Kaze (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Kaze real name Kevin Clarence Thomas, is a rapper from North Carolina
.
, initially majoring in criminal justice
, but switching to English, and then radio, television and motion pictures. Kaze's first claim to fame was as founder of the Hip-Hop Nation on-campus organization, aimed at promoting local MCs, DJs, poets, and graffiti artists. He followed this with the nationally syndicated television show Hip-Hop Nation in 2001, which he co-created and produced. He then started his own Soul Dojo record label, the first release on which was his 2003 debut album, Spirit of '94. The album was picked up by BCD Global Distribution later that year. He followed this with the Enemy of the State mixtape, featuring contributions from DJ Forge, L.E.G.A.C.Y.
, 9th Wonder
and Nature
, and a single "Move Over with Nature", featuring production from fellow North Carolina resident 9th Wonder. 9th Wonder remixed the beats from Kaze's debut, and it was re-issued as Spirit of '94 Version 9.0, with re-recorded vocals, released by Brick Records in the United States and Handcuts Records in Japan. Combined sales of Spirit of '94 and Enemy of the State totalled over 10,000 copies. In 2006, he signed to Rawkus Records
, with his second album proper, Block 2the Basement released in 2008. He performed as part of the SXSW festival in 2007. In February 2009, he went on to become co-winner of the LOUD.COM Ultimate Rap Star contest, earning him a record deal with hip-hop business legend Steve Rifkind's SRC Records, distributed by Universal Motown. He joined forces with G-Unit/Shady's DJ Whoo Kid to release the "First in Flight" mixtape in September 2009.
Kaze founded the Sunday Night Sessions open-mic events in Chapel Hill
, which he continued to co-host.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Biography
Thomas was born on Fort Belvoir, and grew up in nearby Dale City VA. After spending many summers in NC, he eventually moved to Richlands, North Carolina with his family in 1991 when he was in his early teens. He studied at the University of North CarolinaUniversity of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
, initially majoring in criminal justice
Criminal justice
Criminal Justice is the system of practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring and mitigating crime, or sanctioning those who violate laws with criminal penalties and rehabilitation efforts...
, but switching to English, and then radio, television and motion pictures. Kaze's first claim to fame was as founder of the Hip-Hop Nation on-campus organization, aimed at promoting local MCs, DJs, poets, and graffiti artists. He followed this with the nationally syndicated television show Hip-Hop Nation in 2001, which he co-created and produced. He then started his own Soul Dojo record label, the first release on which was his 2003 debut album, Spirit of '94. The album was picked up by BCD Global Distribution later that year. He followed this with the Enemy of the State mixtape, featuring contributions from DJ Forge, L.E.G.A.C.Y.
L.E.G.A.C.Y.
L.E.G.A.C.Y. is a rapper from North Carolina, and member of the Justus League collective.-Biography:L.E.G.A.C.Y. is an acronym for Life Ends Gradually and Changes You. He was born on the military base Fort Bragg, and grew up in Fayetteville, before moving to Goldsboro, North Carolina...
, 9th Wonder
9th Wonder
Patrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J...
and Nature
Nature (rapper)
Jermain Baxter , better known as Nature, is an American rapper, best known for his association with fellow Queensbridge-born rapper Nas.-Career:...
, and a single "Move Over with Nature", featuring production from fellow North Carolina resident 9th Wonder. 9th Wonder remixed the beats from Kaze's debut, and it was re-issued as Spirit of '94 Version 9.0, with re-recorded vocals, released by Brick Records in the United States and Handcuts Records in Japan. Combined sales of Spirit of '94 and Enemy of the State totalled over 10,000 copies. In 2006, he signed to Rawkus Records
Rawkus Records
Rawkus Records is an American hip-hop record label known for jump-starting the careers of both Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Rawkus started in 1996 with initial releases ranging from hip-hop to drum and bass...
, with his second album proper, Block 2the Basement released in 2008. He performed as part of the SXSW festival in 2007. In February 2009, he went on to become co-winner of the LOUD.COM Ultimate Rap Star contest, earning him a record deal with hip-hop business legend Steve Rifkind's SRC Records, distributed by Universal Motown. He joined forces with G-Unit/Shady's DJ Whoo Kid to release the "First in Flight" mixtape in September 2009.
Kaze founded the Sunday Night Sessions open-mic events in Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill may refer to:*Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a town in the United States, or**the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a major university within the town*Chapel Hill, Alabama...
, which he continued to co-host.
Albums
- Spirit of '94 album (2003) Soul Dojo/BCD/Universal Japan
- Spirit of '94 Version 9.0 album (2005) Brick (Kaze & 9th Wonder)
- Block 2the Basement album (2008) Rawkus
Mixtapes
- Enemy of the State mixtape (2004) Soul Dojo
- Battleground Mixtape: Soul Dojo Edition (2006) Battleground/Soul Dojo (Kaze & DJ Battle)
- Word on the Street mixtape (2006) Vintage/Soul Dojo
- First in Flight aka 4Letters mixtape (2009) Street Records Corporation (Kaze & DJ Whoo Kid)
Singles
- "Move Over With Nature" single
- "50/50 Amp" 12" single (2004) Brick
- "Last Laugh" 12" single (2004) Brick (Kaze & 9th Wonder)
External links
- Official website
- Kaze at discogs.com