Syd Tha Kid talks about her musical influences behind The Internet at NYU Q&A

Syd Tha Kyd of The Internet is the perfect embodiment of a low frequency wave, powdered in cacao, with a smile that shoots out sunrays, and a laugh that reminds you of a carefree child running through the park. Her mellow energy is as soothing as a bass guitar playing in Central Park on a summer day, with a smooth, down-t0-earth demeanor.

Syd is an icon for women and the black community. When Syd walked into the Q&A session hosted by NYU’s Black Student Union, she told the audience she had just finished using the bathroom, and that she had lotion because “well, you know, we black,” winning laughter from the audience.  

After bringing up the concept of race so early on, despite her joking manner, the conversation soon turned into politics. However, Syd said she wanted to avoid talking about politics, arguing that her fans probably wouldn’t want to listen to that in her music. Syd said she’d rather convey emotion through her work, through universally driven emotions like angst, so listeners can pick up on the song’s feeling.

Syd Tha Kyd said the purpose of music is to heal people, which is evident in her new album Fin. In her song “Nothin to Somethin,” Syd says, “But I’m working on my wellness, hustle for my health. And I keep pushing this product ’til there’s nothing on the shelf.” She’s sharing with the universe what she wants for herself: wellness. By making honest music, her words and sounds can be healing for people.

Syd added that she can’t believe it when people say they see themselves in her music, and that it resonates with them. Although she finds herself doing the same with her favorite artists, Syd always reacts with disbelief when people react to her songs with the same feelings she does.

Given the current situation (and assuming she was referring to the president), Syd said that people need healing, which she tries to provide through honest lyrics in her music. During the Q&A, she addressed the issue of People of Color being looked down upon, and said she wants her band to be an example of how all people can work together.

On the topic of competition versus collaboration, Syd was asked “what’s the difference between OFWGKTA and The Internet?” Her response was logical and heart warming: The Internet is a collective where each band member has a different goal, a different sound they aim to produce, so there isn’t really any competition. They support each other and work together.

On the other hand, OFWGKTA was a group of individual rappers. She compared their dynamic to her school in California where everyone was a musician, creating competition that pushed her and her friend Chris to start their own band.

The audience also asked about the dynamics of being a woman in a male-dominated industry. Syd responded by telling them not to see it as male or female, and spoke about her personal experience. “Being gay or a woman is not like anything. It’s the same thing! People just want to make a situation what it isn’t. I just want people to like me because my music is fire, you know? Not because I’m gay or because I’m a woman. I mean, of course, I like that I can inspire people that look up to me because of that, but I just want people to like my music. But it’s not like anything, no one cares that I’m gay, it’s just what it is.”

Syd also revealed the origin of their band’s name, The Internet. She met one of the band members on MySpace and when he moved to California, people kept asking where he was from. After growing tired of answering the same question over and over, he began to respond “the internet.” The idea was catchy, and he thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if our name was The Internet, that way when you searched up ‘the internet’ we would come up?” Syd smiled at the audience and said, “It’s true guys, we’re on Google.”

Even when mentioning her three-story house with a home studio on each floor, Syd still came across as down to earth. She didn’t mention this luxury to boast, but to show that she’s doing everything she can to produce the best music possible. Syd tha Kyd is a humble artist who’s fully invested in making music with her band. Fin may have just came out, but she’s ready to create another masterpiece.

Watch footage of the Q&A below