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Unsigned Hype Kenlo Key

What's so special about this kid, Kenlo Key? His story starts back in the 1950's when his grandmother was a local star singing the blues in night clubs. That musical drive was then passed on to his mother who became an even bigger r+b star, signing a deal at the age of 17, and becoming a featured artist on shows like Soul Train as well as opening up for some of the greats of that time. So decades later, it is no surprise that Kenlo Key would walk in the same footsteps and soon become an even greater force in the music biz.

At the age of 22, Kenlo Key has done a lot and seen even more. Growing up in a household with a warm hearted, caring mother and a physically and verbally abusive alcoholic father, it is obvious why he is such a versatile person. Around the age of 11 or 12 Kenlo Key would bury himself in writing.Kenlo Key says his music was his escape from the havoc that was within his household. He recalls times when his father was in and out of jail that the music would fill in for his fathers absence. He crafted his writing skills to the point that he not only wrote hip hop music but also R+B, expanding his arsenal of talent beyond the average rapper. This became evident when he unquestionably won a contest for penning the lyrics to a jingle for the popular Chicago Moo and Oink grocery store chain, receiving $1250.00 for a 90 second song.

Kenlo Key says he started to take music seriously in Highschool, when he formed a group with another hungry mc by the name of D.P. whom he met through a mutual friend. They became a force to reckon with even more when they formed a supergroup by the name of Da Z-Gang with two other talented emcees Da K.I.D. and T.Willow. They became well known locally, did shows opening up for big names,such as T.I., Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Shawnna, and Bump J as well as traveled a bit performing in the college circuit. Six managers and over ten possible record deals later, they decided the best decision would be to pursue their solo careers. Although, they still record together and share a brotherly bond.

Kenlo Keys name was derived from his laid back, quiet, sometimes mysterious demeanor. He claims his personality is like so because he's been through so much that little things dont spark emotion in him. Growing up he learned to channel his anger and feelings toward his father through his music. This is what most likely got Kenlo Key a name for his self in his neighborhood where he became known as the best battle emcee in that area. Rapper after rapper would step up and get embarrassed. In 2005 his battling skills got him recognition from fellow Chicago artists Shawnna, Rhymefest, Mikkey, and Lupe Fiasco when he went on to become a Finalist in the 2005 MGD Power 92.3 Emcee Battle. In the same year he was also a semi finalist in the popular Chicago Idol contest given by WGCI radio station and he released his first solo demo, Like It or Luv It. After this his buzz was even bigger than it was as in comparison to when he was a group act, leading to offers from people like Shawnna of DTP and also NFL superstar Danny Clark. Although still unsigned Kenlo Key's future is looking bright. Look out for this cat... with the stamp of approval from Shawnna ("This kid is a problem!") this emcee is not to be taken lightly....

Anticipating his time to shine, Kenlo Key promises he wont be unsigned for long. You might want to keep an eye on this guy.

Kenlo Key

Location: South Side Chicago

Contact: www.myspace.com/kenlokey

Urbansteez.com Interview with Kenlo Key

Unsigned Hype Kenlo key Urbansteez.com: Tell us your name, and what area do you represent?

Kenlo Key: Kenlo Key I reps the South Side of the Chi.

Urbansteez.com: How long have you been pursuing a career in the music industry?

Kenlo Key: I would say I've been seriously on a high pursuit since like 05. That's when I started getting a lot of exposure around my city and really chasing the game on another level, earning my stripes. Music's has always been in me. My moms did her thing on the R+B scene. She was signed when she was a teenager and was on Soul Train and all that in the 70s. She quit to be a mother and a wife, so I was born into this you could say, I was always surrounded by music.

Urbansteez.com: What were you into before music?

Kenlo Key: Like I said their was never really anything before music for me but I've always been into art too. Like fine arts, I draw and paint like a young picasso (ha ha). I've always did art since a youngn too. I really excelled at that before rap, but its just somthing that was natural to me. That's the career everyone thought i would have. Went to school for it for a short time. But im still doing art. Working on a clothing line right now, which I do a lot of the designs for, Coming soon though, you'll see.

