Name/Instrument: Caleb Cruz - Vocals
Nickname/reason for it: MCI - Short for Emcee Intangible. Most just call me ”K” - short for my first name Caleb.
Hometown: My mom is in the Navy so I moved around a lot. As a child I would attend a new school almost every year. Sometimes I would attend more than one school in the same year. The longest I stayed in one place was from 7th grade to 9th grade. With that said, I can’t really call one city home. The Bay Area (mostly the San Francisco/Daly City area) is the closest thing I feel I could call a hometown. San Diego is a very close second.
Who are your influences: I have too many, but here are a few off the top of my head: Marvin Gaye, Andre3000, all war veterans (especially World War II vets), Ray Charles, Jackie Robinson, Mother Teresa, President Obama, Adam Carolla, Russell Simmons, Black Dracula, people who lived through the Great Depression, freedom fighters, and those who give their life to their art no matter how low the monetary return is.
How did you get into playing music: As with a lot of younger brothers, I look up to my older brother so I followed suit with everything he did (and still do for the most part). My older brother and his friends started b-boyin’ when I was about 12 years old. I sucked at b-boyin’ so I stopped. Many moons and copy catted things later, my brother and his friend recorded a song for their girlfriends. Again, I followed suit. I sucked, but I did enjoy the process of writing and rhyming my own ideas. I’ve been into rhymin’ ever since.
How long have you been doing music: I’ve been writing since 1994-95. My first show was in 1997 when I was 15 years old. It was in a talent contest in Downtown Yokohama at a venue called Club Heaven. That’s the most nervous I’ve ever been. I remember that night cause I had my first alcoholic beverage and my first cigarette to calm my nerves. Though I didn’t win the contest, I did catch the stage bug. Also, that was the first time I ever seen a stripper because the group that won the talent show were two Japanese girls who took off more clothes as the song went on. I prayed for that song to go on forever, haha.
I’ve been a part of the San Diego Hip Hop scene since 2002-2003. At first I did my solo thing, performing on as many bills as I could get on. That was cool, but I always felt Hip Hop could sound so much doper with a live band. So, as luck may have it, in 2005 I linked up with a band to form the group Audio Antics. Eventually Audio Antics dismantled and in 2007 I linked up with two members from Audio Antics (Cody and Eddie) and three mutual friends to help form The Concrete Project.
What are your goals as a musician: To make quality music on a commercial level for a few years and leave the game. I just want a sentence in the Hip Hop history book; not a whole chapter. The music industry is too saturated for me to stick around. Imagine 100,000 egotistical rabbits trying to get to the same carrot. Just lemme make the music I wanna make, get paid for it, and I’m gone. Fame is for the birds. Just gimme my 5 minutes and my money! haha.
Top 3 movies: Friday, Half Baked, Band of Brothers
Top 3 albums: That’s a hard question.
Noreaga - N.O.R.E.
2Pac - All Eyez On Me
Bone Thugs N Harmony - E1999
What do you listen to in your car: San Diego’s 88.3; they play Latin jazz, big band, swing, funk grooves, and vintage blues. Great riding music.
Favorite quote: “It is not charity, which is the giving of things. It is more than kindness, which is the giving of self.” -Ansel Adams regarding the topic of art.
Go to band member’s bio: Tory - Caleb - Jen - Cody - Eddie - Shaun
