Kook Kang {Pronounced as Cook Kang} is a gospel recording rap artist, writer, social thought leader, and visionary. Kook was always anointed and destined to spread the gospel of Christ. Kook Kang can be defined as ‘Unusual King of Kings’ – Kook originates from the adjective word Kooky which can be defined as: unusual or misfit. Kang is simply a slang term for King used as a reminder that there is no higher authority but Jesus who is King of kings and Lord of lords. Kook Kang has a plan. He also has a message, a purpose, and an anointed calling upon his life. It is not easy for most music listeners to classify Kook Kang as just another rapper because his message and worship is filled with the Holy Spirit. “One day, I looked in the mirror and realized I was not born to fit in, but stand out, so I quit trying to fit in,” he says. His musical style connects together Gospel, Rap, Hip-Hop, and Urban Christian. With the release of I’M ALIVE; Kook Kang is prepared to preach the good news, the only way he knows how.
For a young African-American male growing up in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida it was easy to grow distracted from God’s voice. He was raised in a Christian church but went home to a Christ-less household. No one had to force him to go to Church; it was always a place he was eager to escape to. Kook Kang’s parents were divorce by the time he was 4 years of age, so he was raised by his mother and her boyfriend. Many times he felt neglected and trapped but when he entered the house of God he knew his life had a greater purpose. “If it had not been for the trials of life I would not be who I am today. Had I been born with a silver spoon in my mouth, there would have been no need for me to work hard, or even dream. I knew that I was a bright kid who was oddly different from my siblings and peers”, says Kook Kang. Kook Kang’s personality by far over weighs his talent. His laugh, smile, and humor seems to fill everyone near with genuine happiness. Music became a positive outlet for Kook’s excessive distinction. Kook was involved in church ministry almost all his life writing music, singing, and rapping. Kook’s love for music began when he was six years of age. His church leaders were amazed to watch a six year old emulate gospel tunes using a xylophone. At the age of 11, he was already writing music and ministering the word of God in song. At age thirteen, Kook and his neighborhood friend got FL Studio 5 (music software) for the computer and began recording in his living room using a microphone, gym sock, and a rubber band. Kook says, “I wrote my first song using industry instrumentals and I never ceased to test my limit ever since!” Kook Kang has been writing songs and producing music for at least thirteen years. His passion grows daily with such an inspiring significance and eagerness to get his message out walking with Christ.
Kook says, “There is a lot I still do not understand but I at least got a chance to see the real and the fake.” He tried to stay away from the mental and physical abuse by his mother’s boyfriend, which led him to run away by his third year in high school. Kook Kang still manage to soar through high school and earn his diploma. At 18 years old, Kook Kang approached a shocking turning point in his life. He left the one state he has been all his life to join the army. “I still think I was more shocked and confused than anyone who heard the news. It almost seem like I was running away from everything to discover who I was, not what everyone else thought I was,” says Kook Kang. He describes his personal journey in his song called “Salvation.” Kook Kang mentioned, “The song reveals how lost I was and how it required only God’s grace to find me again.”
While in the military, Kook Kang says, “I could not find what I needed until I realized that what I really needed was to be in God’s presence. I was completely blind and distracted. My thinking and vision was so corrupted that lusting after women, smoking drugs, and having materialistic things became my most desired pleasure. I began using my talents and gifts for worldly use. It’s like everything I was taught as a child in Church completely vanished from my memory. I forgot who I was in Christ; I lost my identity.” Misguided and hurt, Kook Kang reached the end of his rope to meet Christ Jesus waiting for him. He no longer associates music with the things he had left behind.
Serving in the U.S. military granted him the opportunity to travel and see many parts of the world. While stationed in Columbia, SC he met his partner (the mother of his first child) in 2009. The U.S. Army helped enhance his work ethics. Besides the transferable, business, and technical skills Kook has developed, he has accomplished many things; such as rank promotions, Army Achievement Medals, etc. Following his completed term in the military, he enrolled in University of Phoenix, currently studying Business Management & Entrepreneurship. Kook is currently enrolled into college in El Paso, Texas and striving to earn his bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. He has a 3.4 GPA and is determined to overcome every mountain as a lifelong learner.
Fortunately, Kook Kang is not confined to anymore chains or shackles, and there are no boundaries when it comes to his praise. On his new single, “Lord I Love You,” Kook Kang wallops out sincere and deep vocals over an up-tempo, drum-heavy beat, produced by him. “I am very energetic even when I worship God, because only I know what God has done in my life. I don’t care what people think, say or do when I turn up for Christ because Christ first believe I was worth dying for.” says Kook.
With an undeniable hip-hop swag and head full of dreads, Kook Kang resembles more of a rapper than a Gospel artist. But Kook Kang is helping to inaugurate a new breed of Gospel artists, one that grew up on Hip-Hop and speaks to a younger generation, but one that also happens to be Christian. “I’m a fan of artists like T.I., Ludacris, Jay-z, and the Notorious BIG. I’m inspired most by OutKast, but I’m also inspired by artists like LeCrae, Danny Gokey and Kirk Franklin,” he says. These unique mixtures of influences can be heard in Kook Kang’s distinct sound.
After he got saved, Kook Kang took time to be there for his family like a man should. He is currently mapping out a plan to launch his own T-shirt Company and Record label. He has been endorsed by the likes of many youth as well as ordained leaders. Kook Kang message is strong enough to display how God’s presence can change someone’s life. Though many people who hear rap music find it hard to accept it, they will listen to what Kook Kang has to say because there is a powerful testimony and message behind his music capable of shifting the atmosphere and breaking chains.
With responsibilities of being a husband, father, college student, and running a music business, Kook is not affected by having so much to juggle on his plate. He has many factors working on his end. Kook believes in fighting for your dreams no matter what. One thing he stands on is – ‘to never bury talents through indecision, cowardice, or laziness; instead allow God to plant you in the necessary determination to keep you at it.’ “My personal education and career goals are to build a better life for my family, learn new things, and grow as a person. I strive to be a great example for this generation and the generation to come so that they may live better lives following Christ. I hope to be that glow and flavor to this world. When I speak or enter a room, I want people to see and feel Jesus. One of my largest motivators are the love of my family which pushes me to work harder. I love to see my family enjoy a comfortable life by gaining professional security, independence, freedom, and seeking new challenges to make a difference. I have a message and no thing or person can stop me from getting it out”, says Kook. As a servant and child of God, Kook Kang focus remains on his great purpose/will on earth; following Christ and allowing the Lord to guide his path.
Kook says, “The great love God has for me inspires me to create the music I do. God has chosen me over many that could have been blessed with my talents, which makes me very grateful and hungry as ever to know God even more and spread the word about his greatness. I hope to grow beyond my visions and meet awesome people who can influence me to be better. Before I do anything else I want my heart to be right with God. The journey may not be easy but I am excited to witness what it may bring.”
Here is his latest single titled ‘Lord i Love You’ off his EP ‘I’m Alive’ [Available on iTunes]. Most of the time it takes realizing how much people are not there for you in order to see how much God is. ‘Lord I Love You’ is an inspirational song helping the world to understand without our Lord, we would not have been able to overcome yesterday’s obstacles. Christ Jesus death on the cross defines God’s never ending love for us all. Sometimes simply shouting, ‘Lord I Love You’ will express everything a book cannot.
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