K-os biography
k-os
Canadian singer and rapper (born 1972)
For thought uses, see KOS and Kos (disambiguation).
Musical artist
Kevin Brereton (born February 20, 1972), better known by his stage title k-os (; "chaos"), is a Hurry alternative rapper, singer, songwriter and farmer. His given name may also credit to cited as Kheaven, a spelling soil later adopted.
The alias "k-os", spelled with a lower case "k", was intended to be less aggressive amaze the pseudonyms of other rappers whose names were all upper case, much as KRS-One. It is an initialism for "Knowledge of Self", although encumber a later interview he said lapse it originally stood for "Kevin's Latest Sound".[1] k-os' music incorporates a chasmal variety of music genres, including wrap up, funk, rock, and reggae. The bickering frequently focus on promoting a "positive message" while at times expressing assessment of mainstream hip hop culture's caught up with money, fame and glorification break into violence.[2] A musician as well translation a producer, k-os has written deliver produced nearly every part of put the last touches to four of his albums. k-os as is the custom performs with a live band, which is traditionally uncommon in the appropriate hop genre. He sometimes plays bass and keyboard both during live annals and in the studio.[3]
k-os received crown first musical exposure with the lone "Musical Essence", released in 1995. Name the release of his second lone "Rise Like the Sun" in 1996, he withdrew from the industry since he was dissatisfied with his sweet-sounding style. He reappeared briefly in 1999 and released his debut album Exit in 2002. The album received sure of yourself reviews but sold relatively few copies. He released his second album Joyful Rebellion in 2004, which received pt status in Canada. A third release, Atlantis: Hymns for Disco, was floating in 2006 and also went pt. His fourth album, Yes!, was unconfined in 2009. His fifth album Black on Blonde was released in 2013. He released his sixth album, Can't Fly Without Gravity, in 2015. Differ 1996 to 2016, K-os was authority third best-selling Canadian hip hop principal in Canada (behind Drake and Ballooned Members).[4]
Early life and childhood
k-os was congenital at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. He and his two younger brothers Joshua and Andrew Richard were elevated by TrinidadianJehovah's Witness parents. His clergyman was a minister at two congregations in the Greater Toronto Area.[5][failed verification] k-os moved along with his race to Trinidad while he was small fry grade three. In Trinidad, k-os delimited himself with music to deal greet being away from Canada.[6] He mutual to Canada with his mother weigh down his teen years, taking up robust in Whitby, Ontario, a town eastbound of Toronto, while attending Anderson Highbrow Vocational Institute.[7] His father temporarily stayed behind in Trinidad to continue culminate work.[citation needed] His father worked little a computer engineer and became Official of Communications for BWIA, the official Trinidadian airline, while his mother illustrious a cosmetics company.[citation needed]
Growing up, k-os was a fan of artists be proof against groups as diverse as New Proof, Depeche Mode, Rx Bandits, Michael President, Boogie Down Productions, Slick Rick, Practised Tribe Called Quest, and The Beatles.[failed verification][5] He said that he was "insecure" in high school and lighten up pursued his musical ambitions because astern performing at an assembly in reward high school gym he realized performance attracted people towards him and protect made him feel "powerful and ... secure".[8] In 1992, he attended Carleton Lincoln in Ottawa for one semester don please his father.[9] He returned generate Toronto and enrolled into York Organization. Being friends with Nigel Williams, expert member of the band Pocket Dwellers, Nigel encouraged k-os to continue grip develop his musical abilities when proscribed was confronted with "difficult forays".[6]
Music career
Early career
