Wikipedia

k-os

For other uses, seeKOSandKos (disambiguation).

Kevin Brereton(born February 20, 1972), better known by his stage namek-os(/ˈkeɪ.ɒs/;"chaos" ), is a Canadianalternativerapper, singer, songwriter and producer. His given name may also be cited asKheaven,a spelling he later adopted.

k-os
k-os 2011 publicity photo
k-os 2011 publicity photo
Background information
Birth nameKevin Brereton
Born(1972-02-20)February 20, 1972(age 52)
Toronto,Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • acoustic guitar
Years active1995–present
Labels

The alias "k-os", spelled with a lower case "k", was intended to be less aggressive than the pseudonyms of other rappers whose names were all upper case, such asKRS-One.It is anacronymfor "Knowledge of Self",although in a later interview he said that it originally stood for" Kevin's Original Sound ".[1]k-os' music incorporates a wide variety of music genres, includingrap,funk,rock,andreggae.The lyrics frequently focus on promoting a "positive message" while at times expressing criticism of mainstream hip hop culture's obsession with money, fame and glorification of violence.[2] A musician as well as a producer, k-os has written and produced nearly every part of all four of his albums. k-os usually performs with a live band, which is traditionally uncommon in the hip hop genre. He sometimes plays guitar and keyboard both during live performances and in the studio.[3]

k-os received his first musical exposure with the single "Musical Essence", released in 1995. After the release of his second single "Rise Like the Sun" in 1996, he withdrew from the industry because he was dissatisfied with his musical style. He reappeared briefly in 1999 and released his debut albumExitin 2002. The album received positive reviews but sold relatively few copies. He released his second albumJoyful Rebellionin 2004, which receivedplatinumstatus in Canada. A third album,Atlantis: Hymns for Disco,was released in 2006 and also went platinum. His fourth album,Yes!,was released in 2009. His fifth albumBlack on Blondewas released in 2013. He released his sixth album,Can't Fly Without Gravity,in 2015. From 1996 to 2016, K-os was the third best-selling Canadian hip hop artist in Canada (behindDrakeandSwollen Members).[4]

Early life and childhood

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k-os was born atSt. Michael's Hospitalin Toronto. He and his two younger brothers Joshua and Andrew Richard were raised byTrinidadianJehovah's Witnessparents. His father was aministerat two congregations in theGreater Toronto Area.[5][failed verification]k-os moved along with his family to Trinidad while he was in grade three. In Trinidad, k-os surrounded himself with music to deal with being away from Canada.[6]He returned to Canada with his mother in his teen years, taking up residence inWhitby, Ontario,a town east of Toronto, while attendingAnderson Collegiate Vocational Institute.[7]His father temporarily stayed behind in Trinidad to continue his work.[citation needed]His father worked as acomputer engineerand became Director of Communications forBWIA,the national Trinidadian airline, while his mother owned a cosmetics company.[citation needed]

Growing up, k-os was a fan of artists and groups as diverse asNew Order,Depeche Mode,Rx Bandits,Michael Jackson,Boogie Down Productions,Slick Rick,A Tribe Called Quest,andThe Beatles.[failed verification][5]He said that he was "insecure" in high school and he pursued his musical ambitions because after performing at an assembly in his high school gym he realized performing attracted people towards him and it made him feel "powerful and... secure".[8]In 1992, he attendedCarleton Universityin Ottawa for one semester to please his father.[9]He returned to Toronto and enrolled intoYork University.Being friends with Nigel Williams, a member of the bandPocket Dwellers,Nigel encouraged k-os to continue to develop his musical abilities when he was confronted with "difficult forays".[6]

