My name is Ian Kamau, but most people call me Kamau; I consider myself an artist. I think my ability to create and communicate is closely connected to my purpose in life although I am unsure of exactly how.
Primarily I am a writer, producer and a graphic/visual artist. I perform much of what I write so I’m considered a performer by some, a poet or a hip-hop artist. I don’t necessarily think of myself in this way.
I was born and raised in Toronto to Trinidadian parents who immigrated to Canada in 1970. My parents are documentary filmmakers. I grew up around ideas, information, education and art.
Making music has taken me all over the world, it has opened doors to places and has put me in the position to have conversations with a diverse range of individuals that have helped to open my mind.
I believe in community. My creative life extends to my work in community development, specifically with arts-based projects for young people. I am a founding member and director of an organization called Nia that is an afro-diasporic arts centre in Toronto that uses arts as a means to empower young people and be a place for community.
My desire is to put my thoughts and experiences into the world so that I can enter into a conversation with people in different places. I am an artist who wants to continue to be creative and support others in being creative and finding their purpose.
music
all/good
artists
lauryn hill, john coltrane, nina simone, marvin gaye, etta james, outkast, 3000, gnarls barkley, radiohead, tumi, ukoo flani mau mau, bjork, feist, k-os, k'naan, zaki, lal, saukrates, dilla, madlib, dungeon family, organized noize, georgia-anne muldrow. erykah, omar, the roots, bilal oliver, neptunes, flying lotus, aloe blacc, karen nile, tuku, nas, n.e.r.d, neptunes, tribe called quest, de la, arrested development, digable planets, krs one, d'bi young, boonaa muhammad, kings of kush, common, mos & talib, bob dylan, grand analog, otis redding, jay z, elzhi, pharohe monch, organized konfusion, the dears, shawn hewitt, d'angelo, planet asia, pete and cl, wasun, nomadic massive, obsesion, saul williams, ursula rucker, brass monk, little dragon, little brother, bob marley, peter tosh, thelonious monk, miles davis, stevie wonder
