BIO
With music being an intricate part of both of KJs parents lives, KJ was destined to become the brilliant musician, vocalist, composer, and producer that he is today.
His father, Karl McNeill is a professional musician in his own right playing and recording with many jazz and RnB artists. Mr. McNeill noticed KJs keen ear and the ability to pick up music at the tender age of 10 months. KJs first song and also the song that he first performed was "Alphabet Street" by Prince. When KJ turned two, he used to entertain other musicians by sitting in and jamming with them on his drums. It was then that other musicians really took notice to this budding talent. By the age of 9, KJ entered into the role of a professional musician by subbing for another drummer during one of his fathers gigs. KJ has also played professionally as a jazz drummer since the age of 12 along side of many great jazz musicians and artists including his father Karl McNeill Sr. At 15 years of age, KJ was selected to attend the Governor's School of the Arts program in Delaware. All the while continuing to perform with the best jazz and RnB recording artists and increasing his skill level.
One day, while accompanying his mother to pick up one of his younger sister's from west african dance class at a local community center, a percussionist noticed KJ and asked him to accompany the dancers playing the Djun-djun. Never having played this instrument, the other percussionist were surprised at how easily KJ picked up the instrument and even charted out the rhythms that were given to him. Many of the other well seasoned african percussionist were very impressed and alerted me to the fact that they had never seen anything like that. From then on, KJ was an intricate part of the drummers ensemble led by the great Baba Kenyattaa. To this day during the summer, he along with his sister Ka'miko and other selected performer are asked to perform for legendary Bob Marley's family members in Wilmington, DE. This is an extreme honor to him.
Since then, KJ has continued learning various instruments on his own. He has successfully mastered many instruments including but not limiting to his primary instrument the drums (latin, jazz, concert, funk, rock, RnB). He now fluently plays guitar, electric bass, piano, various african percussion instruments and now the harmonica. Now KJ teaches drums for all levels, bass guitar, basic guitar and also subs for Baba Kenyattaa teaching West African rhythms at the local community center in Wilmington, DE. KJ participated in his fathers' KMSR Enterprises Artists Compilation CD, Volume 1 which was released in the fall of 2005. One of the songs in which he performed a duet entitled "I Got Your Back" went to the top of the charts overseas and is still in rotation on a lot of European internet and satellite radio stations. Unfortunately American radio refuses to play it labeling it "too urban". {Isn't that the story of many of our independent artists these days.} | Most recently, KJ at 21 years of age added solo recording artists to his list of talents. With his recent release of his debut single "Where U Start", KJ is finally coming into his own. His soon to be released full CD entitled "I M Music" will be available later this year. KJ wrote, recorded, produced and played all live instruments on all of his songs. The single is available on many music downloadable sites, i.e. iTunes, Rhapsody, Walmart.com, etc... His single is available for purchase with two bonus tracks at CDBaby.com or via this website.
DEMAND KJ IN YOUR CITY TODAY by clicking on this link!! Enjoy! REQUEST "WHERE U START" ON YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATION TODAY!! |
