Kuf Knotz

WXPN favorite Kuf Knotz isn’t the first musician in the history of hip hop to go solo after a history of band collaborations. He is, however, one of the major names in Philadelphia’s hip hop scene—and, when the former frontman of BurnDown All Stars and The Hustle announced the upcoming release of his solo debut earlier this year, we couldn’t help but get giddy with excitement. Now that we’ve got a copy of BoomBox Logic at our desk, we can say with complete assurance that—even if the path that led Kuf to a burgeoning solo career might be a well-traveled one—the result is an album that takes listeners to a bevy of new places. Prior to his record-(pre-)release show at World Cafe Live tomorrow night, Kuf spoke with The Key about dealing with band dynamics, working with Drexel University’s student-run MAD Dragon Records, and his willingness to sign the dotted line. (Potential major-label suitors, take note…)

The Key: Based on your experiences with The Hustle and Burndown All Stars, how much do you like working within a band dynamic?

Kuf Knotz: Honestly, I really enjoy it. I’m big on collaboration. Having a band is like a meeting of the minds—everyone has their own influences that they’ve grown up with. With Burndown All Stars, someone would give one of the MCs a beat, and they would bring their own stuff to that. If everyone was grooving on it, we’d present it to the band, and they would either learn it or do their own take on it. Then each MC would write their own lyrics. With my own bands like The Hustle or Subtle Ground, a lot of times it was material I’d worked on previously. I’d bring it to the group, like “Are you feeling this?” And, if they were, we’d do our own interpretation or switch it around, with each one of the band members putting their own flavor to it. It was cool. It was a dope group dynamic.

TK: But…?

KK: [Laughs.] Well, the only problem that I ran into with being in bands was other people’s availability and willingness to play out.

TK: It’s not easy when you’ve got to rely on a bunch of other people and work with their schedules.

KK: It’s so true, man. It’s crazy. I kept running into that same problem. I’m the kind of person who’s like, “I’ll do anything I can to get my name out there.” I don’t care if it’s playing in front of 10 people—that’s 10 people who haven’t heard my music before, so I’m all about it. But it’s different for people in the band. Especially if it’s not their own thing, you know? Playing in front of 10 people might not be as enticing for them because they’re just playing the bass or whatever.

TK: Seeing as how most of your band-related experiences have been positive ones, what were the circumstances that led up to your decision to go the solo route?

KK: It’s something I always wanted to do. Even when I’ve been in other bands, I’ve always had a side thing going on, where I’d be recording my own material. Different circumstances prevented me from putting it out or finishing it. I think it was all about the timing. You know when the time is right. I loved playing with The Hustle, and it was great. But then the bass player’s father got real sick, so he had to leave the band, and then our drummer was finishing grad school and was going to start looking for work. It didn’t leave us with a lot of time to play and go on tour and record. Like, The Hustle had been together for a year and didn’t even have an EP recorded because of everyone’s schedule. I had the itch to create, to write new music.

TK: So what did you do?

KK: I have a studio that I go out to in Spring City. I would go out there on weekends all the time and create new music. I put a whole album together and had someone come out to videotape and photograph the process of making the album. So I had this whole album concept and an idea behind it, and I didn’t want to sit on it. I took it to Andy, who was at Ropeadope at the time, and asked if he was interested in putting it out or working with it. He thought it was a great album. So we were going to do it with Ropeadope, and then he was like, “Let’s take it to MAD Dragon and see if they have any interest in it.” And they were willing to put it out. I talked to everyone in The Hustle, and I was willing to do both projects, to keep working with The Hustle. But everyone just felt like it would be better if we went our own ways. There was no animosity or anything. It was just really cool.

TK: That’s an interesting setup that MAD Dragon has over at Drexel.

KK: I didn’t know much about the program before I was introduced it it. When I first heard about it, I was like, “That sounds interesting.” But it also brings up a lot of questions. Because, you know, they’re college kids. And college kids like to party, to have fun, to go out. So, what’s going to drive them to be interested in what I’m doing?

TK: What do you think does drive them?

KK: The fact that they’re interested in being in the music business and being successful in what they do - The Key

Screw you if you haven't bought Philly MC Kuf Knotz's Boombox Logic. It's a wildly literate triply diverse debut disc that does his mom — and the Mad Dragon label — proud. If you're looking to redeem yourself, the smooth and serious Knotz — known first from his days doing The Hustle — has got a new monthly starting tonight (Wed., Jan. 19) that promises to be as all-genre encompassing as his debut CD. The Boombox Collective is a one-a-month hip-hop party at World Cafe Live's Upstairs. In addition to his fellow emcees and beatmakers Chalk & The Beige American, Curly Castro, Dave Vegas and DJ Stoupe, Knotz will welcome a group of the Hussian School of Art's students performing live visual arts such as painting, sketching and photographing. If by some chance you miss tonight's party, and shame if you do. - The City Paper

Hip–hop veteran Kuf Knotz has blended so many divergent genres on his solo debut LP, Boombox Logic, that he should be selling it on TV at 4 a.m. for three installments of $15.99. Of course, it wouldn’t work—no one pays for music anymore—but his eclectic, conscious record is certainly worth a listen. From skittering indie-rock backdrops to reggae-funk reminiscences, Knotz collaborated with all sorts of Philly pals to create this album—friends he made via a steady musical presence in the city for about a decade, most notably as a founding member of the hip-hop/reggae collective BurnDown All-Stars. - The A.V. Club

Hip–hop veteran Kuf Knotz has blended so many divergent genres on his solo debut LP, Boombox Logic, that he should be selling it on TV at 4 a.m. for three installments of $15.99. Of course, it wouldn’t work—no one pays for music anymore—but his eclectic, conscious record is certainly worth a listen. From skittering indie-rock backdrops to reggae-funk reminiscences, Knotz collaborated with all sorts of Philly pals to create this album—friends he made via a steady musical presence in the city for about a decade, most notably as a founding member of the hip-hop/reggae collective BurnDown All-Stars. - The A.V. Club

Kuf Knotz will headline the MAD Dragon Showcase on Sunday at the TLA to celebrate the release of his Boombox Logic Deluxe Edition, a new version of his 2010 debut solo album.

