"Ka-ran-ji- "One Who Guides""



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  • Total Songs Added:

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about the artist

 

 

Karanji is a 30-year old hip-hop artist from Detroit, MI who was raised by a single mother on the citys West side. His name, Karanji means a "spiritual guide" or "one who guides." Though his parents were divorced at an early age, he was influenced by both as he grew up. Being raised with an Afro-centric upbringing that taught self-love became an integral part of his music interest and later on motivated him to create music that moved feet as well as spirits. Artists he claims as musical inspirations are Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind and Fire ,Common , Nas, Tupac, Outkast and Public Enemy. Karanji originally was an aspiring singer who was a member of the Hampton University Gospel Choir while attending there and was also a member in several singing groups while in high school. A turning point came in his life at age 18 while enrolled at Hampton University when his mother, whom he was very close to, passed away from a rare form of brain cancer. Her passing motivated him to continue on at Hampton University and graduate with honors with a Bachelors of Science in Marine and Environmental Science. After graduating from Hampton University, he decided that he would give back to his community the best way he knew how and that was by teaching. So he enrolled at Marygrove Colleges GRIOT program, to become a certified science teacher and received his Masters degree in Education in 2000. As a science teacher on the East side of Detroit at Pershing High School he experienced things that would motivate him to do hip-hop music. As a teacher at Pershing, he taught students who felt no one really cared about the inner city child and the things that they went through. Many of his students did not know who their fathers were because they were either dead or incarcerated. Many had parents who were crack addicts and therefore were being raised by their grandparents and other extended family. Most of his students had never seen anyone in their family go to college and the most common successful people in their neighborhoods were drug dealers. Almost every child in his classes either knew someone close to them who had been shot or knew someone who had shot somebody. Moreover, he saw first hand how most current rap music was encouraging children to aspire to live a negative lifestyle that would damage their communities. All of this motivated Karanji to do hip-hop that would not only entertain but would also inspire change. At first, he sought out and formed a group called, Griot Foundation. This did not work out for him so he set out on his own as a solo artist under his own name. Karanji seeks to shake things up in the rap game and bring a new era to hip-hop. He has nearly completed his first album entitled, 313 Revolutionary, and hopes to sign a promotions and distribution deal that will allow him to spread his music worldwide. He wants his earnings to be substantial enough so that he will be able to give back to his community in order to make a positive change. He believes and lives by the idea of, to whom much is given, much is expected. "The decisions you make will pave the roads you take" ~ Karanji

 

 

announcements

Mar 14

New music coming soon you can still purchase downloads of Appreciation

I really appreciate all the support I have recieved as of late. My new album is being recorded as we speak and will be out late this summer hopefully. If you would like to sample some of my new stuff, you may do so at www.sonicbids.com/karanji .Peace, Karanji

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Apr 20, 2008

Karanji: Appreciation the album is here please visit www.karanji.com to purchase..peace

The cd is finally here. Please visit www.karanji.com . or go to http://www.digstation.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?albumID=ALB000020506 to purchase directly online. Thank you very much. Peace

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sxylilflt
sxylilflt

Female, 31, Kalamazoo, MI

Posted Aug 18, 2008


just showing some michigan luv cuz its the best



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bubicha
bubicha

Female, 19, Croatia

Posted May 23, 2008


hi..tnx for the invite..kiss



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Female, Age Private, Orangeburg, SC

Posted May 01, 2008


Just in time for Mother's Day



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2bnickel
2bnickel

Female, 36, Pittsburgh, PA

Posted Apr 28, 2008


I'm feelin you. You're a new hope for hip-hop. I truely like what your spittin. Much luv to you Bro.



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Caperellii
Caperellii

Male, Age Private, Saint Louis, MO

Posted Apr 25, 2008


I like what you doing Bro keep up the good work! Check me out some time. I think we might be able to vibe on something together.

www.myspace.com/lordcaperell



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Female, Age Private, Saint Louis, MO

Posted Apr 23, 2008


Hi! I enjoyed all the music I've heard, but the slow stoke is my favorite. Keep up the great work.



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browncopper
browncopper

Female, 54, McKinney, TX

Posted Apr 23, 2008


Karanjik you are a very inspiring "black man" we need more men like you to pave the way. Your "mother song " is so beatiful the chorus was nice--greeat match for the lyrics! Maybe oneday we will meet in th music industry, I love to sing an write as well. What a great calloboration! Daughter of browncopper (black diamond)---keep up the good work!



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fluffy9
fluffy9

Female, 58, Tampa, FL

Posted Apr 22, 2008


hi ! your jams are awesome!



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Female, 30, Riverdale, MD

Posted Apr 22, 2008


YOUR BEATS ARE FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I LOVE THE LYRICS
KEEP DOING YA THANG HUN!

PEACE!



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browncopper
browncopper

Female, 54, McKinney, TX

Posted Apr 21, 2008


browncopper
Female, Age Private, DallasTx
Keep up the good work, you are very positive role model for kids, I admire you very much, you had me in tears on Mama's Song.



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kimhamilton
kimhamilton

Female, 35, Sumter, SC

Posted Apr 21, 2008


Whats up I am really digging your style



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Female, 50, Oakland, CA

Posted Apr 21, 2008


Thanks for the invite. Like the music. Appreciate the work you do with the kids. I do work with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated persons. Belong to an organization called Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership in San Francisco (SFCIPP). Are you still teaching? Or are you just doing the music?



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mschilltbee
mschilltbee

Female, 38, Columbus, OH

Posted Apr 20, 2008


Keep up the good work, detroit kids need more positive people like yoiu.KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!!



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cocoanick68
cocoanick68

Female, 39, Buffalo, NY

Posted Apr 20, 2008


THANKS FOR THI INVITE. I CHECKED OUT THOSE FEW SONGS "BIG HIPS" IS DEFINATELY ME. THANK YOU :-)



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brinab
brinab

Female, Age Private, Sparks, NV

Posted Apr 19, 2008


NICE I LIKE IT KEEP UP THE HARD WORK. MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!!



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