KEELO GRAMZ BIOGRAPHY
Lyrically insane, and visually captivating, Kemar "KeeLo GrAmZ" Munroe evokes an unforgettable presence on and off the stage. His artistic talent and eclectic tastes have made him one of the most unique Hip Hop artists to date. This award winning rapper/producer is arguably the best-kept secret in hip-hop. His dominant new sound which he refers to as “Gangsta Pop” and his lyrical wordplay causes fans and critics to respond with intensity. KeeLo released his first indie album with no video release. The album had some success with 3 singles charting in Canada “Here Ya Go, Last Call and Somebody Snitched which was recently used by GUNIT member Tony Yayo in the highly publicized 50 Cent vs Rick Ross beef. In 2008 Keelo Gramz released the singles Freak-Quently which was the single for his debut video and the Freak-Quently remix which were both produced by Canada’s Premier Producer Matthew “Boi 1Da” Samuels. KeeLo spends all his time in the studio creating he states “I’ve got to be on top of my game always, if I hear something from Jay Z, Kanye, etc and I think it’s hot I go in the studio and make something hotter.” He is currently working on his first official album titled “Black Monday” (producers P.O.T. Productions, BOI 1DA) released date TBA. The first single to be released from BLACK MONDAY is Keelo’s seventh radio single in 4 years titled FLY LIKE PAPAH (prod. By P.O.T) which has already been picked up by mainstream, college and internet stations in Canada and the U.S. This single is already featured on numerous countdowns.
KeeLo believes that we are all products of our experiences and attributes the realism of his lyrics to the difficulties and the choices he’s made in his life. Keelo moved around a lot then finally settling in Scarborough with his mom. Keelo is closely familiar with the codes and violence that are a part of growing up around illegal activities which included but wasn’t limited to just the selling of narcotics; spanning from Florida to Toronto to Spanish Town Jamaica where Keelo Gramz spent most of his summers for most of his teen years with his dad. Keelo Gramz states: Growing up all over and seeing the way my family got down and learning the different ways they handled their business made me the man I am today. Keelo who is an incredibly intelligent and calculated man says his experiences have forced him to get to the level he is at today, with the competitive and ever changing nature of the music business has forced him to bring his best material to the forefront and utilize a creative frame of mind at every opportunity. KeeLo’s inspirations come from a variety of music ranging from the dirty south sounds of Project Pat, to the 70’s rock hard styling’s of AC/DC. As an artist, he refuses to confine himself to one specific genre of music: "I want to be a versatile artist, a lot of dudes just do straight rap, and that’s boring to me I want to mesh all genres of hip hop/urban". Fans have now called him the format less rapper stating Keelo Gramz has the perfect balance of mainstream and “hardcore” rap.
KeeLo Gramz began rhyming in high school, battling his friends after basketball games, clubs and parties because he was constantly challenged to rap. KeeLo was then offered a basket- ball scholarship to Redemption Academy in New York after returning from NCAA Five Star Camp where KeeLo won MVP for the All Star Game among numerous Dunk off Trophies. But in 2002 KeeLo gave up his scholarship returned home from New York , after his dream of becoming a basketball star ended because he played on a hair line fracture for one year damaging his ankle permanently. Keelo then returned home and to what he knew best other than basketball the street life. But then a few of his friends from highschool brought him to the studio they began cutting tracks one of the songs got to Tamara (BRAG management) who immediately recognized his talents and offered KeeLo a development and management contract. Tamara then brought KeeLo to Gabre (Dai-Lo Recordings) who offered them an independent label deal. Since then Dai-Lo Recordings and KeeLo have made huge achievements by being a fully independent and unknown record label and artist to be added to Max Trax Digital Music (Nationwide), hit #1 with the single “Here Ya Go” and remain in the top 10 for over 6 months. KeeLo’s third single “Last Call” peaked at #4 in Toronto FLOW 935 also featured the song on the Urban Flowcase CD for 2006, its Hot 93 songs for 2006 and was nominated for a Stylus Award “Canadian Single of the Year. The single then went on to win “Best Hip Hop Song” at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. KeeLo has performed at all major venues in Toronto (Metro East Convention Centre, Rogers Centre, Importfest ’05,’06 ‘07, the summer edition May 10 2008 and September 2008 ,Molson Indy, CNE, Nathan Phillips Square) and surrounding areas, as well as traveling across Canada to British Columbia to perform at Summer Jam (Opened for KOS, Montell Jordan, etc). He has also opened for, Juelz Santana, Chamillionaire, Rich Boy, Choppa, Choclair, Belly, Flo Rida, and recently headlined his own tour fall 2007 across Southern Ontario. As well as performing in 2007 and 2008 at the Buxton HomeComing which celebrates the Slaves Freedom to Buxton, Canada which was the end of the Underground Railroad this is the 84th year for this event. KeeLo Gramz has only scratched the surface of a significant future in the music industry. The best is yet to come.
Radio Singles:
Izzy: KeeLo’s first single was released in July 2005 and it was a huge stepping stone for KeeLo. It was released independently on Flow 935 Toronto (Heavy Rotation), 915 The Beat Kitchener (Heavy Rotation), Wild 101 Niagara Falls (Heavy Rotation). Izzy was also picked up by College stations across Canada.
Here Ya Go: KeeLo’s second single was released in January 2006 independently. It made history by being one of the first Independent unknown artist and label (Dai-Lo Recordings) to be added to Max Trax/Galaxie Music and hit #1 and remained in the top 10 for 6 months. It was on heavy rotation for 4 months on Flow 935(Toronto), 915 The Beat (Kitchener), Wild 101 (Niagara Falls). Here Ya Go was also picked up by College Stations across Canada and WorldWide
Last Call: KeeLo’s third single was released May 2006 independently. It was picked up by radio stations worldwide. ( Flava 1079 Winnipeg, The Bounce Edmonton, Flow 935, Wild 101 Niagara, Radio Laser France, 96.1 North Ryde , 88.1 , 93.7Australia, 107.1 Senegal etc). It peaked at #4 in Toronto. It was also featured on Urban Flowcase Volume 9. Last Call also won BEST HIP HOP SONG at the Toronto Independent Music Awards 2006 and is nominated for BEST CANADIAN HIP HOP SINGLE at the DJ STYLUS AWARDS. It appeared on Flow 935’s top 93 songs of 2006. It gained top 10 success in Europe. The Video for this song was released June 2007 independently where it is gaining worldwide success
Somebody Snitched: KeeLo’s fourth single was released November 2006 independently. It has been picked up by radio stations worldwide. Dj’s really love this song and the demand for it is great! We are projecting this to be his biggest release to date. Somebody Snitched is already in the top 10 on Radio Network (over 160 stations worldwide). It is in high rotation on the radio and was recently used by GUNIT member Tony Yayo in the highly publicized 50 Cent vs Rick Ross beef.
Freak-Quently: KeeLo first release from the Street Album “The Perfect Drug” is charting cross Canada and is now getting picked up worldwide. The music video for this song was released April 2008 worldwide and is currently on rotation on MuchMusic this is KeeLo’s first video to hit television. The song was also featured on the OTA Live Mega City Countdown on Flow 935 Toronto, Unsigned Hype on 937 WBLK Buffalo, and charted on Max Trax (Rogers Digital Box). There is also a remix to this song that features some of Toronto’s most elite MC’S.
No Stoppin’: On the second single from “The Perfect Drug” Keelo collabrated on this smash single with the talented Melanie Durrant and Mista Muzz. This single was released to radio August 2008 and is getting raved reviews the song has since been added to Max Trax , the OTA Live Mega City Countdown on FLOW 935 Toronto, Unsigned Hype on 937 WBLK Buffalo. The song has been picked up by several stations across Canada and the United States.
Fly Like Papah: This is the first radio single release from his official first album “Black Monday” slated to be release 2009. This single was released February 2009 and is already featured on numerous countdowns after only a 2 week release to radio.
KEELO GRAMZ MEDIA CLIPS
“KeeLo brings to you a level of Hip Hop exhibitionism that by far invokes the names of Hip Hop culture's greatest icons such as Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, and Rakim. When listening to any number of tracks that he has left as bait to the public, it is without question that KeeLo is one of the dopest and most precise emcees that is currently blessing the microphone. Anyone truly tuning into the lyrical delivery and presentation of his rhymes can take away from each song a commanding vocal presence, hypnotizing beats and addictive hooks. Not only is KeeLo SMASHING the Canadian Hip Hop and radio scene, but he's also doing damage here in the U.S. 5 Mics for FORTUNES OF THE FEARLESS in 2007! “-Exodus de Alexandria
Yo this is some crazy shit, where have you been keeping this guy.”
Dr. Shock
Music Director
Flava 107.9 FM Winnipeg
"KeeLo is a force to be reckoned with in the Hip-Hop game....., a true lyricist with the swagger that separates him from all the competition. This kid is going to be doing big things in the very near future... watch out!!!"
Justin Dumont
Music Director
FLOW 93.5 FM, Toronto
“I listen to keelo mixtape and i must say i like because its different. he touch a lot of different subject which is the kind of rappers i like... its not all about the club banger if you cant make a simple track talking about life and different stuff going on.... Keep promoting him.... be a part of the movement that is going to bring true hip hop back...”
Jefferson Ciceron
Brooklyn Collective DJ’s
”That Somebody Snitched track is crazy insane. You really killed it and the track is sick too. I think the level you are bringing is pretty shocking.”
CLayTunes (BeatTardz) - Toronto
“Songs are crazy, hot flow, very nice I like”
Dj Emiliot Dakar
Top FM Dakar 107.0 FM- Senegal/BELGIUM
“You have some pretty talented artists’ their sound is a little refreshing as new breakthrough artists in the urban scene seem to all be dirty south style tracks. Somebody Snitched I really like the sample with the kids singing...it was dope.
Michael Mastro- Sydney Australia
(read less)
