SHOKANTI

The artist Shokanti approaches the mic with a unique expression of hip-hop, theater, and social consciousness. Blending the rhythms and soul of Cape Verde, Africa, with the American African creation of hip-hop, Shokanti is an artist who uses the language of kriolu and his music to paint stories of the past, present and future, and theater to enact a visual and lyrical representation of reality.Raised between the islands of Fogo with his grandparents, and Santiago, with his parents and siblings, Jose Monteiro aka Shokanti, spent his childhood in contrasting environments which instilled the diverse artistic roots of Cape Verde. His first musical experiences came at the age of four when his parents gave him his first electric keyboard, which became his faithful companion. He played everywhere including his father’s bar in Assomada, Santiago, where patrons would pay him to play and dance. While in Fogo, Shokanti played drums and participated in the many festivals of the island, including the annual carnival. Around the age of ten Shokanti began writing poetry. Shortly thereafter, he received a Cape Verdean hip-hop mixed tape from São Vicente. It was then that he began combining his poetry and music into a single creation influenced by the roots music of Cape Verde, reggae, and hip-hop.Things changed drastically however, when an adolescent Shokanti found himself far from the beaches and sun of Cape Verde and in a new reality of New England at 13 years old. In the isolation of the language barrier, the music of hip-hop took on an increased importance and Shokanti began to memorize raps in order to learn English. This experience built a bond between the artist and the music and has manifested itself today in the form of a musician, actor, poet, and modern day griot, whose music portrays real life experiences and provides social commentary on the current state of affairs in the world that surrounds him.Although Shokanti had relocated to America, he continued to travel back and forth to Santiago to visit his family throughout his high school years. During one of these trips, he befriended Cape Verdean hip-hop pioneers Tupaki and Ney. The trio hit it off and Shokanti began touring with them throughout Santiago and performing shows at the prestigious venues Assemblia Nacional, Palacio de Cultura and the Quintal da Música, cultivating his skills of rhyming in kriolu. Back in the States, he began taking private piano lessons, and started to focus more and more on theater and acting.Music drew him back in however, when at 16 he was approached by the Brito Brothers to rap and record in their Bridgeport, Connecticut studios. He then went on to work with other Connecticut based producers DJ AB and DJ Themba and performed numerous shows throughout Connecticut. In 2000, Shokanti was introduced to super producer Djim Job, who invited him to record in his AMS Recordings studio in Rhode Island along with Tony Kidd. Djim Job’s talents as a composer and producer of Cape Verdean music and Shokanti’s vibrant and eclectic style proved to be a harmonious match and the two began to recording.In the year 2004, the first fruits of the collaboration between Shokanti and Djim Job were released on the AMS compilation WAVE 2004. The compilation featured three Shokanti tracks entitled, Shokanti y Nadia, Ten ki bai, and Ka bu bai. Ten ki bai and Shokanti y Nadia were smashing successes and featured in heavy rotation on the Cape Verdean radio station, Praia FM. In response to the songs popularity, Praia FM invited Shokanti to appear on national radio for an interview. In 2006, Shokanti, along with other prominent Cape Verdean artists, launched The Movement, a coalition of artists that uses art to engage people to take an active role in their communities.Throughout 2007, Shokanti performed in three Movement events in New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. He also performed at the New York City venues Columbus72, S.O.B.s, and was featured in the publications Africa Sounds, Vibe Magazine online, and Crème Magazine as an outstanding representation of African hip-hop. Shokanti continues to work with producer Djim Job, under Prince Job Productions and his highly anticipated debut CD is set to be released in 2008. An artist, in the truest sense of the word, Shokanti’s creativity knows no bounds. His unique style and impeccable delivery place him at the helm of the evolution of the Cape Verdean sound MyGen Profile Generator