Hawaiian Music Island Radio Station Pipeline 2 Paradise

Nearly 3 months after launching Pipeline 2 Paradise Radio I remember thinking to myself "there has to be an easier and less expensive way to promote my station." How ironic on that very same day a talented young lady from the group Milo Shade sent me an email asking if P2P would be interested in playing their music. Tiki Suan who also performs with the group Mighty J asked me "Do you have a Myspace?" My first thought was "what the hell is Myspace?" I also thought "what do I have to lose," so on 9/30/04 I created my own profile. Mahalo Tiki!

Fast forward 3 years later and over 11000+ friends in my network, Pipeline 2 Paradise Radio's profile I'm very proud to say has become the main seed to success for P2P. It has become a strong tool for me not only to stay connected with artists whose music I presented, but also to meet new artists with just as much or even more talent.

Months ago as I was navigating Myspace I stumbled across a video called "H's Up" by King Kekai. Never hearing of him before my curiosity got the best of me and so I clicked the video. Being a true island boy, the video quickly captured my attention as the song opened with a smooth ukulele tease and the image of the Hawaiian flag waving majestically. Throw in a solid beat, rhymes of island hotspots that I've grown to love and beautiful wahines and let's just say I was drawn into the world of King Kekai.

I affirmed Kekai on his talents and from that day forward we stayed in touch. I was excited to later hear from him that his solo cd project "Naha Stone" was completed. Packed with unique and original compositions, I immediately vibed with the entire cd. His music has provided a fresh new sound to the broadcast and I'm sure you will agree once you hear his music. One word that came to mind when I first listened to his cd was "real." This down to earth, connected characteristic is reconfirmed in the answers Kekai provides in our online interview.

Without futher delay I present to you Paradise Most Wanted #8. I give you the artist quickly making positive waves not only in Myspace, but throughout the entire Hawaiian Island music industry. I guarantee you over the next year King Kekai will become a household name in Hawaii's Contemporary hip-hop scene and God willing in the ever elusive National realm.

Represent your hometown and ohana.

Well, my given name is Kanakaokekai Kenji Namauu, born on Maui but I call Hilo my hometown. I currently live on Oahu because it allows me to be “in the scene” and helps me pursue my musical aspirations. I come from a very musical family, related to Solomon Namauu (Sly Dog), Lukela Keala (Ekolu), Kevin Brown (Waihe’e Sons), Ikaika Brown (formerly Kohuma).

Describe the musical vibe of King Kekai.

John Cruz said “People ask me, ehhh you play Hawaiian Music? And I just tell’em… Well I’m Hawaiian… and I play music…” I like to think of myself in the same way. Not necessarily a “rapper” or “singer”. I’m Hawaiian and I make music… I love my culture, my home, my people and my ohana. I grew up on Hawaiian music and Hip-Hop so I fuse them. Some “Hip-Hop Heads” might say that if I’m singing on my album, I’m not “keeping it real”. I say… I only talk about things that happened to me or that mean a lot to me. I like to fuse the sounds, styles and instruments I know and grew up hearing, into my music… I don’t know any other way to “keep it real”.

I also left Hawaii and lived out of Hawaii for about 7/8 years traveling the world through the military. That has also colored/influenced my music as well as my character. I think that gives me diversity and an outlook not a lot of other local artists have. So in a nutshell, King Kekai is an eclectic blend of Hip-Hop, Island, Jawaiian, Rock, and R&B.

Talk about a few people throughout your musical journey who have impacted you for the better?

I would say that everyone I meet impacts my music in a positive manner. The reason being is that no matter what kind of energy someone brings to me I try to turn it into positive energy. With that being said, if I had to name some folks that came at me from the jump in a positive, helpful way I would say Dr. Trey and everyone in my family. Dr. Trey is a huge part of my music and my sound. He has been everything from an engineer, producer, to a mentor and awesome friend. I owe him a lot.

Is there any pressure on you having grown up in a musical

family?

Haha… Well kinda sorta… The only pressure I feel is to be as commercially successful as my dad and cousins. Which is weird because they probably don’t want to pressure me in that area, but I feel it. As far as on a musical level, not so much because my cousins do more Traditional Hawaiian/Jawaiian stuff and my dad does Rock/Reggae. Hopefully I can step out on my own and make an impact of my own on not just the Hawaiian Music Scene, but the musical landscape period.

Why is it important for you to fuse your Hawaiian roots and influences into your music?

