The Inferno

Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Music

Media Credit: Kameko Don't judge Kameko by his name or appearance! He's neither a Japanese girl, nor a neo-soul artist.

Kameko is not your normal everyday artist. He is different and is bringing a new voice to the music scene. Raised and inspired by the way Michael Jackson performed and the music of John Lennon and Prince, Kameko gives his listeners much more than a voice on a beat, but a story that many can relate to. Losing his mother while on tour in Europe, Kameko reconnected to what is most important in life and reflected his learning through his music. His voice has been heard on the same stage as Toni Braxton, Vanessa Williams and Mary J. Blige, for whose shows he opened. Taking time out of his busy schedule, Kameko discusses his tracks and what he wants people to understand about him.

Jelani Whitehorne: What's going on with you?

Kameko: Right now man, I'm just hustling. I'm working on the album making sure everything turns out great.

JW: Your single, "Tired of Being Broke," is a very well done track. What experience did you have with making that song?

K: Well, I wrote that song when I was just getting out of high school entering college. I was dealing with the usual student loans and was just broke, and tired of it. It got to a point where I would buy a sandwich and eat one half of the sandwich the beginning of the day and finish it at the end of the day because I didn't have money to spend on a lot of food.

JW: That's crazy! You were touring Europe when you encountered tragedy with the loss of your mother. What changes did you have to go through while being an artist on the road?

K: I found out that nothing in life is permanent. I learned to value life, not only mine but people in my life as well. When you're young, you start taking things for granted but I learned to stay connected to spiritual relationship- I wasn't as connected before. I had a better relationship with God, but I'm also still healing.

JW: You have opened up for such artists like Vanessa Williams, Mary J. Blige and Toni Braxton. How was that experience helpful to you?

K: It was a really great experience. I learned and saw real professionalism. I'm glad Vanessa Williams and Mary J. Blige are still doing their thing. Toni Braxton, I believe, is not going as strong as I think she could be, though! I learned a lot about the business part of music, what goes on behind the scenes. Everyone has a job; the assistant does this at a certain time, then another person does something else, and it was really an organized sight to see. Everyone had roles and most of the time, everything was on time.

JW: You have an interesting name, Kameko. What does it mean?

K: Well, my name has several meanings, but the one my mother meant for me to have is "the child of God." Other meanings can be like a tortoise, but it's originally a Japanese girl's name, so my mom played a trick on me! (Laughs) That's a coincidence because Tokyo is like my stomping grounds; I spend a lot of time there.

JW: What is a typical day like for you?

K: Well at 7 a.m., I wake up and have a prayer for giving me a chance to see a new day and then I get to work. I meet up with a trainer of mine, and then I do band, singer and dance rehearsals to keep my work up to par. Everyday is a busy day!

JW:That's hectic! What do you have in the works for fans to keep in touch with you?

K: I'm currently working on doing a promo tour and have various liquor sponsors to help me fund it; I'm just at the process of finalizing deals. I'm trying to put things on the table so that I can rock crowds in the US and then all the way to Japan!

JW: Can't wait for it. What do you want the public to know about you that you want to express to them?

K: The issue I really want to address is that I am an artist first and foremost. I don't like how people judge my genre by appearance. Just because I have my hair the way I have it, puts me into the neo-soul genre automatically. My genre is not that. I'm rock, soul and pop, baby! That's a reason why we don't have artists like Rick James and Michael Jackson anymore cause people assume first! People need to listen first, not just assume, but listen to my music, and then let the music take you to the rest of their thoughts about me.

For more information on Kameko and his music, visit www.myspace.com/kamekoworld.

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