Origin Monrovia, Liberia Labels Years active 2011-present Name Daniel II | Occupation(s) Rapper, Barber Genres Hip hop, Afropop Role Musical Artist | |
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Birth name Daniel Boimah Kenney Lapae Edwards II Born May 19, 1981 (age 43) ( 1981-05-19 ) Associated acts Jamal Woolard, Amil, Raekwon |
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.
Contents
- Personal life and family members
- Music career and performances
- Influences
- Barber career
- Modeling and clothing
- Acting
- Memoir
- References
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". kNERO was brought up in a predominant political background. Nephew of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, 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, former Senator of Liberia. They were fortunate enough to escape the Liberian Civil War by his father's achievements but still suffered 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. 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.
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. kNERO released his single "My Thang" featuring Jamal "Gravy" Woolard and former Roc-A-Fella artist Amil, which appeared on several urban blog sites.
In 2014, kNERO closed a deal to release his next single "King" under Universal Music Group.
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.
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 travels 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.
Modeling and clothing
In 2012, kNERO was a model for photos of The Toure Designs' fall season collection. Later that year, the model in The Toure Designs' Target First Saturdays "Carnival Inspired Fashion" themed at the Brooklyn Museum. 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.
Acting
kNERO Lapaé has made an appearance in 2013 Film Living With No Regrets, with Clifton Powell, Marc John Jefferies, rapper AZ, Charlie Baltimore, Treach and more.
In 2014, kNERO landed a role on Red Dot. 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.