Kung Fu Vampire

Biography

Kung Fu Vampire is an American rapper from San Jose, California. Since 2001, he has been recognized as a "goth rapper", and for being accompanied by a band in his live hip hop performances. He released his debut album, Blood Bath Beyond in 2003.

History

Kung Fu Vampire began breakdancing at the age of six, and taught himself how to rap and sing while playing drums and bass as a hobby. At the age of 12, his aunt began taking him to see concert performances, and introduced him to a gothic style of dress. At 14 years old he and three friends formed a group which fused old school hip hop with funk and electronica. In 2001, he adopted the name "Kung Fu Vampire" during a conversation with his friends in which they discussed the idea of a martial arts film featuring vampires. He describes the sense of balance as the "Yin and Yang of Fang".
In 2006, the group was voted the best local band by Metro Silicon Valley readers. Director Darren Lynn Bousman was impressed by Kung Fu Vampire's performance style, and pushed for the rapper to perform at the release party for Saw III that year, performing at the release party for Bousman's film Repo! The Genetic Opera in 2008, and the rapper's song "Dead Girls Don't Say No" being featured in another Bousman film, Mother's Day, in 2010. In 2009, the Insane Clown Posse fan website Faygoluvers featured Kung Fu Vampire's music video "iCount" on the site, attracting the attention of Twiztid, who invited Kung Fu Vampire to perform as the duo's opening act during their 2010 "Slaughterhouse" tour. In 2012, Kung Fu Vampire appeared in the music video for E-40's song "Zombie" featuring Brotha Lynch Hung and Tech N9ne. In 2016, Kung Fu Vampire released Look Alive, featuring guest appearances by Brotha Lynch Hung, ¡Mayday!, Locksmith and Ces Cru. In 2019, Kung Fu Vampire performed on the "Shazam Stage" at Insane Clown Posse's Gathering of the Juggalos.

Style and influences

Kung Fu Vampire's musical style fuses hip hop, gothic rock, funk and electro. His influences are Danny Elfman, Nine Inch Nails, Talking Heads, the Doors, Whodini, Eric B. & Rakim and N.W.A. He rejected the classification of horrorcore, preferring to call his music "gothic hip hop". He generally avoids rapping about graphic violence, and makes little or no reference to campy horror films or smoking cannabis. His lyrics have spoken out against drug use, in particular meth and alcohol, and advocated for healthy living. He was initially known for making appearances with a shaved head and pale face paint. In 2011, he grew his hair out and has stopped using face paint in his performances stating that he would rather spend that time connecting with fans at concert as opposed to preparation.

Live band members

Current
Kung Fu Vampire — vocals
Jeremy Pollett — bass
Chris Paxton — drums

Production team

Current & Past
ProHoezak
TunnA Beatz

Skytzo Beatz
Subliminal Beats

Action Paxton
Nobe of Inf Gang

GodSynth
MOK Beatz

Cruels
Jawsh Crespo

Jazz Mafia
K-Oddic Beats

Duranamo
Michael “Seven” Summers

Charlie Beans
Starkore

MOK Beatz
The Butler

Features

Twisted Insane track "Voices" featuring Bleezo, Kung Fu Vampire, Bishop, and Poverty's Posterboy from the album The Insane Asylum (2013)
Twiztid track "Wasted Part 2" featuring Kung Fu Vampire, Chris Webby, RA The Rugged Man and Three Six Mafia from the album Get Twiztid (2014)
Bloodstepp track "Rave In My Grave" featuring Koshir and Kung Fu Vampire from the album Grand Theft Ufo: Floppy Disk Edition (2014)
Scum track "It Is Not" feat. Kung Fu Vampire from the Album One Track Mind (2016)
Blaze Ya Dead Homie track "Ghost" featuring Kung Fu Vampire from the album Casket Factory (2016)
Whitney Peyton track "Word Of Mouth" featuring Kung Fu Vampire from the album Break The Frame (2016)
Gorilla Voltage track "Rocks For Brains" featuring Kung Fu Vampire from the album Ape-X (2017)
Gorilla Voltage track "Lit" featuring Kung Fu Vampire from the album Ape-X (2017)
When They Hear It (The R.O.C. ft. Kung Fu Vampire & Prozak) on the album Digital Voodoo (2017)