Killa Kela
Encyclopedia
Killa Kela is an English
beatboxer
from West Sussex
.
in his teens with the 360 Physicals crew. He was discovered by DJ Vadim
when he sent a tape of his beatboxing to Vadim's now defunct label Jazz Fudge. His first release was a mixtape
with Mr Thing
called "Antistatic Mouthwash".
Since then, Kela has been a member of the Isolationists, Rock Steady Crew
and The Scratch Perverts
. He has also appeared on DJ Vadim
's albums and tours as part of the Russian Percussion project, and appeared onstage with Pharrell, Justin Timberlake
, Super Furry Animals
, Prince
, De La Soul
and Plan B. He is considered to be one of the best beatboxers in the world alongside Kenny Muhammad
and Rahzel
.
Beatboxing acclaim- Kela is a regular feature on the panel of the Human beatboxing championships in the UK plus received the BeatboxBattle champion Hall Of Fame award in 2006, Germany.
Kela received the Stuff Magazine Award
for "renegade of Style" 2006 in in Los Angeles
, he also toured alongside Testicicles (Dev, Lightspeed Champion
& GLC (Goldie Lookin Chain
) whilst performing on festival dates with new friends Pharrel Williams & N*E*R*D. Plus a U.S tour alongside DJ Z-Trip
in 2007.
2003 - 2008, Kela was a special guest at various N*E*R*D shows and festivals across Europe. inc. Seattle for the Sprite Liquid Mix festival and Oxygen festival, Dublin.
In 2008 Kela also performed with Prince
& Nikka Costa
at the o2 arena.
His live act incorporates drum & bass, electro and hip-hop stylings, singing, MCing, very realistic vocal scratching, body movements and imitations of popular songs such as "Slave 4 U" by Britney Spears
and "Tom's Diner
" by Suzanne Vega
. He calls his technique "Multivocalism", a term coined by longtime artwork collaborator Mark Splinter in 2000. Kela's crew has performed hundreds of live shows all around the world and are known as "Spit Kingdom".
Kela released "The Permanent Marker" in 2002. A beatbox-only album feat Fallacy, Harry Love
, Normski
and others.
Off the back of the album, he went on countless tours inc shows with Mobb Deep
, Redman, Busta Rhymes
and others. He also was 2nd on the bill at the Earls Court Music festival with JayZ.
Killa Kela featured his sounds on the Basement Jaxx
single "Oh My Gosh" (2004)
Kela released an Ep in Europe entitled "For Those Who've Joined us" featuring Stereo MCs
, Artful Dodger, Dj Vadim and more.
The "Elocution" project (Sony BMG) came in 2005 & incorporated 'The Elysian Quartet' on strings, backing vocalists Rookwood and Trip, DJ Skeletrik and his producer Spider on keys and vocals. It also featured Sweetie Irie
, James Rushent (Does It Offend You, Yeah?
) Roots Manuva
& Neneh Cherry
, with writing from Karen Poole
.
His song Jawbreaker was put on the FIFA Street 2
Soundtrack and is to date, one of his strongest releases off The Elocution
album.
He is also known for a UK advert for "Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles
" and regular appearances on TV shows such as "Big Brother's Little Brother", the Royal Variety Performance
, Blue Peter
, 4Music
, Britain's Got Talent
& four Absolut Vodka
commercials in the U.S at this time.
Kela parted ways with SonyBMG in 2007.
Kela between albums created The single "Nightwatcher" (formerly Addiction) alongside Alan Braxe
& Fallon
.
He also created the mix cd alongside his then crew Spitkingdom, entitled - "Days That Shook The World" produced by James Rushent (Does It Offend you? Yeah?) & Dj Skelectrik which received "Best Mix CD 2007 in Dj Magazine UK.
Plus released the cd - "ONTOURVANDAMAGE", in 2008 produced by Dj Plus One (Scratch Perverts, JackBeats)
Spitkingdom were also the team behind the legendary Hip Hop London weekly SpitkingdomHQ @Herbal in Shoreditch
between 2004 - 2007. which saw a wealth of artist perform, such as The Mixologists, Killa Kela, Skelectrik, Trip, Rookwood, Spider J, Dj Martello, and special guests including - Andy C, Whookid (50 cent), Goldie, Artful Dodger, Dynamite, Nicky BlackMarket Dj Cash Money, Kool Herc, Chase & Status
, Scratch Perverts, Stanton Warriors and more.
