Meet King Khazm | Emcee, music producer, community organizer

We had the good fortune of connecting with King Khazm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi King, how does your business help the community?
Music is vibrational. I like to focus on stories, messages and ideas that expand on the human experience- music that transcends time and space- and connects our commonalities, our interconnectedness, and our shared experiences.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art has evolved since childhood and I’ve been incredibly blessed to pursue my passions professionally from an early age. From visual arts and graphic design to music production to performing and mixed media, I love exploring new ideas and uncharted territories. I was in a car accident as a child and grew up using a wheelchair. So my life since early on was about navigating barriers and overcoming obstacles. Having to manifest things from a perspective of uncertainty and unknowns. When things are stacked against you, you either sink or swim. My instincts chose the later.

Growing up in a flurry of chaos, I found solace in my imagination. Being able to retreat from the violence and negativity around me through poetry and rhythms. Finding temporary peace in the moment of creation. It’s something that I’ve been so fortunate to have and be centered in.

As my music began to expand so did my cypher. I made every effort to connect with other like-minds and found myself traveling often. I would begin traveling the region, country and eventually other countries and continents. Traveling as a wheelchair user is indescribably difficult for many reasons. The push backs, the unknown variables, the inaccessibility- one can not begin to imagine how many hurdles there are until you experience it first hand. Despite this, touring is one of the most gratifying experiences I have as a performing artist. Being able to connect with Hip Hoppers and music lovers in such a personally rewarding experience. Sharing music that connects us and moves us.

I hope that when people hear my music or experience my art that they find something new in themselves, or push the boundaries of what it possible in them. Finding freedom through music and self exploration.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Come hang with me! Let’s go for a relaxing stroll around Echo Park Lake to enjoy goose and turtle watching then grab some delicious noodles at Silverlake Ramen. We will enjoy some legendary jazz and art at Leimert Park then head over to get all you can eat in Koreatown for a night cap!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a shoutout to Wayne Frost aka Frosty Freeze. Frosty Freeze is an original member of world famous breakdance crew called Rock Steady Crew, a dance crew that helped catapult breaking and Hip Hop culture to a national and international view.

From a young age I was a dedicated Hip Hop head. I absolutely loved the music, the art, the movement and the rawness of it all. It spoke very much to me and the way I grew up. Before internet was available I was on a personal mission to learn about Hip Hop’s roots which led me to many cities around the United States, and in particular the birthplace 0f Hip Hop- New York City.

Frosty Freeze was one of the first elders in Hip Hop who was always so welcoming and warm to a young artist looking to find his way in the world. I’d see him everywhere at all the major events around the country. And regardless of how busy he was, he always was generous with his time, sitting down with me to share his stories and some of the earliest memories of Hip Hop. It meant the world to me. Not only was he a living legend, but a genuine and outstanding person.

Frosty was the one to introduce me to the Zulu Nation, Hip Hop’s founding family and grassroots community organization. As early as 1997 I was accepted as a member and was given my beaded necklace which I wore proudly. Over the years my friendship with other Zulu members expanded across the entire world, and the community of Hip Hop began to formalize my earliest aspirations in community organizing and activism.

I would remain in touch with Frosty over the years, catching up on family, life, and music whenever we had an opportunity to do so. He seen something special in me. He believed in me and my ability to connect people and things. I was devastated by his sudden passing in 2008. I carry his memory with me and am thankful to have shared so many special moments with him. RIP Frosty Freeze!

Website: http://kingkhazm.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kingkhazm/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/kingkhazm

Youtube: http://youtube.com/madkproductions

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1uuZQPC4umHwoJP8vle12H?si=2PhFa4gXRSCaEWzO5SQGWw

Image Credits
Ian Phares, Nate Watters, Kane Smego, Jesse Kogita