KIDS
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KIDS

North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2011 | SELF

North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | SELF
Established on Jan, 2011
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"Artist Spotlight: KIDS"

KIDS (Kinetic Intelligence Developing Soul) is a hip-hop group consisting of four members: Jakub Evolved, Kelvin, Munro and Mizzy. Based out of Vancouver, the members individually hail from several northern Canadian communities. Each member brings a strong solo background that combine for an electric experience. KIDS is currently on tour with eMC — Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Stricklin, and Punchline — and have recently released their first full length album, “The Hazing.”
How long of a process was the creation of this album?
It took us about a year and a half. We really started working on it when we went on tour with Masta Ace, Stricklin and Wordsworth. There were some beats that Kelvin had pitched a little earlier than that, but a lot of the album's production was made on the road.

Having worked as solo artists before, what major differences did you encounter making this album as group?
We had to find ways to keep tracks interesting without having each song be too long. Delegating verses and spaces to keep it balanced was a challenge but also allowed us to attack beats in a different way than we may have on a solo record. We try to avoid the pitfall of group think and allow for everyone to give their Input and then go with the best option for the group. The delegation of tasks exemplified our teamwork that stretches beyond the creation of the music.

What is the focus/major theme of your new album the “The Hazing”?
The Hazing provides insight to our battle with the industry. This is our first album and is an introduction to a lot of new things within it. It shows our constant struggle with the business side of it and being able to maintain our vision and integrity within the music.

Although based out of Vancouver, many of your members started out in small towns spread across Canada. How important has home-town grassroots support been to building your fan base?
It has been huge. Going home to play is always a blessing and we get a ton of support from the communities we've grown up in. The other side of that, is that a lot of people from these small communities go elsewhere for school or work and help to give us a following in cities other than Vancouver, Whitehorse, Kenora and Wawa.

What has it been like and what have you learned from touring with someone as a respected and influential as Masta Ace?
It's been another blessing. To see his hard work and timeliness, usually this industry is always late and really on their own time and doing whatever they want. Ace and eMC have shown us a lot of love, by personally inviting us back for our third year of touring with them and are always giving us tips and tricks on how to improve our career and performance. From watching how they conduct themselves on the road, from show prep to the actual performance, it has helped us to make our show more well rounded and enjoyable in each cities

Do you have any favourite moments or stories from life on tour?
It's hard to narrow it down to a few moments. The funniest stuff is when we've been driving long distances and are delirious. When we stop it's all laughs and smiles but they produce the most hilarious moments. Playing ball vs eMC on the road is always a fun time. Staying productive on the road when we aren't performing by shooting videos, creating new tracks. Lastly but least, linking up with friends and family that are scattered across the nation.

Anything else you guys would like to comment on or add?
We just released “The Hazing” and you can check that out at KIDSMusic604.bandcamp.com. Also check our YouTube for new vids, we’ll have a couple out once we're back in Van. Much love to everyone that has helped us on this tour and especially Steph and Jay Clark of the Beat Binjaz for setting everything up for us on this tour! - Hayden Bye


"HipHopCanada.com review of 'The Hazing'"

Vancouver, BC - KIDS have released their first full-length, original album in three years titled The Hazing. The crew integrates newest member Munro into the mix, while reconvening after much time dedicated to the larger group, 33KIDS, and solo projects. Inspired by the launch of their youth initiative ‘KIDS for Kids’ in December of 2012, KIDS hit the lab and created “Did It For The Kids Pt. 1″ which became the catalyst and opening track for The Hazing.

KIDS - The Hazing [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

“How you get yourself a good education when ya can’t afford ?/ Better yet how do you learn to love when your parents ignored ya?”

The album requires multiple listens to fully appreciate not because it’s hard to get into but because these guys are actually rapping about something. There’s emotion, purpose and direction to each and every verse on The Hazing. Songs that require a day or two – or maybe a week – to let you absorb the meaning and profoundness of what has just been said. KIDS have described their latest album as an “artistic interpretation of the trials, dilemmas and insights experienced by artists in the early stags of their careers.” The Hazing is the anthem for all struggling artists battling against their own egos and the industry. Better yet it’s an instrument, a vehicle that paints stories for a future generation to learn from and hopefully help them avoid the same trials and mistakes.

“I’m just a liar and a thief, a cheater, one them kids that set fire to the streets for theatre/ then hit the brakes, like when them tires screech but it’s too late, I’ve been dying for some peace trying to reach ya.”

Hip-hop was once described as “the knowledge movement.” To be hip is to be in the know and up to date with information and current events. Hop is a form of movement. If were going to play by these rules then The Hazing is a poster-child for hip-hop. First class scratching from DJ K-Rec doesn’t hurt either. This isn’t ego rap. It’s not thuggy “bitches and bottles rap.”

