About Komboa
What does Komboa mean?
Komboa is my middle name. It’s a Swahili word that means “redemption”.
When did you start as an MC?
I started rapping in 2000 and began recording in 2003.
What are some of your musical influences?
I’ve grown up listening to an eclectic array of music. Some of the most notable
are Big Pun, Rakim, 2Pac, Wu Tang, Big L, The Roots, Notorious B.I.G., Kid Frost,
Cypress Hill, Rage Against the Machine, Sepultura, Thelonious Monk, Metallica,
James Brown, Faith No More, Dream Theater, Atahualpa Yupanqui, Mozart, Bad Religion,
Rancid...The list goes on and on.
What is your music about?
I’ll summarize it as: sincerity, strength, dignity, anger, hope, empowerment, reality,
heartache, struggle, culture and self-awareness.
What makes you different from other MC’s?
I don’t care about being the “hardest”, the “sickest” or the most popular. I have
managed to open many doors for myself by staying true to who I am and to my art.
What does your music represent?
First and foremost it represents me. It’s my past, present and future. It communicates
my culture, my history and my life. It’s like an excerpt of everything I have endured
and everything that crosses my path, both mental and physical.
Who would people say you sound the most like?
I’ve been told (for varying reasons) that I remind people of Zach de la Rocha, Planet Asia,
Eminem, Big Pun and Mike Shinoda.
Are you signed to any label?
Yes. I’m with an independent record label by the name of Audible Mechanix - Creative Syndicate.
Who have you performed with?
I’ve had the fortune to share the stage with Afu-Ra, Dead Prez, Immortal Technique,
LMNO, 2Mex, Scarub & Afro Classics, Akil-Ammar (Mexico), Intifada (Puerto Rico),
La Septima (Venezuela), Malena of Actitud Maria Marta (Argentina), Olmeca,
Skool 77 (Mexico), and Detane, among others.
Have you released any records?
As Redención (Redemption) I released “L.A. Redencion Mixtape Vol.1” in 2003 (mixtape),
“Antidepresivo” in 2006 (l.p.), “El Preludio” in 2005 (e.p.) and “Redención ep” in 2008 (e.p.).
Are you working on any new records?
My latest release was "Lord of the Flies." I have been itching to drop something new, so...we'll see...
What else do you do besides music?
I’m a full-time graphic artist.