By Jamilah King
Bay Area DJ Kero One likes to say that he got his Seoul from Korea. Regardless of its origins, his talents as a producer, DJ, and MC are creating a big buzz in hip-hop. He’s collaborated with Grand Puba, Aloe Blacc, and Ohmega Watts. His smooth sound takes hip-hop back to its roots while also moving it forward. Tonight, March 11, Kero One performs at 111 Minna Gallery; he also has a monthly at Madrone Lounge.
He sat down to talk about his music, and more.
SFBG: You’re from the Bay. Where in the Bay did you grow up?
Kero One: I grew up in the Santa Clara area, and moved to the city about three years ago to get more serious about my music career.
SFBG: When did you fall in love with music?
KO: I remember being really little and staying up into the wee hours of the night to listen to the radio and stations like KMEL. My mom would come in and try to get me to go to bed, then I’d get right back up and turn the radio on and listen to stuff like Boogie Down Productions, and all the stuff that was big in the late ’80s.