You could call it a big day for Kayo. The St. Lucian emcee not only announced his upcoming EP through Black Box, but also premiered a brand new track today. "Rich Already" is the first single off S.L.A.V.E. (Serenity Lives Around Virtuous Energy), due out September 10th. The EP chronicles the past few years of Kayo's life in the industry, navigating the highs and lows: touring with Classified and opening for Snoop Dogg and Xzibit, but also having to prove himself as a new artist on a label. As for "Rich Already", Kayo describes it as having some of his "most honest and vulnerable bars ever." I'd have to agree. He even dishes out an impassioned final verse delivered at his mentor Classified:"S---, it's only getting harder for a youngin' on the come up/ While I sit back and watch you get bigger/ But I figured it out, you spoiled me, turned me to royalty/ Way before my time..." "Now I fiend for the allure of all these bad b----es, mad riches/ Man listen, what I expect? You got children/ Sometimes I gotta tell myself to quit b----in'."I'm not trying to imply there's any beef there - I'm sure there's not - but you can tell Kayo's writing from the heart. Chris Noxx provides the anthemic, horns-infused production on this one. As if all of this news wasn't already enough, he's also announced he'll be joining the legendary Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5 fame) on a cross-Canada tour this September. London fans get a double dose of Kayo, as he'll also be in London on September 7th with Sean Kingston (9/2/2013 update: Sean Kingston will no longer be coming). Stream "Rich Already" and check out the tour dates below. Tour dates w/ Chali 2na: September 12 - Vancouver, BC @ The Rio September 13 - Whistler, BC @ Garibaldi Lift Co. September 14 - Victoria, BC @ Rifflandia Festival September 16 - Nelson, BC @ Spirit Bar September 17 - Banff, AB @ Wild Bill's September 18 - Calgary, AB @ The Gateway September 19 - Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room September 20 - Saskatoon, SK @ U of Saskatoon September 21 - Winnipeg, MB @ Pyramid Cabaret September 24 - London, ON @ Hideaway Records & Bar September 25 - Toronto, ON @ Adelaide Hall September 26 - Ottawa, ON @ Ritual Nite Club September 27 - Montreal, QC @ Cabaret Underworld
Interview by: Martin Bauman It's just a matter of time for Kayo right now. Having built a strong following from last year's The Escape Movement, and having learned from the likes of Snoop Dogg and Xzibit on tour, the St. Lucian emcee is all set to release his debut album with EMI/Halflife. All he has to do now is wait, which, as Kayo acknowledges, has been a challenge. In the meantime, he's been busy with other ventures. After graduating from St. Mary's University earlier this year, Kayo has been working closely with The Escape Movement clothing label and trying his hand at clothing design. The Come Up Show caught up with Kayo on tour to discuss his early career, working with The Escape Movement, and the status of his album, among other things.
Read the full interview after the jump.
The homie Kayo premiered the visuals for "Faded" over at Exclaim! today. The single comes off Kayo's latest mixtape, The Escape Movement, and serves as the second music video release, after the Quake-assisted "So Gone". Kayo is currently hard at work in the studio, wrapping up his debut album on EMI. Check out the visuals to "Faded" below, and be sure to check out our interview with Kayo as he discusses The Escape Movement, touring with Snoop Dogg, and following his heart. 
Interview by: Martin Bauman Kayo has been steadily climbing the ranks in the Canadian hip-hop scene, ever since arriving from St. Lucia four years ago. After networking in Halifax upon his arrival, he eventually met Classified, who would later sign him to Half Life and get him a deal with EMI. The two worked on Kayo's One: The Prequel EP, and Classified brought Kayo on tour with him, joining Hedley across Canada. In addition to his work with Classified, Kayo made a name for himself by partnering with Quake for their well-received album The Search. This past year, Kayo has seen his hard work pay off in the release of his mixtape The Escape Movement, and his recently-completed string of tour dates with Snoop Dogg in Western Canada. The Come Up Show caught up with Kayo following the tour, and we talked about The Escape Movement, touring with Snoop Dogg, and how he got to where he is now.
Hit the skip to read the full interview.