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Rapper KOAD Releases “jaunty” Produced By Kwes Darko (slowthai)
Rapper KOAD Releases “Jaunty” Produced By Kwes Darko
18-year-old rapper, singer, songwriter and producer KOAD releases his energetic new single “jaunty.” Produced in collaboration with Kwes Darko, slowthai’s closest collaborator and partner, the relentless track is a “zero to Brown” sonic journey that is unequivocally KOAD in his purest form.
Born from a rock sample by singer/songwriter James Talley, KOAD seasons the track with Indian tablas and Gen-Z flair. The Ijaaz Noohu-directed music video captures the track’s essence as KOAD, dressed in a traditional Indian kurta with the logo for his KOGO community emblazoned on the back, breaks into a traditional bhangra dance, choreographed by local South Asian bhangra student Amrita Patel, and abetted by a San Fernando Valley dance troupe.
“This video, probably more than any other piece of content I’ve made so far, is all about my relationship with my culture, family and identity.”
says KOAD.
Growing up an outsider as a first generation South Asian in LA’s San Fernando Valley, KOAD has been making music in his parents’ garage since they gave him a beat pad for Christmas at the age of 13. With only one other track previously released, KOAD has already caught the attention of music industry titans like Alex Tumay, Rahki & BROCKHAMPTON. His debut single “pots ‘n pans” is a raucous and raunchy salvo that depicts KOAD’s interpretation of childhood and youth.
This Saturday, May 15th from 5 to 8 pm PT, KOAD will give a special performance of “pots ‘n pans” and “jaunty” during IDENTITY 2021, a free virtual Asian American celebration hosted on Twitch by Amazon Music. KOAD will join world renowned artists including ATEEZ, Wolftyla, Guapdad 4000, MC Jin, Wyclef Jean & more on the lineup. Donations raised during the show will benefit the Pacific Bridge Arts musical scholarships and the Gold House AAPI Community Fund devoted to restorative justice.
Since dropping out of high school at 15, the Indian-American rapper, singer, producer, and songwriter KOAD has been building worlds and creating bombastic, genre-defying music out of his parents’ garage. Alongside his own global artist community (KOGO), KOAD is leading a creative renaissance for a new generation of Indian-American creatives. With his first single “pots n’ pans” garnering early co-signs from Merlyn (Brockhampton), Raveena and Curtis Waters, fans have been patiently anticipating subsequent sonic follow ups as they dive deeper into the world of KOAD.