Raised in Bryn Mawr as Ty Green, Kuf’s solo work runs the gamut from hip hop to soul, from indie rock to reggae. Before dropping Boombox Logic last fall, Kuf spent years working in collaborative efforts – the BurnDown All Stars, The Hustle and Subtle Ground.

Everyone who goes to the show on Sunday will receive a copy of the annual MAD Dragon artist compilation disc, Unleashed7. The event starts at 3 pm with numerous bands, including Hezekiah Jones, Swift Techniques and When I Was 12. Tickets are only $5.

Kuf is scheduled to perform around 9 pm. We spoke to him this week.

How did you get into music?

I think I unconsciously got into it. My grandmother, she was a gospel singer. My brother was an MC so he was rhyming all the time around the house. He had music on all the time, hip hop he was into – Kurtis Blow, KRS-One, LL, that era.

But you grew up in Bryn Mawr?

Yeah. I grew up there and then moved to the city for school.

Bryn Mawr’s not really a hotbed for hip hop.

No, no. Not at all. I had to search that out on my own.

Was there a scene out there?

There was a scene called UBF – United Break Force. It was a breakdance squad out there. They actually traveled all around the country. That’s what got me into it. They started this scene called “Scratch” that was at a place called Radnor Rolls. It was a roller skating rink. Every Wednesday, they would have Scratch. It was a big breakdance party and people would rhyme. People would dance. It was a whole big thing. I started going to that every weekend. I never rhymed. I was always too shy. But I took it all in and practiced it at home.

What’s up with the Deluxe Edition?

What it is is a re-release of the original album. And it has three additional new songs and a DVD that was shot over the past couple months.

What’s on the DVD?

The DVD is basically different performances I’ve done and different collaborations, in particular in the studio with LP Styles. And then just some random footage like, I cleanse four times per year, where I don’t eat for ten days. I just do fresh squeezed juice. They kind of documented that. There’s also the Boombox Collective, a monthly event I host at the World Café Live spotlighting hip hop artists – actually artists in general, from throughout the city. They documented some of those as well.

Who performs with the Collective? Do you have some of the Burndown All Stars in there?

Yeah, of course. One of The Dialects – not both of them – performed. I had JawnZap7 perform. The 5 O’clock Shadowboxers. Who else? The most recent one that I hosted, the 4.20 one, had Writtenhouse, Doodlebug from Digable Planets, Don McCloskey, Jessi Teich. It was a pretty nice lineup.

How did the BurnDown All Stars come together?

It’s crazy. Myself, the dude RokBottom, Dave Quicks and Carlos were working on music out of a house in Manayunk. We started recording and invited different Philadelphia musicians we knew, and different MCs we were digging on. We had them record on this album. It was pretty much free-form. We just got the musicians in a warehouse on the weekend and had a party, recorded all the music and chopped it up, made beats out of it and got different MCs to rhyme on it.

That’s how it originally started. Then it transformed into a band because once we put the album out, we wanted to perform it live. The first few shows, they were ridiculous. We had about 20, 25 people switching instruments and whatnot. Then we cut it down to 13 – 8 MCs and 5 musicians. We just rocked out from there.

Do you like doing stuff with the big crew or do you prefer being a solo artist?

I love it just how it is! It’s nice to be able to just do it. I still rock with a band, you know, as far as performing and all – drum, bass, keys, guitar. It’s cool. We’re a small, tight unit. We’re all on the same page. It’s dope. - Jump Magazine

Urban music performer Kuf Knotz sips from an unlabeled bottle of water. He's 10 days into a "cleansing," during which he has been consuming only water enhanced with occasional fruit and vegetable juice. For Kuf it's not just a physical catharsis but a spiritual rebooting.

"It's about balance," he explains. "There's no single path to success. You need a degree of balance in your life in order to see the right way to go in your career."

Kuf has been making it in Philly since about 1995 and knows well the difficulty of making a career in music. During his career Kuf has been in several groups that for a variety of reasons just didn't work out. But he has continued to stay focused and has been willing to "redefine" himself, as he puts it. His efforts have paid off. He is currently a successful solo artist signed with Drexel University's novel Mad Dragon Records, a record company founded at Drexel University in 2004 and run exclusively by students. His album "BoomBox Logic" was released last October to solid reviews.

Once per month, Kuf hosts 'Boom Box Collective' at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia. Shows are held on Wednesday and are always all ages. Musicians, visual artists, and craftspeople like jewelers are welcome. "It's for any artist who wishes to share their talents," he says. Kuf does the booking and encourages those interested in coming or participating to email him via his website.

Kuf's Keys to Success
Kuf unabashedly points to spirituality as a key element of his success. Growing up in Bryn Mar, Kuf developed his spiritual qualities from his gospel-singing grandmother. He explains that he has been influenced by the positive message of gospel, and applies the spirit of gospel into his life and music. He prays every day and before every performance. On the occasion when he's strayed from his routine, it has affected his performance, he admits.

