I first came across Kero One several years ago on MySpace and was diggin’ his jazzy, souful hip-hop sound. Since then his career has been blossoming and he recently dropped his second album Early Believers which is really dope. I’m not sure what it is about the Bay Area that produces such sunny, organic hip-hop, but cats up there sure do make music like it’s summer all year round!

Early Believers is definitely on a feel-good tip – from the smooth, melodious tracks to the positive, no-drama lyrical content. And I ain’t mad about it. Production-wise the album has a very organic and live feel. While it’s mostly hip-hop, there’s touches of house (Keep Pushin’) as well as more exotic rhythms (Bossa Soundcheck, A Song For Sabrina), so the album has a multi-dimensional vibe. While Kero handles most production/label/MC duties himself, he does have a couple of quality guests stop by, namely Ohmega Watts and Ben Westbeech. This album is definitely recommended!

Download Kero One – Welcome To The Bay
[See post to listen to audio]

Download Kero One – When The Sunshine Comes ft. Ben Westbeech
[See post to listen to audio]

I found this video on Vimby which I think is a little older but gives some good background on Kero One.

Thanks to DJ Rahdu at BamaLoveSoul for this great podcast. Check out the tracklisting below and grab the download here

1. Lootpack – Crate Diggin’
2. Rapper Big Pooh – Rear View Mirror
3. Keelay & Zaire; Tunji – Addicts for Real
4. OlivierDaySoul – Brain
5. OlivierDaySoul – Breathe
6. Choklate – To Whom It May Concern
7. Q-Tip – We Fight/We Love
8. Black Milk – Dreams
9. Ab & Daru – A Work in Progress
10. PPP – Pigeonhole
11. I.N.T. – Do You Want It?
12. Kan Kick – C’Mon Love, Let’s Dance
13. 3582 – Vanessa from Venezuela
14. Kero One – Bossa Soundcheck
15. Vikter Duplaix – Tropical Girl
16. Victor Davies – Brother
17. Tuomo – Firsts
18. The Brand New Heavies – I Just Realized
19. Chin Chin – Go There With You
20. Lisa Shaw – Honey
21. Durojaiye Versatile – Stay and Enjoy Life
22. MoO – Spacetravelin
23. Yellowtail; Jeni Fujita – Flow
24. Salah Ananse; Zynzelay – Wonder
25. The Rurals – Steps
26. DJ Jazzy Jeff; Erro – Rock With You (Osunlade Dub)