Kimmortal – Filipinx multi-hyphenate rapper gears up for Pride and beyond

Kim Villagante, known better by their stage name Kimmortal, is no stranger to the vibrant pulse of the Bay Area. However, as Pride Month unfurls, they are poised to hit the scene fully formed, with performances that promise to be unforgettable. Kimmortal performs on the mainstage of San Francisco Pride on June 29, and at Soulovely in Oakland on the same day.
Kimmortal’s artistry defies easy categorization, weaving together the raw energy of hip hop, the soulfulness of R&B, and the narratives of visual art to forge a truly unique sound. Their expression is beautifully showcased on their latest album, “Sunniest of Days,” which will have much to do with their upcoming tour.

In a recent interview with The Bay Area Reporter, Kimmortal promised to bring more than just a performance to their upcoming events, offering a glimpse into their artistic process.

“I like to make art that crosses mediums,” Kimmortal said. “I am always looking for a way for my creativity to overflow into other forms of expression.”

Whether it’s crafting a song that mirrors the fluidity of dance, or conversely, shaping movements inspired by their lyrics, Kimmortal’s deep appreciation for theatre is evident in the dynamic, multi-elemental experiences they bring to each performance as well as their music videos.

Following their show at Bindlestiff Studio on June 13, Kimmortal will perform at the San Francisco Pride Festival main stage on June 29 at 2:40pm.

For the dedicated Kimmortal fans, the journey continues across the Bay for a set at Soulovely Pride in Oakland, also June 29, sometime between 3:30pm to 8:30pm at 7th West (1255 7th St.), for an evening that will reinvigorate a queer spirit, produced by and for women of color.

Transcending borders
Born in Surrey, British Columbia, and raised on the unceded Coast Salish lands, Kimmortal has been genuinely thrilled and surprised by their reception in the United States.

“I was so touched to see that my music could transcend borders,” they reflected.

The sheer scale of their newfound audience in California alone is striking. “Being from Canada, there are almost more people in California alone than in my entire country,” they noted, expressing a feeling of arrival, particularly when it came to talking of the Bay Area, where they’ve found “just so much love,” on stage, especially from the Phillpinx community.

They are outspoken and their connection to spoken word as a vessel for social change can be seen from project to project. A notable example being their track “Stop Business as Usual” dedicated to the movement for a Free Palestine. Time and time again Kimmortal proves that their tracks can be more than just music.

All of Kimmortal’s work is informed by their ancestral narratives as a non-binary Phillipinx artist and emergence as a queer visionary. Those attending their events are invited to a genuine participation and resonance.

“Sunniest of Days” holds up a fully formed world, a peek into their mind. Emerged from introspections on the peculiar nature of living through todays’ global turmoil, Kimmortal  explores personal and collective sorrow through rhythms and heartfelt harmonies.

This vulnerability gives a taste of something novel in their work, especially in latest works like their collaboration with celebrated rapper Shad K., which further offers a guide for navigating life’s twists and turns.

 The widespread acclaim, from notable mention by US Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez for “Sad Femme Club” to features on “The L Word: Gen Q” such acclaim fortifies their commitment to cultivating spaces where queer and diasporic individuals find acceptance and a voice.

As they embark on an extensive summer tour, Kimmortal is most eager to witness how their work connects with new audiences, hoping audiences take away with a message of genuine self-acceptance.

The Bay Area holds a special significance for Kimmortal. They credit this vibrant region with “teaching me how to be an activist.” This Pride Month, seize the opportunity to experience this emerging artist whose provoking music serves as a powerful anthem for queer resistance. Helping yourself to a new soundtrack for your Pride, with a musician who is “making a place for all the POC queer weirdos out there.”

Kimmortal performs at the San Francisco Pride Festival, June 29 at 2:40pm on the main stage. www.sfpride.org

They also perform at Soulovely Pride in Oakland, June 20, sometime between 3:30pm to 8:30pm at 7th West, 1255 7th St. https://www.wearesoulovely.com/

https://kimmortalportal.com/
kimmortal.bandcamp.com/album/sunniest-of-days