by Tye Green

Kaoz is an artist who goes deeper than just musical notes. He’s also an activist, an educator – in short, what is called in urban terms “a conscious brotha”. This Cleveland native is one of the deepest brother’s you’d ever meet and his talents extend further than the written word. How can one person hail so many titles and do them well? Kaoz reminds us all that we are a community, and must be willing to stand up for and support one another, our surroundings, by taking charge of our lives and destiny.

Tye – Who is Kaoz?

Kaoz – Writer, educator, HIV activist, hip hop artist, mentor, a friend best describes me.  I’ve been acting, writing, and doing theater since 4th grade. Got into spoken word by way of the Black Poetic Society, a spoken word ensemble formed at Cleveland State University.  I’ve shot a few indie films and been involved in the HIV prevention field shortly after 9/11.  I refuse to live life without bringing change.

Change seems to be what Kaoz is all about. But not just bringing about change in general; positive change is in the forefront of his mind. Always.  Beginning writing in the 4th grade is impressive, but Kaoz has kept the same “voice” throughout. Even with growth and learning experiences, Kaoz says, “I can still see elements of my pen game that have been present since day one.  Your voice is your voice, you never lose the base.”

Tye – What moves you? Inspires you?

Kaoz – My surroundings influence my work and whatever I am experiencing in my life at any given time. Sometimes it differs being that I sometimes do script development or collaborate with other artists.  Also world/current events may spark certain pieces out of expressing disagreement, or outrage over human behavior.

Tye – You define your genre as homo-hop. So, I have to ask…. What is homo-hop?

Kaoz – Haha…well, in a society in which everything GOTTA have a label, Homo-hop is simply what it says. These hip hop artists have identified as Same Gender loving and in some cases, are str8 advocates…but if your music speaks on GLBT issues, it’s a piece of the Homo-hop movement.  I prefer and have always pushed myself as a hip hop artist, no more no less.  My creations are what matter, not my personal preferences.  I speak on this in the song “Anti-Out”. However, I have opened myself and accepted that my community supports me, which influenced my decision to become visible and engaged publicly in the Homo-hop genre.  I am not ashamed of that piece of me anymore than I am ashamed I am African American.  Oh, and (to readers) don’t get it twisted, some of your favorite mainstream “straight” rappers moonlight at the 90’s and the cruise spots.  Plus, don’t get it twisted at all, gay men & women, Trans men and women – are not your stereotypical artists or sex driven Nicki Minaj fanatics. Gay emcees can be problematic on the microphone eating emcees for breakfast.  Hip hop has lived in our blood just like it has with mainstream artists…and now is the time they get over it and accept us and what we were born to do.  If not, it’s cool.  One less ass munch to speak to, support or acknowledge.

Kaoz has influences like any other artist out there. But his ranges of influences are different from what is “normal” for a young black man. There’s no Lil Wayne, Tupac, Jay Z or Young Money. His influences are mainly artists who have some type of message with their music such as KRS One, Common, and Mos Def. Kaoz adds, “Hip hop and rock of the 90’s influence me the most. New dudes try to sound like each other way too much.  I’ve adapted myself to the time, and have taken the “N” word out of my own songs.  That word is dead to me. You couldn’t pay most of us to stop using it.  I refuse to go along with that “norms” of hip hop.”

Tye – How do you describe your music to people?

Kaoz – I say “the truth”.  Some consider it “Conscientious hood hop”.  If KRS One were a part-time weedhead, that would be me.  I think what I am to communicate changes/evolves a lot – but at this point in my life I feel the need

to communicate our need for a CHANGE, on mad levels. All of those changes starting with self, internal maintenance. We treat one another horribly. We lie, cheat manipulate, fight wars and more over money, sex, control, POWER.  I don’t push spirituality or religion on anyone, but I know in my heart and experience that there are powers way beyond us, and when the cocky stop feeling the need to submit to something greater, things fall apart.  Perfect example – Earth 2010.

Not only is Kaoz a household name within the Hip Hop community, but as an activist, his works go far and beyond the call of duty. In affiliation with The Pillsbury House, Kaoz coordinates and manages the health Education/HIV Prevention program which provides rapid confidential HIV screening, education, individualized counseling and referral. They also have events for National observances like World AIDS Day etc, cultural sensitivity and HIV/STD 101 education workshops.

Tye - Not only are you a poet/writer, but you’re also an activist and actor. Tell us more about that. Especially what you have going on with Pillsbury House.

Kaoz – We have a men’s group twice a month called Brother Circle of Minneapolis (bcm612) It’s a way to bring MSM together without the push of sex and alcohol, to discuss many issues and things effecting their community. Our target population is men who have sex with men (MSM) 25 and up all races, but we serve EVERYBODY. I feel it is mad important to keep the kids engaged and educated especially when all they have is abstinence education in schools, which has been proven time and time again to be ineffective, regardless of sexual orientation.  We are a safe space and stand against homophobia – which is one of the driving factors in the HIV epidemic and perceived HIV risk.  Our Health Education program services are free of charge, and we are always looking for volunteers.

When time permits I moonlight with the Theater side of Pillsbury House and have done theater pieces under Breaking Ice Theater, an ensemble that usually tackles issues around discrimination and all the ‘isms’…& the Chicago Ave Project where young actors are trained and mentored by professional actors.  Also every year for World AIDS Day I bring poets and artists together for “Silence Equals Suicide” – centered on the fight against HIV, and to honor those we’ve lost as soldiers.

But what about love? When I asked how he would define success, he touched on the idea of finding that special someone to complete his life.

Tye – How would you define the word “success”?

Kaoz – The achievement of a set goal or desire that’s made for yourself, by yourself is how I define success. I wanna be able to work for myself doing what I love to do. Be paid based on my impact and not a diploma or learning of a Westernized altered set of ideologies that create the problems I speak of.   Seeing the world and someday having a special person or persons to share the presence of my happiness. If that is in my life daily, I have created my environment of success.

MORE INFORMATION

• Kaoz is an artist who doesn’t just share his talents within the Twin Cities area, he also performs in Cleveland, Columbus, Tampa, New York, Los Angeles, Detroit and Toronto, just to name a few. Here in the Twin Cities, you can catch his poetic genius at venues like Pillsbury House Theater, Blue Nile, Bryant Lake Bowl Theater, The Red Sea, The Illusion and Intermedia Arts.
• KaozOnline.com is the place to go to get the scoop on Kevin “Kaoz” Moore.  Check  it out for samples from his latest The Tyler Durden EP/Mixtape and more!

Originally published in the September/October 2010 Issue of Black Twin Cities Magazine.