Recently, Amen caught up with Kalikwest from California, USA. They are making a big names for themselves in North America and are ready to take it to the next level!
Amen: Who is "Kalikwest" and what is all the hype about?
Kalikwest: KaliKwest pronounced "Cali Quest" is an Entertainment Service Company. Our services range from Artist Management, Event Planning Coordination, Security Services, Promotions, Media Services and a fast growing clothing line.
Amen: When you guys are not banging beats in the studio, what are you doing in your spare time?
Kalikwest: Well my artist bang the beats I sell the dreams...so you will have to ask them when you interview them what they do but i think they might say "SLEEP."
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Amen: How do you feel about the sudden surge of bhangra into the mainstream?
Kalikwest: It's about TIME!!! I'm just happy to be contributing to the cause with our bhangra-hip hop mixtapes which by the way recently got in the hands of a lot of mainstream label reps in Puerto Rico @ the 6th Annual Mix show Powersummit, NBA All Star Weekend in L.A, we personally took them to NYC to all the music labels urban reps and A&R departments, we have a great relationship with them all Def Jam (USA), Universal, Jive, Arista, Rocafella, Koch, Priority etc. which in turn has caused a |
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big buzz amongst the hiphop industry. Watch out for exclusive remixes of your hottest artist officially by BPR CREW. |
Amen: Hip Hop Bhangra Mixtapes? Tell me more?
Kalikwest: The mixtape tradition has been in the hip-hop game for over 10 years. And after the release of the our first official bhangra - hip hop mixtape "Beware of the Boyz" by the BPR CREW last year, the response has been crazy since then we have released a total of 7 mixtapes and were beginning to see other dj's release them in the desi scene now. But its feels good to be known as the "trendsetters" of this new craze and recently i was told that i can be considered as a bridge between the desi and mainstream industry.
I was really touched that people actually believe in what I'm doing for my culture. Its getting so hot that I recently met with top hip hop deejay DJ KAY SLAY (The Drama King) who is showing a lot of interest in working with one of our BPR CREW deejays DJ ALVIN D (2002-2003 West Coast Deejay of the Year). We also have some projects brewing with the main man himself Sukshinder Shinda and our latest mixtape "the fusion 2k4 mixtape - hosted by Raje Shwari is out now in stores everywhere so go cop that and I'm always looking out for new talent holla @ yo boyz!!!!
Amen: What talents does Kalikwest have on the roster?
Kalikwest: I have been gifted to work with some great people in the past from E-40 (Guru of hip Hop Slang, Jive records), Beanie Man (Virgin), Too Short, etc and currently I'm managing THE BPR CREW (the first UK based deejay crew to hit the US scene that just never went back), Dholnation (Hip hop Desi Dholi crew, who recently performed @ Zee TV bhangra national Championship in New York), DJ Scorpio (hot producer behind the hit track Hai Hai feat Jay-Z & Freeway) Raje Shwari (mainstream artist watch out for she's gonna be hot. Also with Sukshinder Shinda for all US based shows and projects.
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Amen: What does BPR CREW & Dholnation have coming up??
Kalikwest: Its a really busy year ahead, lookout for us @ alot of the melas, culture shows, and tours in 2004 we also have some gigs lined up in Japan, Holland and here in the US for bookings email kalikwestflava@yahoo.com or dial toll free 877-894-0670. |
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Amen: What should we expect from "Kalikwest" in the near future?
Kalikwest: We have alot of secret formulas being put together but TRUST ME it will be official like a referee's whistle, once we are in motion like the ocean...Our formulas will have a special boost in it, believe it!!!
Amen: Do you have a final message or shout outs??
Kalikwest: I would like to say first of all thanks to almighty waheguru for the blessings, to my family thanks for all your love and support, JB (Hit Em Hard) & Omar (Omeezie) Helton both for there help and guiding me through my ways and for all the connects MUCH THUGG!!
I'd also like to thank Desitunes4u for giving us an opportunity and exposure for their viewers Amen Panesar, Bohemia, Kidd Skilly, George Chohan, DESIClub.Com, SICK RICK (CHALIS CHOR CLICK) and to all the people out there that support what we do.
Lastly I would like to let all deejays, producers know that if you are gonna make a mixtape then make it right blend the music, make it non-stop, add yo flava to tracks, this is your time to show how you would mix these hot tracks together, otherwise dont call it a mixtape "learn the hip hop culture dont imitate to be in the hip hop game you have to live, breathe, dress, sleep hip hop."
That ends the interview, so make sure you check their website www.kalikwest.com. We just wanna say a big thanks for letting us interview them!
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