"For me, spirituality is important in order to connect with the audience. And when I'm out of the element, it's harder to bring the audience into the music."

While important for any artist interested in making a career in music he says, spiritual sensibility is only one element in a host of good habits needed to have a chance of making it.

"You need a drive and a fire; hard work, dedication and a tremendous amount of self-confidence. And mostly importantly, an openness to redefine yourself," he says. Kuf explains that it's easy to get caught up in having do things a certain way. You need to be willing and able to step outside yourself and willing to change.

"Don't get caught up in what to do next. You'll bump your head a few times, but you'll learn from that. Let it flow. With time and experience you'll get a sense of what's next. But you must be strong and clear on your brand."

Branding is perhaps the hardest thing to develop in any industry. And it's especially challenging for artists who are so intimately connected to their product. So what does Kuf suggest to help develop that all-important branding that leads to success? - Flying Kite Blog

The bass rattles, reverberating from the walls and chests of many as smooth, sultry, sweet sounds sail through their ears, creating a musical euphoria. With a colorful array of tunes, genres and dope lyrics floating about, uplifted hands, bobbing heads and jam-packed bodies rock to the beat while an unexpected chorale emerges — all on one accord (but maybe a little off-key) to sing their favorite artist’s latest song.

If you like what you just heard and are a supporter of good music, come on out to the band When I Was 12’s CD release show of its self-titled 7-inch vinyl record on Sunday, June 5, at the TLA beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Presented by the Music Industry Program Entities at Drexel University, the release concert will also feature performances from artists including Swift Technique, the Spinning Leaves, Hezekiah Jones, Money Fame and Love, Kuf Knotz, D&M, Gypsy Death and You, Wild Rompit and Night Fevers.

Admission for the event is only $5 and all ages are welcome to attend.

With a new album titled “Boombox Logic Deluxe Edition,” also being released at the showcase, Kuf Knotz, a local rapper hailing from Bryn Mawr, is ready to rock the mic at the upcoming event.

“I am so excited,” Knotz said. “I played at the TLA maybe twice before, so I am excited to get on the stage. It is always fun to rock on a big stage.”

Signed to Mad Dragon Records, the country’s first student-run record label, at Drexel, along with fellow label mates Hezekiah Jones, Spinning Leaves and more, Knotz tells participants to expect an assortment of music and an all-around awesome time.

“Most shows and festivals today are a mixture of genres, which is really cool,” Knotz said. “I think people attending will dig it because nowadays people are open-minded and all music seems to be cross-genre anyway. So the concert will be like a live mixtape,” he laughed.

No new kid on the block when it comes to Philadelphia’s live music scene, Knotz has garnered a certain celebrity for himself by accompanying nationally renowned tours with artists such as Common and the New York Dolls to making history by becoming the first-ever hip-hop act to open for the legendary Bruce Springsteen at the internationally covered rally for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Having an extensive list of accomplishments and more to come, Knotz, with his witty and thought-provoking lyrics, soulful and uplifting beats, all combined with his deep, soothing voice, provides an undeniable freshness to the rap scene.

Though inspired by many pioneers of hip-hop such as Public Enemy, Knotz’s greatest influence to venture out into the music world was none other than his family.

“Just growing up, my brother emceed, my grandmother was a gospel singer and my father always had music going,” Knotz said. “There was always music playing in the house, so unconsciously, I was getting into music more and more without even knowing it.” In regards to his stage name (his birth name is Ty Green), Kuf — shortened for Kufi — means spiritual warrior, and Knotz represents the locks that the rapper dons.

“Kufi was a nickname that I received going into my freshman year in college,” he said. “I kind of had someone like a mentor that gave me the name and so I just shortened it and put the Knotz on because of my locks, which is a just a playoff of my hair,” Knotz continued.

When asked what people should take away from his music, Knotz adamantly reinforced how he wants fans and new listeners to feel positive and uplifted after listening to his tunes.

“Overall, the feel of my music is feel-good music,” Knotz said. “It is positive, people can dance to it and it is pretty upbeat. I feel music affects different people in so many ways and if the music I make can be a positive effect on someone, then I am good with that,” he said. - the Montgomery Media

The bass rattles, reverberating from the walls and chests of many as smooth, sultry, sweet sounds sail through their ears, creating a musical euphoria. With a colorful array of tunes, genres and dope lyrics floating about, uplifted hands, bobbing heads and jam-packed bodies rock to the beat while an unexpected chorale emerges — all on one accord (but maybe a little off-key) to sing their favorite artist’s latest song.

If you like what you just heard and are a supporter of good music, come on out to the band When I Was 12’s CD release show of its self-titled 7-inch vinyl record on Sunday, June 5, at the TLA beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Presented by the Music Industry Program Entities at Drexel University, the release concert will also feature performances from artists including Swift Technique, the Spinning Leaves, Hezekiah Jones, Money Fame and Love, Kuf Knotz, D&M, Gypsy Death and You, Wild Rompit and Night Fevers.

Admission for the event is only $5 and all ages are welcome to attend.

With a new album titled “Boombox Logic Deluxe Edition,” also being released at the showcase, Kuf Knotz, a local rapper hailing from Bryn Mawr, is ready to rock the mic at the upcoming event.

“I am so excited,” Knotz said. “I played at the TLA maybe twice before, so I am excited to get on the stage. It is always fun to rock on a big stage.”

