KRIZZ KALIKO HEADS TO TOP OF RAP CLASS

RELEASES GENIUS JULY 14, 2009

FEAT. TECH N9NE, E-40, KUTT CALHOUN, BIG SCOOB & MORE

(Los Angeles, CA. – June 2009) – It’s not every day a musical genius is born. On July 14, 2009, KRIZZ KALIKO will release his second solo CD, GENIUS,. Along for KRIZZ KALIKO’s aurally eclectic rollercoaster ride are E-40, Kutt Calhoun, Big Scoob and, Strange’s flagship artist, Tech N9ne. Powered by a fusion of funk, rap, rock, R&B and opera – a self-made style KRIZZ KALIKO calls “Funkra” – GENIUS covers the entire spectrum of genres, from the slow and seductive “Get Off” with Tech N9ne and the rock-flavored “The Chemical” to the street anthem “Back Pack” and the album’s crossover single, “Misunderstood.”

“There are only a few guys to come along in music every so often that I think are geniuses,” KRIZZ KALIKO declares. “You got Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Kanye, T-Pain, Tech N9ne. I think those dudes are geniuses. I want people to think that same thing about me.”

Ambitious? Yes. But after working with Tech N9ne and Strange Music for 10 years, performing over 200 shows a year, KRIZZ KALIKO has earned the right to claim that title. His solo debut, 2008’s Vitiligo, landed at No. 19 on the Billboard charts and he has been instrumental in Tech N9ne’s incredible success: In 2008, Tech N9ne SoundScanned over one million units, making him the most successful independent Hip Hop artist in history.

KRIZZ KALIKO is the sonic “glue” of Strange Music. “I’m Tech’s right hand man in writing,” he says. “It’s a weird, beautiful chemistry. The yin and the yang. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.”

When asked what inspires him, KRIZZ KALIKO explains: “The whole world doesn’t know who I am. I want to be respected for years past my life. I want to be remembered way after I’m gone. I want to be a legend. That’s a lot to live up to. That’s what this album does.”

Catch KRIZZ KALIKO with Tech N9ne and Kutt Kalhoun on the Rock the Bells 2009 Tour starting June 2. For more information, visit guerillaunion.com/rockthebells or krizzkaliko.com.

It’s not every day a musical genius is born. With the release of his second solo CD, GENIUS, KRIZZ KALIKO convincingly claims that title. After working with Tech N9ne and Strange Music for 10 years, performing over 200 shows a year, KRIZZ KALIKO has earned a spot among Hip Hop’s elite. His solo debut, 2008’s Vitiligo, landed at No. 19 on the Billboard charts and he has been instrumental in Tech N9ne’s incredible success: In 2008, Tech N9ne SoundScanned over one million units, making him the most successful independent Hip Hop artist in history.

KRIZZ KALIKO is the sonic “glue” of Strange Music. “I’m Tech’s right hand man in writing,” he says. “It’s a weird, beautiful chemistry. Tech and Travis [O’Guin] handle the business, and Tech and I are the creative force at Strange Music. The yin and the yang. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Tech and I have the same philosophy about the quality of music. We’ve been working together so long I know where he wants to go.”

Born in Kansas City, MO., KRIZZ KALIKO was raised by a mom who spoon-fed him music. As an opera and gospel singer, as well as being the choir director of their church, his mother sang to him and, fortunately, made him sing with his sisters. He performed in the choir all throughout his early teens and his mom often treated the family to live concerts from artists like the Gap Band and Run-DMC. By the time KRIZZ KALIKO met Tech N9ne, he was already trying to figure out how to fuse opera and Hip Hop.

“Tech’s music is dark,” KRIZZ KALIKO explains. “It was the perfect vehicle.” When Tech N9ne landed back home in Kansas City after touring and found his longtime producer Icy Roc working with a new talented voice, Tech was intrigued. He liked what he heard and hired KRIZZ KALIKO to work with him on “Who You Came To See”, from his Anghellic album (2001). Tech was so impressed by KRIZZ KALIKO’s ability to craft catchy, album-ready songs, he asked him to collaborate on his next project, Absolute Power (2002).

