Found out about this guy through www.VinylAthletes.blogspot.com Damn great album, Jazz beats & Wicked Rhymes - I ask for nothin' more from my idiology of great Hip-Hop
From the musical inspirations of hiphop greats such as Pete Rock, Dj Premier, 45 king, Rza, and Organized Konfusion comes California Bay Area resident Kero One. Kero One has been rhyming, deejaying and collecting records since the early 90’s. Influenced by such groups and albums such as Gangstarr's "step into the arena", Nas’s “Illmatic”, Lord Finesse, Pharcyde, Common Sense and N.W.A., Kero One was truly drawn to emceeing and rhyming. However, it wasn't until the age of 15 when he began getting down in freestyle ciphers at shows, hiphop clubs and writing his own lyrics. Inspired by college radio and freestyle battles such as the "Hieroglyphics Vs. HoboJunction battle on KMEL's legendary Wake Up Show, he would participate in radio shows, such as the Bay Areas 10 O'clock Bomb freestyle battle segment. There he would spit verses and receive props and recognition from Wake Up Show host “Sway”. In 1996, he began collaborating with friends to record tracks and enjoyed working with different producers. However, demanding "that specific sound" from various producers was harder than originally expected. Kero then decided to take things into his own hands. He would now begin his venture as an emcee, producer and deejay.
In the summer of 2003, Kero One released his first 12" record entitled “Check the Blueprints”, based on jazzy beats and metaphor heavy lyrics. Within a month of its release, positive reviews and recognition poured in from record stores, dj's, to record labels everywhere selling over 9000 units. In addition, “Check The Blueprints” reached top 5 spots on radio and deejay playlists worldwide . Several months later, Kero One was recognized by Japanese promoters and a label called Jazzysport.com and was invited for a nationwide Japan Tour in January of 2004, headlining shows for artists such as Dj Mitsu the beats.
Shortly after the Japan Tour, Kero One released a slew of hiphop 12" records and a full length debut album which had reached number 10 top downloaded hiphop album on itunes japan and #2 purchased underground hihpop album on tower records charts.
Today, Kero One’s records receive spins from Dj's such as Jazzy Jeff, Questlove of the Roots, Quantic, Giles Peterson, and Dj Mitsu the beats. In addition, Kero One has been offered a multitude of collaborative efforts including production work for US3 , famous for their track “cantaloupe” back in 1993, Aloe Blacc from Stonesthrow Records as well as production work for Grand Puba from the group Brand Nubian.
Anyways Have a listen to this gem - An it's not the best track on the album - not by a long way
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