Kemo
A New Chapter in Kemo's "Kind of Stories"
Los Angeles , California



Kind of Stories (mp3)



In the 90's Latin Hip Hop culture started to move beyond the underground of the Los Angeles and blow up in such a way that no border would be able to hold it down. The ground breaking single "Tres Delinquentes" play the role of a bridging between the Hip Hop world and the Spanish speaking. Almost overnight Delinquent Habits found themselves as being the Ambassador's of Hip Hop to the Spanish speaking world relying mostly on the member of the group that spoke fluent Spanish; Kemo aka "The Blaxican" The group toured around the globe, including Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, the UK, Spain, Japan, Taiwan among other places putting Latin Hip Hop in the conscience of the world forever.

Kemo Recorded four albums with Delinquent Habits, was featured in movies soundtracks, television commercial and started Joint Clothing a line of Hip Hop street wear. Shortly after The Blaxican decided to leave the group and establish his solo career.

On August 31 of 2004 Kemo would drop his first solo album on Dead Silence Records entitled "Simple Plan". The first single "La Receta" hit radio and MTV En Espanol right away marking The Return of El Blaxicano.

We got the chance to interview Kemo and talk a little about his new single, find out what else is going on with The Blaxican, Dead Silence Records as well as to get a better understanding of who and what kemo the solo artist stands for.

LaUnion1910: Kemo, do you feel that there are still a lot of people that don't know that The Blaxican isn't part of Delinquent Habits anymore and has it been a hard job to establish your solo identity?

Kemo: I know that there are still a grip of people out there that donít know I left the group back at the end of 03. Establishing my solo identity has been pretty smooth I think. While in the group we each played major roles and my identity in the group back then was very prominent so though going solo and indie has been a grind, itís still me Iím still bringing that flavor with a Latin season.

LaUnion1910 : I'm sure you been asked this question before, but why did you call it quits on Delinquent Habits?

Kemo: I called it quits with DH because of several things. I felt the group was going in a different direction in business and creatively, plus major signs of animosity and jealousy for some other moves I was making. That was something I no longer wanted to be a part of. Some people want to see you prosper others are thrilled to see you fail. Iím on the grind and designed to be successful, I wasnít put on this earth to fail in the end. Thatís the way I feel and so I work toward that goal. With all that combined with the fact that I was just ready to make a change, I came to the conclusion that it was time for me to close that chapter in my career and move on to some better things.

LaUnion1910: Is there a relationship between Kemo & Delinquent Habits?

Kemo: None at all.

LaUnion1910: So now that you finished and got your first solo project out of the way, can you tell us if it was what you expected it to be at the end of the day, or did it feel different running around as a solo artist?

Kemo: Of course rocking a solo project had been much different than rocking with the same group for 12 years but all that took was a few adjustments. In Delinquent Habits we had all participated in the writing and development of songs and albums. My album turned out to be every thing I thought it could be and more. I produced and wrote every song and was able to contribute much more to the game than what I was doing In DH.

LaUnion1910: There is a new album on the way from Kemo, is there anything you can tell us about this new album and when will we be hearing a new single?

Kemo: The new album is still under development. I want to come and hit cats from the left with some unexpected shit. The kind of thing that cant be denied no matter what color your skin is. A new single is still some months away but I would like to have this new album done and released in about six months from now. In the mean time peeps can be on the look out for my new single off of Simple Plan. Itís called Kind of Stories and can be requested at local Hip Hop radio stations.

LaUnion1910: aside of the new album what else is cooking at Dead Silence Records?

Kemo: At Dead Silence were in the studio working on albums from some new artist weíre about to bring out. All very unique and differ in style from each other or anyone else out right now. Be on the look out. Dead Silence Records.

LaUnion1910: Today Spanish Hip Hop is way more than just Delinquent Habits, Mellow Man Ace, or a Cypress Hill, a lot of it is coming from Latin American now a days, would want to do a song with any artist from Latin America and if so with who?

Kemo: There are a grip of dope MC out there from around the globe. Itís one of those things that happens if itís meant to be.

LaUnion1910: There is a whole lot of hype around Latin urban artist right now, major labels signing artists left and right. The major labels making A&R's out of artists, yet there hasn't been one Hip Hop group or artist to smash through like a Cypress Hill or a Delinquent Habits, why do you think that is?

Kemo: DH and Cypress were on majors and had a unique and distinguishable quality about them. With the exception of a few groups, right now allot of music sounds like it all came from the same plant with the same formula giving to artist by the same A&R programmed by mainstream radio. Itís good to see the interest and excitement brewing within the genre however we cant be careless in our work efforts and let the foundation built by those that came before some of the pioneers (Cypress Hill, Delinquent Habits, Funk Doobiest, Psycho Realm, Kinto Sol, Frost, Lighter Shade of Brown, Big Pun, The Beatnuts, Tony Touch, Proper Dos, Mellow Man Ace and others, be for nothing. There needs to be substance and meaning to what we do. We as Latino artist have a responsibility to come correct and kill it on every level with a quality that can be put up against any other brand of Hip Hop period.

LaUnion1910: How would you say the business of the rap game has changed from the time that you first came out and now, and what are the pros and cons of being labeled a Latin Hip Hop Artist ?

Kemo: Well now days anyone one can record and drop an album like no problem. You donít need a big studio to get busy and get a quality record, If you know what your doing that is. The Latin Hip Hop game is blown wide open with artist from all over dropping bombs. Rhyming in Spanglish or Spanish is not so unique anymore. Now days I feel you got to be 10x dope to get props in Spanish or Bilingual. To many dope Spanish MC out these days for some cat to come pussy foot his way in the game with some lame ass rhymes thinking heís gonna get respected in the game. With Reggaeton blowing up right now, big labels are now starting to further see the potential of this Latino form of Hip Hop and they have yet to get to the core of it. Once they start getting to the substance of what we do, itíll never be the same. There to many sub-categories to this music now days.

LaUnion1910: In a old Delinquent Habits songs you talk about the politics of the music industry, do you keep up with National politics and what do you think about the comments Kayne West made about The President when he said "George Bush Doesn't care about black people"?

Kemo: I try and keep up with whatís going in our country and the world and much as I can. Kayne rightfully voiced his opinion about Bushes position about black people. This is America and you can do that here. I think Bush is a man in a position way over his head. He seems to only care about the rich and those that can fuel is personal assets. His heart is not with or for the people but for his own personal victory in his larger than life board game that he commands while using real life American men and women as political ponds. I voted and there for I have the right to complain about this idiot. He doesnít care about the poor either.

LaUnion1910: To any new cats trying to come up in the Hip Hop game, what words of advice would you give today?

Kemo: Stay true to yourself as you make your way in the biz and read read read lots of books on the business. There are some many ways to make it in the biz and so many more ways to get screwed. Do your homework.

LaUnion1910: Anything else you would like to add for the floks reading Launion1910?

Kemo: I would like all the people reading this to know that I am grateful for all the support over the years and for the support of my Simple Plan album.