This tour marks a big stepping stone for me because I knew of both of these artists before they knew me and I respected them and were enormous fans of their work before we ever spoke. So to be crafting a tour and going on this journey with them means a lot.

PEEP> GAME>                (Continues below)

A brief history:

Around 2005, I began working on my first solo project, The Basics. I had become friends with this guy named Slouch through myspace who made some beats that I thought were pretty amazing. See Suave, Whisper Whisper and the entire Lights for the Dark Nights EP.  As we began to work together on music, he was also working with this guy named Symmetry out of Rhode Island – Sym, in my opinion sounded like a white version of Black Thought from The Roots. But he could also sing! I was hooked, Slouch showed me a few of the songs they were working on which were mostly comedy songs, one about him being on a fantasy island, another about him being a cartoon but occasionally they would drift into the world of seriousness and his real talent would shine.

Long story short, My zeal for his talent inspired me to fly Symmetry out to Seattle for a show with myself, Macklemore and Grieves (Crazyness, I know). We got to hang out and do a show together. It was a brief but good visit. For him, it opened many doors – the big one being his album with Ryan Lewis which is a fantastic record and I feel blessed in having a hand in making that project possible. Over the years our communication has been spotty at best but we kept tabs on each other and one day as I was planning out this new tour I was listening to his album Dusty Pickup, which I consider one of the best hip hop records of the last 10 years, and realized that I want this guy to be a part of this. I called him up and his enthusiasm was palpable. On the edge of finishing his newest album, he told me he had refocused on music, as had I, and is more than excited to do his FIRST west coast tour. And I couldn’t be happier about providing him and the people of the west coast to see one of the hidden gems in underground hip hop – Symmetry.

JFK…. There aren’t really words to explain this guy. His flow is unlike anyone else in the game and he has a character to match – in and out of the booth, I was introduced to JFK way late. Although he has been a vet in the scene for some time now, one half of Grayskul, the legendary Seattle hip hop group that with Boom Bap Project, was the first Seattle group to get signed by Rhymesayers, I never knew who he was or took notice. That is until I heard Scarecrow, the first single off of there latest Rhymesayers release Bloody Radio. On that beat, he redefines flow. If you are an MC you will understand this – JFK is the type of MC that when you hear him rap, it inspires you to be better and makes you almost want to quit because you know you probably can’t ever be that dope. That’s how I felt after hearing his verse on Scarecrow – just ridiculously talented.

So when we (The Let Go) were able to do a song with him, I was all for it – see Stand My Ground off of our album Morning Comes. A few months after we did the song, JFK and I found ourselves drunkenly talking shit about our own verses on the song and complimenting the others.  To this day, I have no idea if he was being serious or not but the exchange made me feel foolish enough to attempt the offer of asking him to tour with me. He was down and here we are.

I can’t tell you how excited I am. For myself and for you guys, If I was just a fan and not part of this show, I would not miss this line-up and if I’m not on stage, you can bet I will be front row watching these two perform every night.

JFK, Kublakai, Symmetry – West Coast Spring Tour – Break the Leg.

Thanks so much to everyone involved. Meg, Mike, Midnite, Jay Battle, Jeff, Carol & of course Minnie! That was a really fun shoot and proof that its all about the people you surround yourself with that makes anything worth doing. Love y’all.

And special thanks to Club Sur for allowing us to use their fantastic venue.

Word,

Kubi

So early this past summer I sat down with Midnite and asked him some questions. It gave me a chance to hang out with my buddy, recollect old stories and, honestly, play with my fancy new camera & video editing equipment. (Be nice, its my first attempt at any type of  video!)

So get to know Captain Midnite y’all! PEEP GAME!

PEEP GAME:

If you are a long time fan, you probably noticed that back in ’06 through ’09, I was playing a TON of shows, both solo and with my group The Let Go. But as tensions between the group grew and struggles to turn my passion into my CAREER as a solo artist became seemingly-insurmountable, I sank into a depression of sorts, pulled away from the shows (which became more like a non-stop party rather than performances) and began focusing on what was most important to me: creating the art that I loved instead of the attention that I got from performing and selling it. And, as cliche as it is, I wanted a return to basic ideals that I felt I had lost along the way. Those being, treat others as you want to be treated, happiness should always come before “business” and when creating my art, create the things that I wanted to instead of the things I felt I was supposed to. There is a difference.

