Keffaleng

Keffaleng
Background information
Birth name Aaron Alem
Also known as Keffaleng
Born (1995-01-26) January 26, 1995
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres R&B, Hip hop, Pop, Trap Soul
Occupation(s) Singer,Songwriter,Producer
Years active 2015 – present
Labels DPXND
Associated acts Amir Obe, Playboi Carti
Website www.keffaleng.com

Aaron Alem (born January 26, 1995), better known by his stage name Keffaleng, is a Canadian singer, rapper, producer, and songwriter from Toronto, Canada. In 2016, Keffaleng was featured on Toronto artist GOV “Nights” ep which resulted in a video for LowKey / On My Mind.[1] In the fall of 2016, Keffaleng released his debut project, the “Still Shanti” ep which showcased his trap-soul inspired body of work, receiving accolades from Hip Hop Canada - Sarah Jay’s Top 40 Up-And-Coming Canadian Rappers & Crews of 2016.[2] Currently Keffaleng owns an independent recording label DPXND, he released his debut ep, “Not So Famous” in March, 2017.

Early life

Aaron Alem better known as “Keffaleng” was born to Ethiopian immigrants in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada on January 26, 1995. Throughout most of his childhood, Keffaleng lived in the Victoria Park section until his family relocated to the heart of Downtown, Toronto. Keffaleng was introduced to music by his father at a very young age. It was by his father that Keffaleng was brought to an array of music from Michael Jackson, Harry Belafonte, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Kool and The Gang, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Lionel Richie. The symmetry for music and composing was developed while singing hymns at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church where he learned the Ge’ez language. Keffaleng East African roots have a deep influence on his musical style which many describe as a fusion of Trap Soul and Hip hop. Keffaleng analyze and processes music in a philosophical sense, discecting the root meanings of compositions of hip-hop to be exact. Although, 50 Cent “Get Rich Or Die Trying” album would have an immense impact on his life and perspective on music, it was hip hop artist, Kid Cudi musical style that became his musical influence. It was Kid Cudi influence through music that led Keffaleng towards the likes of artist such as Kanye west, Linkin Park, Cold Play and N.E.R.D.

Music career

In 2016, Keffaleng was featured on Toronto artist GOV “Nights” ep which resulted in a video for LowKey / On My Mind.[3] Later that fall in 2016, Keffaleng released his debut project, the “Still Shanti” EP which showcased his trap-soul inspired body of work receiving accolades from Hip Hop Canada - Sarah Jay’s Top 40 Up-And-Coming Canadian Rappers & Crews of 2016.[4] The “Still Shanti” ep, a cohesive five track project produced by CVRE, Vinnyx & Nahum produced several singles that went on to gain national radio play in major U.S. markets. The “Still Shanti” ep gained attention from editorials such as HipHopCanada, Thisis50 & Itzbizkit .

The momentum surrounding “Still Shanti” set the singer; songwriter & producer up for his follow up March 6, 2017 released project “Not So Famous”.[5] Premiered by Vibe Magazine and supported by MTV, Hotnewhiphop, Allhiphop, and the popular website 2DopeBoyz.com, the ep has gained a moving response with The Source Magazine naming Keffaleng a “Canadian Mastermind”.[6] The”Not So Famous” featured 7 tracks which includes a collaboration with Def Jam recording artist Amir Obe on the Davinci produced single, “Yeah, Yeah”.[7] The ep title “Not So Famous” is a declaration that fame is one of the most dangerous drugs in existence.[8] The follow up single, "Anything" and lucid dreams gained national airplay on DJ Clue? Dessert Storm Radio All Star Show as well as DJ Skee, Dash Radio Show on the XXL Station. In April 2017, Keffaleng hit single "Anything" was featured on Rap Season "Rap Season Mix," mixed by DJ,blogger, and radio host Josephine Cruz.[9] Keffaleng single, "Anything" was also added to the video on demand provider Music Choice, rap music channel #855 in April 2017.

On April 20, 2017, Keffaleng was introduced to Apple Music online program Beats 1 Radio, in the new "Discovered" Spotlight for the single "Anything" by Vice President of Emmis Communications (WQHT Hot 97NY) / radio personality Ilbrahim "Ebro" Darden. Later in the same month, Keffaleng made the playlist for Dinner Land TV "Whip Sessions" curated by Yanblaze and Nerd Nash. Keffaleng was featured on the playlist of IHeartRadio station "Dais Creates" show "Trakhaüs Radio episode 20" powered by Karla May on May 2, 2017.[10] In May 2017, Complex featured the single "Anything" in the "Northern Torch" as making the list of Canada best Canadian songs for the month of April 2017.[11] Keffaleng was also Interviewed by Hip Hop Canada, on May 5, 2017 which he discussed the "Not So Famous ep", the dangers of fame, and the importance of Kid Cudi.[12] On May 19, 2017, Keffaleng was recognized and included by Noisey (Vice) into the Essential Guide to Toronto Rap.[13]

On May 23, 2017, the video for the ep's title track "Not So Famous", directed by RXSH was debuted by Vibe.[14] The single "Anything" was featured on Topsify playlist via Apple Music on June 5th, 2017. In July, 2017, Keffaleng was featured and interviewed in Respect. Magazine G-SHOCK segment as Toronto's Creatively Emerging Enigma.[15]

Discography

Studio album

Title Album details
Still Shanti EP
Not So Famous EP

Singles

Title Year Album
"Our Year" 2016 “Still Shanti ep”
"D.K.M.B."
"Off the Wall" 2016 Non-album single
"Hit It And Quit It"[16]
“Yeah, Yeah” featuring Amir Obe 2017 “Not So Famous"
"Anything"

References

  1. ↑ "Premiere: Listen to Gov’s ‘Nights’ EP". Complex CA. Complex Magazine. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  2. ↑ "Keffaleng - "Still Shanti" (EP)". www.thisis50.com. ThisIs50. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  3. ↑ "Toronto's Next Breakout Artist Keffaleng Releases "Hit It And Quit It" Produced by VinnyX". RESPECT. Respect Inc. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "Song Of The Day: Keffaleng Previews Not So Famous Project With "Off The Wall" Single". HipHopCanada.com. Hip Hop Canada. 21 January 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  5. ↑ "Keffaleng Releases Wavy New EP ‘Not So Famous’ | MTV UK". MTV / UK. MTV. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  6. ↑ Rathon, Rocko (7 March 2017). "Keffaleng Liberates His ‘Not So Famous’ EP Feat. Amir Obè". The Source. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  7. ↑ "Listen to Keffaleng’s New Song "Yeah Yeah" featuring Amir Obe". The Smokers Club. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  8. ↑ "Premiere: Keffaleng’s Moody ‘Not So Famous’ EP". Vibe. Vibe Magazine. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  9. ↑ "Rap Season Mix". RapSeason. Rap Season. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  10. ↑ "Trakhaüs Episode 20". HustleGirl. HustleGirl. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  11. ↑ "Northern Touch: The Best Canadian Songs Of The Month (April)". Complex CA. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  12. ↑ "Not So Famous: Keffaleng Discusses The Dangers Of Fame & The Importance Of Kid Cudi". HipHopCanada.com. 10 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  13. ↑ "The Essential Guide to Toronto Rap". Noisey.
  14. ↑ "Keffaleng's "Not So Famous" Video Takes Fans To Toronto". Vibe. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
  15. ↑ "RESPECT. Interview: This Is Keffaleng. Toronto's Creatively Emerging Enigma | RESPECT.". RESPECT. 12 July 2017.
  16. ↑ "keffaleng | 2DOPEBOYZ". 2dopeboyz.com. 2dopeboyz. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
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