Music career

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Early career

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While attendingYork University,k-os gained his first exposure in the music industry in 1995 when he released the single "Musical Essence" with a music video financed by aVideoFACTgrant. He dropped out of the university shortly afterwards. The single was produced with friends Clarence Gruff and Kevin Risto; currently, Risto is one half of the production duo known asMidi Mafia(produced the50 Centsingle "21 Questions").[9]After winning aMuchMusic Video Awardfor the single, k-os was noticed byNBAplayerJohn Salley,who became his manager. With the single gaining moderate success, k-os was invited to perform in the 1995Hip-Hop Explosion Tour,with other Canadian acts such asRascalzandGhetto Concept.Salley andRaphael Saadiqbegan work with k-os on his planned debutMissing Links,[6]eventually releasing his second single "Rise Like the Sun" in 1996. k-os suddenly withdrew from the music industry in 1996 after receiving an offer fromBMG.k-os would later say that during this time he had already completed several albums but was dissatisfied with his music. He described his music as "pretentious and derivative," and stated at the time that he was "still trying to figure out who he was."[5][failed verification]

He continued to live with his manager Salley in Los Angeles. Soon after, Red1 of theRascalz,whom k-os befriended at the 1995Explosion Tour,invited him to move toVancouver, British Columbia.There he contributed a verse and chorus lines to the Rascalz'Global Warningalbum, released in 1999. He had also been invited to contribute to Rascalz' groundbreaking single "Northern Touch",but was unable to participate due to other commitments.[10]k-os returned to the music scene by performing at theNorth by Northeastmusic festival in 1999. He took stage with the Vancouver band Namedropper.[failed verification][5]

Inspired byMichael Jackson,A Tribe Called Quest,The Beatles,The RootsandStevie Wonder,k-os worked on a new debut album. He described his new musical focus on "doing stuff really obscure and making music for myself."[11] He recorded a demo tape and began looking for a record company to sign with, eventually settling onCapitol Records.Later, the parent companyEMItransferred his record deal to another label,Astralwerks,co-owned byVirgin Records,after some management and scheduling issues.[12] After the transfer k-os was added to the roster of the Toronto-based artist management firmChris Smith Management.

2002–2003

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On March 26, 2002, k-os released his debut albumExitin Canada to critical acclaim. The United States release followed the next year on January 28, 2003. The album incorporated several music styles, and was described as a "carefully blended pastiche of hip-hop, soul, rock, R&B, and a touch of reggae" byStylus Magazine.[13] Billboard Magazinecalled the album "One of the finest hip-hop records Canada has ever produced."[14] The first single and promotional track for the album was "Heaven Only Knows". Like the "Musical Essence" single, the video for "Heaven Only Knows" was sponsored by a VideoFACT grant. The second single, "Superstarr Pt. Zero", was then released, which won "Best Music Video" award at the 2003Urban X-Posure Awards.

After the Canadian release of the album, k-os toured withIndia Arieacross United States to promote his album. Despite receiving positive reviews,Exitsold only 40,000 albums in the U.S.[15] and 27,000 in Canada according toNielsen SoundScan.[12]The album went on to win several music awards including the "Album Design of the Year" award at theJuno Awards of 2003.k-os won the "Best International Hip Hop Artist" award at theSource Awardsthe same year. k-os also appeared and performed onJimmy Kimmel Live!In 2003, k-os collaborated withThe Chemical Brotherson their single "Get Yourself High".The track was nominated for" Best Dance Recording "at the2005 Grammy Awards.k-os said, on the show "profile" on mtv, thatThe Chemical Brotherssent him 5 tracks and he picked the one they wanted him to pick ( "Get Yourself High") and he freestyled to it. In the same year, the song" Freeze "was featured in the songlist forSSX 3.

2004–2005

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k-os in 2004

Despite suggesting thatExitmight be his only album,[16] k-os released his second albumJoyful Rebellionon August 24, 2004. The album was well received and became platinum in Canada in February 2005.[17] The album and the second album single,Crabbuckit,were rated the most downloaded "Hip Hop/Rap" album and track on theiTunes Storein Canada upon their release. The album also earned the number two spot onRolling Stonecritic Karen Bliss's top ten album list for 2004, where she described the artist as a "destined superstar."[18] The album maintained the same formula asExit;k-os himself later describedJoyful Rebellionas, to quote the Canadian Press, "a rant against the state of hip hop".[19] Joyful Rebellionfeatured a total of six singles. The debut single, "B-Boy Stance", was followed by "Crabbuckit", "Man I Used to Be",and"The Love Song",each accompanied by a music video. The radio exclusive titles" Crucial "and" Dirty Water "were released shortly after. The single" Crabbuckit "went on to be nominated three times at the 2005 Canadian Radio Music Awards.