Signed to Mad Dragon Records, the country’s first student-run record label, at Drexel, along with fellow label mates Hezekiah Jones, Spinning Leaves and more, Knotz tells participants to expect an assortment of music and an all-around awesome time.

“Most shows and festivals today are a mixture of genres, which is really cool,” Knotz said. “I think people attending will dig it because nowadays people are open-minded and all music seems to be cross-genre anyway. So the concert will be like a live mixtape,” he laughed.

No new kid on the block when it comes to Philadelphia’s live music scene, Knotz has garnered a certain celebrity for himself by accompanying nationally renowned tours with artists such as Common and the New York Dolls to making history by becoming the first-ever hip-hop act to open for the legendary Bruce Springsteen at the internationally covered rally for then-presidential candidate Barack Obama on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Having an extensive list of accomplishments and more to come, Knotz, with his witty and thought-provoking lyrics, soulful and uplifting beats, all combined with his deep, soothing voice, provides an undeniable freshness to the rap scene.

Though inspired by many pioneers of hip-hop such as Public Enemy, Knotz’s greatest influence to venture out into the music world was none other than his family.

“Just growing up, my brother emceed, my grandmother was a gospel singer and my father always had music going,” Knotz said. “There was always music playing in the house, so unconsciously, I was getting into music more and more without even knowing it.” In regards to his stage name (his birth name is Ty Green), Kuf — shortened for Kufi — means spiritual warrior, and Knotz represents the locks that the rapper dons.

“Kufi was a nickname that I received going into my freshman year in college,” he said. “I kind of had someone like a mentor that gave me the name and so I just shortened it and put the Knotz on because of my locks, which is a just a playoff of my hair,” Knotz continued.

When asked what people should take away from his music, Knotz adamantly reinforced how he wants fans and new listeners to feel positive and uplifted after listening to his tunes.

“Overall, the feel of my music is feel-good music,” Knotz said. “It is positive, people can dance to it and it is pretty upbeat. I feel music affects different people in so many ways and if the music I make can be a positive effect on someone, then I am good with that,” he said. - the Montgomery Media

1. Drink Up Buttercup, Born and Thrown on a Hook

2. Reading Rainbow, Prism Eyes

3. Kuf Knotz, Boombox Logic

4. Grandchildren, Everlasting

5. RJD2, The Colossus

6. Reef the Lost Cauze, Fight Music

7. Toy Soldiers, Whisper Down the Lane

8. Jack Rose, Luck in the Valley

9. A Sunny Day in Glasgow, Autumn Again

10. Thinking Machines, Work Tapes - Make major Moves Blog

MC Kuf Knotz is one of those rare artists who can bridge the gap between many different genres. While known primarily as a hip-hop artist, there are really elements of many different sounds in his songs. Yet he makes them fit into a cohesive conglomeration that has allowed him to transcend genres, and perform in places that don’t usually cater to the hip-hop world.

“It’s good vibe music,” Kuf relates. “It’s hip-hop with a lot of different genre influences. The lyrics are honest and the beats are banging!” His influences include artists ranging from Tupac and Bob Marley to A Tribe Called Quest and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The new CD, Boombox Logic, showcases a wide range of textures and musical styles, spanning jazz and hip-hop mixed with elements of pop and folk. The CD is also is notable for several other reasons. The South/Central Jersey and Philadelphia-based artist teamed up with a student run label at Drexel University to complete the project and get it out to the public. “Boombox Logic was half finished when I brought it to Andy Hurwitz, who oversees the student-run label and who I knew through Ropeadope Records,” Kuf explains. “He presented it to the Mad Dragon faculty, and they were all on board to move forward with it. This is the first hip-hop project to ever be on this label, and it’s the first label ever to be run by college students through a university.”

One of Kuf’s worries was that the students would only be interested in partying. “Because, you know, they’re college kids,” he laughs. “And college kids like to party, to have fun, to go out. So, what’s going to drive them to be interested in what I’m doing? But the fact is that they’re interested in being in the music business and being successful in what they do. I think that puts a fire under their ass. The kids, man, they work hard. They take it serious. Having worked with them the amount of time I have, I’m really impressed. I’ve really enjoyed the experience.”

As such, Kuf has the support of the student body at the school, which has helped his popularity and enabled him to perform regularly at venues such as the World Café Live, one of Philadelphia’s most prestigious music venues, and to get airplay on the influential station WXPN. He is also very interactive with the students, working with them both inside the classroom and outside of it, to create opportunities and to get exposure for the project.

Kuf may bring musical diversity and funk to the table, but he backs it up with meaningful and reflective lyrical content. In “Clock Tickin’,” he expresses his pain, and his method of using music to deal with it. The electro pop track “Party Queen” is the story of an out of control, insecure girl, whose life is heading in the wrong direction. And in “Currency” he talks about the value of a dollar and how greed and desperation can taint people.

“I usually hear the music I am going to be working with and then write the lyrics to that,” he says. “There are times that I write an outline of what I want to talk about, and give that to the producer and he builds the music off that Idea. I vibe best in the studio listening to the track for the first time and then I just go from there.”

On Boombox Logic, Kuf tried to keep the music positive, upbeat and interesting. “I think performing live with the band changes the songwriting process,” he explains. “When you’re performing in a band, it’s about energy. You see people moving and dancing. But with the more laid-back, introspective songs, people go to the bar to get a drink. Or they go to the bathroom. Some people will stick around and be into it. But it’s the upbeat songs that get the crowd into it.”

