| Kung Fu Vampire | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Origin: | San Jose, California |
| Occupation: | Rapper |
| Years Active: | 2000—present |
| Website: | www.KungFuVampire.com |
Kung Fu Vampire is an American rapper from San Jose, California. Since 2001, he has been recognized as a "goth rapper", and for being accompanied by a band in his live hip hop performances. He released his debut album, Blood Bath Beyond in 2003.
Kung Fu Vampire began breakdancing at the age of six, and taught himself how to rap and sing while playing drums and bass as a hobby.[1] At the age of 12, his aunt began taking him to see concert performances, and introduced him to a gothic style of dress.[1] At 14 years old he and three friends formed a group which fused old school hip hop with funk and electronica.[1] In 2001, he adopted the name "Kung Fu Vampire" during a conversation with his friends in which they discussed the idea of a martial arts film featuring vampires.[1] He describes the sense of balance as the "Yin and Yang of Fang".
In 2006, the group was voted the best local band by Metro Silicon Valley readers.[2] Director Darren Lynn Bousman was impressed by Kung Fu Vampire's performance style, and pushed for the rapper to perform at the release party for Saw III that year,[3] performing at the release party for Bousman's film Repo! The Genetic Opera in 2008, and the rapper's song "Dead Girls Don't Say No" being featured in another Bousman film, Mother's Day, in 2010.[3] In 2009, the Insane Clown Posse fan website Faygoluvers featured Kung Fu Vampire's music video "iCount" on the site, attracting the attention of Twiztid, who invited Kung Fu Vampire to perform as the duo's opening act during their 2010 "Slaughterhouse" tour.[3] In 2012, Kung Fu Vampire appeared in the music video for E-40's song "Zombie" featuring Brotha Lynch Hung and Tech N9ne.[3] In 2016, Kung Fu Vampire released Look Alive, featuring guest appearances by Brotha Lynch Hung, ¡Mayday!, Locksmith and Ces Cru.[4] In 2019, Kung Fu Vampire performed on the "Shazam Stage" at Insane Clown Posse's Gathering of the Juggalos.[5]
Kung Fu Vampire's musical style fuses hip hop, gothic rock, funk and electro.[6] [7] His influences are Danny Elfman, Nine Inch Nails, Talking Heads, the Doors, Whodini, Eric B. & Rakim and N.W.A.[8] He rejected the classification of horrorcore, preferring to call his music "gothic hip hop".[9] He generally avoids rapping about graphic violence, and makes little or no reference to campy horror films or smoking cannabis.[3] His lyrics have spoken out against drug use, in particular meth and alcohol, and advocated for healthy living.[3] He was initially known for making appearances with a shaved head and pale face paint.[3] In 2011, he grew his hair out and has stopped using face paint in his performances stating that he would rather spend that time connecting with fans at concert as opposed to preparation.[3]
• TunnA Beatz
• Subliminal Beats
• Nobe of Inf Gang
• MOK Beatz
• Jawsh Crespo
• K-Oddic Beats
• Michael “Seven” Summers
• Starkore
• The Butler
| Title | Album details | |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Bath Beyond |
| |
| Dead Sexy |
| |
| Love Bites |
| |
| Look Alive |
| |
| Come Dawn |
| |
| Black Heart Machine |
|
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| Womb Til Tomb |
|
| Re-Animated |
|
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | "Turnt Up" featuring Hopsin | Re-Animated |
| 2016 | "Little Girl Big Mouth" featuring Lex The Hex Master | Look Alive |
| 2018 | "Neighborhood" | Come Dawn |
| 2019 | "Trapped In Hell" featuring Futuristic | Come Dawn |
| 2020 | "Don't Get Beat Up" w/ Bukshot | Double Dragon |
| 2021 | "These Days" w/ Action Paxton | Black Heart Machine |
| 2021 | "5AM" w/ Action Paxton | Black Heart Machine |