Simon Kimani aka Bamboo aka Africa..s Hip-Hop King is the first African Rapper to create serious waves in the US music industry. Born of East African parents, Bamboo grew up in the notorious Inglewood neighborhood in California from his childhood.He attended Inglewood elementary school and then Canyon Springs highschool. By the age of 15 he was rapping in the streets of LA impressing his Crip gang member neigborhood freinds with his style and flow. At the age of 17 his parents knew they had no choice but to send their son to East Africa or he would end up like the rest of his childhood friends..dead or in the state penitentiary. Bamboo was immediately sent to a strict boarding school in the Kenyan capital, and the violent and dangerous streets of Los Angeles, California became a memory. Bamboo's passion for the music that influenced his formative years remained strong and by 19 he was entering regional rap competitions at top clubs in the Kenyan capital. His personal style, flow and lyrical content created a buzz in the growing underground Hip-Hop movement and young people from all the townships around the capital would pack clubs to capacity to watch him perform. Local recording studio executives, were blown away with his talent, and before long Bamboo had a recording deal, and production of his first album ..Nairoberry.. were under way in 2001. The album sold-out within weeks and endorsement deals soon followed as corporations saw the marketing value that Bamboo could bring to their products in the region. Within months Bamboo had major endorsements in the region. Kenyan Brewery..s signed Bamboo to promote new products as part of their Television campaign and Coca-Cola Africa signed Bamboo to promote their products during an aggressive radio campaign, using his music, lyrics, style and sound. These corporate endorsements were broadcast in the top three markets in the region, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Bamboo's music videos were on heavy rotation on regional networks such as Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), Nation Television and Kenyan Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). Kenya Television Network (KTN) regularly featured Bamboo as a guest performer on their popular Weekly Hip Hop show ..Rap..em.. where he not only performed but they also played his popular music videos. In 2005 sponsored by Chandaria Industries, Kenya..s largest supplier of household goods, Bamboo began an intensive tour of Kenya performing a total of 185 shows in 4 months. At the end of this tour Bamboo was a household name in the region. Winner; 2005 Kisima award best Hiphop song, Winner; 2005 C.H.A.T. award for hiphop song of the year, Winner; 2005 C.H.A.T. award winner for best video, 2007; Song 'Compe' featured in 'Primeveal' movie which not only went to silver screen but is also available at blockbuster!! Rent it!! Bamboo name appears in credits at the end of the movie in credits. Star of ground breaking documentary 'Hiphopcolony' (www.Hiphopcolony.com) Best Feature Documentary Award at the H20 International Film Festival. WINNER - Best Urban Documentary Award at the Houston Black film Festival. WINNER - Best Feature Documentary Award at the Oakland International Film Festivals Zanzibar International Film Festival | The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) LA | Oakland International Film Festival | Vancouver International hiphop Film festival | BFM International Film Festival UK | Virgin Islands Film Festival | Cape Town World Cinema -South Africa | Pittsburg Hip Hop Film Festival | Hip-hop International Film Festival-NYC | Black Soil Rotterdam Film Festival - Netherlands | Black Soil Amsterdam Film Festival