What is an IKON? By today’s definition it represents something or someone that transcends or excels in his or her field of expertise; one that is well above average and above the fray; quite simply one who is larger than life.
That’s what On The Ball Entertainment CEO Kelli Ball observed during the formation of the duo comprised of Brian Ball pka Big Bang and Jerome Perkins pka Roman. They are a dynamic two-man act (that both sing and rap). Brian, who hails from Los Angeles and Jerome Perkins, a native of Houston, who grew up in South Central, Los Angeles were both reared in very musical families.
Brian’s mother and IKON’s Manager, Mary Ball, used to sing with the famous Blue Belles and his father was a noted local blues singer. His sister, Kelli, was once signed to MCA Records and Warner Bros. Records as a solo artist by the name of K-Ball.
Jerome’s musical roots also run deep. He’s been singing since he was 4 or 5 years of age. His influences range from the likes of super M.C.s Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z to gospel greats like Kim Burrell, Daryl Coley, John P. Kee and Hezekiah Walker. “What draws me to certain songs is that I like to hear different harmonies, different stories, different stories told through a lyric.”
IKON describes their sound and vibe as a real and true merging of hip-hop and R&B. They are true vocalists, who remain loyal to their lyrics and great harmonies. “Every demographic will like what were doing,” declares Jerome. “We have a song on the album for everybody whether club grooves, street songs, ballads, whatever.”
There are several songs that IKON expects to impress audiences with from their R&B single debut "My Everything"; to the more racy club banger “I Got It, Man”; to their L.A. Anthem, “Where I’m From” featuring The Game, which they expect to be a huge hit; to “Do It To Death”, a track they like to label as a big adrenaline record.
Among the killer ballads is a poignant songs titled, “As Good As It Gets”, which was composed to reel in their assured female audience. “I believe women are God’s gift to this world”, says Brian. “They make us as men do the things that we do, whether bad of good.”
They have co-written most of their debut album and have recorded with an array of hot producers, such as Battle Cat, K-1Mil, SOS, Touch Tone, Ish, Notes, as well as a host of others. The guys believe they are bringing something very unique and much desired by young hip-hop and R&B audiences today. “People hear us and the first thing they think is that were somewhere from the South, Atlanta or North Carolina,” says Brian. “I’m like no, were from L.A. There’s never been a big R&B influence to come from the West Coast. They’re usually coming from the South, Philly, and the East Coast. I believe the West Coast has a story with its brand of R&B that’s rarely ever told.”
Even with all of the early buzz and hoopla surrounding IKON’s debut album, the IKON institution had already generated an impressive discography from writing and singing clever hooks for the likes of Mystikal for the song “Come On” in Ice Cubes Barbershop 2 Movie to being featured in Jaime Foxx’s Breaking All The Rules and Eddie Griffins My Baby Daddy movies, to even having their song Lock The Door featured on the hit show CSI Miami. They co- wrote and arranged a song with songwriter/producer, K-Ball, and Eddie Berkeley for sister- act, Damozel, titled “Everyday’s a Party”. This song found its way onto the Vivica A. Fox, Morris Chestnut movie Two Can Play That Game, and its soundtrack.
On the concert front, IKON has opened shows for superstar artists Alicia Keys, Angie Stone, Carl Thomas, Brian McKnight, Wyclef, Tony Toni Tone, and Outkast, just to name a few. They’ve wowed audiences on Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star and BET’S Comic View; and even performed at the welcome home-coming celebration for 10,000 marines and their families of the 29 Palms Air-Marine Base.
”The fact that we are a duo will set us a little bit a part”, claims Jerome says. “But most importantly, I believe that it will be our strong work ethic that will set us a part. We don’t ever want to limit ourselves or be safe. We so much love what we do. When you think of IKON, I want people to think big business, larger than life, high quality” - Game over!
www.MySpace.com/ikonontheball
