Born Tamba Paul Kpakiwa in the country of Sierra Leone on the very western tip of Africa. The second to youngest out of 8 children. Four older sisters, one younger brother, and one older brother, eldest to all. Four of Knoxx’s sisters were born in the city of Pittsburgh, PA. At the tender age of 2, Knoxx’s family suffered a staggering loss. The youngest of his sisters, though older than Knoxx, Bondu Kpakiwa passed away suddenly due to an illness. She was the only sister to have been born in Africa. This loss turned into significant fuel for Knoxx. Due to the family not having any pictures of her and Knoxx being at such a young age to clearly remember her, Knoxx became obsessed with the idea of seeing her face again. Sleepless nights turned into a passion. This passion attributes to his tremendous ability of empathy.
It’s the idea of not truly being able to physical touch an individual or see them but still connect with them. As he grew up, this ability of his only became stronger. At the age of 8 in the summer of 1991 Knoxx, along with his mother and two brothers, arrived in the United States of America. This arrival would reunite his entire immediate family. Fleeing from Africa due to a civil war. Knoxx’s new home became the city of Harrisburg, PA. Growing up in this new land, Knoxx remained to himself. Naturally an introverted young man, he became an observer of his environment. While watching and studying the streets, he was attending one of the most prestigious private catholic schools in the area. The contrast of these two worlds would contribute to a very unique voice. Knoxx would attend school with his more financially fortunate friends and after dismissal, he would return to his neighborhood. Getting educated amongst the ‘haves’ and living with the ‘have-nots’. He would be invited to parties held at homes that seemed like mansions, only to return to his single income home with a mother barely making enough to get by.
Through this experience he would come to appreciate the idea of earning and appreciating your keep.
Knoxx has always felt an energy inside of himself. It took some time before he was able to discover how to release that energy. It took one fateful day when he heard an album in his cousin’s car. DMX’s deubut album ‘It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot’. This was the turning point. Prior to this moment he had little to no interest with HipHop. With the level of honesty and artistry he perceived through the first listen through, he knew in his heart this is what he wanted to do. At first, he would attempt to copy the style of this artist he was now passionately fond of. It took a few years before Knoxx realized the true reason behind that ‘honesty’ he had heard that very fist time while listening to DMX. The ‘honesty’ came from the idea of speaking from a place you know. Knoxx came to discover that to truly release this energy, you have to reflect your reality. Through the ups and downs, the ins and outs, Knoxx inproved on his craft.
Knoxx would go on to perform in numerous different venues in his city and also outside of his quiet city. He has also participated in different music-related contests locally and on the Internet. Without the usual circle of a crew or the benefit of a bigger city, Knoxx has somehow managed to establish himself as a fully determined and unbelievably ambitious artist. He has found a balance between his constantly evovling craft and understanding the industry aspect of this world he so desires to be a part of. He is the pure definition of a solo artist. From funding his own studio time to online promotions and submitting his music to popular digital download sites. It's very easy to respect his grind after simply using any Internet search engine, but his primary focus is the respect he desires for his talent.
With the vocals of a man struggling to find a more peaceful and stress-free position in this life mixed with the delivery of confidence and establishment, any questions of his talent or individuality are quickly answered by simply...listening.
