Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by Gabriel Teodros, host of Early on KEXP, is "Gone Away From Here (feat. Abstract Rude, Moka Only & Myka 9)" by King Khazm, from the 2022 album Return of a MAD on Fresh Chopped Beats / MADK Productions.
For over 25 years, King Khazm has been using hip hop as a means to amplify not just his voice but the voices of many in the Seattle community. A multifaceted artist, community organizer, performer, and educator, Khazm first rose to prominence in 1995 when he founded MAD Krew, a hip hop crew that quickly evolved into an influential multimedia production company.
While his prevalence on the scene has been long-lasting, full projects from the emcee have been slow to be unveiled. His last record, 2016’s Diaries of a Mad took nearly a decade to drop which is what makes his most recent release, Return of a MAD, all the more thrilling.
Our Song of the Day, “Gone Away From Here” is a posse cut featuring Canada’s Moka Only and Los Angeles-based rappers Abstract Rude and Myka 9 and produced by Third Eye Bling (an incredible artist name, if I’ve ever heard one). The quartet take their turns on the mic to speak on their experiences with oppression and struggles to live within a racist society. The song comes with a video directed by Will Lemke that sees the emcees in the studio while pulling their influences off the shelves. Watch it below.
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Host Emily Fox and KEXP’s editorial team talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.