In 2009 Kela created his debut album "Amplified!" alongside producers Andy Knowles
(Frans ferdinand fame), Alan Braxe
(Stardust fame, Paris), Martin Rushent
(Human League), The Shoalin Punks, James Rushent (Prodigy, Does It Offend you? Yeah? and long standing friend), Stunt Double
and featuring artists such as Dj Craze
, Bashy
of The Gorrillaz, Hadouken!
, Lateef The Truth Speaker & Spider J of Lee Scratch Perry.
The album was a big leap from all previous albums and has seen him more as an artist in his own right outside of his beatbox achievements.
contains "Built Like An Amplifier" which included remixes from Dave Spoon, Sway
& Faith SFX. "Everyday" Produced by Alan Braxe with remixs from LifeLike, Jackwob & Franz Ferdinand
.
Plus an additional release of "Get A Rise" ft Hadouken, which was heavily featured on "Need For Speed" Hot Pursuit 2010 game (Soundtrack)
Off the back of the Amplified! Debut, Killa Kela began touring the UK with Lethal Bizzle
on the Go Hard Tour, Frankmusik
on his 2009 Winter Tour and with Hadouken!
early 2010.
Other features include Mentos
candy commercial, Absolut Vodka Commercials for North America (2004), recent work alongside stylists Judy Blame, PinsLondon, Noki
. studio work with Tinie tempah
, Wiley
off the "see Clear Now" Album, The Kool Kids (US), Visuals and beatbox for the new Gorillaz Soundsystem project. Plus recording with The Glitch Mob
On 28 September Killa Kela appeared at the London School of Economics for their much anticipated freshers event, the event was widely considered Killa Kela's best and most inspiring performance of his entire career, however the performance received mixed reactions.
Killa Kela is to feature in the new Plan b
movie Ill Manners in 2011, plus recently collaborated at the Party4Pakistan event in London.
Kela performed at the Glastonbury
Main stage on the Wednesday opener to 83,000 people, Recently completed an 5 date tour of Australia, also 2 tours of Asia last year.
, Frankmusik
, Switch
, Rahzel
, Jay Dilla, The Black Eyed Peas
, N*E*R*D, Plan B, Company Flow
, N-Dubz
, Little Boots
, Eminem
, M.I.A
, Missy Elliott
, and Brazilian funk.
(ex- wife of Liam Gallagher
) which was the inspiration for his single "Reveal Your Inner Self" (2007, produced by James & Martin Rushent
). The lyrics attack tabloid and celebrity magazine journalists for hiding behind their printed words and spreading lies. Since the breakup he has released further material on his website attacking his previous relationship Patsy Kensit
and criticising himself for getting involved. It saw a heavy turn in his life which became the catalyst for future work.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
beatboxer
Beatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...
from West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
.
Biography
Kela began beatboxingBeatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...
in his teens with the 360 Physicals crew. He was discovered by DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim is a prolific DJ and producer, born in Leningrad, USSR , raised in London and currently residing in both New York and Berlin, whose music combines hip hop, soul, reggae and electronica...
when he sent a tape of his beatboxing to Vadim's now defunct label Jazz Fudge. His first release was a mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
with Mr Thing
Mr Thing
Mr Thing is a British hip hop producer. He is a former member of the Scratch Perverts. He has worked with such artists as Yungun, Doc Brown and Devise...
called "Antistatic Mouthwash".
Since then, Kela has been a member of the Isolationists, Rock Steady Crew
Rock Steady Crew
Rock Steady Crew is a b-boying crew and hip hop group that was established in the Bronx, New York City in 1977. The group was initially formed by b-boys named Jimmy D and Jojo. In subsequent years, Rock Steady Crew became a franchise name for groups in other locations. The Manhattan branch was...
and The Scratch Perverts
Scratch Perverts
The Scratch Perverts are a collective of turntablist DJs from London, formed in 1996 by Tony Vegas, Prime Cuts and DJ Renegade.-Biography:The Scratch Perverts originally consisted of 4 members; Tony Vegas, Renegade, First Rate and Mr Thing. The Scratch Perverts later expanded to an 8-member...
