MC KABIR

Kabir Sen (also known as “MC Kabir”) is both a professional hip hop artist and a music teacher, who has been a staple of Boston’s music scene since 1999. Originally from London, he is an independent rapper, singer and producer whose music brews a robust blend of thoughtful lyrics, soulful melodies and rhythms from around the world. Fusing his creative interests in both songwriting and education has long been a passion of Kabir’s, and has enabled him to take his infectious love of music to schools, colleges and clubs all over the country. His three albums “Cultural Confusion” (2001), “Fuel for the Fire” (2003) and “Peaceful Solutions” (2006) have received positive reviews in The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, The Herald Tribune, SPIN and VIBE magazines, as well as a 10-minute feature on National Public Radio’s “The World”. He has written, produced and recorded a multi-genre children’s music album for IBM, as well as several educational hip hop songs for a number of subjects and school curriculums. Kabir has been a guest video host for MTV, he appeared on an episode of the PBS children’s show “Fetch”, and was also commissioned to write a song for PBS about "Masterpiece Theater". His wide range of musical experiences as a performer, teacher and recording artist have enabled his professional work to take on a variety of different shapes: interactive performances (either solo or with a live band), recording projects for any number of purposes, and hip hop education workshops and lectures at schools, where students of all ages learn about the history of the art form and explore hip hop as an expression of cultural identity.Some of Kabir’s Highlights:• Appeared on the cover of Billboard Magazine - June, 2002• Appeared in a VIBE Magazine article about Indian hip hop music - January, 2003• Nominated for multiple Boston Music Awards including hip hop album of the year and best new rap act in 2002• Nominated for best hip hop act at the 2002 WFNX Best Music Poll• Produced, wrote and arranged three independent album releases: "Cultural Confusion" in 2001, "Fuel for the Fire" in 2003 and “Peaceful Solutions” in 2006• Sold out two shows at the House of Blues in Cambridge – July, 2003• Full length features in The New Yorker, The Boston Globe, The Herald Tribune, SPIN, CMJ, URB, The Boston Phoenix, Improper Bostonian, Weekly Dig, and many others • Featured on PRI’s “The World” – April, 2006• Wrote and produced a multi-genre children’s music CD for IBM, wrote and produced a song for WGBH about “Masterpiece Theater”, and created numerous educational hip hop songs for a wide variety of subjects and curriculums.• Appeared on several mix tapes including a compilation put out by Ahimsa Records featuring Punjabi MC• Played live shows with the Roots, the Beatnuts, The Pharcyde, the Arsonists, The Artifacts, Rahzel, Wyclef Jean, DJ Swamp (Beck's DJ), J-Live, People Under the Stairs, Company Flow, Mr. Lif , Akrobatik, Aesop Rock, Cannibal Ox, Galactic, Maceo Parker, Addison Groove Project, The Slip, John Brown's Body, III Kings, Shuman, Red Pill, Vibewise, Virtuoso, The Foundation, Insight, DJs Axel Foley & Mr. Rourke and more...What people are saying about Kabir and his music:• "On an independent quest for artistic integrity and creative experimentation" – BILLBOARD• “Kabir lays down his dissertation with skill, style, and table loops that roll like the Ganges.” – SPIN• "Well thought out and impressive. Kabir tells real-life tales in a compelling way." – URB•"An intelligent, dense debut from an MC who has much to say, and who says it well" – CMJ