Khingz

If punk rock and blues met in a dark, cigarette smoke fogged speak easy in Gotham City and were overwhelmed by jazz-induced lust and bore a child they raised in a ghetto to an alternative soundtrack out would come Khingz.

One-half of the Seattle-based group Abyssinian Creole, Khingz offers his highly anticipated 2009 debut, From Slaveships to Spaceships, on Fresh Chopped Beats / MADK Productions. ...Spaceships is Khingz' first release since 2001's Vitamin D helmed production Mi Vida Negra, written under his alias Khalil Crisis.

As Khalil Crisis, he was torn between a life of crime and his desire to be a force for change and control of his own life. From Slaveships to Spaceships is the culmination of Khingz' transformation from a youth with a crime-haunted past, to a man of honor. The actualization of his higher self was inspired by his motivational and self-esteem building work with youth programs in Seattle (King County), Washington. Khingz also ventured east where he provided similar service for youth in Brooklyn (Kings County), New York. This move proved to be life-changing. In addition to his tales of hood antics and experience, he began to include rhymes about liberation and has inspired his listeners to think past the corners.

In recent years Khingz has embraced a nomadic lifestyle, as evidenced by long stays in Brooklyn, Oakland, and Vancouver, BC. ...Spaceships, reflects these travels, sharing Khingz' broadened perspective without losing the fire that formed him into an emcee originally. His live performances have been praised as reigniting showmanship and raw emotion as key elements in moving the crowd, earning him the respect and following of his peers and fans. The education that Khingz has extracted from both the streets and scholars has proven invaluable as his lyrics and philosophy reflect. Khingz pushes the boundaries of conscious thought-provoking Hip-Hop with his feet planted firmly in his experience as a battle-tested reality MC. He gives credence to his commitment as an elite and original artist successfully (and often tortuously) forging his own path rather than follow in the footsteps of others.

...Spaceships is a window into Khingz' actual journey past the imprisoned mentality plaguing some of the communities he's lived in. He has a message for oppressed people everywhere - "You are the prize over which everyone is fighting, seize yourself." With ...Spaceships he is extending a hand to his people - all of you - and asking you to step off the slaveship and step on board the spaceship. See you there.

Press

"...From Slaveships to Spaceships is one of the boldest and most soul-baring albums this year."
- The Seattle Weekly, July 2009

"Fiery and soul-salvaging...4 1/2 Stars."
- Sound Magazine, July 2009

"A powerful album, both musically and emotionally."
- Hella Bus, June 2009

"As inspiring as he intended it to be...5/5 Stars."
- The Daily, June 2009

"Khingz is the best he's ever been."
- The Stranger, June 2009

"The future of Hip-Hop has been revealed."
- Ozone Magazine, June 2009

"[Khingz] creates a portrait based on pure lyricism that results in one of the best hip-hop albums of the year, from Seattle or otherwise."
The Daily - UW June 2009