BAM Staff Pick: Kokayi at BAMcafé Live

Photo: Kokayi, by Bryan Sona

This month's pick: Kokayi (BAMcafé Live, Fri, Jan 27 at 9pm)

Picked by: Darrell McNeill, Associate Producer, Music Programming

1. Why Kokayi?

Kokayi is one of the most inspired emcees to come out of hip-hop’s vast underground, keeping with the craftsmanship of De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Mos Def.

2. What makes him unique?
“Koke’s” approach to the art of rhyme is schizoid—by turns frenetic, high-pitched, edgy, at others iceberg-cool and unflappable—as is his musical backdrop, which runs the gamut of hardcore punk to electro-pop. The core is wit, humor, intelligence, and skills reminiscent of hip-hop’s golden age.

3. You might like this if you liked:
Ultramagnetic MCs, Mos Def, Spank Rock

4. Guilty-pleasure reason for seeing the show:
Uncontrollable fits of dancing

5. Final words:
This is the antidote for hip-hop’s breakneck descent into nihilism for fun and profit—proof that you don’t have to be a jackass to spit fire and move the crowd.

Kokayi plays BAMcafé Live this Friday, January 27 at 9pm