KAO the Warrior:

‘You always hit back when you are hit on the mic’

By Keifala Kosia

“When I returned from the United States of America to launch my new album, the ‘New Beginning’, a group called Noble Squad released a single against me titled ‘Nor krach me krokor’.

“The song was played over and over again by Radio Citizen 103.7FM. As you know the Black Leo fans are much focused. They called me on the phone and informed me about this song and I listened to it myself. But one thing people should understand, in hip-hop you always hit back when you are hit on the mic by someone. That is exactly what I did. I called my Black Leo sojas together just to tell them I am lyrically fit. The instrumental the Noble Squad used in their song against me is the same instrumental we used on our free style rap.

“To tell them how capable I am, I don’t take two days to reply to a song. Just after they released their song against me, I replied them the next day. I don’t take too much time to reply to hate songs.

Lyrical power

“I have lyrical power more than these guys but in any case they must fight for their respect; that is what they are doing now. I believe in my lyrical power.

“I do real hip-hop, which is why I don’t mix matters. When I say hip-hop, I mean real hip-hop. In hip-hop before you attack on the mic you have to believe in your lyrical power; that is what they lack.

Leo Wear

“I am the only Sierra Leonean artist who owns a clothing line, which is the Leo wear. These are some of the things I am doing to show I love my country.”

Kao Denero Denies Again!

‘I do not carry pistols…they just wanna spoil my name’

By Keifala Kosia

Sierra Leone’s self-acclaimed King of hip-pop and King of Freetown, Amara Turay a.k.a. Kao Denero, has denied carrying two pistols while in Freetown.

Speaking to KES in an exclusive interview, Kao described the allegations as a black lie. He said he returned from the United States about a month ago to launch his new album, ‘New Beginning’, which he said clearly calls for peace in the local hip-pop game.

“I told all musical lovers, that this time around I am here for peace,” said Kao.

the story

“Last Saturday I went for an interview at Radio Democracy 98.1FM with a producer called JC. On my way home after the interview, which was successful, a group of guys led by Yusufu Kamara commonly known as YOK attacked me. But as I told you earlier I am not here for problem but for peace; that has always been my goal.

“I avoided the confrontation, although my car was damaged, and went home. About an hour later I heard this very guy, YOK, making inflaming statements over Radio Mount Aureol FM; that he saw me with a pistol and I have plans to kill him! Can you imagine that? It was a big surprise to me when I heard the news.

“That very day I was at home when a truck-load of OSD police came to my house with an order to search. I asked them for what, and they said for pistols.

“Because I have respect for the law I allowed them to do the search. But at the end they found no pistol. However, that did not stop them from taking me with them to the Congo Cross Police station for questioning. They told me not to go anywhere and should be in my car. So I was put under open detention for some time.

“After a while the I G called at Congo Cross Police Station and ordered my release since they did not find any pistol with me.

“Now I see this as a set-up. Every time I come to this country there are people who really don’t want to see me grow; so they’ll go all out to bring me down. But that will never stop me form doing the good things I can do for my country.

“In fact am working on another album which is called ‘Problem Child’. I have worked a lot to bring hip-hop music to the level it is today in my country. So people should appreciate me for that. I believe the Lord has bigger plans for me which some people don’t want happen. But I believe my Lord is on my side, so I keep my head up.

“All I can tell my fans is that I was not arrested; I was called upon by the Police for questioning and I was not placed in cell. I am a peaceful Sierra Leonean. Let us keep up our good work.”