Kao Ra Zen

Kao Ra Zen is a Chicago based rapper, spoken word poet, multimedia performance artist, video director, and curator. Kao has performaed and/or curated at venues such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Symphony Center, DANK-Haus, Elastic Arts, Constellation, Alhambra Palace, Oliva Gallery, and Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago; in addition to performances and screenings in New York City; Berlin, Germany; and Turku, Finland. Kao earned his Associate in Fine Arts degree from Harold Washington College and then would earn his BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Kao has worked with arts-focused nonprofit organizations such as the Guild Literary Complex, and NON:op Open Opera Works.

Much of Kao's written, musical, and performance work addresses historical and contemporary social concerns, existential matters, and promotes self expression, fostering community, and challenging oppressive systems and intolerant perspectives.

Kao was a featured performer at the inaugural Afro Utah Festival in Salt Lake City. He has also performed as part of the annual Chicago Hip-Hop Theater Fest, The TEDx: Showtime: Chi Time event, Ear Taxi Festival, Rhyme Spitters citywide freestyle rap battle, the annual Chairman Fred Hampton Streetz Party, and in Finland, as part of the New Performance Turku Biennale.

Available Areas: North, West, Central, East, South, Chicago Metro

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