. He has also appeared on DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim
DJ Vadim is a prolific DJ and producer, born in Leningrad, USSR , raised in London and currently residing in both New York and Berlin, whose music combines hip hop, soul, reggae and electronica...
's albums and tours as part of the Russian Percussion project, and appeared onstage with Pharrell, Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
, Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals
Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band that lean towards psychedelic rock and electronic experimentation. Since their formation in Cardiff, Wales in 1993, the band has consisted of Gruff Rhys , Huw Bunford , Guto Pryce , Cian Ciaran and Dafydd Ieuan Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band...
, Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
and Plan B. He is considered to be one of the best beatboxers in the world alongside Kenny Muhammad
Kenny Muhammad
Kenny Muhammad is an American beatboxer occasionally referred to as The Human Orchestra, a moniker he affirmed by performing David Eaton's composition....
and Rahzel
Rahzel
Rahzel M. Brown, also known as simply Rahzel, is an American musician and virtuoso beatboxer, formerly a member of The Roots.Nicknamed the "Godfather of Noyze," Rahzel is known for an ability to sing or rap while simultaneously beatboxing, as evidenced in his performances of "Iron Man" and his...
.
Beatboxing acclaim- Kela is a regular feature on the panel of the Human beatboxing championships in the UK plus received the BeatboxBattle champion Hall Of Fame award in 2006, Germany.
Kela received the Stuff Magazine Award
Stuff (magazine)
Stuff is a men's magazine featuring reviews of consumer electronics, and other articles of interest to a predominantly male audience.- UK edition :...
for "renegade of Style" 2006 in in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, he also toured alongside Testicicles (Dev, Lightspeed Champion
Lightspeed Champion
Devonté Hynes , better known as Lightspeed Champion or Blood Orange, is a British composer, songwriter, producer and author, who has written for artists such as Florence and the Machine, Diana Vickers and The Chemical Brothers on their 2007 Grammy award winning album We Are The Night...
& GLC (Goldie Lookin Chain
Goldie Lookin Chain
Goldie Lookin Chain is a comedic rap music group based in Newport, South Wales. The group produces humorous, controversial and often explicit songs that satirise hip hop, today's consumer society, the ‘chav’ culture and life in Newport and south Wales in general.-Background:Many of the songs...
) whilst performing on festival dates with new friends Pharrel Williams & N*E*R*D. Plus a U.S tour alongside DJ Z-Trip
DJ Z-Trip
Zach Sciacca, better known as Z-Trip, is an American DJ and producer. He is best known as a pioneer of the mashup movement.A Phoenix, Arizona native, who now resides in Los Angeles, California, he was known early in his career for performing with the Bombshelter DJs . He became widely known when...
in 2007.
2003 - 2008, Kela was a special guest at various N*E*R*D shows and festivals across Europe. inc. Seattle for the Sprite Liquid Mix festival and Oxygen festival, Dublin.
In 2008 Kela also performed with Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
& Nikka Costa
Nikka Costa
Domenica "Nikka" Costa is an American singer whose music combines elements of funk, soul, and blues. She also had a career as a child singer starting in the early 1980s. She is the daughter of notable music producer Don Costa and is married to Australian producer/songwriter Justin Stanley.- Early...
at the o2 arena.
His live act incorporates drum & bass, electro and hip-hop stylings, singing, MCing, very realistic vocal scratching, body movements and imitations of popular songs such as "Slave 4 U" by Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
and "Tom's Diner
Tom's Diner
"Tom's Diner" is an a cappella pop song written in 1981 by American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega. It was first released as a track on the January 1984 issue of Fast Folk Musical Magazine. When first featured on one of her own studio albums, it appeared as the first track of her Solitude Standing...
" by Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Nadine Vega is an American songwriter and singer known for her eclectic folk-inspired music.Two of Vega's songs reached the top 10 of various international chart listings: "Luka" and "Tom's Diner"...