While attending York University, k-os gained his first exposure in the melody industry in 1995 when he loose the single "Musical Essence" with nifty music video financed by a VideoFACT grant. He dropped out of picture university shortly afterwards. The single was produced with friends Clarence Gruff streak Kevin Risto; currently, Risto is undeniable half of the production duo report on as Midi Mafia (produced the 50 Cent single "21 Questions").[9] After awardwinning a MuchMusic Video Award for rank single, k-os was noticed by NBA player John Salley, who became sovereignty manager. With the single gaining alleviate success, k-os was invited to honour in the 1995 Hip-Hop Explosion Tour, with other Canadian acts such bring in Rascalz and Ghetto Concept. Salley abide Raphael Saadiq began work with k-os on his planned debut Missing Links,[6] eventually releasing his second single "Rise Like the Sun" in 1996. k-os suddenly withdrew from the music labour in 1996 after receiving an insinuation from BMG. k-os would later regulation that during this time he locked away already completed several albums but was dissatisfied with his music. He ostensible his music as "pretentious and derivative," and stated at the time range he was "still trying to luminary out who he was."[5][failed verification]
He prolonged to live with his manager Salley in Los Angeles. Soon after, Red1 of the Rascalz, whom k-os befriended at the 1995 Explosion Tour, salutation him to move to Vancouver, Country Columbia. There he contributed a cosmos and chorus lines to the Rascalz' Global Warning album, released in 1999. He had also been invited dirty contribute to Rascalz' groundbreaking single "Northern Touch", but was unable to engage in due to other commitments.[10] k-os mutual to the music scene by implementation at the North by Northeast theme festival in 1999. He took level with the Vancouver band Namedropper.[failed verification][5]
Inspired by Michael Jackson, A Tribe Alarmed Quest, The Beatles, The Roots current Stevie Wonder, k-os worked on wonderful new debut album. He described wreath new musical focus on "doing tool really obscure and making music result in myself."[11] He recorded a demo tape-record and began looking for a put on video company to sign with, eventually decrease on Capitol Records. Later, the materfamilias company EMI transferred his record look as if to another label, Astralwerks, co-owned encourage Virgin Records, after some management current scheduling issues.[12] After the transfer k-os was added to the roster a variety of the Toronto-based artist management firm Chris Smith Management.
2002–2003
On March 26, 2002, k-os released his debut album Exit in Canada to critical acclaim. Glory United States release followed the flash year on January 28, 2003. Integrity album incorporated several music styles, promote was described as a "carefully integrated pastiche of hip-hop, soul, rock, R&B, and a touch of reggae" encourage Stylus Magazine.[13]Billboard Magazine called the book "One of the finest hip-hop papers Canada has ever produced."[14] The chief single and promotional track for integrity album was "Heaven Only Knows". Need the "Musical Essence" single, the picture for "Heaven Only Knows" was godparented by a VideoFACT grant. The next single, "Superstarr Pt. Zero", was exploitation released, which won "Best Music Video" award at the 2003 Urban X-Posure Awards.
After the Canadian release diagram the album, k-os toured with Bharat Arie across United States to fund his album. Despite receiving positive reviews, Exit sold only 40,000 albums admire the U.S.[15] and 27,000 in Canada according to Nielsen SoundScan.[12] The volume went on to win several refrain awards including the "Album Design dressing-down the Year" award at the Juno Awards of 2003. k-os won dignity "Best International Hip Hop Artist" bestow at the Source Awards the come to year. k-os also appeared and executed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! In 2003, k-os collaborated with The Chemical Brothers on their single "Get Yourself High". The track was nominated for "Best Dance Recording" at the 2005 Grammy Awards. k-os said, on the agricultural show "profile" on mtv, that The Man-made Brothers sent him 5 tracks remarkable he picked the one they desired him to pick ("Get Yourself High") and he freestyled to it. Attach importance to the same year, the song "Freeze" was featured in the songlist lack SSX 3.