k-os was nominated four times at the 2004Canadian Urban Music Awardsand won two awards for the single "B-Boy Stance". In 2005, k-os received threeJuno Awardsfor the album. In the same year, the singleCrabbuckitwon the "Best Pop Video" award out of four nominations whileMan I Used to Bewon "MuchVibe Best Rap Video", "Best Director" and "Best Cinematography" at the annualMuchMusic Video Awards.He won the "Best Songwriter" and "Fan Choice Award" at the 2005 Canadian Urban Music Awards. On November 15, 2005, k-os released thePublicity StuntDVD. The DVD featured singles and concert footage dating back to 1998[12]and footage from the 2005 concert at theMolson Amphitheatre,Canada's highest attended Hip Hop concert.[20] According to theCanadian Recording Industry Association,the DVD became platinum in February 2006 in Canada.[21]

In a relatively quiet dispute, some lyrics from the single "B-Boy Stance" were interpreted as an insult on the Toronto-based rapperK'naan.In the single, k-os rapped "They took cameras to Africa for pictures to rhyme/Over; Oh, yes, the great pretenders", and "Religious entertainers who want to be life savers". K'naan interpreted the lyrics as being aimed at him filming the music video for the singleSoobaxinKenya.Friends say that k-os was simply expressing ideas about the LoveMovement (his videproduction team) who shot the video in Kenya and ex manager Sol guy who was managing K'naan at the time. k-os has been said to believe that hip hop allows friends to express their ideas to each other via song. He was very puzzled by Knaan's personal 'public' angle on the lyrics of "B-Boy Stance" especially because his song Revolutionary Avocado came after Knaan's repeated efforts to collaborate with k-os. Later on k-os told younger brother Josh that he believed it was a way for K'naan to 'get attention' very close to the release date of his album and that Sol guy, who k-os left to be managed byChris Smith Management,pit the two against each other[22]

K'naan responded in the song "Revolutionary Avocado" with the lyrics: "You the all-knowing with a beer bottle/Wishing you was Plato and me Aristotle?/...Suburban negro turned hip-hop hero/Is there a reason he really hates me, though?"[22]Furthermore, K'naan stated in an interview that he thought "k-os was out of line".[22]The two have since spoken and there is no conflict.

2006

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Early in 2006, k-os collaborated with theCBC Radio Orchestrato compose "Burning to Shine."[23] A documentary produced by new media pioneer McLean Greaves chronicling the production and performance of the song aired on Canadian national television on February 2, 2006, and was titled after the song. k-os then traveled across Canada recording his third album, stopping mainly in Toronto, Vancouver andHalifax.In the proceeding summer, the first single from the upcoming album titled "ELEctrick Heat – the seekwiLL" was released. The single became the "#1 most downloaded Single of the Week" oniTunes.[20]During the year, k-os also recorded a version ofJohn Lennon's song "Jealous Guy"for theMake Some Noisecampaign of the human rights organizationAmnesty International.

Before the release of his third album,Atlantis: Hymns For Disco,k-os wrote derogatory comments on hisMyspacepage aimed at Jason Richards, a contributing writer at Toronto'sNOWmagazine, for his review of the album. k-os stated that he was angered by Richards referring to him in the review[24]as a "crossover pop artist disguised as a true-school b-boy". He was also disillusioned when he remembered he had granted an interview to Richards when he was a teenager, and that they had similar small town Trinidadian upbringings. Nervousness about the experimental nature ofAtlantisand the passive aggressiveness of Canadian media most likely led to his blow up. Part of the comment called Richards "a black man... manipulated by his indie rock nerd Boss es" and called on him to "eat a dick!"[25]NOW says that k-os called Richards "a 'sambo' beholden to his 'white indie rock nerd Boss es'" in October 2006.[26] After receiving advice from a psychologist on Myspace k-os later removed the comments, stating in an interview that it was a "personal situation"[27] between himself and Richards and he was angered because the two had previously "had many discussions on music".[27]

