BK-One's love of music has been a lifelong affair. From an early age, he studied classical piano and jazz theory, taught himself to play the vibraphone, and began collecting records. Before he was old enough to get into clubs, BK was touring the country as a vibes player in a jazz band and experimenting with multiple genres alongside local music veterans. After moving to Minneapolis in 1996, BK wasted no time finding a place for himself in the local Hip Hop scene. He helped to start one of the city's first independent Hip Hop radio shows and put his record collection to work, DJing regularly across the city. After meeting a hungry young rapper named Brother Ali and introducing him to the local Rhymesayers crew, BK-One found his best job yet...as the backbone of Ali's live show. Creating elaborate routines with quick mixes and pounding beats, he and Ali have spent 10 straight years earning their reputation as masters of the stage. In that time, BK has also released several popular mix-cd's, like For The Love Of Music and Set In Motion, which skillfully blend hip hop, funk, afrobeat, reggae, and jazz records.
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When not touring the globe with Brother Ali, BK-One has traveled extensively throughout Central and South America and these travels would become the inspiration for his first solo album, Rádio Do Canibal. The title Rádio Do Canibal refers to the Brazilian poet Oswald de Andrade's "Cannibal Manifesto". Written in 1928, the poem described Brazil as drawing its power from the absorption of other cultures. Decades later, Brazilians were creating wildly inventive music that drew inspiration from a wide range of sources. From the Brazilian sounds of bossa nova, Bahian folk, and samba, to international styles like psychedelic pop, reggae, Portuguese fado, and the soul, jazz, and funk music of the U.S., nothing was off limits. Rádio Do Canibal is a humble attempt to capture the spirit of that Brazilian music, creating something new and exciting.
Alongside up and coming Twin Cities producer Benzilla, BK-One has crafted a dynamically engaging Hip Hop record inspired by the music of Brazil featuring artists like Black Thought (The Roots), Scarface, Raekwon (Wu-Tang Clan), Slug (Atmosphere), Murs (Living Legends), The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Phonte (Little Brother), The Grouch (Living Legends), and of course Brother Ali. BK's years of experience in different styles of music shines through on this album, as he collaborates with rappers, jazz musicians, and singers alike. He says of the experience, “This album combines my three favorite things...music, travel, and working alongside my friends”.