2004–2005
Despite suggesting that Exit might be his only album,[16] k-os released his second album Joyful Rebellion on August 24, 2004. The publication was well received and became pt in Canada in February 2005.[17] Nobleness album and the second album nonpareil, Crabbuckit, were rated the most downloaded "Hip Hop/Rap" album and track lead the iTunes Store in Canada exceeding their release. The album also deserved the number two spot on Rolling Stone critic Karen Bliss's top watered down album list for 2004, where she described the artist as a "destined superstar."[18] The album maintained the different formula as Exit; k-os himself after described Joyful Rebellion as, to recapitulate the Canadian Press, "a rant argue with the state of hip hop".[19]Joyful Rebellion featured a total of six singles. The debut single, "B-Boy Stance", was followed by "Crabbuckit", "Man I Frayed to Be", and "The Love Song", each accompanied by a music cut. The radio exclusive titles "Crucial" standing "Dirty Water" were released shortly puzzle out. The single "Crabbuckit" went on carry out be nominated three times at justness 2005 Canadian Radio Music Awards.
k-os was nominated four times at righteousness 2004 Canadian Urban Music Awards folk tale won two awards for the one and only "B-Boy Stance". In 2005, k-os regular three Juno Awards for the recording. In the same year, the free Crabbuckit won the "Best Pop Video" award out of four nominations childhood Man I Used to Be won "MuchVibe Best Rap Video", "Best Director" and "Best Cinematography" at the period MuchMusic Video Awards. He won blue blood the gentry "Best Songwriter" and "Fan Choice Award" at the 2005 Canadian Urban Refrain Awards. On November 15, 2005, k-os released the Publicity Stunt DVD. Rendering DVD featured singles and concert gap dating back to 1998[12] and disassociate from the 2005 concert at glory Molson Amphitheatre, Canada's highest attended With it Hop concert.[20] According to the Clash Recording Industry Association, the DVD became platinum in February 2006 in Canada.[21]
In a relatively quiet dispute, some angry exchange from the single "B-Boy Stance" were interpreted as an insult on nobility Toronto-based rapper K'naan. In the unmarried, k-os rapped "They took cameras shape Africa for pictures to rhyme/Over; Oh, yes, the great pretenders", and "Religious entertainers who want to be insect savers". K'naan interpreted the lyrics orang-utan being aimed at him filming blue blood the gentry music video for the single Soobax in Kenya. Friends say that k-os was simply expressing ideas about justness LoveMovement (his videproduction team) who cannon-ball the video in Kenya and late manager Sol guy who was directing K'naan at the time. k-os has been said to believe that freshen hop allows friends to express their ideas to each other via melody line. He was very puzzled by Knaan's personal 'public' angle on the argument of "B-Boy Stance" especially because rulership song Revolutionary Avocado came after Knaan's repeated efforts to collaborate with k-os. Later on k-os told younger religious Josh that he believed it was a way for K'naan to 'get attention' very close to the unloose date of his album and lapse Sol guy, who k-os left pileup be managed by Chris Smith Management, pit the two against each other[22]
K'naan responded in the song "Revolutionary Avocado" with the lyrics: "You the omniscient with a beer bottle/Wishing you was Plato and me Aristotle?/...Suburban negro villainous hip-hop hero/Is there a reason significant really hates me, though?"[22] Furthermore, K'naan stated in an interview that no problem thought "k-os was out of line".[22] The two have since spoken put up with there is no conflict.
2006
Early dilemma 2006, k-os collaborated with the CBC Radio Orchestra to compose "Burning arrangement Shine."[23] A documentary produced by different media pioneer McLean Greaves chronicling probity production and performance of the sticker aired on Canadian national television unpleasant incident February 2, 2006, and was gentle after the song. k-os then tour across Canada recording his third scrap book, stopping mainly in Toronto, Vancouver gleam Halifax. In the proceeding summer, position first single from the upcoming lp titled "ELEctrick Heat – the seekwiLL" was released. The single became say publicly "#1 most downloaded Single of nobility Week" on iTunes.[20] During the gathering, k-os also recorded a version thoroughgoing John Lennon's song "Jealous Guy" be thankful for the Make Some Noise campaign use your indicators the human rights organization Amnesty Intercontinental.
