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Twenty-five years ago, Melle Mel put South Bronx's "jungle" on blast, pointing to blighted buildings, streets lined with broken glass pipes and burned out, depressed people. Melle Mel wasn't glorifying this side of the Big Apple, though. It appeared rotten, so viewers got "The Message."
Current videos' aerial perspective of the 'hood bypasses blight and focuses on a happy, 'hood-rich lifestyle that lives in directors' imaginations. But Lincoln Heights native Kool Ken challenges listeners to face the music with his conscious single and video, "How Many More," where he addresses the streets' staggering mortality rate due to drug-related violence. In both, he plaintively asks, "How many more have to die?"
In the video, Ken is a community watchdog speaking on behalf of fed-up youth and residents. Ken says he's isn't afraid to stand against negative and misleading messages aimed at younger listeners by juxtaposing truth, and suggests that his contemporaries do the same.
"Quit telling them it's cool to get an easy buck, it's cool to sell drugs," Ken explains. "They're trying to say, 'It's entertainment,' but what they fail to realize is that media is raising our children. Families aren't. You got these kids out here emulating what they hear and see in videos and it's a lie."
Owning a modest home and car, he isn't hungry to become a millionaire; coaching track and wrestling and writing for his indie label, Zone 15 Produkktionz, satisfy him.
"My goal is to reach 1 percent of the world," Ken says, smiling. "That's all I want; if I can reach that many, then I've made a difference."
After learning first-hand how the music industry hustles starving artists, Ken believes hustling to land a deal with a major label is bunk. Ten years ago, while living and networking in Atlanta's progressive music scene, Ken sold a track for $10,000 hoping to get a foot in the door. But he soon regretted his decision once the song charted for another artist and he never saw a dime of royalties.
"That was one of the worst mistakes I ever made in my life," he says. "I was poor and trying to eat, and I get $10,000, so I'm like 'Yeah, I sold a track!' "
Ken quickly saw his fattened pockets didn't hold his songs' true value, and he realized his independence meant autonomy.
"I wanted (to own) my publishing," Ken explains. "I shouldn't have to go get a business loan, and a record deal is a business loan."
Affable and unassuming, he's an anomaly in today's configuration of rappers, where the tear-the-club-up image prevails. Because many associate his genre with negativity, Ken feels he has to make an excuse for Hip Hop when he tells people it's what he does.
"That's the only thing that's portrayed," Ken explains. "There's many, many positive artists out there. I'm not the only one."
For Ken, making music he's proud of is paramount. Eclectic and catchy, he describes his sound as Hip Hop with a bit of Neo Soul that flaunts his inner-musician side. As he abstains from profanity, his jagged edge would be his Rock influence.
"I just wanted to do music where kids didn't have to feel bad about listening to it in front of their parents," he says.
Dubbed "Kool Ken" as a boy, Ken says he never propagated negativity. But after larger-than-life griots like 2Pac and Biggie died, Ken realized it was time to become vocal, as urban music became increasingly vulgar and debasing.
"I just felt there was no balance in today's music," Ken says. "At least 2Pac, even though he had some negative songs, he still had some powerful stories."
Ken points out that today's "gangsta" perpetuates apathy and ignorance, while many earlier rappers were more or less activists. Whether media widens its kaleidoscope to showcase conscious artists like Ken remains to be seen. Ken says he feels artists and media are equally accountable, but until both sides reach a united front, he's concentrating on making what little noise he can alone.
By Mildred C. Fallen
http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-1265-locals-only-eyes-on-ken.html
- City Beat By Mildred C. Fallen
Discography
Money Green Lexxu$ EP & How Many More EP
Keep It Real, The Older The Better, How Many More?, Second Shift, & Money Green Lexxu$ have had radio play. Second Shift most recently on Kiss FM 91.6 (Sweden)
Photos
Bio
KOOL KEN, an American music producer and rapper, born September 17, in Lincoln Heights, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Even before the world knew of "L.L. Cool J", there was KOOL KEN, dubbed by his uncle Shaffer when he was still an infant. Although, KOOL KEN was and still is an avid, highly accomplished and decorated athlete of football, basketball, baseball and wrestling, he has always loved music. He's been blessed with a natural "ear" for music, which allows his rhythmic style. As a youngster, he's always been interested in music. He sang in the school choir and he even mastered the trumpet while still in grade school. He knew every lyric to almost every song he heard on the radio. From the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Roger Trautman, Zapp, Parliament and the Funkadeliks, Bootsy Collins, Lakeside, Slave, The Doobie Brothers, Barry White, George Duke, Quincy Jones, Najee, The Gap Band, Keith Sweat, Guy and Teddy Riley, Run DMC, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Rappers Delight & Grand Master Flash, and he could sing and rap every lyric. Although, he criticizes his abilities sometimes too harshly, his singing voice is clear, crisp and ... He's also an excellent writer who's lyrics exuberates a certain spirituality and positivity to his message. His music transcends the gangster influence of today's music. There is no straining to hear or get the meaning as to what he tries to convey. KOOL KEN has a smooth, unique, articulate sound and rap style, in which he fuses elements of Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, & even Rock & Roll into an exciting and original formula. His sound and style suggests a strong mass appeal to a broad spectrum of music lovers; Getting big props from the hardcore hip hoppers as well as major accolades from the kool, mellowed out R&B listeners and jazz aficionados. While enlisted in the United States Air Force, KOOL KEN seized the opportunity to travel the world and take his show on the road, even showcasing his talents in Seoul, Korea, Tokyo, Japan, and Waikiki, Hawaii. In 1996, while living in Atlanta, GA, KOOL KEN was finally able to bring his dream to life, so to speak, by forming his own record label and production company, Zone 15 Produkkionz, along with his cousin Donald Manor, Jr. AKA Dee_M, a multi instrumentalist and writer also from Cincinnati. Together they have created a new vibe for the millennium and beyond, using everything from social commentary and current events, to fun and good times as inspiration. It wasn't until 2003, that KOOL KEN independently released his self titled album that sold close to 15,000 units. Selling that many units independently, without promotion, radio or video is definitely an accomplishment which inspired Kool Ken to get back in the studio to pump out more quality work which you will find on his new upcoming release titled "How Many More?" "How Many More?" is a question posed by many, but directly asked by KOOL KEN, in reference to our youth and communities. How many more of us have to die? How many more of us have to make an excuse, take the abuse for the world to see the truth? The title song and video due to be released soon is a very powerful and inspirational song that needs to be heard and seen by all. What more is to be said about KOOL KEN? You can't get anymore original than this artist. He shows wit within his lyrics as well as versatility. The most musically inclined artist at the present who writes and raps all of his lyrics and sings the majority of his hooks. The mind behind the majority of the music production as well. If you are looking for something different, a change of pace, then KOOL KEN is for you. If you want the same 'ol, same 'ol? Glitter, glamour, violence and drugs? You won't find it with this artist. He's a little more complex with his art and you can tell simply by popping in his CD, while sitting back to relax and enjoy what KOOL KEN has to say over smooth grooves. Believe me, you won't be disappointed. When you are given the opportunity to listen to Kool Ken, I guarantee you'll be left inspired. Lookout! KOOL KEN is on the move, grabbing audiences and keeping heads bobbin' with slick lyrical wit and smoove grooves, guaranteed to put listeners "IN THE ZONE!" Show your support by purchasing the "How Many More?" limited edition cd/dvd dual disc online at cdbaby.com/koolken2 or itunes.com
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