Kero One - Welcome To The Bay 12" [Plug Label]

Former web designer by day and rapper / producer / DJ by night, Kero One, stands as a true testament to the do-it-yourself success story. His early career was marked by endless hours of researching, cold calling, and networking to gain exposure for his debut, self produced project Windmills Of The Soul.

Persistence paid off with a little help from fate when one of the 50 copies of his album was picked up in a tiny record store in Tokyo, Japan. Success was immediate, as Windmills Of The Soul became a hit overnight, which opened the floodgates for international touring and performance opportunities.

Three years later, after a Best Hip Hop Album of 2006 award and collabos with Talib Kweli and Mark Farina, Kero One is back with his sophomore album entitled Early Believers, via his label, Plug Label. Modulating from soulful jazz tinged tracks to upbeat synth-driven party bangers, Kero One features some his favorite vocalists such as Giles Peterson protégé UK singer Ben Westbeech, Finland's own modern day "Stevie Wonder," and Portland's Ohmega Watts. Early Believers will be released in April 2009, just in time for spring cleaning and summer fun.

Kero One's opening track on his long awaited sophomore album Early Believers describes the diversity of his hometown, San Francisco. "Welcome to the Bay" tells the story of Northern California sunshine, the pursuit of the American Dream, and the wealth of Silicon Valley juxtaposed with poverty and drugs. Imagine Will Smith's voice enhanced with the styles of Common, Q-Tip, and Kanye West, and you've got Kero One. "Welcome To The Bay" is the Bay Area version of "Summertime." Grab your shades and ride with us.

"No matter how long I can stay / I'll be here / No matter how long I'm away / I'll be there"

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.