favorite rappers at the time made music, but when I became a man I realized I have a responsibility to give people something real. I have never rapped for a lifestyle, I rap because music is my life. This may have caused me to become boxed in as a rapper or artist who thinks they’re smarter than everyone else, someone who hates fun music, someone who’s always mad, but I stand firm in my beliefs because music shouldn’t be played with, and anyone who gets the privilege to feed their family off making music should take it as serious as it is. I never won’t believe that.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a rapper. Plain and simple. I’m known for my lyricism, and actually living what I rap about. That’s what I’m the most proud of, that when people listen to my music, and then see me in real life or social media, I’m really living exactly what I rap about. I also think that’s what sets me apart from most rappers in the city and in today’s world. Most rappers are faking a lifestyle to make money and everything that comes with that. I make music because I believe in the art itself, and I’ve been blessed with a gift to convey real experiences in a uniquely plain way that people enjoy. And I’m really like that.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I would say to be authentic. Don’t look at what everyone else is doing. Make your art intentionally and people who respect intentionality with be there to tell you they appreciate it. Don’t think about the money or any of those factors when creating, just create and let everything fall into place as it will because I have never seen a good hearted individual, who moves with intention, purpose and grace, not receive the blessings of life. The only thing I wish I knew when I started, is that people love me for me, you don’t have to play a role, you don’t have to conform, make good art and it will be loved.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1kingethan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KingE25/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-mitchell-498b88182
- Twitter: https://x.com/1kingethan
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@1kingethan
- Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/Cqioqi3qa987y839gS
