Growing up in Paterson, New Jersey, Kese Soprano started with a curious and very mischievous attitude, which often got him into tight situations. As a child, because of his temper issues, he had to ultimately be transferred into different learning disability programs in public school. Due to his mother's situation, Kese faced his first major change, in moving to Atlanta, Georgia. Maybe it was fate though, as it was here, while attending Thurgood Marshall Middle School, that he began writing poetry daily, and slowly started toying with rap music. Beginning as just a fan, Kese claims his biggest influence was Tupac Shakur. "I just felt like he always said what I wanted to say…He was like a father figure", says Kese. Other influences included: N.W.A., The Wu-Tang Clan, Redman, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas, Big Pun, and Big L.
By age 16, now living back in New Jersey, Kese considered this where he started taking writing lyrics seriously. He was now diverse enough to rhyme about anything relevant in his life. From his love of basketball, to girls, to the surrounding violence, to his family situation – the subject matter would change often, but his lyrical ability was always strongly present. As an upcoming recording artist, Kese has gone through many changing methods and equipment. Not falling victim to the change, he was willing to work with what luxuries he had. His very first recording opportunities were many times on tape-deck boomboxes or worse yet, on a bootleg mixing setup wired through a Sony Playstation. Afterwards, thanks to his god-brother, he was able to make the change to a 4-track recorder, and then to an 18-track recorder. Later on graduating up, and started recording on Pro Tools and on real studio equipment at Q-Entertainment Studios.
I was first introduced to Kese Soprano's music over at the SOHH.com forums a few years ago. Over the years I've been able to witness first hand his improvement in writing and his flow (I am convinced he can ride any beat you throw at him). He doesn't just write for attention or the thought of fame. He writes because it's therapeutic as you can tell from his song "
Why Do We Die". While that is something you hear a number of MCs say you cannot always hear it in their words. You don't have to just take my word for it. Former Def Jam recording artist Lady Luck agrees. She has gone on the record to say "Kese is an illmatic emcee" and "He has a different but likable style". For a taste of Kese Soprano's music, check out the links below.
