LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Senior Airman Kristopher Heckman serves with the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit as an avionics technician, specializing in F-22 flight control and navigation maintenance. He has spent the past two years at Langley and loves his job, the people he works with and everything about the military.
At a glance, Heckman is a normal, "every day" Airman, happily married and serving his country. However, there is more than meets the eye to Heckman -- he is also a musician.
He specializes in singing, songwriting and production, performing as a hip-hop artist under the stage name Kid Seven.
In addition to using his words and beats, he also plays various instruments, including guitar and piano.
The 26-year-old's interest in hip-hop began more than 10 years ago, citing rappers Nas, Jadakiss, Jay-Z and his brother Craig as influences.
"I grew up in Syracuse, New York. There, hip-hop is just a way of life," said Heckman. "No one group of people listens to a certain genre. Everyone listens to it."
Heckman attended Middle Tennessee State University, majoring in audio engineering. However, during his senior year, he was unable to pay the cost of tuition, and decided to "cross into the blue."
"After I graduated basic training, I came home and my grandmother saw me in my blues," Heckman said. "She told me I looked just like my dad, who is serving 38 years as a command chief in the guard. That was the proudest moment of my life."
Heckman said he knew then he wanted to stay in the military and "represent the Air Force proudly."
Heckman's music focuses on the positive aspects of life, drawing from his experiences in the Air Force. He uses social media Web sites to promote and distribute his work.
Tech. Sgt. James Coleman, 27 AMU specialist section noncommissioned officer, and 2nd Lt. Scott Paeth, assistant officer in charge, support him every step of the way.
"What Senior Airman Heckman is doing is awesome," said Coleman. "I've listened to him in the past and it shows the Air Force has talents you just can't describe."
"It's incredible how much Senior Airman Heckman takes on every day," Paeth said. "He's an awesome technician. He's working on his master's degree and his music is great."
The father-to-be plans to serve 20 years or more in the Air Force and pursue his music career as long as possible.
"I can't imagine a day without music," said Heckman. "It's my life."