Since the world didn’t end May 21st as Harold Camping predicted, many of us rang in the New Year with a BANG! Gunfire aside, 2011 was “hit or miss” for the majority of Americans. While some folks spent their Saturday night working the extra shift they picked up to make this month’s rent, others enjoyed a tall glass of champagne and a kiss as the ball dropped and Dick Clark reminded us that he was still alive.
Twenty Eleven was, by far, the most challenging year I’ve ever experienced on Planet Earth. During the final few months of 2010, I was on tour with Biker Daughter and Hank and Cupcakes, traveling up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Having driven across country in an unregistered burgundy Chrysler Town & Country, complete with “baby” on board, I was just happy to be home safely for the holidays. I spent NYE 2011 playing a show at The Echo in Los Angeles, CA with Nite Jewel. The show went well, even though my mind was elsewhere, and I was looking forward to loading up my gear and heading to another NYE party not far from the venue.
After the show, my guitarist and bassist went to get the vehicle and left the door man in charge of our equipment, while I went in search of the promoter’s in order to settle up. I returned to the entrance/exit of the club, just in time to witness the tail end of a fight that had broken out curbside. One of the drunks caught up in the fisticuffs had gotten tangled up in the velvet rope and fell down on the sidewalk near our gear. Upon standing up, I noticed the deviant had stumbled upon my bag containing personal items such as car/house keys, gf’s baby picture, spare mustache and my hard drive, which contained all the files for the entire “31 Flavors” mixtape.
Now I could go on into elaborate detail, as I normally do, and explain how there were punches thrown, a high speed chase (on foot) and insults dished out in multiple languages before I finally retrieved the HD from the bed of a pick up truck, but those specifics are unimportant. My point is that the year started off on a lame foot and along with many others, I was anxious to say goodbye to 2011.
Last year wasn’t by any means all “bad”. It wasn’t anybody’s best calendar year economically, but here’s a list of some of my personal highs from the last four quarters:

- released Summer Solstice Volume I, II and III and 31 Flavors and Planes, Trains and Automobiles EP

- featured on MTV

- playing at the Eagle Rock Music Festival who set a record in attendance this year with over 18,000 people

- West Coast Mini Tour (LA – LBC – CO – NM – UT) with Gavin, Michael Gross and The Statuettes and Mane Rok/Deejay Tense

- featured on DATSWHATZUP VOL. 3 (internationally distributed mixtape series) with artists like E-40, Jadakiss and Jim Jones

- featured artist on We’re On Everything presented by Blood Is One

- guest-blogged for UK website Hip Hop Fiend

- played a Nate Dogg Tribute show in Texas at SXSW opening for Snoop Dogg at VIBE’s “RESPECT THE WEST” showcase

“Might as well, it’s 2012″
-tbkb via @thatn3wkid

Every year towards the end of November, we remember the things we’re thankful for and come together in celebration of another year on God’s green Earth. Whether we agree or disagree with the origins of this holiday, we all can be proud that whatever events occurred through out history are in the past and that we are here to learn from the mistakes of our forefathers.
Thanksgiving is being celebrated all across the American continent in a variety of different ways, by people from all walks of life. Some families will gather around their dinner table and give thanks for provisions made on their behalf. Others will simply take advantage of a day off from work, which is certainly something to be thankful for, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon watching football with friends.
This year I am grateful to be surrounded by such DELICIOUS food and AMAZING people.
Spending quality time with family and friends is priceless and I’m thankful for the people in my life who continue to provide me with support, encouragement and inspiration all year long.
The past few years, I’ve been on tour during the Fall and getting home for the holidays has always been a challenge.
My birthday falls on the 26th of November and traveling during the holiday rush is never an easy task, but I’ve been able to make it home each year to celebrate in style with the ones I love.
I am fortunate to have an AWESOME team and we’ve accomplished some SPECIAL things together.
Another year under my belt and a lifetime of experiences that have helped shape me into the man that I am.
So many more goals we have set out to achieve and I’m excited for what the future holds. Celebrate responsibly and remember those who are less fortunate during the holiday season.

Be thankful all 365 days, not just today and use this time as a opportunity to let your loved ones know how much they mean to YOU!

Happy Holidays!

Safe,
kb

Mankind has been infatuated with fame since the beginning of time. From the Great Pyramids of Giza continuing through to the Victorian Era, humans have held a special place in their hearts for those they hold in high esteem. Living in modern day Los Angeles, one can only dream of not becoming consumed by society’s warped concept of reality but more often than not, we feed off the gossip and succumb to a world of socialites, Hollywood divorce and local celebrities.

