Kareem 'Big K.O.' Denis, the Firebird-loving guitarist/producer and Run-DMC legend is on a mission to prove hip-hop can be just as heavy as metal, and for that, he needs his tone.

Enter TONEX Pedal, the AI-powered stage and studio pedal for guitar that includes TONEX software for creating and loading Tone Models. It's no big surprise then that Big K.O. is using TONEX to capture his own rig and take it anywhere.

To learn more, Guitar World recently interviewed the artist who talks about gear, hard rock guitar, hip-hop and his friendship with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Here's a sample, with a link to the full interview below.

GW: How do you go about getting your tone? Do Eddie Martinez and Joe Perry's tone featured across '80s Run-DMC cuts influence you?

At home, my rig is split into the amp and my DAW. So, if I'm jamming watching TV and inspiration strikes, those ideas can instantly go down.

I love the TONEX Pedal and software from IK Multimedia.

I have super-accurate captures of my amp in the pedal, so if I need to leave my custom amp at home and run a power amp pedal and cab with TONEX, I can.

GW: How has Billy influenced your work on the DMC record?

BIG K.O.: "Guitar, slide, and vibes! I'm looking to catch some of the same magic "Walk This Way" had. The world is so divided, so the music that unites people is big for us. I have some huge-sounding tracks that I think the fans of both Run-DMC and ZZ-Top will dig."

Read the full Guitar World interview with Big K.O. HERE.

Whatever your musical genre, TONEX Pedal lets you choose from thousands of the world's most sought-after amps, cabs, and pedals – or your own gear, modeled in minutes – then gig with them right at your feet. You've never experienced this level of authenticity and realism in a pedal before.