Cloud NI9E featured on Hydeout Album

by

Besides the great sensei DJ Krush, no Japanese producer has ever influenced the global sound scape at the magnitude the late great Nujabes did; from his soundtrack of “Samurai Champloo,” the “Luv Sic” series with Shing02, to his phenomenal solo projects, it’s an understatement to say that he left his mark on music. I remember begging my former engineer Mez to lend me his Samurai Champloo DVD’s and writing for hours to his mellow, jazzy instrumentals. He was and always will be definitely a noticeable part of my Hip Hop experience.

Nujabes released his music through the Hydeout label and they manage a store called Tribe. A new project from the Hydeout label “Black Foliage” will be released on 12/18 and features my producer Cloud NI9E. It’s even more impressive that Cise Starr rocks the track; the Florida MC has been on my radar since he merked “Steady” with his group Cyne. Oh yeah… 9th Wonder is also on the project too… Be sure to cop this one, I’m more than sure that it’ll be available on the Tribe site.

Hyde Out Cover

New Performance Footage

by

My friend Tefari Casas was kind enough to shoot and upload performance footage of 2FS (my group with Orukusaki) from 11/08 from the Legionnaire Saloon in Oakland. It was the first time performing our “Kali Kaliphs” joint and it went pretty damn good. Thanks to all my people that came out to the show. Peace to DJ Manifest for holding down our set and Citizen from the Understudies Crew for organizing the event.



Interview on Vietnamese Television

by

Kensho Kuma and Cloud NI9E were featured on “Sharing Vietnam” on VTC 10; it’s a nationally broadcasted program in Vietnam. We were invited to the television studio before our Hanoi CAMA ATK show during our Asia tour last summer, and the original interview aired 09/11/2013. Thank you to Ms. Phuong Lien and the VTC10 crew for doing such a phenomenal job. I’ll probably upload the unedited version to my youtube account as well.

12/28 Hip Hop for Change Holiday Party

by

My comrade Khafre of the BPos crew runs Hip Hop for Change, an organization dedicated to educating people about socio-economic injustice and empowering them through Hip Hop. As you can see, Khafre is not playing around at all.

It’s an honor to be performing at the Hip Hop for Change 12/28 Holiday Party @ the Elbo Room. (647 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110.) My crew 2FS (Orukusaki x Kensho Kuma) will be rocking alongside BPos, Seneca, Mint Rock (Bored Stiff,) Davu and the Bottom Hammer Band.

Hip Hop for Change Flier

First Live Performance of 2014

by

The first live performance of 2014 will be on 02/28 @ the Rooster’s Roadhouse in Alameda (1700 Clement Ave, Alameda 94501.)
It’s my first time performing at this venue and the comrade Paulie Rhyme will be in the house performing with his band. New 2FS (Kensho Kuma x Orukusaki) songs will be debuted from the upcoming project. Mark your calendars and be sure to come through.

SOLROOST (767x1024)

12/08 Kensho Kuma w/ DJ Kevvy Kev @ the Boom Boom Room

by

Yours truly will be headlining the Boom Boom Room in SF on December 8th, 2013. I am the featured artist at the ongoing weekly freestyle jam session “Return of the Cypher” which goes down Sunday nights. Been going regularly this month and my freestyle instincts are back to where they need to be. 12/08 will be a half hour bilingual set (that’s so appropriate since Boom Boom Room is across the street from Japantown) and veteran DJ Kevvy Kev will be holding down my set. ROTC MC’s will be in effect as usual. If you’re a vocalist of any kind, you’re more than welcome to participate in the open mic segment of the show. Oh yeah, it’s free admission.

boom boom flier

ROTC Kuma banner

11/23 Kensho Kuma Rocking w/ Scarub and Kirby Dominant

by

Yours truly has just been added to the 11/23 Scarub show @ the Live Musician’s Co-op in Santa Rosa (925 Piner Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.) As you may know, Scarub is a founding member of the Living Legends collective and also belongs to the 3MG’s with Eligh and the Grouch. The Legends were probably the first to demonstrate to me the pure freedom and power of doing Hip Hop independently; I remember them rocking a packed venue in Shinjuku, Japan back in 2001. I recall being amazed by the support they received in my home country; in other words, I credit them for giving me part of my blueprint.

Scarub Show

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“California Sunrise” by Scarub. Produced by my comrade CAV3.

Kirby Dominant is like every Berkeley MC’s kind and funky uncle always surrounded by fine felines. He’s now in a group called “Paranoid Castle” with the Canadian producer Factor.

Shout outs to my potna Pure for getting me on the bill. Look up for his upcoming debut album.

11/22 Conscious Hip Hop Night @ the Gilman

by

Yours truly will be hosting the monthly Conscious Hip Hop event @ the Gilman on November 22nd, 2013. The Gilman is a historical punk rock venue founded back in 1986 and famous bands like Rancid, Green Day, and NOFX spawned their careers there. The venue has a no alcohol, no drugs, no homophobia, no violence, etc. policy, so it’s appropriate for all ages.. I just found out that the Gilman even has a book documenting their history. My folks, the Globelotters Collective, started the first Hip Hop events at the venue earlier this year; I’ve performed twice at the monthly party and it was a pleasant experience both times. This month I will be hosting the biggest Conscious Hip Hop Night thus far; the event will feature a total of eight up-and-coming acts, including my comrades One Werd and Acmaculate One.

November Gilman Flier

“the Program EP” SE Asia+Japan Tour 2013 Pics/ Clip

by

Kensho Kuma & Cloud NI9E SE Asia/ Japan Summer Tour Clip

The complete SE Asia/ Japan Tour 2013 pics are available here. Thanks to everyone that made this successful tour possible… I had the time of my life!!

At Club Grease in Bangkok, Thailand. Big up’s to DJ Tob from the BKK Invaders.

At CAMA ATK in Hanoi, Vietnam.

At Club Lush in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. Peace to CJ C-Zero… You’re an awesome photographer and certified party animal.

At Lush in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

At Mix Bar in Shimane, Japan. Shout out’s to MC Hiro and Sannta from the 裏美亭crew.

 

 

Live at the Legionnaire 11/08/13

by

Yours truly will be rocking the Legionnaire Saloon in Oakland on 11/08/13. 2FS (Kensho Kuma X Orukusaki) will be debuting some new material. Aesop Fables from the Living Legends, Foreign Legion, and the Understudies Crew will also be in the building.

Legionnairre Show

 
As a world-traveling MC, I really empathize with this Prozack track… I don’t get homesick like him, but yes I definitely miss CA Mexican food when I am overseas…