Kosh: In the beginning
Lynden native Kosh, 20, has released his first full-length album called In the Beginning. Courtesy photo
Rising up through Belligham’s underground hip hop scene is 20-year-old Kosh. Ready to make his mark on the town, Kosh has just released a debut and will soon take over the world, at least that’s his goal.
Lynden native Michael Adelstein, aka Kosh, got his start in music a year and a half ago when he formed Tree Sap with Tommy D, a semi-experimental/semi-comical” hip hop group with KOSH on the mic. “I had no idea what I was doing but with ideas in hand and a mic in front of me, something was bound to happen,” an enthused KOSH stated, adding, “I fell in love.”
Though he was in love, Tommy D had other commitments and the band ended, leaving KOSH ready to figure out beats and rhymes on his own. He saved up, bought a Mac and a production program and began creating KOSH had begun.
The name Kosh (short for Kosher), according to Michael, has two inspirations; the first is a “perfect representation of my attitude as well as a reflection of my heritage,” he stated. “Kosher is an adjective applied to subjects that are genuine, authentic and untainted by impurities. This is a symbol of my dedication to never sell out.”
The second inspiration comes from the food reference, being blessed by a rabbi. “I am no food (well, I guess technically I am – for cannibals) but I have been blessed. Blessed with talents that I am still exploring and blessed to have a loving and supportive group of family and friends. I could not have done this on my own.”
Drawing his influences from Gift of Gab as well as Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Jurassic 5, The Roots and Gorillaz, Kosh worked tirelessly to produce is first album, In the Beginning. The album was recorded with Ben Ellis, a friend from high school.
“As it turned out, he had just started his own part time recording business and was looking for artists to work with so I was able to record with him at a discounted price.”
For Kosh, the recording process turned out to be all that he’d dreamt of. “The actual process of recording was interesting and a huge learning experience. There is nothing better than stepping up to a mic, nailing a verse, listening to it back and realizing that it sounds even better than you had imagined.
The album took eight months of producing, writing, reworking and rewriting with the final month devoted to recording, mixing and editing. “The album changed completely about three times, leaving me with an abundance of un-used material that can be re-worked into something even better down the road.”
Locally, Kosh is a big fan of Beige (from Fresh Pear), someone who has helped him understand his art better while showing him the ropes. “He is extremely talented,” exclaimed Kosh. “Also, he has a much better handle on his art form than I (as I am still in my infant stage of hip-hop) and I hope to learn from him.”
As for what is next, Kosh will begin playing shows and promoting the new album. “I wanted to put out an album as a way to get started. A base to work off of, get feedback from and perform tracks that some people are now familiar with,” he stated.
He’ll also work on continuing to develop his style, which he willingly concedes is in its very early stages. “I’m still figuring things out and I don’t have my style nailed down yet, but I’m getting there.”
