Kuba Ka

Kuba Ka
Background information
Birth name Jakub Jędrzej Stępniak
Born 1986[1]
Gdańsk, Poland
Genres
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, Rapper, Actor, Dancer, Fitness Model
Labels KUBA Ka Empire Inc., Universal[2]
Associated acts Flavor Flav,[3] Michael Jackson, Sean Garrett, Laurieann Gibson[4]
Website kuba-ka.com

Kuba Ka (born Jakub Jędrzej Stępniak), is a Poland-born American pop singer, dancer and actor.[5][6][1][7] He is referred to as the "God of Pop" by some[8][9][10] Kuba founded the Kuba Ka Army of Lights, a charitable humanitarian organization dedicated to the service of under privileged children.[1] He holds regular annual fundraising concerts to aid in the support of various charities.[11][12][13] He is the creator of the Kuba Ka Empire, Las Vegas hotel and casino resort, designed by Tom Wright.

Kuba was an ambassador in Poland to the United Nations, UNICEF, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), where he was engaged in the rescue of homeless, abused, mistreated animals and raised funds for animal shelters.[14][15] The Polish edition of Elle named Kuba one of the greatest men in 2001.[1][16]

In 2010, Michael Jackson's former manager, the late Frank DiLeo signed Kuba Ka as an act. DiLeo believed in Kuba Ka's potential and invested in Kuba's career.[17] Kuba Ka continues to advance DiLeo's vision by delivering high energy performances to sold out crowds all around the U.S.[18] He made his prime time television debut in 2015 in an episode of the rockumentary New Money on the E! Channel.[19][20]

Early life

Kuba was born as Jakub Stępniak in Poland in 1986 and began entertaining at the age of five.[1][14][21] He served as an ambassador in Poland to the United Nations, UNICEF and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).[15] He also held a charity event for UNICEF and hosted actress Vanessa Redgrave. Kuba was featured in the Polish edition of Elle as one of the greatest men in 2001.[1][13][16]

Career

Early career

Young Kuba Ka greets fans at 'Kuba and Friends' charity event in Poland

In July 2010 Frank DiLeo began managing Kuba.[7][22][23] DiLeo was well known in the industry for shaping the careers of some of the world's top entertainers and took Kuba under his wings in hopes of bringing the same success to the European pop star. Prior to his death, DiLeo began forming a team to support a series of creative projects focused on branding Kuba in the U.S. DiLeo continued to guide Kuba up until his death in 2011.[24] DiLeo previously collaborated with Michael Jackson, Prince and Richie Sambora.[22] Outside of his music ventures, Kuba aggressively pursued spreading his brand by embarking on a multimillion-dollar real estate project to create an entertainment complex that would introduce fans to the "Kuba Ka experience". Kuba partnered with an architectural firm in 2010 to build Kuba Ka Empire, a Las Vegas hotel and casino resort.[7] The Kuba Ka Empire project was led by British architect Tom Wright.[12]

Kuba Ka in 2013.

After DiLeo's death in 2011, La Toya Jackson, Michael Jackson's sister, managed Kuba and he signed with Universal Music Group.[11] That year Kuba won a Yacht Film Festival award for his music video, Streets of Freedom.[25] Kuba released his first single, "In the Streets," with Universal on March 20, 2012.[11] Kuba released "Come to America," a single that featured Flavor Flav, a rapper from the group Public Enemy, in July of that year.[6] The single was featured on his EP, Combat. Kuba partnered with Sean Garrett, a songwriter and producer, to produce the single "Stop Feenin" in 2013.[26]

In 2014, Kuba was featured in a calendar with Apollo Male Models Magazine, a male fitness and fashion model magazine.[5][27] The magazine also featured Kuba on the cover of its winter edition.[5] Kuba released his third album at a 2014 charity event for the Face Forward Foundation, a charity for victims of violence, at The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills.[28] At the event, Kuba also unveiled the creation of the first pop artist superhero with Versace.[28][29] He was also a guest on Jake Steinfeld's talk show, Healthy Living.

2014 - Live Nude Girls U.S. Movie Debut

Kuba Kai performing for the E! Channel rockumentary in 2015.

Kuba played the European gangster Prince, Krol in Live Nude Girls, an action comedy written by In Living Color late actor Jay Leggett and Indie writer/producer, Mike Hatton, who also stars in the film alongside Dave Foley and Andy Dick.[30][31] Live Nude Girls was Kuba's first American film and his 2014 Hip Hop, RnB, single 'Stop Feenin' was featured on the movie soundtrack.[32] Kuba Ka was cast by the Late actor/director for the role as 'Krol'. Kuba Ka remembered Jay Leggett on the red carpet of the 'Live Nude Girls' movie premiere held on August 12, 2014 at the Palace Theater, located at the Avalon, Hollywood. He spoke about the powerful impression he had of Leggett after meeting him for the first time and honored the late actor/director for giving him his first big acting gig in the U.S.[33]

In 2015, Kuba was featured in a rockumentary on the E! Channel series New Money.[34] Part of the show was filmed in his Las Vegas home at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.[34] It also featured a performance by Kuba at the Avalon Theatre in Hollywood, California where he showcased his chest plate with explosive cold fire. The documentary also featured his private Versace collection.[34]

Filmography

Kuba Ka performing on stage in 2013.
List of film performances as an actor
Title Year Role Notes
Creating a Pop Sensation 2011 Himself Lead Role
LA Live the Show 2013 Himself Celebrity Guest
Live Nude Girls 2014 Krol Supporting Role
Healthy Living 2014 Himself Celebrity Guest

Discography

EPs

List of EPs, with selected details
Title Album details
Moonboy
  • Released: 9 February 2014
  • Format: Digital download
  • Label: KUBA Ka Empire Inc.
Combat
  • Released: 4 May 2014
  • Format: Digital download
  • Label: KUBA Ka Empire Inc.

