Killa City The Great

Keyon Jones Jr., better known as Killa City the Great, was born and raised in Compton, CA. He grew up as the West Coast hip-hop movement was exploding onto the music scene. Although he respected all genres of music, hip hop was his passion. This led Jones to start crafting his own form of art. He decided that making a career out of music would be the most important goal in his life.

Jones’ style is described as lyrical and intelligent, with an explosive delivery. His music is a departure from today’s mainstream style of simple punch-line rap performed on over-produced beats. His music is rooted from west coast hip-hop but there is a lot of east coast and dirty south influence as well. Jones compares his sound to “Jay-Z, if he was from Compton.” Jones cites Tupac as one of his most important influences growing up. NWA, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, and T.I. are other artists that inspired the music on his mixtape, City Music Vol. 1.

When people ask Jones what separates himself from the competition, he cites his unrelenting dedication, passion, and devotion to the craft of making music. Jones is always listening to music, discovering new ideas to enhance his own sound. He is a true student of the game, but hopes to take everything he has learned to create the best music of his era. Jones’ dedication is evident as he has been rapping since age 13 and continues to challenge himself to overcome obstacles. Jones says, “Adversity is an opportunity to get better.” He believes that he has the talent to stand up with the best artists out there today, and if given a chance to expose his craft, “the entire rap game better watch out.”

Above all else, Jones is committed to building up his record label “New West Entertainment.” Through his label he wants to promote artists that make what he considers good music. One of Jones’ main caveats with his ascension to the top of the hip-hop genre is that he has to do so on his own terms. If he loses creative control of his music, it will lose all of its importance and meaning. Jones is not out there to fall in line with the mainstream’s perception of good hip-hop; he is there to change the mainstream’s perception of good hip-hop.

Jones’ short-term goals include dropping two new mixtapes, touring nationally, and creating a hot single for summer 2011. Most importantly, Jones wants to keep working so he will eventually surround himself with people who can really produce the music he has been hearing in his mind. Long-term, Jones will not be satisfied until he completely changes the game and becomes the next great artist. Watch out for it. The future of hip-hop is coming straight from the New West.