The name of the album also has a symbolism behind it as well. “The ‘boombox’ part is a shout out to that era in the late ‘80s and early ’90s, when the whole culture of hip-hop was very big,” says Kuf. “Breakdance, graffiti, turntablism, MCing. When you think of that era, you think of the big boombox, the linoleum tiles. But you’ve also got to be logical in the sense that you’ve got to make something appealing to today’s audience as well. With the kids now, the 20 to 30-year-olds that are buying music right now, you have to have something that appeals to them as well.”

Kuf’s background includes working with some other well-known acts. He has collaborated with Slightly Stoopid, G. Love (well known for his own group G. Love and Special Sauce) and Ben Arnold. And speaking of crossing genres, Kuf has the honor of being the first hip-hop artist ever to open for Bruce Springsteen, which took place at an Obama rally on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. He was featured in FUSE TV’s Bodog Music Battle Of the Bands, and the collaboration known as Geurrilladelphia; made up of Chuck Treece, Don McCloskey, Tom Spike, and G. Love, recorded a song called “Unstoppable” that was played at games four and five of the World Series two years ago when the Phillies were part of it.

Kuf’s - The Aquarian Weekly

Joining the stage was Kuf Knotz, hailing from the city of brotherly love. His album, “Boombox Logic” has grabbed the attention of Philadelphia, with many reviews posting the album #1 in the local music scene. Knotz uses a weaponry of old school hip-hop with a fresh up beat sound that grabs your attention with the first few lines within his rhymes.

You can listen to his tracks from “Boombox Logic” free on his website and even download a free track. If you want something new and different to listen to, then I suggest you check out Kuf Knotz online, or better yet, on stage. - RockErie Blog

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Burlap and Bean has always had a sense of family and community. On Friday, a different musical flavor was given at the coffeehouse, but still kept it about community and family—literally.

Opening act The Co-Champs feature twin brothers SammyDimes and Rob Incredible, whose beats and rhymes go against the mainsteam idea of hip-hop. Headliner Kuf Knotz preached on positivity and gave the audience the real flavor of Philly, and it didn't taste like cheesesteaks.

As for the family part, his back-up singers are his sisters. The Newtown Square coffeehouse isn't known for hip-hop, but their goal has always been to embrace the music of Philly and bring it to the suburbs. Friday evening's show gave the audience a real sound of hip-hop, which is about real life, good beats and even better rhymes.

The Co-Champs brothers create a sound that is highly influenced by the music their parents played while the two boys grew up in the '80s. Their home was filled with Thelonious Monk, The O'Jays, Marvin Gaye and Shaka Khan. They spent their first allowance on a Run DMC tape.

The Co-Champs still view their sound as a blend of musical influences. When putting a song together they find a core musical element, whether it's a sample from classical music or Steely Dan, as long as it comes together and creates a vibe that makes listeners want to move.

Their message is very much a part of what they want to represent in the hip-hop community, which is integrity. Sammy and Rob want to represent the "every man," and show that hip-hop isn't just about thug life and gold chains.

Their lyrics create an image so they don't have to. Lines like, "Voted most likely to blow up" and "Carpe Diem, that's my alma mater" are strong, smart and a little tongue-in-cheek. Their live show is very simple: two brothers, two mics and a backing track. The Co-Champs musically and physically mirror each other for most of the songs, but sometimes they back each other up as closely as an auditory shadow.

Blaqmel was a last minute addition to the bill for the evening. He took the stage with his guitar and mystified the crowd with some great guitar work and an incredible voice. His set was a little less hip-hop, but a lot of soul. He captured a sound more in the vein of Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder.

Headliner Kuf Knotz doesn't just play hip-hop; he plays music for the people. His vibe, his image, and his sound is realistic, fun, and down-to-earth. Knotz doesn't see the idea of fame being about him individually, but more the music.

"Having your art recognized worldwide and praised in some sense," is how he defines fame. This mentality also can be seen through his outreach into the hip-hop community. Once a month Knotz puts together a show at World Cafe Live to highlight members of the Philadelphia hip-hop community. The show includes musicians, dance crews, painters and even artisan jewelers. The next BoomBox Collective show will be May 25.

His latest album, BoomBox Logic, represents what he feels is the major elements of original hip-hop.

"The BoomBox part of the title is just pretty much paying homage to the foundation of hip-hop," he explained. These fundamental elements include break dancing, D.J.-ing, M.C.-ing and graffiti; Knotz believes all these elements connect to the boom box, which include old-school rhymes and still staying relevant to modern times.

Knotz feels older rap was about either having fun or what was happening in the community and he tries to implement that into his sound. He usually comes up with a beat first and then develops the song lyrically, based on event that happened in his life in order to maintain a sense of realism within his music.

The band Knotz performs with is a great combination of old, classic sounds mixed with a modern dynamic. His guitarist plays slick '70s riffs that complement the smooth saxophone. For Friday's show, most of the beats and percussion were played off a laptop paired with a keyboard. There was also one instrument that stood out; one of his back-up singers played a saw.

Fans of The Roots or even Wyclef Jean will enjoy the thick electronic beats paired with a classic groove. His lyrics are simple and truthful, as heard in lines like "Looking in the mirror, and them tears just pile up" or "When I'm not doing this I enjoy the silence."

Near the end of the show, Knotz brought up The Co-Champs and Blaqmel to do a little freestyling, which is a tradition he does at most of his shows. All three did a few impromptu verses about self-love, peace, and a few "props" to Burlap and Bean.