Debates are taking place right now across the country, as families gather around the dinner table dishing out the hottest celebrity news and commenting on which star has changed their hair color or increased their bust size. One person who has actually changed our world for the better is Apple’s co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs. He may not be as attractive as Hollywood’s leading starlet or it’s most eligible bachelor, but after changing the face of technology, his legacy will remain forever.

Revolutionary poet Gil Scott Heron once said, “The revolution will not be televised…” and this statement continues to ring true decades later. The revolution, however, is being widely publicized worldwide via technological advances led by Jobs’ team of developers. After revolutionizing the electronic, film and music industries, Steve Jobs was called home and, reportedly, his last words were “Oh wow! Oh wow! Oh wow!”

Imagine being able to share the last meal with the visionary before his untimely passing. What would we eat? Would we research restaurants on Yelp using an iPad 2? Would we be given turn by turn directions on a 3G iPhone 4? The small talk preceding the main course would have been of monumental proportions during which I’d have pitched my innovative idea, the iPatch.

R.I.P Steve Jobs

Good Day!

Hope YOU have been enjoying your summer thoroughly and have taken time to appreciate the little things that make this life worth living

STOP and smell the roses

RELAX on a grassy knoll

SEE how the cloud formations some how resemble the cutest and fluffiest members of our animal kingdom

ENJOY a moonlight stroll along the coastline where the stars actually do shine brightly

DO SOMETHING!…ANYTHING but take advantage of and cherish these precious moments while YOU still can

I have been busy as a bee enriching my life by writing, producing and recording new material, almost daily, as well as spending time with loved ones and reminding myself why I do this in the first place.

As autumn quickly approaches, remember the warmth and vitality that summer provided. In any civilization, the Summer Solstice is an essential period in which the climate prepares the Earth and it’s inhabitants to become fruitful once again.

I am privileged to be able to share the fruits of my labor with YOU and hope that YOU will take the time and allow for proper digestion

Summer Solstice Volume 1

DOWNLOAD HERE

Summer Solstice Volume 2

DOWNLOAD HERE

Summer Solstice Volume 3

COMING SOON!!!!

thank YOU for continuing to support my efforts and I hope that YOU enjoy the music!!!

stay up

kb

Have YOU heard the news?!?!?!

Summer is almost over!

It’s just like HER to come and go before YOU know it too huh?

Nice Life…

I hope YOU are enjoying YOUR Summer thoroughly and rest assured knowing that it is FAR from over…

If YOU haven’t yet downloaded the 2nd installment of the Summer Solstice series, please take a minute to do so now as I am extremely proud of this project and can’t wait to share the new material with YOU!

DOWNLOAD SUMMER SOLSTICE VOLUME II

HERE

thank YOU for always supporting me and my art!

GOOD DAY!

Dear KCRW,

One night I was listening to your beloved station while driving to the studio. I normally only listen to my own music in the car, but lately I’ve been compelled to keep up with current events more which lead me to switching my dial back to the FM setting.
89.9 is preset #1 and a place where I frequently discover new music and often even turn to the station for freestyle inspiration, a habit I developed back in high school, where my vehicle was the only place we had personal space.
Anyway, I recently took a sabbatical from teaching and decided to focus my efforts on music entirely instead of only being able to devoted a few weeks here and there out of the year to touring. Part of my decision to leave entailed me exhausting every effort to expose my music to a larger audience and also continue to push the creative envelope.
That fateful evening I heard a block of songs that changed the course of history. One of those was a track called ‘Warm Shadow’ by Fink! I struggled to capture lyrics, writing them down as I drove the short distance between my house and the studio, which coincidentally takes me directly by the school I taught at for almost a decade.
As soon as I arrived at the studio, I immediately searched the KCRW website because I knew there was a good chance I could locate the song’s title and BAM!
After finding both the artists’ name and song title, as well as time the song aired and which deejay spun it, I had all the information I needed to begin work.
Illegally I converted the YouTube video to mp3 and uploaded the file into a Pro Tools session. I proceeded to re-arranged the beat to my liking and wrote and recorded rap verses to the newly sequenced instrumental.
Through out the session, I had been on Twitter making updates as well as researching the origins of Fink! and discovering he was from the same hometown as another artist/producer I discovered on KCRW named Bonobo.             Brighton also happens to be the first place my band and I played on our inaugural trip to the UK so I began tweeting @finkmusic my affinity for his hometown and also expressing my appreciation for his music and my desire to remix ‘Warm Shadow’.
Much to my surprise, Fink! actually replied to my tweet and said “We’ll have to figure out to play it live”. After brief correspondence back and forth, we decided I would upload my remix to their Sound Cloud account and the drummer has already contacted me via Twitter Direct Message stating that “he liked the song and was passing it along to Fink!”
Upon completion, I wasted no time and uploaded their track with only my vocals attached, but have since totally remixed the beat and believe it would be something that would interest your listeners and subscribers alike.

