Kung Fu Vampire
Kung Fu Vampire | |
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Background information | |
Born | June 30, 1986 |
Origin | San Jose, California |
Genres |
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Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2001—present |
Labels | Ultra Violet Entertainment |
Associated acts |
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Website | www.KungFuVampire.com |
Kung Fu Vampire is a Latin American rapper and the vocalist of the musical group of the same name. He is from San Jose, California,[1] and has toured with Twiztid, Tech N9ne, Locksmith, ICP, Brotha Lynch Hung and Wrekonize including 8 headlining tours across The U.S and Canada. In addition, KFV has collaborated with musicians such as Hopsin, Brother J of X Clan, Futuristic, recently deceased Blue Note Records Jazz Trumpeter Eddie Gale, Ubiquitous, Of Strange Music's CES Cru, X-Raided, Cougnut, Majik Ninja Entertainment artists Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, The R.O.C. (rapper), plus Whitney Peyton and Spice 1.
History[]
Kung Fu Vampire began breakdancing at the age of six, and taught himself how to rap and sing while playing drums and bass as a hobby.[1] At the age of 12, his aunt began taking him to see concert performances, and introduced him to a gothic style of dress.[1] At 14 years old he and three friends formed a group infusing classic hip hop with funk and electronica.[1][2] In 2001, as a late teen he adopted the name "Kung Fu Vampire" during a conversation with his friends in which they discussed the idea of a martial arts film featuring vampires.[1][3] Kung Fu Vampire formed a band,[1][2] and he also used the vampire concept to write a novel (unpublished). He describes the sense of balance as the "Yin and Yang of Fang" .[2]
In 2006, the group was voted the best local band by Metro Silicon Valley readers.[4] Director Darren Lynn Bousman was impressed by Kung Fu Vampire's performance style, and pushed for the rapper to perform at the release party for Saw III as well as opting to do a music video. Kung Fu Vampire has also performed at The Playboy Mansion.[5][6] Bousman's association with Kung Fu Vampire continued with performances at the release party for Repo! The Genetic Opera, and Bousman included Kung Fu Vampire's song "Dead Girls Don't Say No" in the film Mother's Day.[6] In 2009, Faygoluvers featured Kung Fu Vampire's music video "iCount" on the site, attracting the attention of Twiztid, who invited Kung Fu Vampire to perform as the duo's opening act during their 2010 "Slaughterhouse" tour.[6] Since 2010, KFV has done 13 tours including 2 in Canada and 4 appearances at the Gathering of the Juggalos in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, and Thornton, Ohio. Kung Fu Vampire has not signed to a major label, and remains an independent artist.[6] In 2012, Kung Fu Vampire appeared in the music video for E-40's song "Zombie" featuring Brotha Lynch Hung and Tech N9ne.[6] In 2013, Kung Fu Vampire appeared on the reality show Oddities: San Francisco on the History and Science Channel. In late 2015 KFV released a music video, "Slice Of Life". On October 16, 2015, KFV's song "Turnt Up" appeared in the movie Tales Of Halloween which landed at #1 on iTunes for a month straight.
On January 1, 2017, KFV was invited to participate in the Juggalo March On Washington. He accepted on January 2, 2017, stating that the Juggalos have earned his respect and vice versa and would give a free day to them anytime.[7]
On August 30, 2019, Kung Fu released his long-awaited album debuting at #39 on the Billboard Hip Hop Charts and #18 on the iTunes Hip Hop Charts. At the 2019 Gathering Of The Juggalos, Kung Fu Vampire announced his very first group project with Louisville, KY based MC , entitled Double Dragon
Style and influences[]
Kung Fu Vampire performs a style of alternative hip hop fusing goth, funk and electro.[2][5] Kung Fu Vampire referred to this style as "gothic hip hop" and "goth hop" to describe the true sound and separate himself from generic genre labeling, but later learned that it was also similar to the preexisting style horrorcore.[3]
Kung Fu Vampire's initial influences for his style of Hip Hop was a cross between theatrical Movie Music similar to Danny Elfman and Lalo Schifrin crossed with the rapid fire likes of Busta Rhymes. and West Coast legends like NWA, Ice Cube, The Pharcyde and Cypress Hill
Kung Fu Vampire generally avoids rapping about graphic violence, and makes little or no reference to campy horror films or smoking cannabis.[6] His lyrics have spoken out against drug use, in particular meth and alcohol, and advocated for healthy living.[6]
Kung Fu Vampire was initially known for making appearances with a shaved head and pale face paint.[6] Since 2011, Kung Fu Vampire grew his hair out and has stopped using face paint in his performances stating that he would rather spend that time connecting with fans at concert as opposed to preparation.[6]
Since 2014 KFV has made a strong change to a more commercial gritty Hip Hop sound with more of a 1980s influenced look sporting a Fanny Pack tall hair similar to Kid and Play and his graphics have taken on a more of a retro Neon look. features songs such as 1986 and Madonna paying homage to his favorite era.
