Dar es salaam, Tanzania – November 29, 2018 – Remerging from a hiatus, Tanzanian artist KK released a surprise single titled “Eternal” in October of this year.
The lead single to a yet untitled project, the song explores the makings of the rapper, the meaning of his name as well as his principles in his signature brazen voice and strong delivery.
Hot on the song’s footsteps, he has now followed on with the release of the accompanying visuals for the single, shot on location in Ilala Flats, from where he hails.
The visuals by Posted Up Interactive Media utilize virtual reality 360-degree technology a groundbreaking and benchmarking first in Tanzania.
In the video, KK raps against a backdrop of ongoing life in his neighborhood, including local skaters and basketball players practicing whilst young children and other individuals go on about their everyday business. This few minutes’ snapshot provides a candid glimpse into a place close to the rapper which he has affectionately dubbed “Illtown”. The video is available to view online on YouTube and on Facebook.
BIOGRAPHY
KK entered the world of music as part of Kwanza Unit (KU), the legendary hip-hop collective founded by his older brother, as a child rapper. Being a part of this family of trailblazers at such a young age shaped his appreciation of the craft and gave him the foundations on which forms the base to a lot of what he does today. This was where he learned to MC, and found a keen talent for writing, and further honed his wordplay and delivery. He continued to develop his talent over the years, and stayed active by performing in live shows and other impromptu performances, as an individual or as part of the Kwanza Foundation, an offshoot of KU of which he is a founding member.
In 1999, KK moved to London, taking his love of MC’ing along with him, and continued to thrive in the then budding UK underground scene, making a name for himself – first as a battle rapper, then at open mic nights, in and around London. During this time he further refined his talent into a distinguished skill. His focus and talents however extended further than his lyrical prowess; and in 2010, KK graduated from London’s SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), with a Masters in African Studies. It was at this point that he decided it was time to make the journey home and move back to Tanzania.
Since returning to Tanzania, KK has managed to make the transition from an underground enigma – operating on the periphery, to a fully-fledged recording artist; and found some success as part of the hip-hop duo, ‘Illtown Kings’ with fellow Ilala rapper, Chidi Beenz. This collaborative project served as a springboard for KK to emerge as a solo recording artist, and allowed him to develop a more formalized approach to his work.
This resulted in him embarking on his first studio project titled, ‘L’Animal’ in 2016. Recorded in Tanzania and the UK, ‘L’Animal’ was the next step in a brand new musical direction for KK; with the second single ‘Ready to Go’ the first song released becoming a regional summer hit, getting extensive radio play and club spins as well as serving as the first official single from ‘L’Animal’ which was released in July 2017.
