Known for spearheading the Jazz-Hop genre, Kero One, a San Francisco rapper… Read Full Bio ↴Known for spearheading the Jazz-Hop genre, Kero One, a San Francisco rapper/producer/DJ, stands as a testament to the do-it-yourself success story.
Using only his homemade studio and personal credit card, Kero One pressed and released his first 12” record Check the Blueprints in 2003 on his own imprint, Plug Label. Without any experience as to how he should distribute his new record, Kero One spent endless hours researching, cold calling, and seeking help from friends. Of the 50 copies that were eventually distributed around the world, one landed in a tiny record store in Tokyo, Japan. A few weeks later, it was found by a Japanese DJ who played it at a club that night and received dozens of inquires, including a Japanese label executive who immediately contacted Kero One and asked for 3,000 copies of the record. The record, “Check the Blueprints” became an underground Hiphop classic in Japan, and Kero One was invited to tour the country just a few months after. He performed in cities throughout Japan where he was greeted by hundreds of fans waiting to take photographs and autographs, much to his surprise. It was at this point that making a career out of music became a reality.
Kero One went on to finish his first album, Windmills of the Soul, in 2005, handling everything from playing instruments, rapping, and sound engineering. Without a strong label backing or a street team, Kero One handled almost all the business himself. From promotions and marketing, manufacturing, finances, art direction and web design, Kero One personally handed out promos to tastemakers anywhere he could find them. Eventually the hard work paid off, and Windmills of the Soul garnered respect in many circles for Kero One’s thought provoking lyrics and musical soundscapes which fused live instruments with dusty analog samples. It wasn’t long before Kero One quit his job as a web designer in 2006 to pursue music full time. Since 2006, Kero One has been awarded the title of Best HipHop Album of 2006 from Remix magazine Japan, topped iTunes hiphop charts, received praise from artists all over the world like multi Grammy award winning producer Will.i.am of Black Eyed peas, the legendary Stevie Wonder, Emmy nominated jazz singer Jaime Cullum, and multi award winning Korean Hiphop groups Epik High and Dynamic Duo. Kero One has also performed with artists like Stevie Wonder, Blu + Exile, Far East Movement, KRS 1, Dougie Fresh, Epik High, Jay Park, Dynamic Duo & Simon D. Kero One’s Music has been heard in Printemps Mall in Paris, Takashimaya mall in Tokyo, Hyatt hotels, and Tv Shows like Anthony Bourdain Layover and Fuse TV. Additionally, Kero One has collaborated with artists from all over the globe like Talib Kweli, Aloe Blacc, Epik High (KOREA), Ben Westbeech (UK), Dj Deckstream (JAPAN), David Choi, Fashawn, Shing02, Dumbfoundead, The Sound Providers, Dj Mitsu, Dynamic Duo (KOREA) and many others.
As of 2012, Kero One has released four full length solo albums. His fourth solo album “Color Theory”, raised over $10,000 from fans who wanted to help fund it on Kickstarter. Kero One is a full time rapper, producer, and DJ. Check out his work on his youtube channel (www.youtube.com/keroonetv).
Using only his homemade studio and personal credit card, Kero One pressed and released his first 12” record Check the Blueprints in 2003 on his own imprint, Plug Label. Without any experience as to how he should distribute his new record, Kero One spent endless hours researching, cold calling, and seeking help from friends. Of the 50 copies that were eventually distributed around the world, one landed in a tiny record store in Tokyo, Japan. A few weeks later, it was found by a Japanese DJ who played it at a club that night and received dozens of inquires, including a Japanese label executive who immediately contacted Kero One and asked for 3,000 copies of the record. The record, “Check the Blueprints” became an underground Hiphop classic in Japan, and Kero One was invited to tour the country just a few months after. He performed in cities throughout Japan where he was greeted by hundreds of fans waiting to take photographs and autographs, much to his surprise. It was at this point that making a career out of music became a reality.
Kero One went on to finish his first album, Windmills of the Soul, in 2005, handling everything from playing instruments, rapping, and sound engineering. Without a strong label backing or a street team, Kero One handled almost all the business himself. From promotions and marketing, manufacturing, finances, art direction and web design, Kero One personally handed out promos to tastemakers anywhere he could find them. Eventually the hard work paid off, and Windmills of the Soul garnered respect in many circles for Kero One’s thought provoking lyrics and musical soundscapes which fused live instruments with dusty analog samples. It wasn’t long before Kero One quit his job as a web designer in 2006 to pursue music full time. Since 2006, Kero One has been awarded the title of Best HipHop Album of 2006 from Remix magazine Japan, topped iTunes hiphop charts, received praise from artists all over the world like multi Grammy award winning producer Will.i.am of Black Eyed peas, the legendary Stevie Wonder, Emmy nominated jazz singer Jaime Cullum, and multi award winning Korean Hiphop groups Epik High and Dynamic Duo. Kero One has also performed with artists like Stevie Wonder, Blu + Exile, Far East Movement, KRS 1, Dougie Fresh, Epik High, Jay Park, Dynamic Duo & Simon D. Kero One’s Music has been heard in Printemps Mall in Paris, Takashimaya mall in Tokyo, Hyatt hotels, and Tv Shows like Anthony Bourdain Layover and Fuse TV. Additionally, Kero One has collaborated with artists from all over the globe like Talib Kweli, Aloe Blacc, Epik High (KOREA), Ben Westbeech (UK), Dj Deckstream (JAPAN), David Choi, Fashawn, Shing02, Dumbfoundead, The Sound Providers, Dj Mitsu, Dynamic Duo (KOREA) and many others.