Powered by a fusion of funk, rap, rock, R&B and opera – a self-made style KRIZZ KALIKO calls “Funkra” – GENIUS covers the entire spectrum of genres, from the slow and seductive “Get Off” with Tech N9ne and the rock-flavored “The Chemical” to the street anthem “Back Pack” and the album’s crossover single, “Misunderstood.” KRIZZ KALIKO pulls from a wide variety of artists he enjoys listening to, from Billy Joel and Elton John to Prince, Cee-Lo and Soulja Boy, and in doing so, he has made an album that defies categorization. Along for the aurally eclectic rollercoaster ride that is GENIUS are Tech N9ne, E-40, Kutt Calhoun and Big Scoob.

As most fans already know, KRIZZ KALIKO offers a unique perspective on life that many can relate to. The husband and father of one was born with a skin disorder called Vitiligo, which he not only discusses openly in his music, but also used as the title of his debut CD. “I want people to get that people who look differently can actually be the coolest dudes,” he relays. “To come from being a freak to this dude that I am here is a wonderful and interesting story and makes you want to listen to the music even more.”

One of the GENIUS’s most poignant tracks sheds light on another of KRIZZ KALIKO’s conditions: “‘Bipolar’ talks about my experiences as a little kid, how I came to have anxiety problems and diagnosed as bipolar,” he explains. “Everybody I know that’s extremely talented or smart is a little bit crazy. I embrace that because without that I wouldn’t be as creative. I write songs about it and lots of fans identify with it.”

It’s important to KRIZZ KALIKO that his lyrics are not all about hardship and pain. “I want people to be excited by me, come into my world,” he adds. “I want you to have a good time when you’re around me. You gotta want people to want to be around you, want to listen to your music, want to be interested in you.” Judging by his scores of fans, KRIZZ KALIKO’s extensive grassroots efforts and inclusive musical philosophies are working.

“The whole world doesn’t know who I am,” KRIZZ KALIKO explains, when asked what inspires him. “I need the whole world to party to my pain, party to my story, feel what I’m talking about. I want to be respected for years past my life. I want to be remembered way after I’m gone. I want to be a legend. That’s a lot to live up to. That’s what this album does.”

Guerilla Union, the promoter for the ROCK THE BELLS 2009 FESTIVAL SERIES has unveiled the dates and venues of North America’s only major touring hip-hop festival.  In addition, Busta Rhymes, The GZA and The Knux will join the previously announced stellar line-up of performers featuring headliners Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Tech N9ne, The Roots, Big Boi, Common and more.

Tickets will go on-sale in select markets starting May 2.  Please check www.guerillaunion.com for the exact line-up and ticketing information for each city.  Additional festival dates will be announced soon.

Another element besides top-notch musical performances fans can experience at ROCK THE BELLS is the legendary KRS-One’s Temple of Hip-Hop.  “Rock The Bells has always strived to be the world-class platform dedicated to hip-hop culture,” states Chang Weisberg of Guerilla Union.  “This year we are excited to announce that KRS-One and the Temple of Hip Hop will be producing unique fan experiences dedicated to cultivating hip-hop culture by hosting guest speakers, workshops, art displays, lectures, book signings and more.  Plans are still being finalized, but expect a unique Temple of Hip-Hop area to be built in each city.  We are going to reach out to all artists on this year’s line-up to contribute their efforts to help educate and expand perspective on hip-hop culture.” 

Headz will be Ringing!!!

Some of the Dates and venues for the ROCK THE BELLS 2009 FESTIVAL SERIES are:

Toronto- Sunday July 5th Molson Amphitheatre

Washington DC - Sunday July 12th Merriweather Post Pavilion

Boston- Saturday July 18th Comcast Center

New York -Sunday July 19th Jones Beach Amphitheatre

Vancouver- Saturday August 1st Deer Lake Park

Los Angeles - Saturday August 8th San Manuel Amphitheatre

San Francisco- Sunday August 9th Shoreline Amphitheatre

WWW.GUERILLAUNION.COM