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 Strange Music recording artist, Krizz Kaliko, is gearing up for the release of his second solo album, Genius, in July and plans to take fans on a ride.
Along for 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 the rapper calls "Funkra" – the album 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, he is beginning to earn 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 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."
The rapper will join Tech N9ne and Kutt Kalhoun on the Rock the Bells 2009 Tour.
Genius is slated to drop July 14.
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