Kenna

• Genre: Post-Modern Pop
• Hometown: Norfolk
• Kenna Website

About

Kenna Zemedkun could be just another talented but unnoticed artist were it not for Malcolm Gladwell, who profiled him in his book Blink. This brought Kenna into that sweet spot of Gladwell intelligentsia, music-industry watchdogs and fans of...here is the problem, for Kenna is not easily categorized. If you're reading this, chances are you like electronica, synth pop, house or even post rock. Or perhaps you read The Tipping Point and Blink and hate feeling completely out of it. Kenna's music straddles all of the above and more, and while some might feel that leads to jack-of-all-trades-and-master-of-none territory, his undeniable talent still shines forth. Thus, despite rave reviews from all quarters, he failed to sell well and is arguably no further along in his career with album No. 2 (Make Sure They See My Face) than he was with his debut, New Sacred Cow. Knowing more about Kenna won't help much: he loves U2, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder and so forth; he's the eldest son of an immigrant Ethiopian family; he grew up in Cincinnati; and he supported Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan on tour. Perhaps it's best that you just listen to his music. You never know, you might like it.

- Nicholas Baker