About
Ken$on | Music With A Message
A California native with proud Bay Area roots, Ken$on came from tumultuous, humbling beginnings. The only of his grandmother's grandsons who never saw the inside of a jail cell, Ken$on had his share of tragedy. From a violent upbringing to nearly a decade living homeless, these struggles shaped a resilient character committed to overcoming his past and sharing that triumph to inspire and advocate for others.
Determination, Knowledge, Courage, Joy
Corporate interests and their minstrel depictions have systematically degraded hip-hop culture and, along with it, Black self-identification. In response, Ken$on steers clear of mainstream media tropes in his lyrics (no cursing, vulgarity, gratuitous violence, misogyny, or hate speech) while maintaining a raw, authentic, gritty portrayal of his journey and ambition in the Bay.
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Representation Matters
Hip-hop/Rap and its derivatives (trap, drill, crunk-music) are the world's most popular and most consumed music media. But, over 90% of hip-hop media is owned and operated by only three companies (and the two investors that control them all). Their systematic financial seizure of the platform and messaging of hip-hop culture are functionally the latest and most successful examples of Blackface in media.
Keeping It Real
Hip-hop culture has for decades been used in political discourse to excuse the unjust treatment of Black people. Whether it be "those thugs who don't pull their pants up" or demonizing being "woke," our community is denied credit, job interviews, pain medicine, and due process of law because of assumptions about our character: assumptions based on "art" commissioned by the same people who control the prison industrial complex, military-industrial complex, and so on.
Ken$on stands outside daily in different East Bay locations, speaking to anyone who will listen about this reality. He offers his music but also his presence, determination, passion, knowledge, and joy with courage. Ken$on aims to represent the traits most often overlooked but also most central to hip-hop and Black culture. These traits are necessary to overcome impossible circumstances, the story of Black America.
Ken$on is clearly on a mission and living to the adage of being the change you want to see. In a world where people are quick to fight only for themselves, we need warriors who will stand up for others.