Rating: NNNN
Kia’s mastery of styles is amazing. The Vancouver MC/singer and band never fail to hit their marks. With a vocal tone that falls somewhere between the Lady of Rage and Jean Grae but can reach Twista speed when she feels like it, this Ab Rude affiliate tackles a range of subjects as wide as her genres. War gets spoken on with undeniable poignance, the crowd gets moved and jazz gets a tribute over some of the most uplifting dub, R&B, rap production I’ve heard in months. Kia’s got a better voice than Patti LaBelle and is down with Killa Kel (a UK beatboxer who puts Rahzel to shame) and Malcolm Jamal Warner (Theo from The Cosby Show!), who both add extra flavour to the music.