Hip-Hop is good because artists take their favorite parts of other styles of music and fuse it to form something completely new with “hints” of the old style in it. For example, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg grew up on P-Funk. So they took that sound from Parliament, George Clinton, etc… and fused it with modern techniques to make their sound. Same thing with Nas and Jay-Z (they grew up on Jazz). I grew up listening to Traditional Hawaiian music, Reggae, Jawaiian, and Hip-Hop. So I did the same thing those other artists did. I add my style to the music I like and know, and do it how I wanna do it. I’m very proud of my heritage (Hawaiian and Japanese) and I like to take every chance I get to share it with everyone, especially through my music.

Why do you think it’s been such a challenge for Hawaiian artists to cross over into the mainland market and be successful?

Simple, we don’t make the kind of music people on the mainland want to hear. In addition the way the system here is set up it does not allow for Island music to evolve. We like to stick to what works and what has been working here and play it safe. Bad thing is, the music suffers. From a business perspective I understand why the “system” is set up that way, but still as a musician and an artist I would love to see our music blow up all over the world. Somehow we need to find a balance of staying true to our roots and culture, but yet push the envelope and explore where we can take the music. I mean what is Traditional Hawaiian music exactly? I don’t think the Kanaka Maoli came of the canoes singing falsetto, playing ukuleles and slack key guitars right? They learned those styles from the Portuguese and Spanish, then added there own style. That’s pretty much the exact same thing I’m doing.

Do you feel radio coverage in Hawaii have helped or hindered the Hip Hop movement? Why?

Ewww, tough question. I think that the Hip-Hop stations here in Hawaii actually hurt the movement. HOWEVER, I really understand that radio is a BUSINESS. I think that is the biggest problem with new artists. They pour their heart and soul into their music, which is basically like sharing and wearing your heart on your sleeve only to get shutdown with radio play. Actually in regards to the previous question, if the radio stations here supported more Hawaii artists (of all genres) it would help the artists develop a better base in which to spread out from. Then who knows we might be able to step out and do some things on a national level.

How about this example, last year Afatia won the Na Hoku for R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the year. Everyone has their own interpretation of what the Na Hoku’s really mean, but the main consensus is that if you win a Na Hoku, you’re the best artist or group in that particular genre for that particular year, right? So if Afatia was CHOSEN by industry people as the best R&B/Hip-Hop artist in 2006 why do I not hear him on island radio? Why do some stations give preference to “mainland” artists over island artists? Is it because they don’t have a choice what to play on radio? Is it because they disagree with the Na Hoku choice? I don’t know…

What can fans expect from your debut release “Naha Stone?”

Wow, do I actually have fans? Weird ahh... But I think people can expect to hear, a combination of all the types of music that is predominantly popular among young people in Hawaii. From what I see, most island youths listen and jam to Island/Jawaiian music around town, at the beach, at parties, etc… But prefer Hip-Hop or some kind of up-tempo music in the clubs or at dances. I wanted to make sure I cover all the bases and give people the same kind of music I like and I want to hear.

What is the main message of your music?

The main message of my music would be, stay true to your roots. You can still be Hip-Hop and local. You can still be Rock and Hawaiian. I mean Reggae is so engrained in our culture why is it wrong for us to fuse Hip-Hop, Rock, Metal, Techno, or Drum and Bass with it? Not saying I do all those styles, just that we gotta explore. We gotta be creative and innovative. We come from talented and creative ancestries ie: Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Filipino, Portuguese, etc… Let’s not limit ourselves. That’s my basic message. Be true to yourself, your culture, but yet add in your own flavor. As long as you’re respectful, it’s ALL GOOD!!!

With who have you had the privilege to share the same stage with in your young career?

When I first got to the mainland I started out with a Rap Group called KRT. One of the members, father had some good connections in the game and we were living right above Los Angeles so we would get big shows pretty easy. I’ve been lucky enough to open for such big artists as D-12, Ice Cube, DJ Quik, Nelly Furtado, Missy Elliot, and Suga Free. As far as here in Hawaii, I’ve only done one show to date. That was with Dezman and an up and coming Reggae band from Maui called Unified Soul. In the future I would love to perform with and maybe collaborate with Sudden Rush, Kawao, B.E.T., Ryan of the Rubbah Slippah Production Crew, and Mighty J.

Do you perform solo or do you have a back up band with you?

