Kafani

Like any good businessman, Kafani Da Ice King understands the virtue of patience. He moves at a dizzying pace, but allows his public to catch up when they are good and ready. Always two steps ahead of the game, he’s known to set trends, rather than follow them. And even when he’s late, he’s still on time.

In 2007, as the hyphy movement began to fade into the oblivion, Kafani’s “Fast (Like A NASCAR)” reignited the industry’s focus on the Bay Area and simultaneously shed light on its newest star. The hypnotic record also helped land him a three year, three album deal with Koch Records, along with a ringtone distribution contract, among other things. Moreover, “…NASCAR” set the stage for Kafani’s solo debut, Money Is My Motivation. Due in part to a self-induced cross country campaign, the album was well received as far east as Atlanta and Miami.

Upon setting his feet firmly back on the comforting environs of his native Oakland soil, the young rapper decided on establishing his own media and marketing outfit – Ice King Music. The purpose therein, says Kafani, was to move away from traditional methods of promotion and embrace the full capabilities of the World Wide Web.

“My whole focus is to go completely digital,” he says. “I’m just basically trying to get people to go buy my [music] online. You don’t need a label when you do it that way. Once it’s online, it’s everywhere. Someone has a computer, they can get to it. They got a phone, they can get to it. I think that’s where it’s going.”

In less than two years, Kafani’s prudence has proven to be dead on. Having established something of a well oiled machine, his digital push has earned upwards of 11 million total plays between his two main myspace pages – myspace.com/kafanidaiceking & myspace.com/kafani1 – (safe to say his light stays on) and thousands more uploads, followers and friends on other social networking sites.

Ever the executive, Kafani routinely canvasses popular urban/hip hop websites, nurturing relationships with Editors and distributing new mp3 files with tried diligence. As a result, he’s been featured on an assortment of blogs (video and editorial), industry websites and mainstream network video shows such as BETs “106th & Park,” & “The Deal” as well as MTV Jams.

With recent hits such as “Need Your Body” (ft. Bobby Valentino) and “Get That Dough” (ft. Gucci Mane & Dorough) sifting into over 40 radio stations nationwide and on iTunes, Kafani has proven himself a worthwhile commodity, as he moves swiftly toward the release of his second solo album I.C.E. (I Create Envy).

“When I dropped NASCAR everybody knew the song, but they didn’t know my name,” Kafani says. “That’s why I’ve been on the Internet, gettin’ out there so people know the name Kafani and not just the song.”

Solid iTunes sales and tens of thousands more free downloads confirm Kafani’s ability to step away from the up tempo smash that fueled interest in him as a solo artist. Just another example of how he’s earned respect and money along the way.

“I just don’t want to be one dimensional,” he says. “I just want to try new stuff. I have my preference on what I like. If it was up to me, I’d be on some all down south shit – that straight 808 simple shit. That’s what I like, but sometimes you have to step out of your lane and see what happens.”

Stepping out of his lane seems to serve him well. Recently Kafani leaked a playful auto-tune record – “She Text Me When She Tipsy” – to test the waters. 30,000 downloads later his fans convinced him all over again that they are patiently awaiting a new full length album from “Da Ice King.” Sporting a work ethic in the mold of the late great Tupac Shakur, Kafani’s vault boasts over 100 new tracks. He won’t however, suffice his public until the time is right.

“I’m just focused on making good records and trying to get a hit single,” he says. “My main thing is trying to make a hit. I’m not going to drop an album until I have something that’s really, really moving.”

Listeners will have to wait on I.C.E. (I Create Envy), which may or may not feature the aforementioned singles featuring Bobby V and Dorough & Gucci Mane. Da Ice King has been kind enough however, to deliver original gems for his ever growing digital fan base. In March of 2009 he released Movin Mean (mixed by DJ Rick Lee) and his latest compilation My Daily Bread, is slated to drop the first quarter 2010. Both street albums are chock full of brand new music and available for purchase on iTunes.

“I’ve just really been trying to get my buzz right before I turn in another album (to Koch),” he says. “You’ll feel it, but you have to release it and if it takes off organically, you have something. NASCAR took off organically. The people chose that and made it what it was.

“At the end of the day the biggest records are the records that people do in their regular, everyday life. I think that’s the key. Make a song that everybody does every day and if you come with that song, it will blow up for you.”

And until he then, Kafani Da Ice King will continue to practice the art of patience.