Kemba ft. Smino "Exhale"

Seeing Kemba mature into the Republic Records-signee that he now is has been one of the best things about maintaining this blog. And while he might not feel pressure from niggas like me, he might not need to—judging by the Smino-featured "Exhale," which dropped not long after the news of his new deal, Kemba's on the right track.

In speaking to The FADER about the new song, Kemba said that this track "is the feeling of being pulled in every direction by the people in your life. You have your family telling you to be more like them, your girl saying be like what she wants, and the pressure you’re putting on yourself to follow your dreams. Sometimes you just have to take a step back and breathe."

That last line will hold true to everyone, everyday, but for Kemba, this next phase of his career should be the best phase. If he can't do it, no one can; he just has to breathe in, exhale, and ride the wave.

Share:

Kemba Gets Dark On "Greed"

Image via John Tashiro

You have to love how the visual elements from Kemba's Negus match the songs perfectly. He could've easily made his clips feature 5011 niggas sitting with him on a couch getting blunted on some Kids shit, but he found a way to match the dark, lonely vibe that a track like "Greed" has with this video. The clip finds Kemba alone, in a dark ass room, pouring his heart out into his mouth, spitting his innermost thoughts (and fears) to Frank Drake's hypnotizing drone of a track.

It's lovely.

Kemba's wrapping up the No Ceilings Tour in California, with a show tonight (April 29) in Santa Ana before the final stop, May 2nd's gig at The Roxy in Los Angeles. Be there.

Share:

Kemba Opens Up In "Already" Video

The last time we saw Kemba, he was spitting a verse for Kendrick Lamar that had the entire internets wondering if he was TDE. For those who hadn't been paying attention then, they are surely paying attention now, so it makes sense that Kemba drops a video for "Already," a standout Frank Drake-produced cut from Negus. While the project as a whole is more of a new school negro spiritual, the attitude on this clip is more playful yet New York. Kemba says he linked up with Jeffrey Almonte, aka the kid who made that ultra-viral "chopped cheese" video.

Kemba will only have so much time to celebrate this, though; today, it was announced that he will be joining Boogie, Michael Christmas, and Kaydio on the first No Ceilings Tour from Pigeons & Planes. They kick things off on April 18 in DC, hitting a number of markets before the tour ends in Los Angeles in May. Check out the full schedule, as well as the complete "Already" video down below.

Share:

That Time Kemba Rapped On-Stage With Kendrick Lamar

Last night, Kendrick Lamar was pulling rappers on stage during his show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg to get their shine on, but it wasn't until this morning that I got to see Kemba go for his acapella. You should already know how this goes; if you haven't rocked with Negus, you need to. And if you missed Kemba on Real Late recently, he killed that freestyle. Check out that full interview as well.

Share:

Kemba Bears His Black Soul on His New Opus, 'Negus'

"Please don't call me conscious, don't call it political/please don't deem this lyrical, these are Negro spirituals"

With that, welcome to Kemba's Negus. Over an intoxicating array of Frank Drake beats, Kemba cuts open his chest, pulls out his heart, and squeezes his essence onto the pad. He didn't say much in the note he sent over with the project (which he'd been working on for three years), although he did mention that he's "excited and nervous to share it, especially in the times we're in today."

If you're looking for your hip-hop to help you understand where you are as a black person in America in 2016, this 12-track opus should be your guide. Or at the very least, your starting point. Stream this one below, and grab it for free over on Bandcamp, or on iTunes.

Share:

Kemba Is Here With "The New Black Theory"

Last month, Kemba put the nail in YC The Cynic's coffin, and is getting the ball rolling on his upcoming album, Negus. Kemba says that you need to be blasting this as soon as you leave your house, as it'll give you superhuman strength...and he's right. This is that new new for these new news. Blast it.

Negus drops for free on July 22.

Share:

Kemba Says 'Farewell' to YC The Cynic With New Mixtape

Recently, YC The Cynic became no more. The newly-christened Kemba recently broke down why he was no longer using the "YC The Cynic" moniker, and has dropped The Farewell Tape, a DJ Charlie Hustle-mixed compilation of YC tracks with some of your favorite MCs, including Homeboy Sandman, King Mez, Soul Khan, Silent Knight, and many, many more.

Word is that he's been working on a new project with Frank Drake that he's "almost ready to start releasing." Keep your eyes on that, but jam the FUCK out to this in remembrance of the god that was before he blossoms into the man he's become.

Share:

YC The Cynic is No Longer YC The Cynic

If you've been rocking with us for the past five-plus years, you've definitely seen some material from YC The Cynic. He gained even more followers with GNK, his debut project that dropped back in 2013, and he's had me mark on him because he would never reveal what the "YC" stood for (I always called him YellowCake, because obviously). Either way, he's a good dude who's made a big change in the next phase of his career.

Recently, the homey took to Facebook to announce that he's no longer YC The Cynic:

I was 12 years old when I got the name YC. I grew up with it, made mistakes, and starting making a name as a teenager. The further I got into adulthood, the more I felt suffocated by it. This change will allow me to be the artist I’m becoming, unapologetically. I’ve learned a lot about the industry since the release of my last album. Thanks for showing me love throughout the first chapter of my career. Hopefully you continue to rock with me. – Kemba (formerly known as YC The Cynic)

His first release as Kemba is "Pretty Bodies," an intriguing cut featuring Mr. MFN eXquire that's taken from The Farewell Tape, which should be out later this week. Word from WatchLOUD is that it features unreleased material with the likes of King Mez, Homeboy Sandman, Mick Jenkins, Rapper Big Pooh, Milo, and more. Stream "Pretty Bodies" below.

Share: