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!!!!!

New Years Eve at the Echo w/ Club Underground and Hang The DJs performing with Nite Jewel