This is raw, intelligent, artistic music that’s meant to educate and inspire.

Check out this line from the albums last track, “Did It For The Kids Pt. 2,” where the whole vibe of the The Hazing really climaxes.

“Got these paths laid out for them kids that are clear as mud, with barriers on the side that are not willing to budge/ so they jump like hop-scotch then chop up the bud/ Thats what it was but now it’s something different/ Children sit in the classroom on prescription to pay attention.”

The beats follow the same trend. Without sounding too dated, they’ve got that unmistakable hip-hop feel while incorporating more modern bass lines and tuned 808s. Heavy on the samples, gorgeous pianos and Spanish guitars. They make really good use of percussion too, steeping outside of the typical kicks and snare patterns. Funky shit that will have you snappin’ your neck back. Make sure you’ve got some Rub A535 handy.

“My two cents, a movement grew with the times/ In self improvement remove more of my ego and it’s pride/ Can’t bruise what’s not alive, only chose what will apply/ In and out revolving doors a work in progress til it shines.”

The Hazing is a fun, tough. The album cover may have you thinking about the apocalypse but that’s just not the case. When the first song opens and the beat drops you’ll be visualizing a block party on a summer day. Boom boxes, kids breaking on cardboard and water gun fights. Sure there are darker, slower moments like “Confessional Song” or “Pick You Up” but those are just changing moods in an eternally positive person which is The Hazing. Emcees, get your god damn pens and pads out and take notes. Kids are not only mad brilliant but skilled as well. The 604 has a crew that is speaking up and needs to be heard. Represent.

Written by Max Dishaw for HipHopCanada - Max Dishaw


"Masta Ace Kills it in Calgary on Son of Yvonne Tour (2013)"

Calgary, AB – Masta Ace made a stop at Commonwealth Bar & Stage in Calgary—and killed it— on Mar. 19 during his Son of Yvonne Tour. Performing alongside fellow eMC crews members Stricklin and Wordsworth, and headed by openers Jazzlib Collective and KIDS, Masta Ace succeeded in performing one of the most well-received Calgary hip-hop shows of 2013 so far.

Masta Ace kills it in Calgary on Son of Yvonne Tour 2013 [Review] - HipHopCanada.com


The doors to Commonwealth Bar & Stage opened at 9 p.m. but the show didn’t start until closer to 11 p.m. Scheduled openers, The Bundies, had to cancel last-minute due to health problems but Jazzlib Collective and KIDS stepped in to start off the show. Local crew Jazzlib Collective failed to get the crowd going. Words to the wise—don’t open a show by apologizing for excess alcohol consumption. If the crowd isn’t fully loaded yet, you shouldn’t be either. The crew performed a series of freestyles, as well as a track called ‘The Libs Is Coming Through’— an earworm tune that sounded like a Rastafarian ode to Biggie’s ‘Hypnotize.’ KIDS did a much better job at energizing the crowd with their high-energy rhymes backed by danceable beats. The Vancouver-based trio of Jakub Evolved, Kelvin, and Jay Mizz were so fun to watch. As a crew they have terrific chemistry—striking ad lib poses and grinding to their own beats.

Next on the roster was Brooklyn-based emcee Wordsworth. As his name suggests, Wordsworth is a literary master, of sorts. He opted to pull a freestyle, and the ladies went wild. Wandering through the crowd, Wordsworth serenaded the ladies of Calgary with his tight raps and cheeky rhymes. He probably could have had his pick of groupies—guys, included—at the end of the evening.

Finally, the much anticipated moment of the night arrived—Masta Ace took the stage. Sporting an all-white ensemble, Adidas sock on his left arm and a Fila wrist cuff on his right, Ace strolled on to the stage. Ace was accompanied by Stricklin, a fellow eMC crew member who has been touring with Ace for the last decade. Also sporting a white ensemble, Stricklin provided phenomenal backup—as well as a few of his own rhymes—with his signature nasal, deep-toned prose. Midway through the set, Stricklin popped on a pair of thick-rimmed glasses in true Spike Lee fashion—it was adorable.

Masta Ace kills it in Calgary on Son of Yvonne Tour 2013 [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

With years of touring under his belt—or should I say, snapback— Ace is a seasoned pro at peppering the audience. He used personal anecdotes to introduce most of his songs. “Nineteen Seventeen Something” is, according to Ace, the year in which he started sneaking and scratching vinyls behind his mother’s back—the year he became immersed in the world of hip hop. He introduced ‘Take A Walk’ by inviting fans to come to his hotel room to “take a walk” with him through Calgary during his downtime. If anyone has managed to figure out where Ace is staying in Calgary, feel free to take him up on this offer.