k-os' comments also received attention from the lead vocalist of the bandDanko Jones,who wrote to NOW magazine saying that k-os "had too much sunshine massaged up his ass".[28] k-os responded to the letter, making sarcastic remarks discussing a band named "STANKO JONES", which referred to Danko Jones.[28]He also remarked again upon Jason Richards, comparing him to the "Arnold Jackson" character played byGary Colemanon the sitcomDiff'rent Strokes.[28]Jones stated in an interview that he thought k-os' comments were a "lame response", and that "a five-year-old could come up with something wittier".[28]k-os and Danko shared a rehearsal space and often had in depth conversations during their breaks outside the rehearsal space. He was very disappointed that someone whom he considered a friend spoke out in the press before trying to contact him first.

On October 10, 2006,Atlantis: Hymns For Discowas released in Canada, with a global release scheduled on February 6, 2007. The album went platinum in Canada during December of the same year.[29] Atlantis, written and produced by k-os, featured collaborations withSam RobertsandBuck 65.The album debuted as number one and number five on the "Digital Albums" and "Current Albums" Canadian charts, respectively.[20]The album reached number five onMusic World's top ten in its opening week.[30] While the album continued to merge several musical genres, k-os described the album as being more vocal due to him becoming more comfortable with his singing voice.[31] Atlantiswas also described as leaving behind the "social commentaries" and hip hop critique present on his last two albums.[32] Subsequent singles are "Sunday Morning" and "Flypaper".ESPN'sSunday NFL Countdownhas used the chorus of "Sunday Morning" as an intro returning from commercial break the past two seasons. k-os was one of the top 3 nominees for theJuno Awards of 2007with five nominations, but failed to win any.[33][34][35]

2007–2010

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k-os 2007 Vans Warped Tour inLas Cruces, New Mexico,July 2007

His fourth studio album, entitledYes!,was released on April 14, 2009. Four singles were released from the album. They were "4, 3, 2, 1","Burning Bridges "," I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman "and" Zambony ".

k-os also held an online contest from 2008 to 2009 atIndaba Musicin which he provided the public with 11 tracks from the albumYes!to be remixed. At the end of the contest, the most voted remixes of each song were selected to be on a remix album ofYes!entitledYes It's Yours (Fan Remix Album),which is set to be released in the spring of 2009. The 11 contest winners were also awarded $1,000 each.[36]

In April 2009, k-os began the Karma Tour across Canada. For this tour, no advance tickets were sold. Fans were simply asked to donate what they think the show was worth as they leave the venue.[37]

In October 2009, k-os paired up with theStephen LewisFoundation and their campaign A Dare to Remember to raise money forHIV/AIDSaffected families in Africa. The musician will return to his old job atThe Bayand will help customers select toys in the store's toy department.[citation needed]

In November 2009,Need for Speed Nitrowas released. k-os's song "Fun" was featured on the soundtrack, along with the likes ofTaking Back Sunday,Rye Rye,Major Lazer,and others.

On February 28, 2010, k-os performed at the2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremonyin Vancouver. On August 9, 2010, k-os released a follow-upmixtapetoYes!,entitledThe Anchorman Mixtape.Mainly recorded on his tour bus, it featured leftover tracks fromYes!,as well as new tracks.

2011–2013

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On October 4, 2011, in Canada, Much Music released his March 30, 2011MTV Unpluggedconcert recordings at the Masonic Temple in Toronto as "MuchMusic presents K-OS LIVE", that also includes a DVD of all the live performances. The CD portion of the release additionally included "Catch 22", "Faith Part 2" featuringDrake,and two versions of "Holy Cow".

