Performing Art – Houston
Karega Ani is a performance poet and music producer from Houston, TX. For over a decade, he's been developing his unique production style, living by the credo that diligent preparation must always precede presentation. In composing, he draws from a wide range of influences, from Hip Hop to Jazz, from gospel to funk, from Blues to Soul. He's had the pleasure of working with a myriad of artists representing a wide range of genres (Amp Fiddler, Malik Alston, Corey Stoot, Pirahnahead, Mahogany Browne, et al.).
As a performance poet, he's brought crowds across the country to their feet, to a frenzy, to tears, to stunned silence and face to face with their own innermost feelings. He ‘s also had the honor of having shared the stage with literary luminaries such as Sunni Patterson, Jessica Care Moore, Saul Williams, The Last Poets, Mutabaruka and many more.
He's also gained valuable experience performing as a nationally recognized Slam Poet. He was a 2002-2004 member of the Houston National Poetry Slam Team, 2006 Detroit Slam Team and the 2012 Houston Slam Team.
In 2003 he released his debut CD, “Open”. The Houston Press said “this is avant garde and a departure from the norm of the Houston Hip-Hop sound”. He released his next offering in 2005 entitled “The Eyes of the World”. According to Karega, ”This project incorporated more musical influences than the first, pulling from world music, rock, and jazz. It was a gumbo. This project was better planned and more focused. My writing and my arranging had evolved, as had my themes.”
Karega’s newest album, entitled “Concentrated Substance: The Chronicles of a Hopeless Optimist”, is a furtherance of that evolution. After 6 years away from recording and a multitude of experiences, he has re-emerged more mature,focused and refined. Karega Ani has come of age, and the evolution of this lyricist is not to be missed. “Concentrated Substance: The Chronicles of a Hopeless Optimist” is available worldwide via iTunes, Amazon music, et al..
Karega Ani’s creativity is a manifestation of the musical influences he grew up on. He states “I grew up on old school/golden era hip hop and soul music. It was and is honest music. From Motown to Native Tongue, Soul II Soul, Isaac Hayes, Rakim, Curtis Mayfield, The Stylistics, The Pharcyde, Gamble and Huff, etc, etc. Music is always playing in my head and producing it allows me to share with the world what is occurring in my inner space. It is my catharsis. It is my passion. It is my life, and I do this because I was created to do so.”
He is a father, a creator, a healer, a son, a brother, a lover and friend.
He is The Rebel Scribe, Karega Ani.
Please direct all serious inquiries to [email protected]