KPaul

KPaul is an independent Hip hop artist hailing from Austin, Texas. A standout amongst his contemporaries, KPaul has made a habit of raising the bar both creatively and in business. Robert Gabriel of The Austin Chronicle says of KPaul, “a source of some of the most powerful rap music to emerge from these Austin city limits.” (Pirate Utopia, 2007)    KPaul got his introduction to the music business as part of Austin, Texas Hip hop duo VIP. Consisting of KPaul and his maternal cou...

KPaul is an independent Hip hop artist hailing from Austin, Texas. A standout amongst his contemporaries, KPaul has made a habit of raising the bar both creatively and in business. Robert Gabriel of The Austin Chronicle says of KPaul, “a source of some of the most powerful rap music to emerge from these Austin city limits.” (Pirate Utopia, 2007)    KPaul got his introduction to the music business as part of Austin, Texas Hip hop duo VIP. Consisting of KPaul and his maternal cousin Pimpin' Pen, VIP has made a name for themselves as one of the premier independent Hip Hop acts in Central Texas. What started in 1998 as a creative outlet quickly became a career path in 1999 when the duo charted not one, not two, but three singles in The Texas Top 20 countdown simultaneously on local radio station KAZI and inked a record deal with Mentally Twisted Records, leading the duo to the official formation of Nina Ross Records. They're a staple in local media and music. VIP are performing veterans with local and regional tours, international collaborations, and various productions under their belts. Both solo and as a member of VIP, KPaul has performed at hundreds of shows in dozens of cities for thousands of people ranging from chitlin' circuit college town venues to packed stadiums.    Immediately following a three-plus year hiatus described by KPaul as “getting right with society” KPaul did what many industry types had deemed impossible. Merely weeks after his release from the Texas Department of Corrections, he announced his LockDown Radio series. A 52 week multi-dimensional dedication to both his comrades awaiting release and anybody who has ever been counted out prematurely. Within weeks it was picked up by multiple blogs in what he describes as “ghetto syndication”. Within months he had contributed to dozens of Mixtapes, albums, music videos, and collaborations. Along with VIP partner in rhyme Pimpin' Pen, he released the first ever truly collaborative effort between a Hip hop act and a Russian Slowed & Chopped DJ, Russian Roulette (VIP Slowed & Chopped by DJ D.A. & DJ Me). As co-founder of Nina Ross Records, he has helped facilitate 3 original albums from his label mates Bill Diamond, Texas Blu, and Pimpin' Pen, each slotted for a 2011 release. The cumulative effects of his efforts landed him multiple television and DVD feature segments in some unsuspected places, like Atlanta. Recently wrappin up his debut solo release "Raised In The Streets, Perfected In Prison" and is beginning stages of producing the video for his lead street single, "Save My Soul". “Now that the creative part is finished, we're looking to make use of the extensive relationships we've built over the years in support of a multi-regional tour,” says KPaul of how he intends to reach new fans. “We've got a green light for promotional stops in Miami, Long Beach, The Bay Area, Las Vegas, St. Louis, and the list gets bigger everyday. I haven't been home for a year and my people never stopped working when I left. There are literally dozens of projects in the works    “The plan, is to continue to push forward on all fronts and duplicate this regional success into a formidable global independent movement.” A sentiment most appropriately stated by KPaul himself on the opening lines of his forthcoming "Raised In The Streets, Perfected In Prison", “I know the world's cold, but sometimes you just gotta strap up and go head-on...I'm head first out here.” Indeed.