Towards the end of the set, Ace switched gears. He traded in his snapback for a white Wimbledon-embossed bucket hat, just in time to perform ‘Beautiful.’ Getting a Calgary audience to dance is an accomplishment in of itself. But getting a male-dominated Calgary audience to sing ‘Beautiful’ in falsetto is true mastery– no short feat for the Masta, himself.

Masta Ace kills it in Calgary on Son of Yvonne Tour 2013 [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

As the show wound down at 1:30 a.m., Ace brought Wordsworth back on to the stage and eMC closed the show. As concert-goers reluctantly left the venue, there was no doubt that the concert was one for the books. Even Ace agreed. He tweeted, “Top 2 craziest shows on this tour so far, Calgary” before heading out for post-concert festivities.

Review and photography by Sarah Sussman for HipHopCanada - Sarah Sussman


"Masta Ace Kills it in Calgary on Son of Yvonne Tour 2013"

KIDS did a much better job at energizing the crowd with their high-energy rhymes backed by danceable beats. The Vancouver-based trio of Jakub Evolved, Kelvin, and Jay Mizz were so fun to watch. As a crew they have terrific chemistry—striking ad lib poses and grinding to their own beats. - Sarah Sussman


"Masta Ace kills it in Calgary o Son of Yvonne Tour 2013"

Masta Ace made a stop at Commonwealth Bar & Stage in Calgary—and killed it— on Mar. 19 during his Son of Yvonne Tour. Performing alongside fellow eMC crews members Stricklin and Wordsworth, and headed by openers Jazzlib Collective and KIDS, Masta Ace succeeded in performing one of the most well-received Calgary hip-hop shows of 2013 so far.

Masta Ace kills it in Calgary on Son of Yvonne Tour 2013 [Review] - HipHopCanada.com


The doors to Commonwealth Bar & Stage opened at 9 p.m. but the show didn’t start until closer to 11 p.m. Scheduled openers, The Bundies, had to cancel last-minute due to health problems but Jazzlib Collective and KIDS stepped in to start off the show. Local crew Jazzlib Collective failed to get the crowd going. Words to the wise—don’t open a show by apologizing for excess alcohol consumption. If the crowd isn’t fully loaded yet, you shouldn’t be either. The crew performed a series of freestyles, as well as a track called ‘The Libs Is Coming Through’— an earworm tune that sounded like a Rastafarian ode to Biggie’s ‘Hypnotize.’ KIDS did a much better job at energizing the crowd with their high-energy rhymes backed by danceable beats. The Vancouver-based trio of Jakub Evolved, Kelvin, and Jay Mizz were so fun to watch. As a crew they have terrific chemistry—striking ad lib poses and grinding to their own beats.

Next on the roster was Brooklyn-based emcee Wordsworth. As his name suggests, Wordsworth is a literary master, of sorts. He opted to pull a freestyle, and the ladies went wild. Wandering through the crowd, Wordsworth serenaded the ladies of Calgary with his tight raps and cheeky rhymes. He probably could have had his pick of groupies—guys, included—at the end of the evening.

Finally, the much anticipated moment of the night arrived—Masta Ace took the stage. Sporting an all-white ensemble, Adidas sock on his left arm and a Fila wrist cuff on his right, Ace strolled on to the stage. Ace was accompanied by Stricklin, a fellow eMC crew member who has been touring with Ace for the last decade. Also sporting a white ensemble, Stricklin provided phenomenal backup—as well as a few of his own rhymes—with his signature nasal, deep-toned prose. Midway through the set, Stricklin popped on a pair of thick-rimmed glasses in true Spike Lee fashion—it was adorable.

Masta Ace kills it in Calgary on Son of Yvonne Tour 2013 [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

With years of touring under his belt—or should I say, snapback— Ace is a seasoned pro at peppering the audience. He used personal anecdotes to introduce most of his songs. “Nineteen Seventeen Something” is, according to Ace, the year in which he started sneaking and scratching vinyls behind his mother’s back—the year he became immersed in the world of hip hop. He introduced ‘Take A Walk’ by inviting fans to come to his hotel room to “take a walk” with him through Calgary during his downtime. If anyone has managed to figure out where Ace is staying in Calgary, feel free to take him up on this offer.

Towards the end of the set, Ace switched gears. He traded in his snapback for a white Wimbledon-embossed bucket hat, just in time to perform ‘Beautiful.’ Getting a Calgary audience to dance is an accomplishment in of itself. But getting a male-dominated Calgary audience to sing ‘Beautiful’ in falsetto is true mastery– no short feat for the Masta, himself.

