Who or What is the Kungfu Vampire?
Well, from my experience, there are several ways to answer that question. The first is the most obvious: a highly skilled creature of the night. A hunter and predator with power, skill and discipline the likes of which most are not accustomed to. The second is a legend or mystery. Mere rumors that can neither be confirmed or denied. The third is an insanely driven, maddeningly creative artist with a passion for his music and expression, his entirety of being and the development of that being. But the truth is, none of those explanations are whole. For the Kung Fu Vampire is more than the sum of his parts.
Trying to pinpoint exactly where his story starts is tricky, because like the culture of Hip Hop, Kungfu Vampire has many beginnings and new beginnings. A former nationally recognized gymnast, remaining grounded while constantly undergoing the task of recreation is not a challenge. His original crew, loc style productions used samples on a casio keyboard, live bass guitar, and an amiga computer with sinister early gangster rap influenced lyrics this young group was comprised of 6 members Six Pack aka Al Mind (LSP), Jesse, justin and jerimiah Huelsenkamp aka the Rebelskamp, Stan Huelsenkamp aka DJ Versatyle and Miguel Rodriguez. He started at the critical age of 14, at which they released their first album, "Step into Madness". As a direct result of the evolution of their music, two of the members left peacefully and soon loc style productions would become loc style psychedelix. Following their shift in direction, the crew released the local classic, "Only the first trip" which gained them a heavy degree of radio play and attention. However, that's not all the KFV was into.
In a grueling competition, KFV won USA championships in his own native Bay Area on the rings in gymnastics. Following, KFV earned a spot on the USA national team. At the same time he was recording for the future release of what would be come the Antidote.
Following his senior year in high school, KFV moved onto college at SJSU. In the meantime, he continued recording. Four years after his last release in 1994, LSP (Last Spirit Path) Dropped the local banger "The Antidote," which officially started the legend of KFV and gained critical acclaim on a global level. KFV found himself on the cover of Vamp magazine, the only Hip Hop act ever to receive this honor. In addition, the album was given an 8 out of ten stars by the popular electronic music magazine Mixer, who boasted that the album was a clear emergence of a new genre. This would not be enough to satisfy KFV.
Besides being the only non black artist ever to be featured in the California Periodical "Da Bootycrack Magazine," KFV pioneered the Hip Hop section for Zero Magazine, a Northern California Rock mag. In addition to his own material, KFV was also working side by side with local artist Xpresso, collaborating on six of the tracks on his album, "Oddworld" and helping solidify a distribution deal for both artists with Journees Music. Journees, a label specializing in break beats, house, drum n bass, and Electronic and who is also responsible for putting out such acts as DJ Liquid, Echosphere, Dj Voodoo, Chris Jackson, Natalie Love, Vicious Vic, Madame Mercury, Coppe and much more. They offered KFV a distribution and promotion deal. Opting for just distribution, KFV and Xpresso began putting it down on their own. With the help of Remix clothing's Dj Liquid.
One year later, KFV dropped LSP "Spacebar" which was a combination of unfinished songs from The Antidote and new songs made just for this album. KFV extended huge collaborative efforts on this album co-producing many of the tracks, and bringing in all kinds of talent DJ Liquid, Bloody Mary, Sewn and Jiggalo to local favorite Persia and long time partner Xpresso. He also worked with the original members of the group LSP (Justin, Jeremiah and jesse) At the same time he was again working with Xpresso to complete his second solo endevor "Flocabulary." Both projects were to be released on Journees. This album, also found itself getting a feature in URb magazine in 2000.