Knotz ended the evening with "Sunny Philadelphia," and got the crowd to take their hands off the coffee mugs and get them in the air. The evening was a reminder that music isn't always about what you play; it’s how you play it. Folk, rock, country, hip-hop, as long as there is passion in the music there will always be an ear to listen.
- Marple Newtown Patch

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Burlap and Bean has always had a sense of family and community. On Friday, a different musical flavor was given at the coffeehouse, but still kept it about community and family—literally.

Opening act The Co-Champs feature twin brothers SammyDimes and Rob Incredible, whose beats and rhymes go against the mainsteam idea of hip-hop. Headliner Kuf Knotz preached on positivity and gave the audience the real flavor of Philly, and it didn't taste like cheesesteaks.

As for the family part, his back-up singers are his sisters. The Newtown Square coffeehouse isn't known for hip-hop, but their goal has always been to embrace the music of Philly and bring it to the suburbs. Friday evening's show gave the audience a real sound of hip-hop, which is about real life, good beats and even better rhymes.

The Co-Champs brothers create a sound that is highly influenced by the music their parents played while the two boys grew up in the '80s. Their home was filled with Thelonious Monk, The O'Jays, Marvin Gaye and Shaka Khan. They spent their first allowance on a Run DMC tape.

The Co-Champs still view their sound as a blend of musical influences. When putting a song together they find a core musical element, whether it's a sample from classical music or Steely Dan, as long as it comes together and creates a vibe that makes listeners want to move.

Their message is very much a part of what they want to represent in the hip-hop community, which is integrity. Sammy and Rob want to represent the "every man," and show that hip-hop isn't just about thug life and gold chains.

Their lyrics create an image so they don't have to. Lines like, "Voted most likely to blow up" and "Carpe Diem, that's my alma mater" are strong, smart and a little tongue-in-cheek. Their live show is very simple: two brothers, two mics and a backing track. The Co-Champs musically and physically mirror each other for most of the songs, but sometimes they back each other up as closely as an auditory shadow.

Blaqmel was a last minute addition to the bill for the evening. He took the stage with his guitar and mystified the crowd with some great guitar work and an incredible voice. His set was a little less hip-hop, but a lot of soul. He captured a sound more in the vein of Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder.

Headliner Kuf Knotz doesn't just play hip-hop; he plays music for the people. His vibe, his image, and his sound is realistic, fun, and down-to-earth. Knotz doesn't see the idea of fame being about him individually, but more the music.

"Having your art recognized worldwide and praised in some sense," is how he defines fame. This mentality also can be seen through his outreach into the hip-hop community. Once a month Knotz puts together a show at World Cafe Live to highlight members of the Philadelphia hip-hop community. The show includes musicians, dance crews, painters and even artisan jewelers. The next BoomBox Collective show will be May 25.

His latest album, BoomBox Logic, represents what he feels is the major elements of original hip-hop.

"The BoomBox part of the title is just pretty much paying homage to the foundation of hip-hop," he explained. These fundamental elements include break dancing, D.J.-ing, M.C.-ing and graffiti; Knotz believes all these elements connect to the boom box, which include old-school rhymes and still staying relevant to modern times.

Knotz feels older rap was about either having fun or what was happening in the community and he tries to implement that into his sound. He usually comes up with a beat first and then develops the song lyrically, based on event that happened in his life in order to maintain a sense of realism within his music.

The band Knotz performs with is a great combination of old, classic sounds mixed with a modern dynamic. His guitarist plays slick '70s riffs that complement the smooth saxophone. For Friday's show, most of the beats and percussion were played off a laptop paired with a keyboard. There was also one instrument that stood out; one of his back-up singers played a saw.

Fans of The Roots or even Wyclef Jean will enjoy the thick electronic beats paired with a classic groove. His lyrics are simple and truthful, as heard in lines like "Looking in the mirror, and them tears just pile up" or "When I'm not doing this I enjoy the silence."

Near the end of the show, Knotz brought up The Co-Champs and Blaqmel to do a little freestyling, which is a tradition he does at most of his shows. All three did a few impromptu verses about self-love, peace, and a few "props" to Burlap and Bean.

Knotz ended the evening with "Sunny Philadelphia," and got the crowd to take their hands off the coffee mugs and get them in the air. The evening was a reminder that music isn't always about what you play; it’s how you play it. Folk, rock, country, hip-hop, as long as there is passion in the music there will always be an ear to listen.
- Marple Newtown Patch

Some of the best career advice Kuf Knotz (aka Ty Green) remembers ever getting came a decade ago from the mouth of the late Philly soul giant Teddy Pendergrass, who told the budding rapper—who was just out of Harriton High—that he might want to steer clear of making music for a living.

“I grew up with his son, so I was over at their house a lot, and when Teddy found out I was rhymin’ and starting to play out, the first thing he told me was, ‘Are you sure you wanna get into it? It’s a crazy, cutthroat, ridiculous business.’”

Kuf laughs at the recollection. “I was like, ‘What?!’ But then he was like, ‘Stay focused and stay driven, and if you believe in what you’re doing, then no one can take that from you.’”

Now in his late 20s, those words have stuck with Kuf through 10 years and plenty of twists and turns on his way to becoming a local mainstay and emerging national artist. Weaned on everything from hip-hop and gospel to the Dead Milkmen and the Sex Pistols, Kuf was briefly inked to a solo deal with Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International Records in his late teens, though the label never released any of his recordings. After that came a stint in the hip-hop group Subtle Ground, which for a time was signed and mentored by DJ Jazzy Jeff. Then came the hip-hop/rock fusion band BurnDown All-Stars, with which Kuf recorded three albums. In recent years he’s been fronting the hip-hop/soul collective the Hustle, and now, finally, Kuf’s dropping his solo debut, BoomBox Logic, on Drexel’s MAD Dragon Records in October.