What came of it was my most personal work thus far which will always be dear to me. Lights for the Dark Nights was a short six-song EP of what I wanted from myself. The only exception was Insanity Reigns which was for the most part, an homage/farewell to the psychosis that I felt loomed over me while falling into the party mode of the last few years.  A few fans wrote me to tell me the EP was “too emo” which honestly stung. Luckily others touted it as a masterpiece and several piers told me in private how proud they were that I took a risk to make it.  In the end though, it was for me and me only and was a huge part of the healing process. I’m immensely proud of this project.

So although I did play a few shows here and there to keep semi-fresh performance legs and to show the fans that stuck with me through my absentee-ism that they were appreciated, I felt that I was done with performing and music in-general until I could be certain I would not fall into the same ugly routines of the past.

Fast forward…………………….

So here I am (a month or so ago), a year and some change since my last solo performance, my new album finished (http:kublakai.bandcamp.com), new music video in the can ( watch?v=PYatguCHW6I] ) with a small swell of new fans (what up!). I was feeling re-invigorated, physically and emotionally.

So………..Lets book some shows!

The first show I booked was with Saint Warhead who, despite his name, is really nice and about his business (you would be surprised how far a small bit of professionalism can get you in the indie hip-hop world). I was excited, not really that nervous, just ready to be back at it and looking forward to begin again this journey into performing for fans new and old.

The show was at a nice small venue off of Burnside in Portland called Backspace. People start showing up and things go well through the first two acts… My turn to jump on stage.

*siiiiiiiigh* Ring rust is a motherfucker. Now, for those who were there and gave me love – you are awesome and it’s very possible that you didn’t even notice what I was going through. So take this a look inside a performer’s head during a show. In the end, I actually had a great time, but those jitters felt very, very visible as soon as I stepped on stage.

Thirty seconds into the first song, I forget a line, then another. *Oy*  Then I tripped on stage, then stopped a song half way through, repeated the same verse twice, said a line backwards (words-back (did that on purpose!)) – I literally was saying the line and thought, “how is that even f***ing possible that I just did that?” It was literally a nightmare for me. However, the years of doing this reminded me that 1.) This shit is not easy!  &  2.) Not every show is gonna be a home-run but you give it everything you have regardless…. and I did.

About half way through, I finally settled in and although I still stumbled a bit, the jitters sub-sided and I think everyone had a good time. I am thankful that it happened. It reminded me that every show is a performance and that as a performer, your audience is your employer and there is no half-assing it. I feel like a lot of rappers, myself included, sometimes feel like its enough to be rapping on stage for 30-45 minutes for your 10 bucks. Now granted, SOMETIMES, that’s okay – but if my first show after a year away had gone amazing and I was just completely feeling myself (pause) afterward I may have only done that from here on out. However, it was humbling and a stark reminder that as I continue this journey and build my career as an artist and performer, I need to work hard at my delivery and be committed to building a show to be proud of.

[Big up to DJ Anski for the pictures of the night!!]

My next show was absolutely amazing. Great performance, great crowd and only turned off the mic once while I was rapping. (If you were there, you know exactly what I’m talking about – lol – Oak Harbor, What Up!!)

Only place from here is UPPPPPP!

In the 48 laws of Power it says, “if you want to be successful, never admit your faults and protect your reputation at all costs.” and to that I say, your definition of success and mine may differ largely. Every show I put on will be a success, but they will all be different and I will always learn from each one. That is where I will succeed. The journey is the reward. I hope to see you at a show!

So without further adieu – THE SELF HELP TOUR featuring myself, MC Pigpen & Oso Negro.

And I know its just a few cities but believe me there are plans for many, many more tours in the future. I promise we will hit your city, no matter where you live sometime in the years to come!

Stay honest, stay laughing & stay you.

Peace,

Kubi

PEEP GAME!

THE BASICS 2 – AUGUST 22ND – KUBLAKAI.BANDCAMP.COM

The new blog from, myself, Kublakai – Where I will be Vlogging, blogging and hopefully talking with people about all the things I think need talking about.

Specifically, the things that I love – Hip Hop, Music, Movies, TV, Books, Artists & Travel.

Got a lot of things in store. I hope you guys check it out….

Peep game.