AlumNY Interview

Check out our exclusive interview with the AlumNY.

Core Members:

• Dynas – Vocals

• Kil Ripkin – Vocals

• Jah Freedom – Production

• Divine – Engineering / Ministry of Sound (with Charles Herron)

About the Collective:

AlumNY is more than just a group — it’s a movement. There are many members and affiliates within the broader AlumNY family, but the core of the recording group is composed of Dynas and Kil Ripkin on vocals, Jah Freedom handling production, and Divine and Charles Herron engineering the sound. Together, they form the nucleus of a creative force that merges lyricism, message, and soulful hip-hop craftsmanship.

I2G is here with AlumNY. How’s it going?

Dynas: This is Dynas. It’s going pretty well — good to be here.
Kil Ripkin: Everything is good, can’t complain.
Divine: All is well.
Jah Freedom: Sitting here, vibrating high.

You just recently dropped your new single entitled “Black Boy.” Tell me a little bit about the single and how it came together for you.

Dynas: Jah created an incredible landscape and sent it to me and Kil Ripkin. We vibed on it for a while, decided this was the direction to go in, wrote our verses, and the song came together naturally.
Kil Ripkin: Exactly. We got a nice spread of dope music from Jah. Me and Dynas got to work and came up with “Black Boy.” Dynas penned his verse first, and we built from there.
Divine: When I heard it, I was in awe. The track—fire, the hook—fire, the verses—dope. Instant chemistry all around.

Do you have any albums set to drop?

Kil Ripkin: Jah Freedom and I are set to drop our second installment of Self Medicate: The Refill. Some of my best work. Alongside the AlumNY material — it all connects. The refill should drop at the top of next year.
Dynas: I’m starting to work on a few projects. Early 2026, Jah and I will be putting together our next project. I also have an EP in the works with Divine that might drop by the end of this year or early next.
Divine: As Dynas said, we’re working on an EP called The Sun, with a single out featuring High King Gray. Kil and I will also be starting an EP soon, and I’ve got a song with AlumNY called Bitter.
Jah Freedom: The AlumNY album is called BQE. We’ve dropped a few singles — Black Boy being the latest. We’ve actually got two albums’ worth of material done and are deciding whether to drop BQE and its follow-up late this year or early next. I have several things cooking.

Do you have any more upcoming videos or singles?

Dynas: We’ve got several visuals in the works — some already finished, others on the way. A lot of footage and content coming soon for the AlumNY family.
Jah Freedom: We’ve got a few more singles lined up before the album — “4 Seconds,” “More Better,” and more. We shoot visuals for almost everything because music is just as visual as it is audio.

What are your current thoughts on the music industry?

Kil Ripkin: The music industry as we knew it is gone. But hip-hop is in a great place — artists have more control over their music and intellectual property. There’s more freedom, and the art is better because of it.
Divine: I agree completely.
Dynas: The industry is what it is. For us, it’s about enjoying the process and giving the music to the people who rock with us. We are the industry now — self-made.
Jah Freedom: I don’t think about it much unless I’m doing work in it. I just create and enjoy the camaraderie with my folks. The industry’s evolving, but I’m in it as much as I need to be.

What is currently playing on your playlist musically?

Kil Ripkin: Mostly AlumNY — me, Dynas, Jah Freedom, and Charles Herron. Outside the crew, I listen to Griselda, Cleo Sol, and SAULT. But mainly the family.
Divine: Same. Been spinning a lot of Charles Herron lately — he just dropped a few great projects.
Jah Freedom: I’m all over the place. Old or new, if it’s good, it’s good.

Do you have any shows or tour dates?

Jah Freedom: We’re locking things in for next year. Right now, the focus is on recording, visuals, and building infrastructure. We’ve already done a few shows in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Miami, and we’ll ramp that up soon.
Dynas: Whatever Jah said — the Jah Father has spoken.

What is your website information?

Jah Freedom: We’re updating the website now. For the moment, connect with us on Instagram: @the_alumny. Website coming soon.
Divine: For business inquiries, email us at AlumniTheGreatest@gmail.com.
Dynas: Find me on Instagram @DYNAS305 or on Bandcamp under Dynas.
Kil Ripkin: Instagram @KILRIPKIN, Bandcamp under the same name.
Jah Freedom: Instagram @JahFreeOnTheBeat — that’s J-A-H-F-R-E-E-O-N-T-H-E-B-E-A-T — Bandcamp Jah Freedom, and available on all streaming platforms.

Appreciate the interview — any last words or shout-outs?

Jah Freedom: We want to thank all the DJs and bloggers for spreading the word.
We’d like to thank the AlumNY family and the clique.
We want to thank everybody who’s listened, shared, and loved the record — and the music that we put out collectively and individually.
Shout out to our respective queens and to everyone out there making good music and changing the world in a positive way.
Big shout out to A-P-R-O-C-K.
AlumNY is the clique. AlumNY is the greatest.
Follow us on social media, run up the music, tell a friend to tell a friend, and keep vibrating high.