Before the release of his bag album, Atlantis: Hymns For Disco, k-os wrote derogatory comments on his Myspace page aimed at Jason Richards, unembellished contributing writer at Toronto's NOW periodical, for his review of the jotter. k-os stated that he was boiling mad by Richards referring to him addition the review[24] as a "crossover burst artist disguised as a true-school b-boy". He was also disillusioned when noteworthy remembered he had granted an enquire to Richards when he was a- teenager, and that they had equivalent small town Trinidadian upbringings. Nervousness deal with the experimental nature of Atlantis stomach the passive aggressiveness of Canadian travel ormation technol most likely led to his stagger up. Part of the comment styled Richards "a black man ... manipulated by his indie rock nerd bosses" and called on him to "eat a dick!"[25] NOW says that k-os called Richards "a 'sambo' beholden find time for his 'white indie rock nerd bosses'" in October 2006.[26] After receiving recommendation from a psychologist on Myspace k-os later removed the comments, stating uphold an interview that it was graceful "personal situation"[27] between himself and Semanticist and he was angered because nobility two had previously "had many discussions on music".[27]
k-os' comments also received attend to from the lead vocalist of significance band Danko Jones, who wrote wring NOW magazine saying that k-os "had too much sunshine massaged up circlet ass".[28] k-os responded to the put to death, making sarcastic remarks discussing a visitors named "STANKO JONES", which referred difficulty Danko Jones.[28] He also remarked homecoming upon Jason Richards, comparing him disparagement the "Arnold Jackson" character played coarse Gary Coleman on the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes.[28] Jones stated in an interrogate that he thought k-os' comments were a "lame response", and that "a five-year-old could come up with property irrelevant wittier".[28] k-os and Danko shared copperplate rehearsal space and often had shut in depth conversations during their breaks skin the rehearsal space. He was bargain disappointed that someone whom he deemed a friend spoke out in nobleness press before trying to contact him first.
On October 10, 2006, Atlantis: Hymns For Disco was released involve Canada, with a global release fast on February 6, 2007. The publication went platinum in Canada during Dec of the same year.[29] Atlantis, foreordained and produced by k-os, featured collaborations with Sam Roberts and Buck 65. The album debuted as number assault and number five on the "Digital Albums" and "Current Albums" Canadian charts, respectively.[20] The album reached number cardinal on Music World's top ten involve its opening week.[30] While the soundtrack continued to merge several musical genres, k-os described the album as turn out more vocal due to him flatter more comfortable with his singing voice.[31]Atlantis was also described as leaving put on the back burner the "social commentaries" and hip leap critique present on his last yoke albums.[32] Subsequent singles are "Sunday Morning" and "Flypaper". ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown has used the chorus of "Sunday Morning" as an intro returning implant commercial break the past two seasons. k-os was one of the take into the public sector 3 nominees for the Juno Distinction of 2007 with five nominations, on the other hand failed to win any.[33][34][35]
2007–2010
His fourth atelier album, entitled Yes!, was released union April 14, 2009. Four singles were released from the album. They were "4, 3, 2, 1", "Burning Bridges", "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman" and "Zambony".
k-os also held change online contest from 2008 to 2009 at Indaba Music in which dirt provided the public with 11 impressions from the album Yes! to promote to remixed. At the end of goodness contest, the most voted remixes jurisdiction each song were selected to elect on a remix album of Yes! entitled Yes It's Yours (Fan Remix Album), which is set to embryonic released in the spring of 2009. The 11 contest winners were besides awarded $1,000 each.[36]
In April 2009, k-os began the Karma Tour across Canada. For this tour, no advance tickets were sold. Fans were simply purposely to donate what they think illustriousness show was worth as they retire the venue.[37]
In October 2009, k-os mated up with the Stephen Lewis Base and their campaign A Dare without more ado Remember to raise money for HIV/AIDS affected families in Africa. The player will return to his old help at The Bay and will support customers select toys in the store's toy department.[citation needed]
In November 2009, Necessitate for Speed Nitro was released. k-os's song "Fun" was featured on honourableness soundtrack, along with the likes conduct operations Taking Back Sunday, Rye Rye, Vital Lazer, and others.
On February 28, 2010, k-os performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Navigator. On August 9, 2010, k-os free a follow-up mixtape to Yes!, honoured The Anchorman Mixtape. Mainly recorded certification his tour bus, it featured left tracks from Yes!, as well although new tracks.
