Follow him @KeylofAC on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Soundcloud
About Keshaun "Keylo" Jones
Keshaun Jones (born June 15, 1989 is a 25 year old rapper from Atlantic City, NJ. He is better known as "Keylo", a remix to his family given nickname "Key", given by his close friends due to his laid back and low key personality. He is also one of the founding members of Doing Bigger Business (DBB), an independent music label, along with his family and close friends. Keylo began his rap career during his senior year at Atlantic City High in 2007. Keylo's biggest music influences are Biggie, Tupac, Jay-Z, and Drake. Keylo describes his music as a genuine and heartfelt expression of his life experiences that will inspire people to be great beyond their circumstances. After 2 years of writing songs and rapping amongst family and friends, he released his first project in 2009.
"Bound 4 Fame" The Mixtape was his first project, which featured 20 tracks and appearances by local artist and fellow DBB members. The mixtape was widely received by his peers who enjoyed songs such as: "Welcome 2 My Life", "Make Love", and "Bound 4 Fame". In 2010, he released the highly anticipated "Bound 4 Fame Vol. 2". With the release of Vol.2, Keylo was ready to make his way into the music industry and began networking and booking shows.
In the summer of 2011, he landed a slot opening up for rapper and Maybach Music Group founder Rick Ross at the "AC Summerfest" in which he graced the stage before many big names in hip hop. Keylo says, "Performing in my home city in front of thousands of people before some of the hottest names in rap was like a rite of passage. It inspired me to stay dedicated and work hard until I become a headline act."
With dedication and hard work being his main focus, Keylo was determined to succeed. Born and raised in low income housing, he was exposed to crime, drugs, and violence at young age. His father was murdered when he was just 5 years old and at 11 years old his older brother was convicted of murder. He has loss both family and friends to prison and death over the years and states, "all of these events took a huge toll on my life and is the fuel behind the man I am growing to be."
Often feeling like the odds were against him, Keylo stayed committed to remaining positive to one day make a better way for his people. Realizing life's possibilities beyond what he grew to know, Keylo decided to enroll in college. He is currently a Mass Communication major at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina and will graduate in May of 2015. He maintains a 3.3 grade point average, hosts parties, and makes music. Since enrolling in college, he has released Vol. 3 (2011) of the "Bound 4 Fame" mixtape series. When asked how he manages the balance between being an academic scholar and an aspiring rapper, Keylo states "There is no balance. Music is not something that I do. Music is who I am. It's like one of my characteristics. To be honest, college is my back up plan so I treat it as I do my craft. I give it my all and I will succeed."
Keylo gives credit to his cousin Kendall Hudgins for being one of the few positive role models in his life. Hudge, or Yellow, as he was known to many came from similar beginnings and went on to receive a masters degree and started his own business. He was murdered on New Year's Eve 2011. Keylo's latest mixtape "Yellow Brick Road"(2012) was an ode to his cousin/mentor and signifies the bright and positive road he has chosen to take in life.
This past summer, Keylo recorded an entire mixtape on the day before he left Atlantic City to begin his senior year of college. He stated, " I'm feeling like it is my time, I'm giving this year my all." That project is targeted to be released later this year. Keylo was right, this is his year. Unbeknowing, one Keylo's best friends entered him into Philly's Power 99 DJ Diamond Kuts "Diamond in the Rough contest". His video submission for his track titled "Live" advanced to the top 25 in which he needed votes to win and open up one of the biggest hip hop concerts in Philadelphia.
On October 15, DJ Diamond Kuts announced the winner of her "Diamond in the Rough" contest as Keylo of Atlantic City. Humbled and thankful to his supporters who voted everyday, Keylo was thrilled. With little time to celebrate the moment, he quickly put a team together and established ways to maximize this opportunity. "This is big! This is my time. I'm building my career and gaining more supporters everyday. Now I have a platform to reach people who have shared my struggle, see my vision, feel my pain, I will put my heart on that stage.", he says.
You can catch Keylo performing his new track "Wake Up" this Friday October 31, 2014 at 6pm at Philly's Power 99 Powerhouse 2014, located at the Wells Fargo Center. Ticket prices range from $19.99 to $150.99. Feature headline artist include T.I, J.Cole, Ne-Yo, and Jeezy. Also set to perform are Chris Brown, Trey Songs, French Montana, Jeremiah, Kid Ink, Migos, Bobby Shmurda and K. Camp. This event is hosted by Tamar Braxton.
Upon the announcement of winning the contest, Keylo has decided to drop a 6 track mixtape titled "The Opening Act" which will be released on Friday, October 31. It will include "Live", "Wake Up, and "Message To My City". To stay tuned for what's to come from Keylo, follow him on popular social networks Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Soundcloud: @KEYLOofAC. For other inquires email contactkeyloofac@gmail.com
Source: Erica Willis