Krizz Kaliko - Genius

It's not every day a musical genius is born. On July 14, 2009, Krizz Kaliko releases his second solo CD, Genius. Along for Krizz Kaliko's aurally eclectic rollercoaster ride are E-40, Kutt Calhoun, Big Scoob and, Strange's flagship artist, Tech N9ne. Powered by a fusion of funk, rap, rock, R&B and opera - a self-made style Krizz Kaliko calls "Funkra" - Genius covers the entire spectrum of genres, from the slow and seductive Get Off with Tech N9ne and the rock-flavored The Chemical to the street anthem Back Pack and the album's crossover single, Misunderstood.

"There are only a few guys to come along in music every so often that I think are geniuses," Krizz Kaliko declares. "You got Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Kanye, T-Pain, Tech N9ne. I think those dudes are geniuses. I want people to think that same thing about me."

Ambitious? Yes. But after working with Tech N9ne and Strange Music for 10 years, performing over 200 shows a year, Krizz Kaliko has earned the right to claim that title. His solo debut, 2008's Vitiligo, landed at No. 19 on the Billboard charts and he has been instrumental in Tech N9ne's incredible success: In 2008, Tech N9ne SoundScanned over one million units, making him the most successful independent Hip Hop artist in history.

Krizz Kaliko is the sonic "glue" of Strange Music. "I'm Tech's right hand man in writing," he says. "It's a weird, beautiful chemistry. The yin and the yang. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis."

When asked to explain his inspirations, Krizz Kaliko states: "The whole world doesn't know who I am. I want to be respected for years past my life. I want to be remembered way after I'm gone. I want to be a legend. That's a lot to live up to. That's what this album does."