Damani Nkosi is a voice that rings with distinction and supreme clarity, valiantly shattering stereotypes with each metaphor. With the literal translation of his name serving as the title of his forthcoming debut, Inglewood, California artist Damani Nkosi is poised to assume this very role with his long-awaited album Thoughtful King. Featuring a supporting cast such as Motown recording artist BJ The Chicago Kid, Grammy nominated R&B vocalist Musiq, Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton, Grammy winning producer Warryn Campbell, and Grammy winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper, Thoughtful King boldly raises the lyrical standard while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of contemporary hip-hop's sonic palate.
After departing ways with Sony Urban in 2007 Damani began to travel abroad. Visits to China, Brazil, and various European countries served to further expand his horizons and helped him to gain perspective on his life and career. As part of a natural creative progression he began to notice, his travels began to influence the music he was making. Damani Nkosi had begun a metamorphosis of sorts. He had grown discontent with his previous subject matter and was eager to explore the full breadth of his artistry as a lyricist. But balancing what the label demanded with what he was compelled to create eventually became a daily struggle. "While I was doing songs like 'Black Man Stereotype,' Sony execs would come into the studio and tell me they needed something more like what was on the radio at the time. So I eventually gave in to it."Check out the video:
About Damani Nkosi: Long before his unique lyrical gift attracted the attention of some of the industry's most recognized and respected figures (Dr. Dre, Swizz Beatz, Snoop Dogg), Damani Nkosi honed his craft as an Inglewood hip-hop hopeful under the influence of groundbreaking artists like NWA, Ice Cube, and LL Cool J. For good measure, his father cultivated a profound understanding of the black experience for him early on. From reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X in the third grade to attending an afrocentric charter school, Damani Nkosi was receiving an integral foundation at the hands of his father. Damani Nkosi began vigorously networking and collaborating on the Los Angeles underground hip-hop scene. By 2000, his tactic proved successful when iconic hip-hop producer Dr. Dre invited Damani Nkosi to collaborate on various projects for his then nascent Aftermath Records imprint. The following year, he released the track "Move" featuring Pusha T and Malice of hip-hop duo Clipse. The song became a staple at Los Angeles hip-hop radio mixshows, including the influential 92.3 FM - The Beat. After the 2002 release of his mixtape The Street Album he garnered the attention of Grammy winning producer Swizz Beatz who recognized Damani Nkosi's potential as a break out artist shortly after, forging a relationship with the burgeoning emcee during this period. After stints with Sony Urban and Doggystyle Records, he broke off to pursue music independently.Videos