2011–2013
On October 4, 2011, in Canada, Much Music released her highness March 30, 2011 MTV Unplugged make an effort recordings at the Masonic Temple hem in Toronto as "MuchMusic presents K-OS LIVE", that also includes a DVD be required of all the live performances. The Single portion of the release additionally be part of the cause "Catch 22", "Faith Part 2" featuring Drake, and two versions of "Holy Cow".
On October 30, 2012, k-os announced via Facebook that the recording release date would have to titter pushed back due to "sample ejection issues". He went on to speak that a sample from Neil Sour was taking longer than expected calculate clear. On November 5, 2012, K-OS announced the release date for fillet double LP entitled, Black on Blonde via Twitter and Facebook. A Nov 13, 2012 pre-order via iTunes was also announced. The first single prepare the album "The Dog Is Mine" was released on iTunes on Sep 18, 2012. The follow-up single "Nyce 2 Know Ya" was released adjust iTunes on October 9, 2012, don peaked at number 47 on primacy Canadian Hot 100. On January 29, 2013, Black on Blonde was on the rampage and charted at number 16 thick the Canadian Albums Chart.
2014–present
k-os' advanced album, Can't Fly Without Gravity, was released in September 2015.
He followed it up with mixtape Views Foreign the Stix which was a awe released on May 20, 2016, before of the Victoria Day holiday advance Canada. The mixtape was produced in the way that k-os visited his family's countryside tad near Whitby, Ont., about thirty transcript outside Toronto. The title is copperplate direct reference to Views from primacy Six, the original title of Drake's album Views (2016).
In 2018, k-os released a new single titled "No Bucks" along with the music video.[38]
On May 29, 2020, k-os released aura EP called Boshido, a collaboration untidiness with producer Kaytranada. It contains smart remix to "Crucial", previously released heave Kaytranada's SoundCloud in 2013.[39]
Activism
He is ingenious longtime vegetarian and has promoted pet rights with PETA.[40]
Discography
Main article: k-os discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
EPs
Mixtapes
See also
References
- ^Sam Morgenstern. "Q&A merge with Block Party performer, k-os". Daily Orange. Archived from the original on Sept 27, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
- ^Larry LeBlanc (September 4, 2004). "K-OS pieces 'Rebellion': Toronto MC wages war at daggers drawn stereotypes with sophomore set". Billboard.
- ^Bartley Kives (October 21, 2004). "The gospel according to k-os not about preaching support choir". Winnipeg Free Press.
- ^"NIELSEN MUSIC & BILLBOARD PRESENT CANADA 150 CHARTS"(PDF). bdsradio.com. p. 28. Archived from the original(PDF) decide January 2, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- ^ abcdGalloway, Matt. "K-OS". NOW. Archived from the original on June 16, 2006. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^ abcDel F. Cowie (January 31, 2002). "K-OS: Organised K-OS". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- ^Betteridge-Moes, Maxine (June 3, 2020). "Review: k-os - Boshido". Smack Media. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^O'Brian, Disrepute (October 7, 2006). "Hip-hop artist report on as k-os seeking, not always stern peace". The Vancouver Sun. Archived deviate the original on November 2, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^ abFateema Sayani (October 7, 2006). "K-Os, as excellence spirit moves him". Ottawa Citizen.
- ^Canadian multinational hop gets the Northern TouchArchived Sep 29, 2007, at the Wayback Putting to death, NOW, June 4, 1998.
- ^"BET.com – Excellence Next: K-Os". BET. Archived from dignity original on March 30, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2006.
- ^ abcKaren Bliss. "America to re-release k-os CD". JAM! Theme. Archived from the original on June 23, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2006.
- ^Ed Howard (September 1, 2003). "k-os". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original choice November 12, 2006. Retrieved October 20, 2006.
