Kenan Hercules is an important piece of the massive, BOTB-winning hip hop collective Gwan Massive. The 31-year-old drummer/producer better known as KenoSobi is also a cog in Gwan Massive-related projects like world-fusion outfit d'Visitors and his own Gutta Melodies production team, but after spending nearly a decade working on other bands in his home studio, Hercules finally pushed things aside, called on Tampa MC/producer Bobby Treacherous to man the mixing board, and focused on himself. He managed to craft what will stand as one of 2014's best Tampa hip hop albums along the way, too.
"I finally said let me focus on me and make an album," he told CL in an email, "Bobby heard my cry and [helped] me focus on being an artist and not running behind the board like I usually do."
Hercules credits Treacherous with combining the live drums with other instruments, 808's and heavy synths while encouraging the exploration of new rhythms and unorthodox patterns. Stand For Something gets a lot of help from a host of some of Tampa hip hop's biggest names too.
Revered MCs Jinx, Mike Mass, and Keith Elite all make appearances and other players like Tribal Style's Mugabe Tenn and The Apes' Monica Delegado (who designed the album art above) contribute to the 16-piece offering as well. Treacherous also makes a few appearances ("Come To Da Spot,""Can't Be"), but his greatest contribution is definitely in his ability to put together a seamless listen that is a great representation of the quality coming out of the Bay area.
"He heard my cry," Hercules said of Bobby T, "and said he can bring my crazy idea to life."
Have a listen to the LP below, and see KenoSobi play support on a bill that features another legendary Tampa hip hop duo — The Villanz — celebrate a record release of their own at Crowbar (1812 N. 17th St., Ybor City) this Fri., Feb. 28. Cover is $10 and doors are at 9 p.m. Mike Mass and Mason Caine also play support. More info at thxmgmtlive.com.