Fresh off the release of their debut single “Crash Your Party,” YouTube sensation Karmin shared which hip-hop artists have inspired them.
“As far as rappers go, first is going to be Lauryn Hill,” Amy told MTV Buzzworthy. “Hearing her Miseducation album basically changed my life and got me into rapping. And then more recently I would have to say Missy Elliott, Eve, and Nicki Minaj.”
The hip-pop duo, whose debut album is due next year on Epic Records, also expressed their desire to work with another one of their inspirations.
“I think the one I’m looking forward to the most would probably be Kanye West,” revealed Amy. “I think he kinda inspired us to even start doing this hip-hop thing more aggressively, his [My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy] album really inspired us.”
Nick chimed in with his list of favorite rappers. “Of course the Jay-Zs, the Drakes, the Lil Waynes,” he added, while eyeing a collaboration with Busta Rhymes and Nicki Minaj.
Karmin has racked up millions of views on YouTube with their covers of Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, and Eminem, but don’t expect to see them take on a Whitney Houston song anytime soon. “Have you ever seen a really good Whitney Houston cover?” asked Amy. “I don’t know if I have.”