“I appreciate all the ups and downs I’ve had because it prepares you for everything,” says Kuf. “It can be very frustrating if things fall through, but it’s like, I definitely try to keep a positive outlook on everything and keep moving forward.”

That positivity—along with sterling beats, rhymes and grooves—buoys Logic, which nods to late ’80s/early ’90s Golden Era hip-hop (particularly on the irrepressible “Sunny Philadelphia”) yet updates the template with modern electronics, live instrumentation, and fresh production techniques. Kuf’s deft elocution is from the Mos Def/Talib Kweli school of flow, and a who’s who of Philly-bred talent—Mutlu, G. Love, Allison Polans and other longtime friends and collaborators of Kuf’s—drop by to add plenty of variety and texture.

As has been his goal with BurnDown and the Hustle, Kuf hopes to unite different musical factions with the new album. “There’s a lot of raw underground hip-hop heads in this city, but my goal is to bridge a gap there. A lot of those people you don’t see at live shows and vice versa, where the people coming out to live shows, you don’t see them at DJ/MC shows. I’d love to bridge that gap.”

Whatever happens, Kuf continues to take Pendergrass’ words to heart. “I always remind myself that you can’t let anything stop you if you wanna get somewhere. And as long as you have something dope and special to offer, you’ll be all right.” (M.A.G.)




- The Philly Weekly

The diverse music series WHYY Presents will feature hip-hop artist Kuf Knotz in an exclusive performance taking place 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Thursday, May 26 at WHYY, 105 N. 6th Street. Tickets are $15.00 for WHYY members and $20.00 non-members and include appetizers, unlimited beer and wine, and dessert.

Kuf (pronounced “Koof”) Knotz, who grew up in Bryn Mawr and now lives in Philadelphia, has performed with hip-hop pioneer Schoolly D and earned the distinction of being the first hip-hop artist to open for Bruce Springsteen when “The Boss” performed at a rally held on Ben Franklin Parkway during Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

“It’s a live presentation of hip-hop, in a sense, because I rhyme, but musically it’s pretty much genre-less, it’s like all across the board,” Knotz said of his music in a recent interview. “We mix jazz, funk, folk — it’s really soulful though. The core of it’s very soulful, but we don’t have any limits as far as music goes.”

Knotz promises to deliver a very special performance designed particularly for WHYY viewers. “This will be an intimate show,” he said. “We’ll have the full band with us — drum, bass, keys and guitar. We’ll have a vocalist with us who also plays the saw. She plays that and she also plays the ukulele.”

Describing his music as a “positive experience,” Knotz adds, “I talk about everyday things that I go through, and I’m sure people listening go through. There’re songs where I deal with love and relationships as well as partying, and also there’s songs about just taking time to reflect on everything and get yourself in a peaceful place. So it’s a wide spectrum, but all stuff that people can relate to.”

“WHYY prides itself on connecting its audiences with the very best in arts and culture,” said WHYY Community Relations Coordinator Mandy Dollar. “We do this on-air through our local arts programs ‘On Canvas’ and ‘Friday Arts’ and off-air through events like the WHYY Presents Music Series — a monthly event series showcasing both national and local talent from a variety of genres.

“Just as WHYY strives to connect its audience together through the arts, Kuf Knotz strives to connect his audience together through his music. Kuf transcends stereotypes and musical genres, and we feel that his positive message of love and community is one that should be heard.” - The Philadelphia Tribune

In 2007, Swarthmore native Kuf Knotz toured the country with the BurnDown All-Stars, playing packed venues and converting thousands of fans along the way. It was all due to being featured on the Fuse TV reality series, “Bodog Music Battle of the Bands.”

But the bright lights of Hollywood didn’t do much to cultivate the band. In fact, it broke them up.

“We were eight MCs and five band members, so their big thing was, ‘You guys will never make it, because you’re too big of a band,’” explains Knotz. “Then they started telling us certain members needed to go in order to get a record deal. When we got back, we had a lot interest from labels, but it was the same thing: We’re too big.”

Apparently, the powers that be never heard of the Roots.

These days, Knotz is promoting his first solo album, “BoomBox Logic,” in as many local venues as he can find, from coffee shops to outdoor festivals. On Saturday, he’s scheduled for double duty: By day he’s playing the Jam at the Grove Festival in Ottsville Pa., and by night he headlines an enormous bill of hip-hop acts at the Fire.

He’s even made inroads at WXPN — a station that’s not exactly a hip-hop destination.

“I don’t intentionally try to crossover, but I’m just open. I listen to everything,” says Knotz. “When I play XPN events, a lot of times their core fan base will approach me and say something like, ‘I’m not really into that hip-hop, rap stuff, but I enjoy your music,’ so I guess there’s something about it that’s easier for them to swallow.” - The Metro

WXPN favorite Kuf Knotz isn’t the first musician in the history of hip hop to go solo after a history of band collaborations. He is, however, one of the major names in Philadelphia’s hip hop scene—and, when the former frontman of BurnDown All Stars and The Hustle announced the upcoming release of his solo debut earlier this year, we couldn’t help but get giddy with excitement. Now that we’ve got a copy of BoomBox Logic at our desk, we can say with complete assurance that—even if the path that led Kuf to a burgeoning solo career might be a well-traveled one—the result is an album that takes listeners to a bevy of new places. Prior to his record-(pre-)release show at World Cafe Live tomorrow night, Kuf spoke with The Key about dealing with band dynamics, working with Drexel University’s student-run MAD Dragon Records, and his willingness to sign the dotted line. (Potential major-label suitors, take note…) - The Key

You don’t find too many rappers spreading love in the City of the Brotherly kind. And one wouldn’t blame Kuf Knotz for getting his ice grill on if he were so inclined. Kuf’s always been an outlier, the guy who you recognized with his trademark dreads and UFO pants sliding quielty in and out of the party but was always doing SOMETHING you weren’t up on yet like working with Philadlephia radio and industry vets like G Love, Chuck Treece, Mutlu and Cee Knolwedge of Digable Planet.

