KEV G

Kev G a.k.a First Icon has had a long progression in music. The rapper/producer from New York City started in high school by passing out demo tapes to the other students and he carried those positive vibes to college where he attended Binghamton University. It was there where he truly began to embrace and experience the music industry.

He hosted a weekly hip-hop radio show called Drop the Bomb, served as Production Director of the radio station's 32-track mixing and recording studio, performed at parties and showcases as a member of the rap group, Demented and DJ'd fraternity parties. These experiences opened up opportunities for Kev G to work with so many different people of varying music backgrounds. It really set him up for what he does today and it reflects in his music and rap. "All I had before was a turntable and mixer with a $5 microphone, and all I sudden I had access to racks and racks of equipment around me", he reflects.

After graduation, Kev began purchasing his own music equipment and transformed a bedroom in his apartment into a makeshift studio. Choosing to focus solely on production and songwriting, he then formed First Icon Entertainment and went on to work with various artists and songwriters in the New York City area. Of note was his co-production of Black River Records' reggae artist Sugar Bear's releases, Throw Him Away, You Go Sexy, Hot Girls Come Thru and Hot Like Fire.

While the majority of his projects have been in the rap, R&B and the reggae spectrum, Kev has produced tracks in a variety of other genres such as rock, neo-soul end electronic. He has taken the many experiences and music he's been involved in to create a versatile production scheme. "Basically my style is based on my mood, what's going on in my life or head at that particular minute... could be slow jam, party track, gutter music, whatever, I don't want to restrict myself to one style because there's so much good music and gifted artists out there I don't want to close myself of from them".

Kev also credits his with BMI, the Recording Academy and
Dynamic Producer as expanding his skill set because of the opportunities these
organizations offer to network with other producers and artists. "You can't
help but want to step your game up when you're in the midst of all that talent".

Kev G plans to continue to expand his production portfolio by taking on projects
in other genres and solidifying his place in the music industry. Having said that,
what about the rapper?!? Kev G has put himself back on the performer side with
his September solo debut release, Check the Sound, a short, four-song EP which
touches on a wide array of topics and styles in a short amount of time. This
is just a small sample of a line of full-length future releases set for Kev G.