Nana Jr. Gyamfi-Kumanini

Biography

dj NaNa believes that the art of Turntablism is a science. The same precision and dedication scientists put into research and experiments, is what NaNa is known for putting into his own artform. An artist, DJ, performer, producer, music supervisor, and promoter, he's already toured the globe behind the turntables, but this versatile artist is also widely respected as an MC. His previous releases, including the well received and critically acclaimed, World Inside My Head series (Volumes One through Three), earned a lot of buzz when he was just testing the waters as an artist. Described as an "intensely passionate and dedicated lover of music" (CBC Radio), with a sound that is "lush and heavy, soulful and raw" (Vue Weekly), NaNa is now prepping for his full-length debut album. dj NaNa’s newest venture a group effort titled The Names Are Known. Recognized and respected for their electric live performances and years of merging style with substance, the culmination of years of collaboration as recording artists, performers, event planners/promoters and party purveyors - I.JAMES.JONES & NaNa present a partnership in the grand tradition of the Rap Duo, forged in the flames of a city (Toronto, Canada) that produces more smoke than fire. Enter The Names Are Known. In 2012 dj NaNa teamed up with emcee/producer Rich Kidd for their second Mixtape (Rich Kidd VS. dj NaNa 2) which featured original material from both artist. As a producer, NaNa is known for taking risks that few others are willing to, and this fearlessness is just as tangible on the mic. "Confusion 2" demonstrates how NaNa pushes the envelope with his signature hypnotic lyrical flow and uncanny but infectious production. In 2009 dj NaNa released "Let the Beat Go'" a collaboration of global proportions - literally! Featuring South Africa's three most prolific MCs; HHP, Tumi and Zubz, the track is instantly infectious, garnering heavy rotation from South Africa's MTV equivalent, Channel O. dj NaNa’s upbringing is what stimulated his love for music (first generation Canadian of Ghanian decent). These influences range from the common, (Wu Tang Clan, Outkast, A Tribe Called Quest, Jay-Z) to the not so obvious, (Zamfir, Portishead, Lamb, Fleetwood Mac) and everything else in between. A true music connoisseur, his knowledge of diverse genres of music is almost as impressive as his knack for combining them under the umbrella of Hip Hop. NaNa's powerful list of credits includes long-standing residencies in Toronto and Montreal, as well as sharing the stage (as an opening act for) Kendrick Lamar, The Roots, Danger Mouse, Mos Def, K-OS, Saul Williams, Common, M1 of Dead Prez, K'naan, Bedouin Soundclash, SonReal (as performance dj for) K'naan, D.O., Art of Fresh, Doodlebug of Digable Planets, Illa J (Slum Village), Elzhi, Zaki Ibrahim, Rich Kidd, Saukrates and many more.