When I started putting the pieces together, Kuf was making serious waves as one of the founders of the twelve man hip hop band Burndown All-Stars, eventually garnering a spot on FUSE TV’s “Battle of the Bands” show.

When the city slowed down and the hip hop scene became YouTubed corner wars for play on WorldStar and ploys to sign evaporating deals with Bad Boy, G-Unit and Atlantic, a guy like Kuf should have become extinct. His Golden Era vibe and playful tone wasn’t a common feeling in the scene anymore. Even The Roots weren’t smiling (check their last three records). But the Laws of Attraction seemingly paid off for Kuf during the murky times when venues were closing, hip hop sales became anemic, and one too many rappers became empowered with MySpace and handheld cameras. He kickstarted a new band coincidentally called The Hustle and got to, well, hustling. Jampacked shows, media coverage, and on-air spins at WXPN soon followed.

Now Kuf Knotz is going for dolo. Partnering with MAD Dragon Records and calling in appearances from a wide spectrum of Philadelphia’s best rappers, songwriters, and musicians like Hezekiah, Reef the Lost Cauze, Charlie Patierno, George Standford, Sharon Little, his LP Boom Box Logic admittedly is the best summer hip hop album to drop in October that I’ve ever heard (and I’m not just saying that because myself and Curly Castro are on the massive hidden posse cut at the end of the disc…whoops!). His lead single “Sunny Philadelphia” is getting heavy rotation on WXPN at prime listening hours. And the songwriting and production value rivals most major label releases.

This past Saturday was his album release party at the prestigious World Cafe Live. Another packed house, another good time, another room full of hot women who never go to any other rap shows in the 215. It’s time to crank your Radio Raheem shoulder blower and let Kuf Knotz learn you something. - Clap Cowards Blog Spot

You don’t find too many rappers spreading love in the City of the Brotherly kind. And one wouldn’t blame Kuf Knotz for getting his ice grill on if he were so inclined. Kuf’s always been an outlier, the guy who you recognized with his trademark dreads and UFO pants sliding quielty in and out of the party but was always doing SOMETHING you weren’t up on yet like working with Philadlephia radio and industry vets like G Love, Chuck Treece, Mutlu and Cee Knolwedge of Digable Planet.

When I started putting the pieces together, Kuf was making serious waves as one of the founders of the twelve man hip hop band Burndown All-Stars, eventually garnering a spot on FUSE TV’s “Battle of the Bands” show.

When the city slowed down and the hip hop scene became YouTubed corner wars for play on WorldStar and ploys to sign evaporating deals with Bad Boy, G-Unit and Atlantic, a guy like Kuf should have become extinct. His Golden Era vibe and playful tone wasn’t a common feeling in the scene anymore. Even The Roots weren’t smiling (check their last three records). But the Laws of Attraction seemingly paid off for Kuf during the murky times when venues were closing, hip hop sales became anemic, and one too many rappers became empowered with MySpace and handheld cameras. He kickstarted a new band coincidentally called The Hustle and got to, well, hustling. Jampacked shows, media coverage, and on-air spins at WXPN soon followed.

Now Kuf Knotz is going for dolo. Partnering with MAD Dragon Records and calling in appearances from a wide spectrum of Philadelphia’s best rappers, songwriters, and musicians like Hezekiah, Reef the Lost Cauze, Charlie Patierno, George Standford, Sharon Little, his LP Boom Box Logic admittedly is the best summer hip hop album to drop in October that I’ve ever heard (and I’m not just saying that because myself and Curly Castro are on the massive hidden posse cut at the end of the disc…whoops!). His lead single “Sunny Philadelphia” is getting heavy rotation on WXPN at prime listening hours. And the songwriting and production value rivals most major label releases.

This past Saturday was his album release party at the prestigous World Cafe Live. Another packed house, another good time, another room full of hot women who never go to any other rap shows in the 215. It’s time to crank your Radio Raheem shoulder blower and let Kuf Knotz learn you something. - The City Paper

After a rising career that includes stints with Subtle Ground, Burndown All-Stars, the Hustle and lending his skills to almost every Philly artist from Ursula Rucker to Lizanne Knott, Kuf Knotz finally kicks it solo with BoomBox Logic (Mad Dragon Records). While the party is at Kuf’s house, he’s invited guests like Digable Planets’ Doodlebug, and locals like Chuck Treece, G-Love and Sharon Little to lend to his vision. Boombox Logic is a carousel ride of styles: big, swirly doo-wop harmonies, guitar solos, obese beats and electronic shimmies and bloops all hung on Kuf’s smooth, smart rhymes. The CD release show should be a blast, ’cause Kuf’s got all sorts of friends, and a slew of guests will be on hand to hype the party.
T.M. - Philadelphia Weekly