. He calls his technique "Multivocalism", a term coined by longtime artwork collaborator Mark Splinter in 2000. Kela's crew has performed hundreds of live shows all around the world and are known as "Spit Kingdom".
Kela released "The Permanent Marker" in 2002. A beatbox-only album feat Fallacy, Harry Love
Harry Love
Harry Love is a British hip hop record producer and dj from Laylow Ladbroke Grove, London. He has produced joints for artists including Jehst, Verb T, and Klashnekoff....
, Normski
Normski
Normski is a British rapper, DJ, photographer and businessman, perhaps best known for his work as a BBC television presenter.-Career:...
and others.
Off the back of the album, he went on countless tours inc shows with Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep
Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
, Redman, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
and others. He also was 2nd on the bill at the Earls Court Music festival with JayZ.
Killa Kela featured his sounds on the Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx are a British electronic dance music duo from London, England consisting of Felix Buxton born 1971 and Simon Ratcliffe born 1 December 1969. They first rose to popularity in the late 1990s...
single "Oh My Gosh" (2004)
Kela released an Ep in Europe entitled "For Those Who've Joined us" featuring Stereo MCs
Stereo MCs
Stereo MCs are an English electronic dance group, which formed in Clapham, London in 1985. They are best known worldwide for their 1992 transatlantic Top 20 hit single, "Connected"...
, Artful Dodger, Dj Vadim and more.
The "Elocution" project (Sony BMG) came in 2005 & incorporated 'The Elysian Quartet' on strings, backing vocalists Rookwood and Trip, DJ Skeletrik and his producer Spider on keys and vocals. It also featured Sweetie Irie
Sweetie Irie
Derrick Bent , better known as Sweetie Irie, is a British reggae singer and DJ.-Biography:Born in London in 1971, Bent began working on local sound systems as a teenager, bringing him to the attention of Angus Gaye of Aswad, who recruited him to toast on the dancehall mix of their single "On and On"...
, James Rushent (Does It Offend You, Yeah?
Does It Offend You, Yeah?
Does It Offend You, Yeah? are a British electronic rock band from Reading, Berkshire.-History:Does It Offend You, Yeah? were formed in 2006 in Reading, UK by James Rushent and Dan Coop and soon joined by Rob Bloomfield and Morgan Quaintance....
) Roots Manuva
Roots Manuva
Rodney Hylton Smith , better known by his stage name Roots Manuva, is a British rapper from Stockwell, South London. He is currently signed to Big Dada.-Biography:...
& Neneh Cherry
Neneh Cherry
Neneh Mariann Cherry is a Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper, and occasional DJ and broadcaster...
, with writing from Karen Poole
Karen Poole
Karen Poole is an English songwriter and singer, who gained initial fame with her younger sister, Shelly Poole, as the duo / band, Alisha's Attic.-List of compositions:...
.
His song Jawbreaker was put on the FIFA Street 2
FIFA Street 2
FIFA Street 2 is the sequel to the video game FIFA Street. A new "trick stick beat" system was introduced and new authentic tricks were also introduced. The game is available on the GameCube, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox...
Soundtrack and is to date, one of his strongest releases off The Elocution
Elocution
Elocution is the study of formal speaking in pronunciation, grammar, style, and tone.-History:In Western classical rhetoric, elocution was one of the five core disciplines of pronunciation, which was the art of delivering speeches. Orators were trained not only on proper diction, but on the proper...
album.
He is also known for a UK advert for "Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles
Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles
Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles are small round sweets measuring about 1.5 cm in diameter; they have a jelly-like consistency- due to the gelatin they are made from, and are covered with sugar...
" and regular appearances on TV shows such as "Big Brother's Little Brother", the Royal Variety Performance
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
, Blue Peter
Blue Peter
Blue Peter is the world's longest-running children's television show, having first aired in 1958. It is shown on CBBC, both in its BBC One programming block and on the CBBC channel. During its history there have been many presenters, often consisting of two women and two men at a time...
, 4Music
4Music
4Music is a music and entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and available on some digital television providers in the Republic of Ireland - its web component can be found at with its own and pages. It is the only channel within the Box Television Network to be branded under Channel 4 and...
, Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
& four Absolut Vodka
Absolut Vodka
Absolut Vodka is a brand of vodka, produced near Åhus, Skåne, in southern Sweden. Since July 2008 the company has been owned by the French firm Pernod Ricard who bought V&S Group from the Swedish government....
commercials in the U.S at this time.
Kela parted ways with SonyBMG in 2007.
Kela between albums created The single "Nightwatcher" (formerly Addiction) alongside Alan Braxe
Alan Braxe
Alain Quême, also known as Alan Braxe, is a French electronic music artist. Braxe is most widely known for his collaborative work with electronic bassist Fred Falke and Kris Menace. In 2005 Alan released The Upper Cuts, a collection of his previous released material.-History:Alan Braxe began work...
& Fallon
Fallon
- Locations :France* Fallon, Haute-Saône, a communeUnited States*Fallon, California*Fallon, Montana*Fallon County, Montana*Fallon, Nevada*Fallon Station, Nevada*Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada*Fallon Indian Reservation, Nevada*Fallon, Roanoke, Virginia...
.
He also created the mix cd alongside his then crew Spitkingdom, entitled - "Days That Shook The World" produced by James Rushent (Does It Offend you? Yeah?) & Dj Skelectrik which received "Best Mix CD 2007 in Dj Magazine UK.
Plus released the cd - "ONTOURVANDAMAGE", in 2008 produced by Dj Plus One (Scratch Perverts, JackBeats)
Spitkingdom were also the team behind the legendary Hip Hop London weekly SpitkingdomHQ @Herbal in Shoreditch
Shoreditch
Shoreditch is an area of London within the London Borough of Hackney in England. It is a built-up part of the inner city immediately to the north of the City of London, located east-northeast of Charing Cross.-Etymology:...
between 2004 - 2007. which saw a wealth of artist perform, such as The Mixologists, Killa Kela, Skelectrik, Trip, Rookwood, Spider J, Dj Martello, and special guests including - Andy C, Whookid (50 cent), Goldie, Artful Dodger, Dynamite, Nicky BlackMarket Dj Cash Money, Kool Herc, Chase & Status
Chase & Status
Chase & Status are an electronic music production duo from London consisting of Saul Milton and Will Kennard. MC Rage & Andy Gangadeen also make up the live band.-2003-2005:...
, Scratch Perverts, Stanton Warriors and more.
In 2009 Kela created his debut album "Amplified!" alongside producers Andy Knowles
Andy Knowles
Andy Knowles is an artist and drummer.Knowles started his drumming career with Skuta, and then in 2003 formed the cult group I Love Lucy out of the Glaswegian Art rock scene...
(Frans ferdinand fame), Alan Braxe
Alan Braxe
Alain Quême, also known as Alan Braxe, is a French electronic music artist. Braxe is most widely known for his collaborative work with electronic bassist Fred Falke and Kris Menace. In 2005 Alan released The Upper Cuts, a collection of his previous released material.-History:Alan Braxe began work...
(Stardust fame, Paris), Martin Rushent
Martin Rushent
Martin Rushent was an English record producer, best known for his work with The Human League, The Stranglers and The Buzzcocks.- Early life :Rushent was born on 11 July 1948 in Enfield, Middlesex. His father was a car salesman...
(Human League), The Shoalin Punks, James Rushent (Prodigy, Does It Offend you? Yeah? and long standing friend), Stunt Double
Stunt double
A stunt double is a type of body double, specifically a skilled replacement used for dangerous film or video sequences, in movies and television , and for other sophisticated stunts...
and featuring artists such as Dj Craze
DJ Craze
DJ Craze , born Aristh Delgado, is a Nicaraguan American DJ who plays hip hop, Miami bass, breaks, Dubstep, drum n bass, and practices turntablism. He is the only solo DJ in history to claim the DMC World DJ Championships trophy three times consecutively .-Biography:DJ Craze was born in Managua,...
, Bashy
Bashy
Ashley Thomas , better known by his stage name Bashy, is an English recording artist and actor. He rose to prominence in 2007 after the release of his controversial track "Black Boys".-Early life:...
of The Gorrillaz, Hadouken!
