Kensho Kuma

Cloud NI9E Debut Solo Album Dropping 11/19

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Cloud NI9E will be finally dropping his debut solo album “Alternative” on 11/19. The Tokyo based producer released “the Program EP” with me last May and completed a successful Japan/ South East tour in the summer of ’13. He was also hand selected by Nujabes’ Hydeout label to become a member of the “Ficus” collective, which was specifically designed to carry on the late Japanese mastermind’s sonic legacy. This collective also enlisted 9th Wonder of Jay-Z/ Little Brother fame. The “Alternative” debut features two tracks by yours truly and one from my crew member Orukusaki.

http://www.cloudni9e.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/jacket.jpg

TRACK LIST :
1. Recollection
2. Everlasting feat. Orukusaki
3. Bird’s Eye View
4. Peaceful Warrior feat. Kensho Kuma & Justin Murta
5. Stages feat. Cise Starr (from CYNE)
6. Kazamidori
7. Suicidal Psychology feat. Chiba Chemist
8. Stand Alone (Musou remix) feat. Audace
9. Botanique feat. Pumpkin
10. Talking all days feat. David Whitaker
11. One Day
12. Life Work feat. Kensho Kuma
13. Tokyo kid ~Split style~ feat. Kemui
14. My heart is a melody
15. Home
16. Eclipse (Kamiaritsuki pt.2)



R.A. the Rugged Man’s “Definition of a Rap Flow” Contest

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I submitted a song to the “Definition of a Rap Flow” contest being hosted by R.A. the Rugged Man. I thought it was really cool how contestants can choose from Mr. Green instrumentals… instead of barring out at Super Saiyan 1000%, I remade a song to “the Dangerous Three” beat.

I usually don’t care about contests, but R.A. has really had a significant influence on me… one of the first instrumentals I remember attempting to record a song to back in the 90’s was “Till my Heart Stops.” Dude has paid dues forever and the “Legends Never Die” album is probably my favorite album to come out in recent years. This contest is also being judged by Talib Kweli and Vinnie Paz, who are without a doubt in my top artists list.

HH4C in the Media

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As you probably know by now, Hip Hop 4 Change is a non-profit organization dedicated to making socioeconomic change through the educational implementation of Hip Hop; what that means is that the members go out to campuses and teach academic skills from a Hip Hop stance using its own curriculum. The organization also throws its own events showcasing local talent; the acts are specifically selected to reintroduce and emphasize the core beliefs/ morals of our culture, which are peace, love, unity, and having fun. We are opposed to the mainstream glamorization of sexism, drug abuse, homophobia, materialism, and gang violence; we believe that these problems are not/ should not be the only available representation of our culture, people, or community.

HH4C have been receiving lots of coverage in the media recently. Yours truly is briefly included in the East Bay Express article. Director/ BPos MC Khafre Jay was also featured on a KPIX segment titled “Oakland Rappers Want to Change the Game with Positivity.”

ROTC x HH4C First Annual “Hip Hop Toy Drive”

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Not all children receive toys during the holiday season. We can do our part in changing this. On December 21st, 2014, ROTC will be teaming up with Hip Hop for Change, to host our first annual “Hip Hop Holiday Toy Drive.” Hip Hop for Change is a non-profit organization dedicated to combating the detrimental messages of corporate Rap music and social injustice, through educational outreach, grassroots activism, and real Hip Hop showcases. All collected toys will be donated to City Team at their San Francisco and Oakland locations; the toys will be then distributed to children living in low-income communities. Our culture is for the people, by the people. Let’s bring some toys for kids in the hood.

ROTC x HH4C

 

 

ROTC- Every Sunday Night @ the Boom Boom Room

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ROTC (Return of the Cypher) is a freestyle jam session which occurs every Sunday night @ the Boom Boom Room in San Francisco. The Gem Stone band provides live instrumentation and veteran DJ Kevvy Kev holds down the ones and twos. Special featured guests rock almost every week. Myself, Orukusaki, Slice 9, and MC Mars usually alternate as hosts. All MC’s and vocalists are encouraged to attend and participate in the cyphers, which probably takes up more than 2 and a half hours of each Sunday night. Oh, and it’s absolutely free!

If you are an emcee, you have to be willing to freestyle… period… it’s just part of the craft. And this is the perfect boot camp/ church/ gym/ whatever you want it to be!

ROTC New

Infinite “Double Beatdown” Video

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Infinite is a seasoned veteran of the Bay Area Hip Hop scene; when I was finishing up my undergraduate degree at SFSU in the early 2000’s, him and Wonway were widely recognized for being unfuckwitable in the local battle/ open-mic circuit. The “Double Beatdown” concept refers to his dual mastery of MCing and beatboxing. It was shot at the Return of the Cypher event at the Boom Boom Room, and features a brief cameo of basically everyone,  including your truly.

Breathless “Go Crazy” Video

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Breathless is a comrade of mine who routinely rocks with us at “Return of the Cypher.” I have always been thoroughly impressed with her live performance (she dressed up as Michael Jackson one time and merked it,) and her radiant personality shines through on the brand new “Go Crazy” video. It features cameos from ROTC soldiers MC Mars, Jay Peezy, and yours truly. Make-up/ costume designs by Sara Stylism and directed by Beto Moon Cricket Lopez.

2FS Live @Allattractive x OMF Daytime Party 09/27/14

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2FS (Orukusaki x Kensho Kuma) will be performing live at the Allattractive x OMF daytime party at the Legionnaire on 09/27/14. Allattractive is an awesome independent clothing brand masterminded by the homie Allcreative; his gear is regularly rocked by heads that actually are active in the scene.. I believe this is evident of his label supporting the artists putting in work and vice versa. Oakland Music Festival is celebrating its second year in the Uptown District of Downtown Oakland. It’s a multi-genre, indoor/ outdoor festival and they are partnering up with local venues to host additional showcases. My crew will be @the Legionnaire showcase. The main line-up available here, and features the comrades Latin Soul Brothers and Kool Kyle.

OMF Flier one

ROTC Halloween Costume MC Battle

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My weekly event that I help organize, “Return of the Cypher” is hosting its first annual Halloween Costume MC Battle. All MC’s must have a costume, and must rap as their character. My crew member Orukusaki is the host and the crowd is the judge. My cousin 510 Japanda Thug will take part, so please come help save the pandas.
ROTC Halloween

Kensho Kuma Opening for MC Jin

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Alright, who remembers MC Jin? The Chinese American rapper who shocked the nation by guillotining all opponents on the 106 and Park “Freestyle Friday” competitions in the early 2000’s? He would go on to become the first Asian American rapper signed to a major label when he got down with the Ruff Ryders label; his debut album “Rest is History” gained mediocre commercial success with the single “Learn Chinese.” Jin suffered highly publicized battle rap losses to Serius Jones and Iron Solomon in the post- Ruff Ryders, moved to Hong Kong and became a born again Christian, became a highly successful Asian musical act, and moved back to the states in 2012.

Yours truly will be opening for MC Jin in Oakland on 09/19/2014 at Club Zoe in Oakland.

 

Undivided Flier