artist MAGNUM K.I

Eight years after first forces as members of Canada's legendary FREK SHO crew, Thunder Bay's DJ Kutdown and Winnipeg's Ismaila Alfa, and Rob Crooks are set to release their official debut album as MAGNUM K.I.In 1998, Ismaila along with Frek Sho released the first music video by any Manitoban hip-hop artist to be in regular rotation on Much Music.  In 2000, Kutdown joined Frek Sho, as the seminal rap group's main audio engineer and producer.  Between them, the duo of DJ Kutdown and Ismaila have released over 10 CDs and 2 Vinyl EPs.In 2005, Magnum K.I. toured North America with the Vans Warped Tour.  As performers on the Code ov the Cutz stage, they played 9 cities along side members of both Def Jux and Rhymesayers rosters.  With over one hundred shows as Magnum K.I. under their belt, the duo has shared the stage with ILL BILL, Ra the Rugged Man, The Alkaholiks, Kardinal Offishall, DJ A-Trak, Black Moon, and Brother Ali, just to name a few. In the last year KI has added writer and newest member Rob Crooks to the group.  Rob Crooks has always wrote in the shadows with the group, and now been jolted to joing the boys on stage.  Today Ismaila works on and off air at CBC Radio, while Kutdown works with Winnipeg's famed Grafitti Gallery, teaching hip-hop production and scratching at the drop-in centres in the the city, and Rob full time behind the scenes working with Foultone Records.   Each of them have found the experience in their day jobs both rewarding and inspirational.  Poised for success, the trio has shown their artistic maturity on the Gun Shy Ep and now the full length self titled LP set to release Jan.19, 2010 with Foultone/Fontana North.  Infectious songs and an amazing stage presence, the new album is a sure bet to be noticed in and outside of Canada, by industry insiders and music fans alike.