Hadouken!
Hadouken! are an English grime, electronica, dance band who formed in Leeds in October 2006 by singer, writer and producer James Smith, alongside his girlfriend, synth player Alice Spooner, guitarist Daniel "Pilau" Rice, and drummer Nick Rice. The band name is taken from the name of a special...
, Lateef The Truth Speaker & Spider J of Lee Scratch Perry.
The album was a big leap from all previous albums and has seen him more as an artist in his own right outside of his beatbox achievements.
contains "Built Like An Amplifier" which included remixes from Dave Spoon, Sway
Sway DaSafo
Derek Andrew Safo is a Ghanaian British musician who uses the stage names Sway DaSafo or Sway. He is signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik record label and he is also a producer, establishing DCypha Productions.-Childhood:...
& Faith SFX. "Everyday" Produced by Alan Braxe with remixs from LifeLike, Jackwob & Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand (band)
Franz Ferdinand are a Scottish post-punk revival band formed in Glasgow in 2002. The band is composed of Alex Kapranos , Bob Hardy , Nick McCarthy , and Paul Thomson .The band first experienced chart success when their second single, "Take Me Out", reached #3 in...
.
Plus an additional release of "Get A Rise" ft Hadouken, which was heavily featured on "Need For Speed" Hot Pursuit 2010 game (Soundtrack)
Off the back of the Amplified! Debut, Killa Kela began touring the UK with Lethal Bizzle
Lethal Bizzle
Lethal Bizzle, also known as Lethal B , is a Ghanaian British rapper. His songs are known to satirise modern Gangsta rap; much of the humour comes from the adoption of hip-hop style and language...
on the Go Hard Tour, Frankmusik
Frankmusik
Vincent Frank born Vincent James Turner is known professionally as Frankmusik is an English electropop musician. The name "Frank" is derived from the surname of his grandfather, whose name he took in tribute.-Early life:...
on his 2009 Winter Tour and with Hadouken!
Hadouken!
Hadouken! are an English grime, electronica, dance band who formed in Leeds in October 2006 by singer, writer and producer James Smith, alongside his girlfriend, synth player Alice Spooner, guitarist Daniel "Pilau" Rice, and drummer Nick Rice. The band name is taken from the name of a special...
early 2010.
Other features include Mentos
Mentos
Mentos is a brand of mints, of the "scotch mint" type, sold in many markets across the world by the Perfetti Van Melle corporation. Mentos was first produced in the Netherlands during the 1950s. The mints are small oblate spheroids, with a slightly hard exterior and a soft, chewy interior...
candy commercial, Absolut Vodka Commercials for North America (2004), recent work alongside stylists Judy Blame, PinsLondon, Noki
Noki
Noki is a commercial utility to explore and extract Phone book, SMS, Calendar, Memo, Bookmark and other user files from the backup file of Nokia phone ....
. studio work with Tinie tempah
Tinie Tempah
Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu , better known by his stage name Tinie Tempah, is a British rapper. He made his first mixtape in 2007 with 28 songs, freestyles and remixes, the album features Mz Bratt, Chipmunk and G-Unit...
, Wiley
Wiley (rapper)
Richard Kylea Cowie , better known by his stage name Wiley is a prolific British music producer, MC and recording artist, and rapper with roots from Trinidad...
off the "see Clear Now" Album, The Kool Kids (US), Visuals and beatbox for the new Gorillaz Soundsystem project. Plus recording with The Glitch Mob
The Glitch Mob
The Glitch Mob is a three-piece electronic group from Los Angeles, composed of Ed Ma , Justin Boreta and Josh Mayer . The group, originally a five-piece including Kraddy and Kitty-D, was formed in 2006 within the burgeoning Los Angeles bass-driven 'beat' scene...
On 28 September Killa Kela appeared at the London School of Economics for their much anticipated freshers event, the event was widely considered Killa Kela's best and most inspiring performance of his entire career, however the performance received mixed reactions.
