The Southern California based Reggae Hip-Hop Rock Kingpins Krooked Treez are gaining momentum with an ever-growing fan-base, as their debut CD "Higher Place" released on July 9.

The band has rocked three full houses at House of Blues on Sunset Strip, and is riding the buzz of a successful 2013 appearance on the 311 Cruise, performing with acts like 311, Less Than Jake, Rebelution and comedian Tom Green. They are also scheduled to headline at this years U.S. Grand Prix Kick-Off Party to the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix being held in Carmel, California, as well as an international performance in the Black Sea at Russia's famed Kubana Festival for an audience of nearly 200,000, sharing the stage with System of a Down, Misfits andWutang.

Krooked Treez came to fruition when O Brown, a veteran Belizean/Mexican emcee wasmentored by West Coast Legend B-Real of Cypress Hill, connected with Belizean reggae and R&B Singer BZ-Bwai. The result was hard-skanking single "Rebel," O'Brown's first stab at reggae-stylee. Blending O'Brown's hard knock life lyricism and party-rocking mic mechanics with BZ Bwai's soulful patois and sinister smooth vocals, the group quickly earned props from O'Brown's famous hip-hop connects DJ Muggs and The Soul Assassins, who encouraged the group to further explore the reggae/hip-hop style. O'Brown and BZ-Bwai went back into the studio and soon recruited a skilled lineup of musicians to perform live.

The band is comprised of veteran guitarist and California original Bobby Zen on bass; East Coast reggae percussionist Stephen Lashbrook; ultra-talented guitarist Adam Willis, who played lead guitar for the Hip Hop legend Nas at the recent 2013 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival with nearly 80,000 in attendance, drummer extraordinaire and music producer Alex Puente, along with keyboardist Paul Monico, a multi-faceted artist, who tightens the band with a free-flowing, unique sound that only these artists can deliver.

Krooked Treez boasts years of experience amongst its members, whose backgrounds and diverse musical styles create a rich sound to compliment the vocal styles of O'Brown and BZ-Bwai.

The album delivers on the promise of "Rebel," with O'Brown's rugged delivery bringing added weight to the lyrics, which often revolve around struggle and triumph. Songs like "Better Days" reference personal hardship, such as the 2003 death of his best friend and rhyme partner in the group "Trilogy."

"2 double 03 best friend died/ Never gave up man now you know why/ So I take this all the way to the sky." O'Brown raps in his distinctive flow.

Meanwhile, BZ-Bwai simply laces the hooks and melodies, adding an authentic Caribbean vibe to the mix. And while both O'Brown and BZ Bwai big up Belize each chance they get, there is no mistaking the fact that this is a California joint through and through. The summer breeze smooth single "So In Love With California" could just be the Golden State's official summer anthem.
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