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If the C.B.C were ever to form like Voltron, Kingsley would undoubtedly be the head. Simply put, the eldest member of the group is the brains of the outfit. A graduate of Howard University, Kingsley grew up on the rough and tumble streets of Strong Island, due east of the C.B.C hometown of Bellerose.

Born the son of an alcoholic Vietnam veteran on January 11, 1973, Kingsley’s education began on the streets. He was stealing cars at the tender age of 14, graduating to armed robbery by the time he was 16.

For the next five years he spent time in and out of jail. During his longest stint in the joint, in 1994, Kingsley went through significant life changes.

He became a voracious reader, devouring works of the Black Power movement. He also took up the conga drum, an instrument he discovered through his afro-centric studies. It was at this same time that he befriended current band mate E.Money Smooth, himself doing time for assault. The two would often spend hours jamming, Kingsley laying beats to Smooth’s guitar rhythms. Their friendship was solidified during an inmate brawl, when Kingsley rushed to Smooth’s aid and saved him from certain death.

When he was released from prison, Kingsley was already a grown man in his mid-20s but decided to enroll in college nevertheless. "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," he later said, explaining his decision. "Plus, there was all that young ass to wax."

After college he teamed up with Smooth and his nephew Chemical Ali to form the seminal acoustic rap group the C.B.C and its label.

Though all three members are equal partners in the label, the educated Kingsley handles most of the business matters. Exuding a quite confidence behind the conga on stage, Kinsley counter balances the often raucous behavior of his band mates.

He approaches the music with the same kind of seriousness as he approaches the label’s business. His blue-collar work ethic is evident at live performances. He’s never late and, although Smooth and Ali often party into the night, he seldom stays more than 10 minutes after a show is completed, much to the chagrin of fans. Pictures and autographs of Kingsley are quite coveted within fan circles.

While he prefers to go by his birth name, friends have dubbed him Nat X and Brother Kingsley to reflect his educated background. Lest his rivals forget of his thug past, the percussionist usually spells his last name King-slay to remind those that he’s still hardcore.

Aside from his music, Kingsley is an accomplished lecturer on Afro-American studies, frequently touring colleges across the country.