Almighty KayGee
Hailing from the Bronx, Almighty KayGee was first introduced to what is known today as Hip Hop, in 1971 when he witnessed a DJ Smokey party where he first saw b-boys, graffiti writers and D Jing. Still in third grade, Almighty KayGee couldn't afford equipment to be a DJ and his parents would kill him if they caught him writing graffiti. His only option at that point was to break dance. Almighty KayGee learned to break dance from the original "Mr Freeze" and "Crip." Almighty KayGee learned to rap in 1974 after he heard GrandMaster Flash and the Furious 3's.
During this time Almighty KayGee became a member of the all Jamaican "Cheeba Crew." While with the Cheeba Crew, he learned to emcee and DJ simultaneously. He met DJ Charlie Chase in 1978 at an emcee convention and in 1979, after practice, became a part of the Cold Crush Brothers. Highlights in Almighty KayGee's career were going to Japan in 1982 on the Wild Style Tour. They were also the first group signed to CBS Records, through the Tuff City label. Almighty KayGee influenced Chuck D, who he considers a "powerful emcee" as well as Kool Keith, who Almighty KayGee met in the third grade. He has collaborated with such artists as C&C Music Factory, KRS-1, Funk Master Flex, Doug E Fresh and more.
Almighty KayGee has produced "Flesh not Bone" on the Spooks first album and wrote a score for the HBO movie "Disappearing Acts." Almighty KayGee has also performed with the Cold Crush Brothers at the grand opening of the "Experience Music Project" in Seattle. The Cold Crush Brothers are also on exhibit within the museum as one of the groups that contributed significantly to Hip Hop history. They also brought down the house, along with LL Cool J during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the museum's "Hip-Hop Nation: Roots, Rhymes and Rage" exhibit when it opened at the Brooklyn Museum of art.
Artist Q&A
1.) How did you first hear about Open Labs?
I heard about on the internet.
2.) What Production Station do you have?
I have the Miko LXD.
3.) How has the gear changed your method of work?
The gear has allowed me to have a smoother workflow because it is a all-in-one machine.
4.) What is your production station's primary function, live or studio?
Studio is the primary function.
5.) What is your favorite software on the board?
My favorite software on the board is reaper.
6.) How do you use it?
I use it sequence my music and vocals.
7.) Which kind of equipment have you owned in the past and how do they compare to your Open Labs equipment?
I have owned a Roland G,Yamaha's and korgs.They don't compare.Open labs is far superior.
8.) Has the gear changed the way you write songs?
It has allowed me to complete my songs faster because everything is in one place.
9.) How different is the composition process compared to the standard computer or laptop system?
It is apple and oranges.
10.) Do you think the quality of your production now would be possible with another keyboard?
No, I don't.
11.) Have you had any experience with our Tech Support and how does it rate with you?
Yes I have. They are A#1.
12.) What is next for you and your Production Station?
To continue working on musics for my artist and myself.
Equipment Used
Purchased a MiKo LXD.
Artist Links
http://www.myspace.com/allmightyentertainment