An up and coming hip hop artist from Jersey City, New Jersey, King Keon is overcoming the trials and tribualations in his life through music. His new single, ‘Picture Me’, sets him apart from his contemporaries, with his unique voice, and deft rhymes.
Growing up in Jersey City, hip hop was a large part of King Keon’s culture, but what set him apart from his peers was the music which ran through his veins, courtesy of his father and grandfather, both singers. Keon spent most of his childhood in the studio while his father was making records, but ironically set his sights on becoming a professional athlete. This dream seemed set to become a reality when he won a full scholarship to Delaware State University, to play Division I Football.
Keon always had music in the back of his mind, and said to himself, “I would love to make music if I had the time”. His sporting dream was shattered during his freshman year at Delaware, when he was expelled for his involvement in a physical altercation, whilst defending a friend. Not one to be easily defeated, he saw this as a sign, and started working on the rhymes he’d written at school, crafting some compelling songs, which he showed his father. Utterly shocked by his son’s seemingly sudden talent, he sent Keon to Atlanta to work on a mixtape, and soon after he was re-named “King Keon” by none other than Treach, of iconic hip hop group, Naughty By Nature.
Keon returned to college and gained his bachelor’s degree in sports management. Now at the age of 23 is making his own mark on music scene by independently releasing music on the label he founded with the backing of his father, K.O.K. (King Of Kings) Records, under the management and guidance of James “Pookie” Gist, whose formerly managed Naughty By Nature, and Jaheim.
Keon’s single, ‘Picture Me’, makes a defiant statement: He is the King. The accompanying music video is autobiographical in part, with shots in Jersey City, and paints a picture of who King Keon really is.
Find out more about King Keon online on his official website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and SoundCloud. ‘Picture Me’ is available from Apple Music.