Thank YOU for YOUR time and consideration!

stay up,

kb

SUMMER is FINALLY HERE!!!

Some folks didn’t believe this day would EVER come…80 degree weather, backyard barbecue’s by the pool, play dates and outdoor Summer concerts.  Break out the Crocodile Mile slip ‘n slides and swimming pools purchased at YOUR local pharmacy because it’s summertime!!!

I LOVE SUMMERTIME!!!

This has got to be the BEST time of the year right?…even if YOU live in the MIDWEST!  Especially if YOU live in the Midwest!  Even though I’m a Native Los Angelino, I know a thing or two about the cold, having spent the last few Winter Solstice’s chasing my dreams across the Good Ol’ U-S of A.

COLDEST WINTERS (plural)

Following YOUR dreams in the form of a tour bus or van full of YOUR childhood musical heroes would warm the heart of someone even as cold and callous as Mr. Charles Montgomery Plantagenet Schicklgruber Burns.  This California Boy’s heart is as BIG as THE HEARTLAND but I have no LOVE for ‘black ice’.

BLACK ICE

Wikipedia defines black ice as “a thin coating of glazed ice on a surface.  While not truly black, it is virtually transparent, allowing black asphalt roadways to be seen through it, hence the term “black ice”. The typically low levels of noticeable ice pellets, snow, or sleet surrounding black ice means that areas of the ice are often practically invisible to drivers and thereby do not serve as a good indicator that they should reduce their speeds.”

NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

WE almost DIED on several occasions!  One time, driving through Nebraska in the DEAD of WINTER, WE did actual transcend into another dimension while listening to Coast to Coast AM with Art Bell.  WE were staying at a Ken’s Budget Motel and didn’t think WE would ever see tomorrow.  Another time, we spun out on the i-40 outside of Amarillo, TX and ended up doing almost a complete 360 degree rotation, starting from the right lane and coming to a stop perpendicular to the highway in the the little bit of vegetation between Eastbound and Westbound.  Ironically, whenever traveling through these frost bitten regions, Blue Oyster Cult’s hit, “Don’t Fear the Reaper” finds it’s way across the waves and at the least (or most) opportune times.  These brushes with DEATH have changed my outlook on the whole experience.  I’m NO LONGER afraid of the DARK or the LIGHT and am willing to do WHATEVER it takes to reach my final destination, NO MATTER what!  Since ‘black ice’ is essentially INVISIBLE and DEADLY, I’m still scared to DEATH of it, just like everything else BLACK.

DO NOT FORGET THE  SUNSCREEN and REMEMBER TO HYDRATE!!

Rule of thumb: the higher the SPF, the better.  I typically use SPF 45+, but that’s only because I have spent decades developing this golden brown complexion and am NOT about to lose all those years of hard work simply because of laziness.  Also, almost just as IF NOT more important than protecting the exterior epidermal layers from harmful sun rays, is remembering to stay hydrated through out the Summer months, and ALWAYS.  Take your BODY WEIGHT in pounds, divide it in half, and that number is the number of ounces of WATER a day YOU should drink.

EXAMPLE: a 150lb person should drink 75 oz of water a day.

SUMMER SOLSTICE VOL 1

The homey Grant Brydon from the UK runs a blog called Hip Hop Fiend, where I have occasionally written guest blogs and he offered to present the 1st installment of my Summer Solstice series on his site.  This is the first of three volumes and features RAP remixes of artists like JAYZ, FUGAZI, SERGE GAINSBOURG, ADELE and others.

DOWNLOAD

SUMMER SOLSTICE

VOL. 1

FREE

COMPLETE TRACK SELECTION EXPLANATION/TRACK LISTING COMING SOON!!!

YO!
It’s been over a month since the madness in Texas ended and I’m still living out my American Apparel duffel bag!
Definitely a few highlights I would like to share with YOU:

First of all, THANKS to the people that made the trip possible! I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the experience of a LIFETIME without your help so Thank YOU very much! YOU know who YOU are!

