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Let’s be honest, nowadays hip-hop artists come a dime a dozen, especially on myspace. There are thousands of rappers that all look, act and sound alike. Quite frankly, there is no way to avoid the fact that most of them suck, and simply only care about trying to become rich and famous for some ridiculous reason...and they have no standards for the music they make. On the other hand every now and then there comes one who truly is talented, makes great music, is real to themselves and their listeners, and does everything for all the right reasons.
Kevan "Bau Down" Bauman has been writing, recording and producing music and taking it seriously since 2001. Originally, he started out only recording cover songs with various friends for fun on the weekend. He remembers, "On a Friday night, I used to just lock myself in my room, chose a song I liked, and try my best to remake it better than the original. At first, it never worked out. But, as I got the hang of things, it really started to." Back then, he only had his desktop computer, a recording program and a little microphone to work with.
As time moved on, people let Bau know that he indeed had a real talent in music creation. "I got alot of positive feedback when people liked what they heard..." he explains, "but, when they didn’t like it, they let me know no holds barred. It really wasn’t that easy to take criticism back then." However, it wasn’t until 2003 that he really came into his own. After about 8 months of recording his first original material, the debut album "Another Perspective" was completed. Bau recalls "I was really excited, the album was my first step into the whole making your own music thing. It is one thing to remake songs, and it’s a whole different other thing to make your own from scratch."
His debut album "Another Perspective" was really just the beginning to who Bau Down is today musically. He has grown so much since that first album, and it is really quite remarkable as a listener to look back. He explains, "I mean, back then I really didn’t know much about song format, producing, or even writing. My songs were a mess, chorus’ here, verses there...and they were all different sizes...a real mess...but you gotta start somewhere. I have always been successful teaching and doing things myself. I feel it is the best way to learn and get things accomplished. I really wouldn’t have it any other way."
You will never meet someone more proud of who they are, and where they came from. "It is really awesome look back and listen to who I was back then, and compare it to who I am now. Some people are scared to let people listen to their old music...but to tell you the truth, I feel the opposite. I think it is cool for people to hear how much you have grown as an artist, and I really couldn’t be more proud."
His music may be getting better and better on the ears, but the overall theme was there from the start. Listeners say it is a perfect combination of driven meaningful lyrics, remarkable instrumentals and flawless production. His incredible talent speaks for itself, as it should. For some time now, producers, engineers and artists all around the country have looked to link up with Bau to advance their own careers.
Unsurprisingly, Bau Down’s accomplishments over the years have been astounding and caught the attention of countless industry professionals and musicians alike. Surprisingly though considered, a major record deal has not yet taken place. At the moment, he has all the tools necessary to do what he looks to accomplish, and does not intend on letting a record company mold him into someone they want him to be as they do to so many others. In his opinion, most record labels only hinder the fading music industry. However, Bau Down does remain in contact with many interested executives at record companies large and small, but he is simply not jumping into any opportunity until the offer, conditions and timing are just right.
In addition to music, Bau has been involved with modeling and acting for some time. Formerly a part of John Robert Powers Modeling Agency, he is now managing to make things happen independently. You may have seen him in take center stage in the Majestic Athletic Apparel campaign, and several New Era advertisements.
Though, he has been blessed with good looks, and continues to take advantage of every opportunity and blessing God has provided to him, his heart truly lyes in his music, and everything that is involved with it.
Recently, Kevan graduated from Valparaiso University, Indiana - in December 2006. He lives in the Chicagoland area currently producing, engineering and recording all involved with his record label, Bau Down Records. He also earned the title CCM at Chordcraft Music Company, which has just launched its revolutionary music networking website, fanfound.com in June 2007. Find out more about that by visiting www.fanfound.com.
With the very successful release of his second and critically acclaimed new album "BELIEVE" in 2006, an upcoming collaboration album with FAM titled "Early Retirement", as well as producing solo albums for himself, FAM, Nick Moninger & Ben Brittsan this coming year, the future is set to hold big things.
Bau Down has worked very hard to be who and where he is today. However, he would not consider himself successful if it were not for all of his loyal friends, fans, musicians, media personnel, and venues that work so hard in the fight to get his name and music out into the world.