On October 30, 2012, k-os announced via Facebook that the album release date would have to be pushed back due to "sample clearance issues". He went on to mention that a sample fromNeil Youngwas taking longer than expected to clear. On November 5, 2012, K-OS announced the release date for his double LP entitled,Black on Blondevia Twitter and Facebook. A November 13, 2012 pre-order via iTunes was also announced. The first single off the album "The Dog Is Mine" was released on iTunes on September 18, 2012. The follow-up single "Nyce 2 Know Ya" was released on iTunes on October 9, 2012, and peaked at number 47 on the Canadian Hot 100. On January 29, 2013,Black on Blondewas released and charted at number 16 on the Canadian Albums Chart.

2014–present

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k-os' latest album,Can't Fly Without Gravity,was released in September 2015.

He followed it up with mixtapeViews From the Stixwhich was a surprise released on May 20, 2016, ahead of the Victoria Day holiday in Canada. The mixtape was produced when k-os visited his family's countryside home near Whitby, Ont., about thirty minutes outside Toronto. The title is a direct reference toViews from the Six,the original title of Drake's albumViews(2016).

In 2018, k-os released a new single titled "No Bucks" along with the music video.[38]

On May 29, 2020, k-os released an EP calledBoshido,a collaboration effort with producerKaytranada.It contains a remix to "Crucial", previously released on Kaytranada'sSoundCloudin 2013.[39]

Activism

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He is a longtime vegetarian and has promoted animal rights withPETA.[40]

Discography

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Main article:k-os discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

EPs

  • Boshido(2020)

