In the mid / late 1990's Khiry was known for his battling tactics thru the streets of Edmonton, Calgary, and Montreal, but Khiry One Tafari really burst onto the scene in 2001 when he became a member of "Intricate Minds", and very quickly stood out amongst the 6 man crew. Intricate Minds went onto win NAIT's battle of the bands (2004, the 1st and only rap band to win)
With that they were highlighted at Ookfest.  2005 the group released their ep "Confiscated Thoughts" with Khiry leading the charge as the centre of attention. By the end of 2005 Khiry left the crew to embark on solo efforts.
        So far in 2011 Khiry Tafari (real last name Crooks) has been seen in a different light.He's been showing up in TV commercials.He was one of five black edmontonian artists featured in the 4th Annual 5 Artists 1 Love art show @ TU Gallery.As Crooks is making beats on his Nintendo DSI (which I'm so intrigued about) he says he has some goodness planned for 2011."Last year I wanted to be an artists featured durning Black History month.So to have that happen the following year AND my art is hanging up in a galllery for sale;I'm very excited and this is just the start for 2011" ,says the wide smiling,tattoed father of two."I'm out to do SOME things this year!"
          If you haven't heard Khiry Tafari,then you will very soon.If there's a show/musician to see,then I would point my finger at this man.As a  natural showmen, you can tell Khiry was born to edutain and be on stage!  With no fear to be out of the box,he delivers soulful melodies in a genre that has lost its creativety ,and blends melodic writing skills that linger in mind for later with his unmistakable raspy grimey rhyming voice.Commanding the stage in such a way like no other, (no lie) he is very charasmatic,yet shy when speaking with him."I don't really know how to describe myself.When I'm on stage it feels like my soul,spirit,(what ever you wanna call it) is trying to break free from outta my body!I guess that's why I'm all over the place on stage!It's a spiritual vibe for me,so the passion comes thru."
  2010 saw Khiry take on the task and mantle of HOST!  He was host @ the Battle of the Beasts (A 3 week stint having producers battle each other and emcees alike) and he was co- host for 2010's Hip Hop in the Park alongside Unckle Sam.
 Outside of music,Khiry is the director of the non profit organization Hip Hop in the Park,he is a member of the Temple of Hip Hop;where he has earned the title of Hip Hop Kultural Specialist,he runs & teaches workshops with iD,a visual artist painting in arcylics,and drawing in charcoal.Leaning more towards abstract,realism,and mixing the two together.Namely in the genre of Black Art.
   Valentines day 2009 Khiry released his debut album entitled "Movements of Luv" reaching as high as #20 in Canada on college radio, and also reaching the top 10, top 5, and #1 on college Hip Hop charts across the country.
       2009 also saw Khiry as a judge for Scribble Jam(production battle the only stop in Canada).
  He has opened for Swollen Members, Kypros, Run-DMC, Maestro,Ira Lee and more.
Everything about Khi-Guy is memorable; from his freckles,his braids, his voice(s),or his "Kain" that he dances with on stage.Khiry Tafari is one of the most unque and brightest artist's to come along in awhile.As for now I've convinced Khi to show me a little about this Nintendo DSI beat making thing.
      




"Khiry Tafari truly illuminates himself through songs penned for loves' essence, where he reveals his innermost dialogues candidly.  Live on stage, he swaggers in a stance similar to James Brown while infusing an R&B softness as he switches between soulful singing and raspy rapping.  He displays a consistently buoyant energy while performing that even the hard-core Wu-Tang fans jived with when LR opened for GZA during a captivating performance with over 600 fans."
    -Melissa Bishop(Freelance Writer,L+P Productions,Promoter)
   
"Khi is so talented, gifted and skilled.  He truly is one of this countries best"
     -Linsay Willier,(Runner up from Canada's Next Top Model)

  "I def love how real Khiry is. I haven't heard true music like his in a long time. Seems to really speak from the heart"
    -Nikita Kiceluk (from Canada's Next Top Model)

  "Khiry's heartfelt rhymes combined with an r&b twist has been a favorite
in Saskatoon for years."
   -DJ Heywood(DJ & Promoter Winnipeg)

   "Hip Hop space cowboy, all about luv, except the parts about hate"
   -Vue Weekly (Edmonton)

   "When you see Khiry Tafari on stage you get to see a whole different
side of him, something he only shows when the lights are low and the
spotlight is on him."
    -Stef Torres, (Founder & Owner of "In 3's Tees")

   "Tafari has been getting radio play and his fresh style of heart  felt rap infused with melodies is sure to start making some major waves"
    -Kevin Maimann, (Edmonton Sun)

Khi-Guy