K1 (Kingz One)

K1 is the new sensation in Latin/Rap/Hip-Hop music fusing rhythms and cultures in their music as much as in their look and their performances. Originally from Texas and Illinois, the band has the boy-next-door appeal and a powerful music formula that mixes Hip-Hop, R & B, Rap, Vallenato, Salsa, and Reggaeton which transcends the usual thump-thump of pop songs to deliver what is not only the new sound of Mexican-Americans mainstream music, but the entire Latino culture. K1 (abbreviation for Kingz One) signifies undivided unity, togetherness, and one family. To Alex, the name of the band signifies unity for all of the members of K1. He also recalls, “I thought the name would be appropriate because in our last band we didn’t experience unity”. Andrew “A.J.” Maes mentions that being the lead singer does not make him the leader of the group. “We are a group, and we are all equally important to the musical formula. We belong to the people and we have all experienced hard times, and it is then that we must have faith and move forward with more strength than ever. Our message no matter what happens… If something comes from your heart, nothing can hold you back!”. They are latin, young, handsome, humble, talented, responsible, and devoted to the art of music. It is truly their turn to share the richness of their cultural and musical flavor with the world through an album that marks a new chapter in latin music and a fresh look at the new tantalizing and promising future that without a doubt awaits K1.
K1’s following throughout the United States remains constant with packed performances, incessant screams from adoring fans, and mass hysteria reserved for true musical phenomenon’s, as was the case during their autograph sessions and performances in Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Phoenix, and many other cities including Mexico. The future of the band was not always certain. When they decided to part ways from Kumbia Kings, all they knew was that they had to leave, for the sake of their musical optimal well-being. After one year of working, recording, and writing on a new album… and truly difficult times, when food and a roof over their heads were scarce… K1 continued to tour and perform, digging into their own personal savings to take care of production expenses. Just as their dreams were about to dissipate into sounds on a tape, they were located and contacted by Ole’ Music, led by renowned record executive Oscar Lloyd (Ricky Martin, Elvis Crespo, Son by Four, Shakira, Alejandro Fernandez). K1 had a home, and Ole’ Music had a superstar band, leaving intact the spirit and musical souls of these unparalleled musicians. Their sizzling hot single, “A Que Te Pongo” (I Bet, I’ll Make You) follows a flowing pattern throughout the U.S.A., Mexico, and Puerto Rico, oblivious to national borders and language, behaving like a spontaneous international hit.
Kingz One is a new name for a group of young and passionate performers who had their first taste of fame and popularity as members of the million-selling award winning Kumbia Kings, whom existing K1 band members helped rise to the top.
The awards shared with the Kumbia Kings include: 3 Billboard Awards, 10 Tejano Music Awards, and 1 Ritmo Latino Award. Their sales exceeded 1 Million copies sold. K1 has also begun to pave a road for themselves, once again demonstrating the capabilities of their extensive musical talent and knowledge that have been learned throughout the many years of determination and incredible breakthrough work that will without a doubt turn the music industry on it’s head. The band was given the 2005 Tejano Music Award for Most Performing Band of the Year, and has also received various coveted award nominations. Among those are 2005 Latin Billboard Award for Rap/Hip-Hop album of the year, and Primos A La Musica Latina.
The first album was released February 10th, 2004 showing great acceptance at retail, with fans briskly snapping it up. Nuestro Turno (Our Turn) includes 12 original songs penned by members of K1. The rhythms go from the party-essential “A Que Te Pongo”, “Tu” (You), and “Lero, Lero” (Ha-Ha), to the beautiful crafted “No Me Degas: (Don’t Tell Me) written by Frankie-J., who also co-authored “Amor, Familia, Respect” which features rap royalty Fat Joe.
Among the numerous collaborations done by lead vocalist Andrew “A.J.” Maes are back up vocals and arrangement made with Kumbia Kings, co-authoring songs with Frankie J. and also being featured on Baby Bash’s album and back up vocals for Jennifer Pena, Daniela LujanLuz Clarita, Odallis Garcia, Angelina, and most recently a special collaboration with Juan Gotti on his latest album “John Ghetto” in which he is featured as a special guest and also co-author.
Roy “Slim Spigga” Ramirez has also helped artist rise to the top of the charts as was the case with the hit single “Soy Asi” by the group Limite with Alicia Villareal as the lead vocalist.
Alex spent six years with Kumbia Kings, and it was there he learned a lot about the business side of music. Like Alex, the members of Kingz One shared credits as authors of the songs thus alleviating the personality-cult that pervaded their last band.