Mixtapes

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sam Morgenstern."Q&A with Block Party performer, k-os".Daily Orange.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2011.RetrievedOctober 6,2010.
  2. ^ Larry LeBlanc (September 4, 2004). "K-OS starts 'Rebellion': Toronto MC wages war against stereotypes with sophomore set".Billboard.
  3. ^ Bartley Kives(October 21, 2004). "The gospel according to k-os not about preaching to choir".Winnipeg Free Press.
  4. ^"NIELSEN MUSIC & BILLBOARD PRESENT CANADA 150 CHARTS"(PDF).bdsradio.p. 28. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on January 2, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 2,2020.
  5. ^abcdGalloway, Matt."K-OS".NOW.Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2006.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.
  6. ^abcDel F. Cowie (January 31, 2002)."K-OS: Organised K-OS".Exclaim!.RetrievedNovember 10,2017.
  7. ^Betteridge-Moes, Maxine (June 3, 2020)."Review: k-os - Boshido".Smack Media.Archivedfrom the original on November 30, 2021.RetrievedOctober 13,2023.
  8. ^O'Brian, Amy (October 7, 2006)."Hip-hop artist known as k-os seeking, not always finding peace".The Vancouver Sun.Archived fromthe originalon November 2, 2007.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.
  9. ^abFateema Sayani (October 7, 2006). "K-Os, as the spirit moves him".Ottawa Citizen.
  10. ^Canadian hip hop gets the Northern TouchArchivedSeptember 29, 2007, at theWayback Machine,NOW,June 4, 1998.
  11. ^"BET – The Next: K-Os".BET.Archived fromthe originalon March 30, 2007.RetrievedOctober 21,2006.
  12. ^abcKaren Bliss."America to re-release k-os CD".JAM! Music. Archived from the original on June 23, 2007.RetrievedOctober 21,2006.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ^Ed Howard (September 1, 2003)."k-os".Stylus Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon November 12, 2006.RetrievedOctober 20,2006.
  14. ^Entertainment Editors (May 25, 2004)."k-os' Joyful Rebellion Set for Release in September on Astralwerks/Virgin; Joyful Rebellion Set to Follow-up the Award Winning 2003 Release of Exit".Business Wire.Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2007.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.{{cite news}}:|author=has generic name (help)
  15. ^Karen Bliss (February 2, 2006)."The joyful return of k-os".JAM! Music. Archived from the original on June 23, 2007.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  16. ^Dan Leroy (June 30, 2005)."Exit".Yahoo MusicCanada. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2011.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.
  17. ^"Audio Certifications February 2005".CRIA.January 21, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2011.RetrievedOctober 21,2006.
  18. ^Karen Bliss (December 29, 2004)."Critics' Top Ten Lists".Rolling Stone. Archived fromthe originalon October 2, 2007.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.
  19. ^ "K-os runs gamut of genres on new album 'Atlantis'".TORONTO:CTV.Canadian Press. October 13, 2006. Archived fromthe originalon March 15, 2012.RetrievedJuly 9,2009.Was titled "Canadian hip-hop artist k-os runs gamut of genres on new CD 'Atlantis'".{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  20. ^abc Unknown (October 20, 2006)."K-OS 'ATLANTIS – HYMNS FOR DISCO' DEBUTS No. 1 ON DIGITAL ALBUMS CHART AND No. 5 ON CURRENT ALBUMS CHART IN CANADA".Virgin Music. Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2007.RetrievedOctober 20,2006.
  21. ^ "Video Certifications February 2006".CRIA.June 30, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon March 25, 2010.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.
  22. ^abcMcKinnon (June 30, 2005)."Kicking Up Dust".Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.
  23. ^Pascual, Brian (February 2, 2006)."K-OS Goes Orchestral in Burning To Shine".ChartAttack. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011.RetrievedJuly 9,2009.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. ^Richards, Jason (October 5–11, 2006)."K-OS: Atlantis: Hymns For Disco".discs.NOW Magazine.Vol. 26, no. 5. Archived fromthe originalon November 3, 2006.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.
  25. ^it was speculated that this comment was inspired by k-os realization that Richard's review ofAtlantismirrored a review of his previous workJoyfuL RebelLionby his Boss Tim Perlich years before. k-os saw it as the same review coming from different lips. canada (October 5, 2006)."k-os fires back at reviewer".canada.Archived fromthe originalon November 2, 2007.RetrievedOctober 19,2006.
  26. ^NOW Staff (November 6, 2006)."2006".NOW Toronto.RetrievedSeptember 27,2023.
  27. ^abHarris, Bill (October 11, 2006)."K-os pulls Net critic bashing post".Toronto Sun.Archived from the original on January 15, 2013.RetrievedJuly 9,2009.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  28. ^abcd Brophy, Aaron (October 31, 2006)."Danko Jones Ignites Feud With K-OS".Chart.Archived from the original on June 7, 2011.RetrievedJuly 9,2009.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  29. ^ "Audio Certifications December 2006".CRIA.June 30, 2005. Archived fromthe originalon October 1, 2007.RetrievedSeptember 16,2007.
  30. ^ "Music World: Evanescence takes top spot in CD sales".Broadcast News.The Canadian Press. October 17, 2006.
  31. ^ Ida Jorgensen (October 11, 2006)."Exclusive Interview with K-OS".The Concordian. Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2010.RetrievedJuly 9,2009.
  32. ^ Andrea Miller."K-os talks about 'Hymns' inspiration".CANOE Live. Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2007.RetrievedOctober 21,2006.
  33. ^Bishop, David (April 2, 2007) [April 1, 2007]."2007 Juno Awards Winners"(PDF).Juno Awardsofficial website.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 27, 2007.
  34. ^Knought, Brenna (February 28, 2007)."2007 Juno Awards Nominees"(PDF).Juno Awardsofficial website.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 27, 2007.
  35. ^"k-os".The JUNO Awards.Archivedfrom the original on September 27, 2023.
  36. ^"Studio Access: K-OS Studio Access".Indaba Music. Archived from the original on December 7, 2008.RetrievedMarch 31,2012.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  37. ^"Music".Archive.is.Archived fromthe originalon January 22, 2011.RetrievedApril 6,2020.(registration required)
  38. ^No Bucks - Single
  39. ^"k-os - Crucial (Kaytranada remix)".Souncloud.RetrievedMay 31,2020.
  40. ^Hudson, Alex (September 18, 2012)."K-os" Never Be Silent "(PETA video)".Exclaim!.RetrievedMay 3,2018.
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