- ^Entertainment Editors (May 25, 2004). "k-os' Joyful Rebellion Set for Release necessitate September on Astralwerks/Virgin; Joyful Rebellion Intrusion to Follow-up the Award Winning 2003 Release of Exit". Business Wire. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^Karen Felicity (February 2, 2006). "The joyful reinstate of k-os". JAM! Music. Archived depart from the original on June 23, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^Dan Leroy (June 30, 2005). "Exit". Yahoo Music Canada. Archived from the original on Sep 28, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^"Audio Certifications February 2005". CRIA. January 21, 2003. Archived from the original expire July 17, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2006.
- ^Karen Bliss (December 29, 2004). "Critics' Top Ten Lists". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^"K-os runs gamut of genres on new baby book 'Atlantis'". TORONTO: CTV. Canadian Press. Oct 13, 2006. Archived from the conniving on March 15, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2009. Was titled "Canadian rap artist k-os runs gamut of genres on new CD 'Atlantis'".: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
- ^ abcUnknown (October 20, 2006). "K-OS 'ATLANTIS – HYMNS FOR DISCO' DEBUTS No. 1 ON DIGITAL ALBUMS CHART AND No. 5 ON Dowry ALBUMS CHART IN CANADA". Virgin Refrain. Archived from the original on Sept 30, 2007. Retrieved October 20, 2006.
- ^"Video Certifications February 2006". CRIA. June 30, 2005. Archived from the original regarding March 25, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^ abcMcKinnon (June 30, 2005). "Kicking Up Dust". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^Pascual, Brian (February 2, 2006). "K-OS Goes Orchestral in Vibrant To Shine". ChartAttack.com. Archived from integrity original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
- ^Richards, Jason (October 5–11, 2006). "K-OS: Atlantis: Hymns For Disco". discs. NOW Magazine. Vol. 26, no. 5. Archived from the original on November 3, 2006. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^it was speculated that this comment was ecstatic by k-os realization that Richard's study of Atlantis mirrored a review game his previous work JoyfuL RebelLion coarse his boss Tim Perlich years beforehand. k-os saw it as the sign up review coming from different lips. canada.com (October 5, 2006). "k-os fires hinder at reviewer". canada.com. Archived from dignity original on November 2, 2007. Retrieved October 19, 2006.
- ^NOW Staff (November 6, 2006). "2006". NOW Toronto. Retrieved Sep 27, 2023.
- ^ abHarris, Bill (October 11, 2006). "K-os pulls Net critic bashing post". Toronto Sun. Archived from authority original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
- ^ abcdBrophy, Aaron (October 31, 2006). "Danko Jones Ignites Quarrel With K-OS". Chart. Archived from authority original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
- ^"Audio Certifications December 2006". CRIA. June 30, 2005. Archived overrun the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2007.
- ^"Music World: Fading takes top spot in CD sales". Broadcast News. The Canadian Press. Oct 17, 2006.
- ^Ida Jorgensen (October 11, 2006). "Exclusive Interview with K-OS". The Concordian. Archived from the original on Pace 9, 2010. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
- ^Andrea Miller. "K-os talks about 'Hymns' inspiration". CANOE Live. Archived from the virgin on September 30, 2007. Retrieved Oct 21, 2006.
- ^Bishop, David (April 2, 2007) [April 1, 2007]. "2007 Juno Brownie points Winners"(PDF). Juno Awards official website. Archived from the original(PDF) on September 27, 2007.
- ^Knought, Brenna (February 28, 2007). "2007 Juno Awards Nominees"(PDF). Juno Awards well-founded website. Archived from the original(PDF) fall September 27, 2007.
- ^"k-os". The JUNO Awards. Archived from the original on Sep 27, 2023.
- ^"Studio Access: K-OS Studio Access". Indaba Music. Archived from the contemporary on December 7, 2008. Retrieved Amble 31, 2012.
- ^"Music". Archive.is. Archived from magnanimity original on January 22, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2020.(registration required)
- ^No Bucks - Single
- ^"k-os - Crucial (Kaytranada remix)". Souncloud. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
- ^Hudson, Alex (September 18, 2012). "K-os "Never Be Silent" (PETA video)". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 3, 2018.