Ken Kiprono Ring (born January 29, 1979) is a Swedish rap artist of Kenyan descent. He was born in Hässelby, a suburb west of Stockholm, Sweden. He got his breakthrough with the song "Mamma", which is about how his mother got sick and died of cancer when he was 13. He released his first studio album "Vägen tillbaka" with the hit single "Eld och djupa vatten" in 1999. After a show on "Vattenfestivalen" in Stockholm year 1999 Ken Ring got arrested after performing the song called "Spräng regeringen" in which he rapped about rushing the castle (Royal castle) and raping princess Madeleine.
Because of this controversy Kens recordlabel ended their cooperation with the rapper, but before their parting in ways Ken managed to release his second studio album "Mitt hem blir ditt hem" in year 2000. After that album Ken Ring became a so called underground rapper that could not get a record-deal but he kept releasing songs on the internet.
In 2004 Ken Ring started a collaboration with Norwegian producer Tommy Tee. The collaboration was a successful one and they released the album "Två legender utan pengar" (Two Legends Without Money) together in 2004.
He has collaborated with rapper and producer Tommy Tee, Saigon, Heltah Skeltah, Morgan Heritage, Kalamashaka, and many other rappers. Proof and Swift from D12 and helped in the producing of the rap group Smif-n-Wessun's self-titled album. He has released 9 studio albums so far. He has 3 grammy nominations and did over 950 shows worldwide. He has 4 kids in Sweden. He is building a big studio in Kenya and is planning to take over the African hip hop industry he says. Through connections with almost everybody in the hip hop game, this Swedish rapper is now moving to Kenya to set up his industry. He has also been in a few movies (Blodsbröder, etc.). He was an extra in the Swedish TV-show Rederiet, in 1995. He is currently writing his first movie script. He is also the owner of the new started football club K.R.A.C.K UNITED located in the coast region of Kenya. The goal for that is to sell players to the European market in the future. The team has done very well and is now the best youth team of the south coast.
Famous quotes containing the words ken and/or ring:
“Is America a land of God where saints abide for ever? Where golden fields spread fair and broad, where flows the crystal river? Certainly not flush with saints, and a good thing, too, for the saints sent buzzing into man’s ken now are but poor- mouthed ecclesiastical film stars and cliché-shouting publicity agents.
Their little knowledge bringing them nearer to their ignorance,
Ignorance bringing them nearer to death,
But nearness to death no nearer to God.”
—Sean O’Casey (1884–1964)
“The boxer’s ring is the enjoyment of the part of society whose animal nature alone has been developed.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)