Since that time, the Kungfu Vampire has been in the lab, and now he emerges with three different projects to bring back into to focus his artistic vision and relevance to the Bay Area and California music scene. The first project, "Womb Til Tomb" is an exciting compilation project that features a combination of label mates and longtime friends like Metrognome, G-Willikers, DJ Liquid, S.T One, Plaid, Muffler, Da Konasto, Benji and many others. The second, a DVD entitled, Blood Bath and beyond co partnered by C-tek DV, provides a huge inside look at the life of the KFV. For anyone who wonders what he was into between Spacebar and now, this DVD will answer these questions and more. The DVD features live footage of performances, backstage lounging and preparation, and the KFV just doing his thing. The production of this DVD was assisted, and edited by new comer to the Kungfu team Mike Forster, along with the Pixel Ninjas, who help craft many of KFV's graphics and promotional work. For those who require visuals, this project should be a huge triumph. The third and final is the long awaited solo project, "Cougin" which showcases the talent, dedication and skill of KFV on his own. The albums production was pioneered by S.T. One the Sonic translator and Al Mind (LSP). The new KFV album hs a very sinister hip hop vibe with hints of electronica, Trumpeter Eddie Gale of the Jazz world is featured on two tracks, sitar guest sentil rama, Trick deck's Mark Wand on flute, John Pannetto on back up vocals and chorus.
KFV has performed in over 100 shows, marking his hundredth with the popular bands Insolence, Lika Sto and Reaction 31. In addition, He's recorded in over 15 different studios throughout the state including Black Market and Hitworks. He's opened for such acts as Kool Keith, Planet Asia, DJ Rap, Zion-I, Digital Underground, Mystic, Pharcyde Alcoholics, Artifacts, Popa Roach, Insolence, Cougnut, DJ Liquid, Donald Glaude, DJ Dan, KRS-One and a host of other notable artists. He's appeared on over 30 albums, compilations and movie soundtracks. The totality of KFV's achievements are hard to measure, as they never seem to stop long enough to gauge them. But know that where you find him, bumping music, crowd killing shows, and the unexpected isn't far behind...
By: Shamaco Noble (Hip Hop Congress and H2O Magazine)
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.kungfuvampire.com
Track List:
1. abra cadaver
2. almost daylight
3. lanes change
4. atmosfear
5. barely standing
6. darkness we run
7. cyberasia
8. arrival
9. ship left field
10. side 2 side
11. cyberasia there
12. alter everything
13. master/apprentice
14. heaven or hell (featuring Cougnut)
15. love your enemy
16. balm mint
Other Genres:
Well, from my experience, there are several ways to answer that question. The first is the most obvious: a highly skilled creature of the night. A hunter and predator with power, skill and discipline the likes of which most are not accustomed to. The second is a legend or mystery. Mere rumors that can neither be confirmed or denied. The third is an insanely driven, maddeningly creative artist with a passion for his music and expression, his entirety of being and the development of that being. But the truth is, none of those explanations are whole. For the Kung Fu Vampire is more than the sum of his parts.
Trying to pinpoint exactly where his story starts is tricky, because like the culture of Hip Hop, Kungfu Vampire has many beginnings and new beginnings. A former nationally recognized gymnast, remaining grounded while constantly undergoing the task of recreation is not a challenge. His original crew, loc style productions used samples on a casio keyboard, live bass guitar, and an amiga computer with sinister early gangster rap influenced lyrics this young group was comprised of 6 members Six Pack aka Al Mind (LSP), Jesse, justin and jerimiah Huelsenkamp aka the Rebelskamp, Stan Huelsenkamp aka DJ Versatyle and Miguel Rodriguez. He started at the critical age of 14, at which they released their first album, "Step into Madness". As a direct result of the evolution of their music, two of the members left peacefully and soon loc style productions would become loc style psychedelix. Following their shift in direction, the crew released the local classic, "Only the first trip" which gained them a heavy degree of radio play and attention. However, that's not all the KFV was into.
In a grueling competition, KFV won USA championships in his own native Bay Area on the rings in gymnastics. Following, KFV earned a spot on the USA national team. At the same time he was recording for the future release of what would be come the Antidote.
Following his senior year in high school, KFV moved onto college at SJSU. In the meantime, he continued recording. Four years after his last release in 1994, LSP (Last Spirit Path) Dropped the local banger "The Antidote," which officially started the legend of KFV and gained critical acclaim on a global level. KFV found himself on the cover of Vamp magazine, the only Hip Hop act ever to receive this honor. In addition, the album was given an 8 out of ten stars by the popular electronic music magazine Mixer, who boasted that the album was a clear emergence of a new genre. This would not be enough to satisfy KFV.
