Knero

Knero Lapaé
kNERO performing during the Liberian Independent Celebration in August 2012.
Background information
Birth name	Daniel Boimah Kenney Lapaé Edwards II
Born	(1981-05-19) May 19, 1981
Origin	Monrovia, Liberia
Genres	Hip hop, Afropop, Afrobeat
Occupation(s)	Rapper, Barber
Years active	2011-present
Labels
Associated acts	Jamal Woolard, Amil, Raekwon, Toure Designs
Website	www.thekissilent.net

Daniel Boimah Kenney Knero Lapaé Edwards II (born May 19, 1981), better known by his stage name Knero Lapaé or simply kNERO (pronounced knee ro), is a Liberian-born American hip hop recording artist, record producer, songwriter, model and author.^[1][2]

Personal life and family members

kNERO was born in Monrovia, Liberia and raised in Brooklyn, New York. His father is Gola and his mother is from the K'pelle tribe. He is one of four children of Sara Léla and Rev. D. Boimah Lapaé Edwards, who was the youngest Liberian to managed an American corporation in Liberia, which led them to America. He is now the President of a non-profit called "The Bomi County Association".^[3] kNERO was brought up in a predominant political background. Nephew of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,^[4] Uncle was a judge of the Magistrate Court, a District Commissioner and County Development Coordinator for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and first cousin Richard B. Devine,^[5] former Senator of Liberia.^[6] They were fortunate enough to escape the Liberian Civil War by his father's achievements but still suffered by the loss of family and friends.

Music career and performances

kNERO released "Not Drunk Enuff" featuring Norwegian singer Adele Erichsen, a former contestant on The Voice – Norges beste stemme. The single was released under CCAP records. Due to his political ties, he celebrated the Liberian Declaration of Independence by performing his single "A.F.R.I.C.A" at the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C.^[7] He performed at the Hip Hop of Pioneers event held at the Newark Symphony Hall; the event featured additional performances from MC Lyte, Kool and the Gang, Dana Dane and Slick Rick.^[8]

Between 2006 and 2007, he performed at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta for Dr. Malachi Z. York's 11th Annual Nuwaupu Ball; his name was announced alongside Erykah Badu, Jimmy Cliff and Musiq Soulchild.^[9] kNERO released his single "My Thang" featuring Jamal "Gravy" Woolard and former Roc-A-Fella artist Amil, which appeared on several urban blog sites.^[10]

In 2014, kNERO closed a deal to release his next single "King" under Universal Music Group.^[11]

Influences

While growing up, kNERO listened to artists such as Tupac Shakur, Jay Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Phil Collins, Sade Adu, Bob Dylan, Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Tracy Chapman and Bob Marley.^[12]

Other Works

Barber career

In 1995, kNERO fell in love with the art of barbering. To avoid street violence and other criminal activities, he learned to master his craft over the years. He then travel from state to state gaining connections in the hair industry, which helped his music career. His limitless experiences, becoming rapper Raekwon from the Wu-Tang Clan personal barber. Gaining clients as Comedian Kyle Grooms, Fashion Designer Toure Designs, Humanitarian/Motivational speaker George Green, Celebrity Hairstylist Keith Campbell, Middleweight Boxer Peter Quillin, and more.^[13]

Modeling and clothing

In 2012, kNERO was a model for photos of The Toure Designs' fall season collection. Later that year, he model in The Toure Designs' Target First Saturdays "Carnival Inspired Fashion" themed at the Brooklyn Museum.^[14] He continued to walk the runway alongside actress/singer Demetria Mckinney, modeling for Toure Designs' for the 2015 Mercedes Benz Fashion week presented by ICU Network hosted by SB Stunts.^[15]

Acting

In 2014, kNERO landed a role on Red Dot.^[16] A series about a group of trained killers, which expands into stories of many other individuals that they come into contact with. He first appeared in the Red Dot episode "The Walking Dead", as Fritzoy, a goon of a hit-man leader named Cassius who's out for revenge after finding out his friend Eddie was murdered.^[17]

Memoir

• Homeless With A Record Deal: The Moments Of Luxury (January 2016)^[18]

Discography

Singles

Awards and nominations

Liberia Music Awards

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Knero.

• Official website
• kNERO Lapaé on Twitter