Urbansteez.com: That's Wassup!! As an artist how would you describe your style and why?

Kenlo Key: My style is open. Like its versatile. I try to have a lot of dimensions. Like I could get real lyrical or real simple. I could be cocky or humble and laid back. Most of all my music is emotional I would say. I just aim to please different crowds when I create music, its for somebody. So my style can't really be pinpointed. My aim is to be like the greats, therefore I try not to always be categorized. So the listener won't know what to expect next, thats how the best stay the best, they keep the listener intrigued and anxious to hear what they will say next.

Urbansteez.com: If you had your pick which label to be signed to, which label would it be and why?

Kenlo Key: Honestly right now, probably none. The one that gives me the most freedom and opportunity. So much politics with the labels go on now. Im not sure. I like Jermaine Dupri and So So Def, because he knows how to break new talent very well. It could be someone people have never heard like Bonecrusher, JaeKwon, or Frenchise Boys and he gone drop that one hit thats gone make them a platinum artist. So probably So So Def. He's a workaholic too so he would recognize real right away and we would make many hits.

Urbansteez.com: I see! Who in your future would you want to collaborate with and why?

Kenlo Key: I'd like to Collab with some dope singers like Anthony Hamilton or Lyfe Jennings. Even Floetry, yeah definately Floetry. With my moms raising me around music i've learned to appreciate real singer and artists who really are emotional in their music. Not too many rappers i'd like to collab with like that, but definately could make some crazy joints with a really heartfelt singer.

Urbansteez.com: Yea after hearing your flow, I can see that!! What are you working on now, and when can we expect to hear more of you?

Kenlo Key: Right Now I'm working on my first real album under my indie imprint Platune Ent. Its called "Welcome to My World" which is done just putting the finishing touches on it. Its just an in depth look into my world and everything around me which is identical to your world and most of my fans world as well. Its a beautiful project in my eyes.Its real Its lyrical its cocky all the above. Its just me. Intro to Kenlo Key Welcome to my World.

Urbansteez.com: Who are your influences?

Kenlo Key: The World around me, things i see everyday. A hole in my sock could be my influence to create some music. Like " Got a lil fame but I change I show it a lot/ 200 dollar gym shoes and still got holes in my socks." hahahah...dig me. Artist wise though...everybody influences me. Any one who is popular is popular for a reason. Im influence when I listen to them because I'm taking why they are hot and trying to manipulate it to my style.

Urbansteez.com: What do you think of the hip hop / music world right now?

Kenlo Key: Its cool. Its fun. Not as serious as the early hip hop years where if you aint nice you aint poppin. But its cool. I don't discriminate.

Urbansteez.com: What will you do with your first royalty check?

Kenlo Key: Re up on whatever it is that I'm hustling. Music or clothes or whatever. The goal is to stack it and flip it. Then I can splurge a lil.

Urbansteez.com: I feel that....When you make it big, what car will you first purchase?

Kenlo Key: I think I want a Maseratti.Those are classy and gangsta at the same time. Thats big though. So I gotta go hard. I could see me in that though.

Urbansteez.com: You can't go wrong with a Maseratti.. So,what's in your sound system right now?

Kenlo Key: Yrhynest(My in house producer/Co-Ceo Platune Ent.) Beats!!! Im writing for the next project already. That dude beats is getting doper and doper he's gone be a house hold name I'm telling you. I listen to just his beats sometimes like I don't even wanna rap on them, just listen.

Urbansteez.com: How can fans contact you in the future (myspace, email, PO box, etc.)??

Kenlo Key: www.myspace.com/kenlokey

Urbansteez.com: ANY SHOT OUTS???

Kenlo Key: Yrhynest..Midas Media Management...Block Xchange...D.P. Da Phranchise..all my fans and everybody supporting Kenlo to the Key... and to UrbanSteez. Com for getting down with me...YUPYOUP...That all.