Kero One gave us a little shoutout after he got home from his international stint with Epik High on the MAP THE SOUL Tour. The Bay Area rapper-producer traveled with Epik High thru Korea, Japan and across the US. We got the deets on the origin of Kero One, getting on board Map The Soul, and working with Japan’s DJ Deckstream.

Kero One’s second album entitled EARLY BELIEVERS is out now on Plug Label. UK singer Ben Westbeech and Portland’s Ohmega Watts lend their vocals to Kero One’s rhymes.

What is the origin of Kero One?
The origin of the name came from my graffiti tag when I was 15 and was short for Kerosene. The best way to explain it is In one of my lines from my first album I say “When Kero’s on the Sene (scene) I fuel flame’s to burn emcees with more degrees than a PHD”.

What are your musical influences?
I started listening to old school hiphop on the radio when I was 6. I remember the first hiphop song I heard was by Boogie Down Productions. Since then, I collected records perversely with genres spanning from 70’s soul, funk, jazz, latin, soulful house, electronica and rock.

How did you end up on tour with Korea’s Epik High?
The relationship came together organically as we are all in the same network of friends. I am good friends with MYK and their manager. Furthermore, I’m a fan of what they’re doing and they liked the music I was making. I feel like they do a great job bridging the gap between underground music and pop.

You’re on Japan’s DJ Deckstream’s Soundtracks 1.5 with your remix of “Keep In The Pockets” with NYC’s Talib Kweli on the mic. How did you hook up with DJ Deckstream?
Dj Deckstream’s “people” asked me to do it. They said there will be only two remixers, DJ Jazzy Jeff and you. Immediately I asked, “Where do i sign”?

Any other artists you want to work with in the future?
Will.i.am (from Black Eyed Peas) has expressed interest in working so hopefully that goes down. He’s a busy dude these days.

What’s next for Kero One in 2009?
Executive producing albums on Plug Music Label and brainstorming my next project. Lots of touring and updating my new blog @ kero1.com!

Photo courtesy of Plug Label.