I AM NOT A MUSIC PRODUCER. IT IS WHAT I DO, THOUGH.
Man of many talents. I don't consider to be the best at anything, I've just been blessed with the ability to be GOOD. I just embrace my talents and gifts toward the world. Only thing I'm committed to is God, Life, & Family. I study life everyday. I try to keep a balance between mind and emotions but it's clear that my mind plays the upper hand. I make music to express my emotions. I do it for the love first. Game of life is basic, it only gets complicated when you make it complicated. Always be cool, always be you.
WHO'S KEEN-¥?
Born in Amagasaki, Japan, and moving around a lot as a child, KEEN-¥'s story is not a traditional one. He believes that the love of rhythm and music is genetically in him. His father was a member of the funk/r&b band Cold Fire, and from his seed came KEEN-¥. "My parents would always tell me that when I was a kid, I would always be bobbing my head whenever music would come on." Although his family believed that he had a special ear for music at an early age, they didn't force a career for him and allowed him to experiment life as a free spirit until adulthood to choose his own life path.
He began listening to his dad's music at an early age, and from there his ear continually needed to be fed sounds. "I can remember carrying my dad's tape player with the studio Sony headphones, listening to whatever was in there, and that would knock me out every night." From there, he dabbled into other music. "I was introduced to hip-hop though a childhood friend. It was 2pac's "Me Against The World" off of the Bad Boys soundtrack, and from that moment, I fell in love with the art form. I was used to listening to my dad's music along with Prince, Sade, and the likes, but the hip-hop shit moved me in a different way. It was like I felt I could relate to it more."
From there on he would continually be intrigued by hip-hop music, listening to artists from Slick Rick to Outkast, to Biggie to Nas. It wasn't until his high school years that he would be introduced to the art of music production. I always thought that the beats were interesting, but never really thought that I would end up being able to make my own beats until I found the program Fruity Loops Studio. I remember some days when all of my homies were out partying, I was the one in the crib on a Friday night working on music. Through the internet outlet, I was able to find other people who had similar interests and love for the art of music. Myspace allowed him to work with artists such as Dom. Kennedy, God Jewels, L-Dot, Qualmes, & Lenee. "The music industry completely changed when the youth became more internet savvy, destroying the format of traditional record selling, but in the same token it's a good change because the control of the music is actually going to where it belongs, the artists and not the executives."
KEEN-¥'s vision is one that can only be defined through the true love of music, and he sees himself working with more and more talented artists in the future. "I just wanna be one of those producers in the game that isn't stuck in a category of one genre. I want my music to be timeless, and with that comes longevity in the game. With his versatility, personality, eye for talent, and the gift of a visionary, he has faith in his talents and believes he can do anything he chooses to, given the right lessons and people around him.
WHO AND WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?
Life has to be number one.. in that also including my faith in god and myself and my own truth. Experience is the greatest teacher of all.. whether it's through my life or learning through someone else's experiences.. As far as musically, I would definitely have to say 2pac. I felt 2pac like he was a brother. When my dad bought me All Eyez on Me and 7 Day Theory when I was a kid, I've been a true fan ever since. He was one of those rare artists who really wrote poetry on wax without sugar coating. In my parent's day, people like Sly Stone, Earth Wind and Fire, and Marvin Gaye were their influences. I grew up in the hip-hop generation while they grew up in the Soul generation. I'm also a fan of Jay-Z's work. I relate to Jay because of our horoscopes. Our signs are both Sagittarius, and his personality and character really resembles mine, but in my own way. My dad is also a major influence. He played in a band called Cold Fire, toured the world and opened up for the major big name soul singers back in the day. I remember as a child growing up my dad used to play his music in the car all the time and all of his songs became a part of me through that. All music, good or bad, is an influence on me because I'm always analyzing everything in this world and asking myself if it's good or bad to myself. Music has been in my blood since childhood.. it's in my essence so I'm just trying to use my talents that were blessed to me.
ZODIAK
(Click the image to download.)
COMPASSION
(Click the image to download. Produced and written by Michael Loatman.)
WATERMELON SUNDAE (Song produced by myself/Video directed by Jason Madison)
i couldn't find that gemini one? As for me these days not much...just school, and just started working..i hate working!!....and you just making those mixes or what? are u signed yet?
yessir i am indeed very ready for the new gig in fact i've been working there for like 4 days now its cool as hell...but as for classes yah i'm probably going just gotta try and find sumffin thats light cuz this position requires more hours than my last job so school and work isn't gonna be as easy
oh i know that was a halirous group of us in that class with mr.briggs huh and sabrina ass was actin all crazy crawling on theground talkn on the phone member that lol good times we should go out and have drinks some time..what you think??? le me no hollllllaaa
yes it is me the one n only crycinda how are you kenny i havent seen you since high school we so got to go have few drinks how bout it..talk to you soon..
I'm stopping by to drop off some love.How are you doing,how has things been going.I'm working on a album called guided by faith. I finally finished it,that's why I been buisy.But still had to stop by and say (What's up)hope my music has been some good,positive encouragement. Stay positive and uplifted good things is comming to you,keep your faith. Times is getting harder and we need to unite and help one another more,we are all family.I think you for your support.Your friend and brother Lorenzo H.Hamlin (Universal Disciple)