Five Tracks: King

When you're talking to people about dance music, referencing Las Vegas will have many immediately thinking about clubs like XS, LIGHT, or the incoming

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Complex Original

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When you're talking to people about dance music, referencing Las Vegas will have many immediately thinking about clubs like XS, LIGHT, or the incoming EDM explosion. Nestled in that region is King, who recently came under our radar and has a brilliant new album, Koncepts, set to drop on April 22 via Seclusiasis. He's previously had tunes released on Play Me and Betamorph, but this latest release, which showcases his range with many styles of dance music, is sure to have his name ring out, from smart DJs to tastemakers worldwide (just check out "Shawty Moon" if you don't believe us).

For his contribution to our Five Tracks series, King takes us on a musical trek, from the days of him being a shorty right up through the 2000s, pinpointing important tracks within his development. He weaves a great tale, showing us where he's from, what he's love, and ultimately, gives us a peak into the artist that stands before us today. Enjoy King's Five Tracks, and look out for an exclusive treat from him next week!

Fela Kuti - "Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake AM"

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I am grateful to have some close friends that are very much into old funk, soul, jazz and afrobeat.  And even more grateful that they turned me onto Fela a long time ago.  This tune is from a crazy sick artist, performer, composer, and human right activist, Fela Kuti...  the father of afrobeat.  You can hear that music was more than just entertainment for him, but therapeutic as well.  I get chills when I listen to this still.

Freestyle - "Don't Stop The Rock"

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In the '80s when I was a young kid growing up in San Diego, my mom used to drop me off at the roller rink on the weekends.  I remember jamming on those quads slide-skating to this track for years! Hahah.  I'd say that experience infused me with a love of freestyle and old school electro.  I'm actually working on a ground-up remake of this track right now.  Maybe one day it will see the light of day...

Gravediggaz - "1-800 Suicide"

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Prince Paul (The Undertaker) is one rude producer.  From sourcing his samples to all of the great changes, down to the pitching of the hats up and down every few bars.  The attention to detail is crazy if you listen closely.  Not to mention the lyrical style and storytelling type flows of RZA, Gatekeeper, and the Undertaker (PP) himself.  This album is definitely one of my favorites of all time!  And this song is one of the best on the album.

Prizna ft. Demolition Man - "Fire"

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In '97 I started DJ'ing.  And anyone's natural progression from garage was Jungle.  It was exactly what I needed.  A faster tempo, big basslines, crazy drums, and a lot of reggae influence.  "Fire" was a tune that could be played in any setting and the whole place would erupt!  I was lucky enough to get a dubplate special voiced from Mr. Demolition Man himself a few years back, and I still play it from time to time.

MRK1 - "Slope"

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In late 2006 I started getting into dubstep and this tune is one that sucked me in!  MRK's sense of space and all the little background samples really make this tune something you can listen to over and over.  I wish Mr. Foster would make some more tunes like this again!  Not for the laptops kids, this is soundsystem music!

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