I do it all. I have a DJ and we can rock a show with just the two of us. However, majority of my shows (to include my CD release tour) will be me, backed by a 12 piece band. My father who was previously with the group Sly Dog put together an awesome “All-Star” band for me so even if I screw up, they’ll make me look good… hahaha, they’re awesome. The ability to work with a DJ and a band gives me a definite advantage as far as doing parties and stuff. If someone hires me for the party, we can cover the DJ part for the entire party as well as the band for the main show. (Booking inquires: www.kingkekai.com, PLUG)

What’s your mindset before hitting the stage?

I’m a big believer in meditation and self-realization. I like to spend some time alone or with the group just focusing on what were about to do. Envisioning a good show, good responses from the crowd, the music going well, just basically a positive experience for everyone. I think that’s why I don’t really get nervous. I mean the biggest show I’ve done was opening for D-12 at Cal State Riverside. There was a crowd of about 5,000 (slightly smaller than a packed Waikiki Shell), not to mention I was side by side with the biggest rap group at the time. But I still never got nervous. Maybe it was because Eminem never showed up and D-12 had to go on without him, but I like to think it’s because of my meditation and focus. hehehehe

Where do you see your career in 3 years?

In 3 years I see myself with 5 Na Hoku’s, 50,000 units sold, and dating Gina Carano. Hahahah nah j/k. To be honest I just hope that I can affect people the same way John Cruz affects me when I hear his music. I hope to one day be able to rock a crowd the same way Fiji does. I also want to be in the position to bring out some of the other talented artists that I work with now so others can share and enjoy their talent as well. But as long as I’m still alive, healthy, and making the kind of music I wanna make, I’ll be happy.

How important is the Myspace network to your success?

HUGE!!! If you’re a artist, group, actor, model, photographer, filmographer (don’t know if that’s a real word, but you know what I mean) and don’t have a myspace, What are you waiting for? It is probably the cheapest yet most effective way to get your music out. I mean even major label artists have a myspace. My myspace is actually the most current and up to date way for people to find out what’s happening with me, where I’m playing, and any new music I might have.

What advice can you give to young aspiring Island artists?

Learn the business side of it. A lot of musicians especially us from Hawaii don’t know anything about publishing, copyrights, royalties, licenses, etc… There are TONS of talented people here in Hawaii but they’ll never get past jamming in the backyard because they don’t know how to go about marketing themselves or protecting their material. It’s very important.

Your Favorites and Why?:

Place To Get Away:

My home studio, although I have all my equipment there and it’s filled with stuff for “making” music. Sometimes I just go in there and listen to old music. I like to just vibe out and think about what kind of stuff was going on in the other artist’s minds when they made that particular track. If were talking outdoors, I’d have to say paddling on a one-man canoe or body boarding.

Actress:

Jessica Beil, MAN… She just does it for me… hahaha

NFL Team:

I don’t really like the NFL anymore, I like to follow College football, especially because Hawaii is doing so good nowadays and they play H’s up (my song) at the games, hehehe. BUT I am a huge MMA fan. Many of my friends that I grew up with in Hilo are doing very well in MMA. Like to give a shout out to Mr. JD Penn and his brother BJ Penn, my very close friends Chris Cisneros, and Dominic Ah Nee. All close friends and awesome fighters. Keep making us proud braddahs. (See more at www.bjpenn.com, PLUG).

Singer:

My favorite singer who I enjoy listening to and watching play, is John Cruz. Not only do I love his songs, songwriting ability, and guitar skills but it’s his emotion. When he sings a song about his baby leaving, you can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice that his girl really did just up and leave. He inspires me.

Model:

Well she’s more of a fighter than a model, but my favorite model and future wife is Gina Carano. LOL, I’m not sure if she knows it yet, but she’s my future wife. Hahaha, nah I just think she’s awesome. She tough, talented, driven, HUMBLE, and of course HOT!!! Hey wait, Pu’ukani you live in Vegas right? She does too. PUT IN A GOOD WORD FOR ME!! Haha j/k. Gina if you ever read this, please don’t knock me out.

Food(s):

Of course I love Hawaiian food. Whenever I was away that’s what I would miss the most. But through my travels the one thing that sticks out in my mind is Darjeeling tea. When I was stationed in Saudia Arabia I went to this café and they were serving tea. I figured I’d try the most expensive one, just to see what it was like and I was shocked how ‘ono it was. To bad you can’t get that kinda stuff here. Maybe I just gotta go back over there. Hahaha maybe not.