EN ROUTE
Traveling to Austin was a completely new experience for me this year. Instead of traveling with my band of merry men (and woman), as I did on my 1st trip to SXSW in ’09, I was forced to take a slightly different approach. The members of the band AMERICAN CITY rented our Ford E350 9 Passenger van for their journey to Texas, which included a few stops along the way, to and fro.
1st stop was Las Vegas, Nevada, where I met the band members/touring party for the first time and we immediately hit it off! Not only would I be sharing a vehicle with these fine people for the next few weeks, but I also would tagging along with them to their several shows along the way.
After introductions were over, I already knew this was a lovely bunch of coconuts and we would become the best of friends before the end of the road.

Since I was just coming along for the ride, I took this opportunity to make the most of my time, and offered to act as “tour manager (TM)” for the band as I’m always looking to lend a helpful hand. My job duties included helping load in/load out each night, procuring drink tickets/water bottles for the performers, dealing with any and all disgruntled promoters, and keeping the band unified during long drives. Having been on the road for the better half of the last few years, I made the transition seamlessly, but am upset for not taking the opportunity to crash 1 of their rebel rousing sets with an impromptu KB freestyle.
While traveling in the South West, you’ll notice quite a few natural wonders, including many adult superstores and fireworks depots, and the landscape is simply breathtaking. We drove by the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon (didn’t catch a glimpse of either!), but since I was handling all managerial duties, I made sure we kept a tight schedule.
“BUS CALL!” is what I’d frequently yelled reminding the troops that time was of the essence, as certain members of AMERICAN CITY, who shall remain nameless, had a habit of roaming about at truck stops and one member almost got left at a gas station outside of Marfa, TX.

U.S. BORDER PATROL

The biggest fireworks of the entire trip (aside from my VIBE House Party performance, of course!) had to come at the hand, and nose, of a German Shepard K-9.  We’ve all heard the horror stories about bands traveling into Texas carrying contraband and, having made the trek a few times myself, I knew better!

Upon entering into Texas, all vehicles were stopped and subject to be searched by the Nazi dogs and not all traveling parties were as “lucky” as we were.  The K-9s were specifically looking for narcotics and illegal aliens, and we fortunately had neither, but did have someone in our group who was not an American citizen and were asked to pull over.

I nearly lost my lunch, but kept my composure especially since I was acting as TM and had to handle most of the negotiations, mainly conversations under my breath with myself and the prayers I lifted up to the heavens.  The officers led us into their make shift bungalow out in the middle of the desert where the dreams of many were shattered, and sat us all down in between two parties who did not share the same fortune as us.

After observing a few disgruntled rebuttals from people whom had had their lives altered that afternoon, I decided to chose my words very carefully, to say the least.  I knew there could potentially be residue stemming from extended stays in California left inside the vehicle, but kept my cool and the righteous prevailed!

KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD!

Destiny was on our side and this journey was BIGGER than the smile AND the moustache I had on my face!  I felt like OJ must have felt when Judge Ito read his “Not Guilty” verdict.  I was in disbelief, but expeditiously got the party back on the road!

I had picked up a few nick knacks from thrift stores & gift shops including two moustaches: 1 of which was the Englishman Handlebar and the other we’ll call “Pepe Sanchez”.  Austin has this weird affinity with keeping things weird so whenever I come to visit, I try and do my part.  All over the city are stencils of moustaches and pictures of moustaches and even a seesaw converted into a “moustache ride”, so it’s quite obvious that when it comes to facial hair, DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS!

THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

SXSW attracts artists from all genres and walks of life, and this year, HIP HOP finally made it’s presence felt on and around 6th Street.  My show was on “Dirty 6th”, as dubbed by the locals, where visitors engaged in all kinds of debauchery.  I was running the streets of Austin with a toolbox, a GIANT handlebar moustache, KB Elephant t-shirt, suspenders and my drummer, Chris Vargas, who flew in and met me in the midst of the madness.

Everyone and their mother was at Venue 222 for the VIBE House Party and hip hop was most definitely in the building!  DJ Numark set it off the ‘Respect The West’ event with a medley of West Coast anthems, mostly paying tribute to the fallen soldier, Nate Dogg.  After the homey Fuzzy Fantabulous from POWER 106 caught a glimpse of me prepping backstage (combing my ‘stache and loading my six shooter confetti gun) he commented, “Oh, I GOTTA to see this!”.  He attempted to get the crowd hyped and introduced me as “Keenan Bell”, but it wasn’t until the 1st round of shots were fired before the audience welcomed me with their cheers and applause.