Masta Ace kills it in Calgary on Son of Yvonne Tour 2013 [Review] - HipHopCanada.com

As the show wound down at 1:30 a.m., Ace brought Wordsworth back on to the stage and eMC closed the show. As concert-goers reluctantly left the venue, there was no doubt that the concert was one for the books. Even Ace agreed. He tweeted, “Top 2 craziest shows on this tour so far, Calgary” before heading out for post-concert festivities.

Review and photography by Sarah Sussman for HipHopCanada - Sarah Sussman


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

KIDS have established themselves on an individual level, all hailing from northern Canadian communities. Meeting in Vancouver, the trio (Jakub Evolved, Mizzy & Kelvin) united in the summer of 2010 and was joined in the beginning of 2013 by fourth member Munro, forming a team of unique personalities that shine on a collaborative effort. They’ve toured across Canada on 4 occasions now, accompanying Masta Ace, eMC and DL Incognito respectively, as well as touring independently and opening for a plethora of Major acts that have come through Vancouver. They released their debut mixtape titled “Summer School” in the summer of 2012; and have recently released their first full-length original album 'The Hazing'.


In December of 2012 KIDS launched 'KIDS for Kids': a charitable/social initiative aspect of their business. KIDS for Kids’s initial campaign was raising money for the media program, Another Slice, at Directions Youth Services in downtown Vancouver throughout the winter of 2012/2013. The group put on a fundraiser, sold the program’s shirts at all KIDS events, recorded and donated a song, and linked the program to a potential full time funder. KIDS for Kids also put on workshops and performances for schools and youth organizations, as well various other fundraisers for different causes and are always open to working and building with any organizations and groups who's mission aligns with their own initiative. 


Jakub Evolved: Born in the Czech Republic, Jakub immigrated to Canada with his parents at 4 years old under refugee status. After some nomadic early years he settled in Wawa Ontario with his mom, where he finished up his primary and secondary education, before moving to Vancouver on his own at 18, to pursue his dreams as an artist. Jakub's artistic journey has been paralleled by a search for truth and understanding of this world and it's reality outside of general social convention and institutional consensus. In February 2014 Jakub released his second solo effort 'The Black Madonna Mixtape'. Almost overwhelmed by artistic demands, he is working on 4 more solo albums and approximately 10 collaborative albums at the moment, with 'A Love Misunderstood' produced entirely by MD of the Boomsday Alliance a la Amp Records, slated as his next release.


Mizzy:  Maybe the most established nationwide of KIDS as a solo Hip Hop performer, Mizz took courses on the music business in southern Ontario, where he developed his artistry and social network before moving to Vancouver in late 2009, where it took him no time to circulate the scene and establish his presence. After releasing a Mixtape (Beginning of the End -2009) and an EP (Fight Club - 2010) Mizzy released his first full length production in December 2012 'ComMiZZerate Your Soul'. Always active, whether artistically or on the business side of things, Jay Mizz's sole focus is to advance his career in the music industry while helping his crew do the same. Currently Mizz is preparing to release a collaborative album with fellow crew mate Munro, a project that is expected to be released late 2014/early 2015.


Kelvin: Whitehorse Yukon's beloved son, Kelvin has earned himself a reputation as one of the hardest working and most talented artists of his generation from the Territory. With such a solid foundation in his hometown, Kelvin is now centralized in Vancouver where he is in the midst of translating his local success onto the national and global stage. A man of many hats, Kelvin is a writer, performer, producer and sound engineer; he produced and mixed the entire KIDS album 'The Hazing'. With one solo album under his belt (I'd Rather This Pace) and 5 collaborative releases (KIDS(2), 33OneThird, 33KIDS(2) & The Lore) his repertoire is as versatile as his abilities. Busy as ever, Kelvin is currently working on the 3rd 33OneThird LP, his second solo LP 'Absolute Zero', as well as production for KIDS and other local artists. 


Munro: The newest member of the crew and it's oldest, Munro's voice adds depth to songs and his presence a sense of calm and relaxation to KIDS. He began his association with the crew by helping with administrative tasks and selling merchandise at events, while working on his own artistic endeavors outside of the group. His constant willingness and involvement has translated into a full-fledged membership, with multiple roles and responsibilities. Now a regular participant in the crew’s artistry, Munro is not just an MC but also a DJ for KIDS when necessary. The 'Field Trip' Mixtape, released by 33KIDS & Eh-Yo in the winter of 2013 was Munro's first official release; 'The Hazing' offered greater insight into his budding artistry and he is now working with Mizzy on an album that is currently untitled, but will be his 3rd official release.

Band Members