Singles

Song Year Artist(s) Label
"Combat" 2011 Kuba Ka Interscope
"Streets of Freedom" 2011 Kuba Ka Interscope
"Come To America" 2013 Kuba Ka & Flavor Flav KUBA Ka Kingdom Inc.
"Roman Robotic" 2014 Kuba Ka KUBA Ka Empire Inc.
"Stop Feenin’" 2014 Kuba Ka KUBA Ka Empire Inc.
"In The Streets" 2014 Kuba Ka KUBA Ka Empire Inc.
"Be With You" 2014 Kuba Ka KUBA Ka Empire Inc.
"Moonboy" 2014 Kuba Ka KUBA Ka Empire Inc.
"Physical Attraction" 2014 Kuba Ka KUBA Ka Empire Inc.
"Here We Go" 2014 Kuba Ka KUBA Ka Empire Inc.[35]

Soundtrack Appearances

Song Year Artist(s) Movie / Television Series
"Stop Feenin’" 2014 Kuba Ka Live Nude Girls

Personal life

Kuba lives in both Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada.[4] He is the owner of KUBA Ka Empire, an entertainment and production company based in California. He is an avid bodybuilder and promotes healthy eating and lifestyle.[36] Born in Poland, he is of Italian, Swedish, and German descent.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "KUBA Ka" (in Polish). Newsweek. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  2. ↑ "KUBA Ka – Major Deal with Universal". www.charmaineprfirm.com. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  3. ↑ topnewstoday.org
  4. 1 2 "KUBA Ka Makes History". Splash magazine. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 Jon Weirman (7 February 2014). "Kuba Ka celebrates debut of 2014 Apollo Calendar at The Beverly Hills Hotel". A&M Entertainment. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  6. 1 2 celebnmusic247.com "KUBA Ka taking on the world with King of the Knight"
  7. 1 2 3 variety.com
  8. 1 2 Simon, Alex (22 June 2015). "Kuba Ka: The God of Pop Performs Life as Fantasy". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "God of Pop KUBA KA Interview on New Music and Videogame!". Scenester.tv. YouTube. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  10. ↑ "KUBA Ka - God of Pop". Top 40 Charts. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 "Kuba Ka Biography". Star Pulse. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  12. 1 2 "About KUBA Ka". MTV Artists. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  13. 1 2 "Co się stało z Kubą?" (in Polish). VIP News. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  14. 1 2 "An Insider's View of Kuba Ka Thanks to E! Entertainment". Industry News Corp. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  15. 1 2 Victoria Ganesh (5 April 2014). "Kuba Ka's Collaboration with Versace". Industry Grind. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  16. 1 2 "KUBA Ka". TuneCore. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  17. ↑ Steve Chagollan (7 July 2010). "Frank DiLeo Heads Kuba Ka Comeback". Variety. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  18. ↑ "KUBA Ka - Full Performance (Live at Whisky a Go Go)". Youtube. September 10, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  19. ↑ "New Money E! Channel trailer". E! Channel. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  20. ↑ "Premier of Kuba Ka New Documentary". Scenester.tv. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
  21. ↑ "Bio". ArtistEcard. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  22. 1 2 "Frank DiLeo; Legendary Music Impresario Frank DiLeo, Architect of Michael Jackson's Thriller Project, Signs With European Pop Superstar Kuba Ka". Entertainment Newsweekly. 23 July 2010.
  23. ↑ Odessy Barbu (4 April 2013). "KUBA Ka". DNA Magazine. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  24. ↑ "Legendary Frank DiLeo Signs With European pop star Kuba Ka". Biz Journal. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  25. ↑ Tomasz Rozwadowski (10 September 2011). "Yach Film Festiwal 2011:Grand Prix dla wideoklipu "Nie ma cwaniaka na warszawiaka"". Dziennik Bałtycki. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  26. ↑ Jon Weirman (12 November 2013). "Kuba Ka teams with chart-topping producer Sean Garrett for "Stop Feenin" single". A&M Entertainment. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  27. ↑ "Kuba Ka in Apollo 2014 Calendar". DNA Magazine. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  28. 1 2 Marci Weiner (22 April 2014). "Gypsy Awards Salute Leslie Caron & Kuba Ka Joins Force with Versace". Entertainment Today. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  29. ↑ "Pop Artist Kuba Ka loves his Versace at For the Stars Fashion House opening". New York Fashion Times.
  30. ↑ "KUBA Ka". Backstage. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  31. ↑ "KUBA Ka". Indie Wire. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  32. ↑ "KUBA Ka". Fox8 New Orleans. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  33. ↑ "Kuba Ka Interviewed at Live Nude Girls red carpet". Youtube. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  34. 1 2 3 "Viewing Party for E! Television new show starring Kuba Ka". New Money. 11 June 2015. E! Entertainment.
  35. ↑ Jourdain, Travis (9 December 2014). "Kuba Ka's Newest Single 'Here We Go' Comes to Hollywood". The Examiner.
  36. ↑ "Kuba Ka Says That Fitness Is Part Of His Art". KyelFarquharson.

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