Killa Kela is to feature in the new Plan b
Plan B
Plan B is a popular term used to mean a reserved, secondary plan, in case a first plan fails. Plan B is also an FDA-approved emergency contraception drug.It also may refer to:-People:...
movie Ill Manners in 2011, plus recently collaborated at the Party4Pakistan event in London.
Kela performed at the Glastonbury
Glastonbury
Glastonbury is a small town in Somerset, England, situated at a dry point on the low lying Somerset Levels, south of Bristol. The town, which is in the Mendip district, had a population of 8,784 in the 2001 census...
Main stage on the Wednesday opener to 83,000 people, Recently completed an 5 date tour of Australia, also 2 tours of Asia last year.
Musical influences
The ProdigyThe Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
, Frankmusik
Frankmusik
Vincent Frank born Vincent James Turner is known professionally as Frankmusik is an English electropop musician. The name "Frank" is derived from the surname of his grandfather, whose name he took in tribute.-Early life:...
, Switch
Switch
In electronics, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another....
, Rahzel
Rahzel
Rahzel M. Brown, also known as simply Rahzel, is an American musician and virtuoso beatboxer, formerly a member of The Roots.Nicknamed the "Godfather of Noyze," Rahzel is known for an ability to sing or rap while simultaneously beatboxing, as evidenced in his performances of "Iron Man" and his...
, Jay Dilla, The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
, N*E*R*D, Plan B, Company Flow
Company Flow
Company Flow is an American underground hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York City at one time associated with the independent record label Rawkus Records. Rapper/producer El-P and DJ/producer Mr...
, N-Dubz
N-Dubz
N-Dubz are a British hip hop group from Camden Town, London. The group consists of members Dappy, Tulisa Contostavlos and Fazer.N-Dubz were previously signed to Polydor Records before joining All Around the World Records...
, Little Boots
Little Boots
Victoria Christina Hesketh, also known by her stage name/pseudonym Little Boots, is an English electropop singer-songwriter. Her stage name comes from a nickname given to her by a friend, a reference to her unusually small feet...
, Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, M.I.A
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
, Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, and Brazilian funk.
Personal life
In 2007 he finished an 11 month relationship with the UK actress Patsy KensitPatsy Kensit
Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit is an English actress, singer, model and former child star, known for her television and film appearances. Her films include Lethal Weapon 2 and she has been married to rock stars Jim Kerr and Liam Gallagher, as well as herself fronting the band Eighth Wonder...
(ex- wife of Liam Gallagher
Liam Gallagher
William John Paul "Liam" Gallagher is an English musician and singer-songwriter, the former frontman of the English rock band Oasis and currently of the band Beady Eye. Gallagher's erratic behaviour, distinctive singing style, and abrasive attitude have been the subject of commentary in the press...
) which was the inspiration for his single "Reveal Your Inner Self" (2007, produced by James & Martin Rushent
Martin Rushent
Martin Rushent was an English record producer, best known for his work with The Human League, The Stranglers and The Buzzcocks.- Early life :Rushent was born on 11 July 1948 in Enfield, Middlesex. His father was a car salesman...
). The lyrics attack tabloid and celebrity magazine journalists for hiding behind their printed words and spreading lies. Since the breakup he has released further material on his website attacking his previous relationship Patsy Kensit
Patsy Kensit
Patricia Jude Francis "Patsy" Kensit is an English actress, singer, model and former child star, known for her television and film appearances. Her films include Lethal Weapon 2 and she has been married to rock stars Jim Kerr and Liam Gallagher, as well as herself fronting the band Eighth Wonder...
and criticising himself for getting involved. It saw a heavy turn in his life which became the catalyst for future work.
Discography
- Antistatic Mouthwash mix tape (2000)
- Heavy Artillery - All Terrain Series (2001)
- Crop Circles - All Terrain Series (2001)
- Permanent Marker (2002)
- For Those who've Joined Us (2003)
- Jawbreaker (2003)
- Elocution (2005)
- Secrets (2005)
- Days That Shook The World Mix CD (2006)
- Reveal Your Inner Self (2007)
- Ontourvandamage Mix CD (2008)
- NightWatcher (2008)
- Built Like An Amplifier (2009)
- Everyday single (2010)
- Amplified! (2010)