Live band members[]
- Current
- Kung Fu Vampire — vocals
- Jeremy Pollett — bass
- Chris Paxton — drums
Production team[]
- Current
- ProHoezak
• TunnA Beatz
- Skytzo Beatz
• Subliminal Beats
- Chris Paxton
• Nobe of Inf Gang
- GodSynth
• MOK Beatz
- Cruels
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
Title | Album details |
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Blood Bath Beyond |
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Dead Sexy |
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Love Bites |
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Look Alive |
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Come Dawn |
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Compilations[]
Year | Album |
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Womb Til Tomb |
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Re-Animated |
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Collaboration albums[]
Year | Album |
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Double Dragon with Bukshot[8] |
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Singles[]
Year | Single | Album |
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2013 | "Turnt Up" featuring Hopsin | Re-Animated |
2016 | "Little Girl Big Mouth" featuring | Look Alive |
2018 | "Neighborhood" | Come Dawn |
2019 | "Trapped In Hell" featuring Futuristic | Come Dawn |
Features[]
- Twisted Insane track "Voices" featuring Bleezo, Kung Fu Vampire, Bishop, and Poverty's Posterboy from the album The Insane Asylum (2013)
- Twiztid track "Wasted Part 2" featuring Kung Fu Vampire, Chris Webby, RA The Rugged Man and Three Six Mafia from the album Get Twiztid (2014)
- Bloodstepp track "Rave In My Grave" featuring Koshir and Kung Fu Vampire from the album Grand Theft Ufo: Floppy Disk Edition (2014)
- track "It Is Not" feat. Kung Fu Vampire from the Album One Track Mind (2016)
- Blaze Ya Dead Homie track "Ghost" featuring Kung Fu Vampire from the album Casket Factory (2016)
- Whitney Peyton track "Word Of Mouth" featuring Kung Fu Vampire from the album Break The Frame (2016)
- Gorilla Voltage track "Rocks For Brains" featuring Kung Fu Vampire from the album Ape-X (2017)
- Gorilla Voltage track "Lit" featuring Kung Fu Vampire from the album Ape-X (2017)
- When They Hear It (The R.O.C. ft. Kung Fu Vampire & Prozak) on the album Digital Voodoo (2017)
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Wheeler, Garrett (October 29, 2006). "Creature of The Night". Metro Silicon Valley. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Rudy, Stewart. "Interview with a (Rapping) Vampire". The Wave Magazine. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Dark Jedi Hillz (December 6, 2009). "Exclusive Interview - Kung Fu Vampire". JuggaloNews. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
- ^ "Best of Silicon Valley 2006". Metro Silicon Valley. September 20–26, 2006. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Osterbeck, Ryan (October 18–24, 2006). "Interview With the Vampire". Metro Silicon Valley. Retrieved November 22, 2008.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Carnes, Aaron (December 5, 2012) Cover Story: Local Rapper Kung Fu Vampire Sheds Costume to Focus on Music. metroactive.com
- ^ "The Concert - Juggalo March on Washington - Sept 16th, 2017". juggalomarch.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- ^ https://faygoluvers.net/v5/2019/08/kung-fu-vampire-bukshot-teaming-up-for-2020-double-dragon-release/
External links[]
- 1986 births
- Living people
- Horrorcore artists
- Underground rappers
- American hip hop record producers
- Rappers from the San Francisco Bay Area