As of 2012, Kero One has released four full length solo albums. His fourth solo album “Color Theory”, raised over $10,000 from fans who wanted to help fund it on Kickstarter. Kero One is a full time rapper, producer, and DJ. Check out his work on his youtube channel (www.youtube.com/keroonetv).
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@elfi_apfelkuchen
Verse 1: Kero One]
It's time to pump up the volume all you in the area
From suburbs, slums and ghettos through America
I’m here to break the barriers unify you and I
Cause under one God we all are humankind
No matter the race, creed, color, or state of mind
There’s much to celebrate in this space and time
So I...deliver these rhymes to uplift the mind
Spirit and soul with every rhyme I unfold
And hold my head low and stay humble
Cause who knows what piece tomorrow will bring to the puzzle
I huddle my hands together and give praise
No matter the weather God’s sun provides the rays
And lights the way through this desolate maze
Where the obstacles of life can leave your confidence dazed
But I maintain through strife struggle and strain
Gain character from persevering through pain
And it’s strange how I’ve complained when others have had it worse
Lacking in understanding of the next mans hurt
But now I comprehend as I write this verse
So today I give thanks, “today ya giving what?”
So today I give praise, “Kero One say it again”
So today we rejoice as we spit these words
[Hook: Kero One & Niamaj]
Saying... thanks, for the roof over our heads
As we rejoice, for every day that we’re fed
We giving praise ya’ll, to the creator above
For giving us hope in life and promoting the love
We give thanks, for the roof over our heads
As we rejoice, for every day that we’re fed
We giving praise ya'll to the creator above
For giving us this chance to expand the love
[Verse 2: Niamaj]
The earth rapidly rotates at a miraculous rate
And we still seek to find the definition of appreciate
The gift of life is a gift in itself see
And this goes out to middle class broke and wealthy
I like to recognize all the things in my lifetime
Stayin' alive or the ability to write rhymes
Uplift the mind through these treacherous times
I give props to all mighty cause the sun still shines
I walk the earth mad cool with a righteous attitude
Manifest my humbleness and express my gratitude
Realize the worth and quality of things that I got
Cause all things that you have kid you might have not
As I drop you say “word” but check the words that I say
Just like the Lord giveth he can taketh away
And today I take time to realize the strife
Of many people with they conflicts and difficult lives
Open your ears wide, I hope the message ya get
And if you’re broke with no job or financially set let’s correct
The issues at hand the moves we faking
And start demonstrating the love for appreciation
Like Mobb Deep we got ya stuck off the realness
And motivate so ya next to kin will feel this
We on drive ya best peel quick
Niamaj and Kero One’s bout to tell ya what the deal is
Not to preach or bore ya with flows
Celebration is the key so the chorus it goes...
[Verse 3: Kero One & Niamaj]
We give thanks for the roof over our heads
And rejoice, for every day that we're fed
We give praise for good peoples around us
Uplifting the spirit let progression surround us
And count the blessings found in life’s lessons
With every negative there’s a positive message
So step in these shoes for just a few
They may fit snug, if so we’re talking to you
Our story unfolds in a town with a beautiful view
Where money flows through pockets but people still feud
And closer to the ground, bums hunger for food
Embracing nickels of hope or pennies just for booze
While we view, the television we see
People at war with each other, themselves, and we
Dying by the thousands, how thankful we be
So I’m trying to keep it moving “cause there’s a reason we’re free”
I said we gotta keep it moving “theres a reason we’re free”
Yo we trying to make moves “one time for ya mind”
I said we gotta keep it moving
So we find humility...and give thanks to thee
@joellindow
Wow. Real Hip-hop. Got some Jazzy samples, awesomely legit beats, and music with a great message. You guys are real artists, and I love listening to your stuff daily. Keep spreading the music. Don't let the art die! One Love, in Christ.
@Mysaderipa
I was 11 when listenin to it
Now 20 man feel alrezdy old
@gunbbang121
This Jazz/HipHop/Soul fusion that you bring to the table are some great stuff, i listened to 4 of your songs and instantly became a fan
@dasikone
real talk, keep the truth spreading through good music kero
@closedupshop4172
11 years later, still just as good as its always been
@marracoyita00
Kero one is really good!!!!! I enjoy it!!!!
@assemblage23fan
i don't see how there could be a dislike.. I like
@Engle777
Its Thanksgiving ... and Thanks for this song chill guy!!!!!!
@Nonchalant82
real! hip-hop!!! anxiously waitin on u to blow up Kero!!!
@zionite
Massive tunes, selecta... Thanks.