AWmusic

Toronto-raised rapper k-os is, according to his website, “a genuine neo-crossover rap n’ roller.” He combines multiple genres to create his own funky, unique hip-hop sound. I first caught wind of him when I stumbled upon a single from Yes!, his fourth studio album. I’m an avid follower of new hip-hop, and k-os’s sound struck me as much different from most of the generic rap being released. He doesn’t strive to make auto-tuned club bangers; rather, he crafts songs that tell a story or send a message over an interesting, quirky beat.

The album opens with ‘Zambony’, A rolling rhyme building on a simple tick-tock of drumsticks and building up into a soulful, choir-backed story. Guitars, synths, and drums are all employed to create this funky, new track. At the beginning of the second verse, he claims “I am not indie rock, I am indeed hip-hop.” While this is doubtless true, his unique hip-hope sound channels multiple genres. ’4 3 2 1′ sounds like something off a Wyclef Jean album. The first time I heard the opening lines to ‘Uptown Girl’, I could have sworn Metric was playing it. ‘I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman’ samples the OC theme song from pop-rockers Phantom Planet. K-os doesn’t limit himself to a single genre; by borrowing from all genres, he creates an ambiguity that keeps us all on our toes.

As the album continues, every song has its own story and its own soul. K-os does an outstanding job keeping the music uniquely intriguing. He raps about many different topics, from love to war to the excessive chauvinism in most hip-hop. He effortlessly switches between singing and rapping, his unmistakable drawl carrying the two together without missing a beat. The dj scratches and minimalist beats give the entire album an old-school rap feel, but there’s enough variation in the beats that such an approach doesn’t get redundant.

If k-os is the future of hip-hop, it might not be dead after all. A few personal favorites of mine:’4 3 2 1′, ‘I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman’, and ‘Burning Bridges’. However, with an album this diverse, I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone has different preferences. If you only listen to one hip-hop album this year, make it this one. It isn’t single-driven like most hip-hop. The whole album comes together to create an awesome coalition of stories, using hip-hop as a vehicle to express multiple genres.

To learn more, check out his website or myspace.

k-os – 4 3 2 1
k-os – I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman
k-os – Burning Bridges