K.O recently opened up about why he chooses not to charge for features during a recent episode of The Agenda on YFM, offering insight into the approach he takes when deciding whether to collaborate with other artists.
Speaking on the show, the veteran rapper explained that financial gain is not the deciding factor when it comes to accepting feature requests. Instead, he believes that the quality of the music should always come first.
“I personally don’t charge for features because I can’t follow the money,” K.O said.
He went on to explain that accepting collaborations based purely on payment often leads to records that do not meet his creative standards.
“Because when I follow the money, I just end up on mid,” he said, referring to songs that he feels are not good enough. He added, “Not all money is good money.”
K.O’s comments highlighted the importance he places on protecting the quality of his catalogue rather than increasing the number of paid collaborations. According to the rapper, every feature should add value to both artists involved instead of being driven solely by a financial transaction.
When asked what an artist needs to secure a feature from him, K.O made it clear that the focus is on mutual value and the strength of the music itself.
“Value trade, that’s all that matters and over and above everything, a good record,” he explained.
Rather than looking at streaming numbers or an artist’s level of popularity, K.O said the song itself is what ultimately influences his decision.
“I don’t care if you have a million listeners or 2 million listeners, if you’re gonna throw me on some mid, I can gladly pass,” he said.
His remarks suggest that he evaluates collaborations based on the quality of the record instead of commercial metrics. By prioritising strong music, K.O indicated that he is selective about the projects he associates himself with, regardless of the financial incentives that may be attached.
The conversation offered listeners a closer look at the principles that guide the rapper’s collaborative process. While many feature requests in the music industry involve payment, K.O explained that he prefers to work on records that provide creative value and align with his standards.
