Free Album: Funk Volume Presents Kato – Kato’s Revenge
The latest addition to the Funk Volume roster, Atlanta-based producer Kato enlists an A-list of features for Kato’s Revenge, the Korean-American producer’s debut album, available for free download on LiveMixtapes. Eerie, riding-around-with-the-windows-down-and-your-seat-leaned-back production reverberates throughout the project, as a slew of independent artists grab the mic to shed light on the dark instrumentals. As Kato explains, “The title, Kato’s Revenge, sounds dark and spiteful, but it really comes from a place of growth and understanding. It’s me taking ‘revenge’ on people that didn’t believe in me throughout my career by way of success, because thats always been the best form of revenge.”
Kato’s musical background dates back to high school, when he rocked house parties, playing guitar and drums in various bands. Upon moving to Philadelphia to attend Drexel U., he acquired production software Fruity Loops to go along with his 25-key MIDI keyboard and laptop. Re-locating to Atlanta a year later, he discovered an alternate software, Reason, which became a guiding force behind Kato’s Revenge. Having previously found influence in East Coast artists ranging from the Def Jux label to Jedi Mind Tricks and The Roots, Kato acknowledges Atlanta’s contribution to his development, “I know artists in the motherland, Korea, that only recently started to catch onto the whole ‘trap’ sound, which Atlanta has been pioneering for a while now. It’s helped me evolve my sound to cross into different genres, like R&B and pop.”
Kato has released a series of singles leading up to today’s album release. Triumphant horns set the beat ablaze along with timely snare hits and soft strikes of the piano keys on the “Pimpin’ Mane” remix, featuring Rittz, Jackie Chain, Scotty ATL, and Rara. On the auto-tuned “Popular,” Sy Ari Da Kid and K Camp trade braggadocio rhymes atop a bouncy instrumental. “Day One Homies,” featuring Irv Da Phenom, Futuristic, and Chris Webby, is laced with rolling percussion and a hard-hitting bassline amidst vocal coos and spaced-out synths. Additional features include label-mates Dizzy Wright and Jarren Benton, for whom Kato previously produced the hit singles “Hotel Stripper” and “Skitzo,” as well as Chamillionaire, Denzel Curry, and Trouble. “I have some really dope features,” Kato says, “from Grammy-award winning artists, to ‘straight-outta-the-hood-and-just-started-rapping’ artists. And I brought them all together on one album to deliver good music and inspire people that understand what Kato’s Revenge represents beyond the music.”
Stream/Download Kato’s Revenge for free on LiveMixtapes: http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/26272/kato-katos-revenge.html
01. Intro (Hotel Strippa/H-Town Legend) (ft. Dizzy Wright & Chamillionaire)
02. Popular (ft. Sy Ari Da Kid & K Camp)
03. On ‘Em (ft. Sy Ari Da Kid & Coolismac)
04. Step Yo Game Up (ft. Dizzy Wright, Tory Lanez, & Jarren Benton)
05. Decatur Booty (ft. Fortebowie, Denzel Curry, & Jus Nice)
06. Pimpin’ Mane (Remix) (ft. Rittz, Jackie Chain, Scotty ATL, & Rara)
07. She Da One (ft. Trouble)
08. Kingdom (ft. Doley Bernays & Kris Kasanova)
09. Indeed (ft. King Holiday)
10. Let ‘Em Hate (ft. King Holiday)
11. Day One Homies (ft. Irv Da Phenom, Futuristic, & Chris Webby)
12. We On (ft. Jarren Benton, Dizzy Wright, & Pounds)
13. Getcha Weight Up (ft. Goldyard & Jarren Benton)
14. K.A.R.M.A. (ft. F5)
15. SKEE TV Freestyle (ft. Chris Webby)
16. Love U Better (ft. Drey Skonie & J. Reyez)
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Kato.
Christopher ‘Kato‘ Ju is a Korean-American music producer. Originally hailing from Fairfax, VA, he moved to Atlanta in 2006 where he currently resides. Kato is currently signed to American rapper Hopsin‘s record label, Funk Volume, as an in-house producer, and is also affiliated with the SMKA production collective out of Atlanta.
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Stream/Download Kato’s Revenge: http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/26272/kato-katos-revenge.html
“Popular”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z14Yul-NHVE
“Pimpin’ Mane (Remix)”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A41e-6pMgWM
“Day One Homies”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp8IS6_ux-o
“Skitzo”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4hbJ5zh-SQ
“Hotel Stripper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oLMGmYPIME
Bio, pictures and streams available here: http://www.audibletreats.com/kato