Besides being the only non black artist ever to be featured in the California Periodical "Da Bootycrack Magazine," KFV pioneered the Hip Hop section for Zero Magazine, a Northern California Rock mag. In addition to his own material, KFV was also working side by side with local artist Xpresso, collaborating on six of the tracks on his album, "Oddworld" and helping solidify a distribution deal for both artists with Journees Music. Journees, a label specializing in break beats, house, drum n bass, and Electronic and who is also responsible for putting out such acts as DJ Liquid, Echosphere, Dj Voodoo, Chris Jackson, Natalie Love, Vicious Vic, Madame Mercury, Coppe and much more. They offered KFV a distribution and promotion deal. Opting for just distribution, KFV and Xpresso began putting it down on their own. With the help of Remix clothing's Dj Liquid.
One year later, KFV dropped LSP "Spacebar" which was a combination of unfinished songs from The Antidote and new songs made just for this album. KFV extended huge collaborative efforts on this album co-producing many of the tracks, and bringing in all kinds of talent DJ Liquid, Bloody Mary, Sewn and Jiggalo to local favorite Persia and long time partner Xpresso. He also worked with the original members of the group LSP (Justin, Jeremiah and jesse) At the same time he was again working with Xpresso to complete his second solo endevor "Flocabulary." Both projects were to be released on Journees. This album, also found itself getting a feature in URb magazine in 2000.
Since that time, the Kungfu Vampire has been in the lab, and now he emerges with three different projects to bring back into to focus his artistic vision and relevance to the Bay Area and California music scene. The first project, "Womb Til Tomb" is an exciting compilation project that features a combination of label mates and longtime friends like Metrognome, G-Willikers, DJ Liquid, S.T One, Plaid, Muffler, Da Konasto, Benji and many others. The second, a DVD entitled, Blood Bath and beyond co partnered by C-tek DV, provides a huge inside look at the life of the KFV. For anyone who wonders what he was into between Spacebar and now, this DVD will answer these questions and more. The DVD features live footage of performances, backstage lounging and preparation, and the KFV just doing his thing. The production of this DVD was assisted, and edited by new comer to the Kungfu team Mike Forster, along with the Pixel Ninjas, who help craft many of KFV's graphics and promotional work. For those who require visuals, this project should be a huge triumph. The third and final is the long awaited solo project, "Cougin" which showcases the talent, dedication and skill of KFV on his own. The albums production was pioneered by S.T. One the Sonic translator and Al Mind (LSP). The new KFV album hs a very sinister hip hop vibe with hints of electronica, Trumpeter Eddie Gale of the Jazz world is featured on two tracks, sitar guest sentil rama, Trick deck's Mark Wand on flute, John Pannetto on back up vocals and chorus.
KFV has performed in over 100 shows, marking his hundredth with the popular bands Insolence, Lika Sto and Reaction 31. In addition, He's recorded in over 15 different studios throughout the state including Black Market and Hitworks. He's opened for such acts as Kool Keith, Planet Asia, DJ Rap, Zion-I, Digital Underground, Mystic, Pharcyde Alcoholics, Artifacts, Popa Roach, Insolence, Cougnut, DJ Liquid, Donald Glaude, DJ Dan, KRS-One and a host of other notable artists. He's appeared on over 30 albums, compilations and movie soundtracks. The totality of KFV's achievements are hard to measure, as they never seem to stop long enough to gauge them. But know that where you find him, bumping music, crowd killing shows, and the unexpected isn't far behind...
By: Shamaco Noble (Hip Hop Congress and H2O Magazine)
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.kungfuvampire.com
Track List:
1. abra cadaver
2. almost daylight
3. lanes change
4. atmosfear
5. barely standing
6. darkness we run
7. cyberasia
8. arrival
9. ship left field
10. side 2 side
11. cyberasia there
12. alter everything
13. master/apprentice
14. heaven or hell (featuring Cougnut)
15. love your enemy
16. balm mint
Other Genres:
- HIPHOP/RAP: West Coast Rap
- HIPHOP/RAP: Trip Hop
- TYPE: SOUNDTRACK