Fruit and Vegetables LIVE @ VIBE HOUSE SXSW

Kenan Bell x Aceyalone \”T.G.I.F.\” Live @ VIBE HOUSE SXSW 2011

AFTER THE SHOW IS THE AFTER PARTY

Vargas and I did our thing that night at Venue 222 and it was well worth the 3,000 miles I had to travel to make it happen.  By the time the other acts had finished performing, including Dom Kennedy, Casey Veggies, Pac Div and Kendrick Lamar, the anticipation had built up and the tension in the room was so thick, it could be cut with a knife.  Maybe that was just the clouds of marijuana smoke that had traveled up to the V.I.P. balcony where we were watching the show.  People had heard rumors of a surprise guest in attendance, and the entire building erupted when the Doggfather ever so smoothly stepped onto the stage.  Even I kinda lost my mind, and I knew he was making an appearance because a little birdy told me.

I can now say that I have opened for Snoop Dog and the DPG, whom initially encouraged me to pick up the pen and write raps when I was just a wee little lad in the Hills next to Chino.  The fun didn’t stop after the show, Chris and I dissected the mobs on Dirty 6th Street headed back to the van and eager to end the evening with Whataburger or Rudy’s.  On the way, we stopped at a red light as folks were hailing cabs left and right.  My van resembles the official SXSW shuttle and I got the bright idea of turning it into a ‘gypsy cab’ to earn a little extra gas money for the trip back to Cali.

A group of young ladies approached the vehicle and offered to pay for a ride back to where they were staying so, being the nice guys we are, we obliged and the 3 students piled into the E 350, finding seats on the band’s luggage and musical equipment.  One of the girls got so comfortable, she fell asleep!  The ladies directed us to what we believed was their place of residence, when in actuality, they were taking us to the ILL ROOTS mansion party in the hills above Austin.  I couldn’t believe my eyes when we pulled up and joined the festivities already in progress.  I ran into the homie Nicky Diamonds and Jeron Wilson and had a very good convo with both of them about the state of the industries (sk8/music/fashion) and they both had some amazing insight and advice.  Also surprised me to see Kid Cudi and Asher Roth enter the party at the same time and Don C. commented on my moustache.  Tyler the Creator already had told me the night before at the Tv On The Radio show how “swagged out” my ‘stache and suspenders were so I know I was doing something right!  I also conversed with the homeys The Nice Guys whom I have met on previous trips to TX with De La and RJD2, and those brothers definitely made their presence felt as they welcomed all the visiting artists to their home state.  The Cool Kids, Kendrick Lamar, Peas + Carrots and them were also in the building and it was an awesome coincidence to end up at such a happening shingdig, accidentally!

Special thank YOU’s:

Stampede MGMT and the Cashmere Agency for putting on such a remarkable and memorable event and inviting me to take part in their SXSW experience

AMERICAN CITY for allowing me to become an honorary member of their band

ACEYALONE for coming out and blessing the stage with his contributions to “T.G.I.F.”

AMAZING men and women who opened their hearts, homes, and arms to us along the way

U.S. BORDER PATROL for doing such an outstanding job

THANK YOU for reading this lengthy and long overdue blog entry

GOOD DAY!

<3

kb

“…yes yes ya’ll and it don’t stop!!”

- KRS-One

It’s a new day and a new year.  Halfway through the month of January, 31 Flavors is almost over!!  I spent the last week working on new music in New York City and drove back to Cali, narrowly avoiding a blizzard and returning to a beautiful 80 degree day in LA in the dead of Winter.  I’m making up for lost time by releasing 6 tracks today!!

2011 is also the beginning of a new decade and I’m getting it started right with a Mini Tour with the amazing Ms. Gavin Turek and the awesome Michael Gross and the Statuettes.

Tour Dates

1/19 Go Go 37 St. George, UT

1/20 Las Vegas Country Saloon Las Vegas, LV

1/21 Blue Cafe Long Beach, CA

1/22 La Cita Los Angeles, CA

Also, I filmed a commercial to help spread word about my 31 Flavors promotion and my dude Nav at Baskins-Robbins is currently pitching the advertisement to corporate.  I wanted to share it with YOU first Enjoy!

Good Day

KB

Earlier this week, I was featured on the “DOWNLOAD THIS” segment of MTV’s entertainment news show, The Seven. The piece highlighted the songs “Like This” & “International Delight” and even showed clips of both videos…So technically, I can now claim that not ONLY 1, but 2 of my videos have been played on Music Television Thank YOU MTV!!!!!