Gonjasufi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gonjasufi
Gonjasufi in Budapest, Hungary, 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Sumach Ecks
Also known as	Sumach Valentine
Origin	San Diego, California, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Vocalist rapper producer DJ yoga teacher
Instruments	Vocals turntables guitar
Years active	1990s–present
Labels	Warp A.I.R.
Associated acts	Flying Lotus, Pearl Thompson

Sumach Valentine (born in 1978), known as Gonjasufi, is an American artist. He is a singer, music producer, DJ, and a yoga teacher.

About Gonjasufi's Life

Early Life and Beginnings

Sumach Ecks was born in 1978. His mother is from Mexico, and his father is Ethiopian American. He grew up in Chula Vista, California.

From a young age, Sumach was interested in the arts. He even performed in an opera called Persephone.

In the early 1990s, he started making music. He was part of the hip hop scene in San Diego. He was in a group called Masters of the Universe. His first band was named Plant Lyphe. He toured under the names Sumach Ecks and Randy Johnson.

Becoming Known in Music

In 2008, Gonjasufi started to get noticed. This happened after he appeared on an album by Flying Lotus. The album was called Los Angeles. Gonjasufi sang on a song called "Testament".

This led to him signing with Warp Records. His first album with them was A Sufi and a Killer. It came out on March 8, 2010.

His Unique Voice

People often describe Gonjasufi's singing voice as very special. It's been called "a scraggly, scary, smoked-out croak." He says his unique voice comes from teaching yoga. Yoga taught him to sing and project his voice from his stomach.

Besides singing and rapping, Gonjasufi also produces music. He works as a DJ and continues to teach yoga.

Recent Music Projects

On August 19, 2016, Gonjasufi released another album. It was titled Callus. This album included help from musician Pearl Thompson.

Gonjasufi's Music Albums

Studio Albums

• A Sufi and a Killer (2010)
• MU.ZZ.LE (2012)
• Callus (2016)

Remix Albums

• The Caliph's Tea Party (2010)
• Mandela Effect (2017)

EPs (Extended Plays)

• The Ninth Inning EP (2011)
• Untitled (2013) (with Ras G)

Singles

• "Holidays" b/w "Candylane" (2009)
• "Kowboyz&Indians" b/w "My Only Friend" (2010)
• "Kobwebz" b/w "Speaketh" (2010)
• "Nickels and Dimes" (2010)
• "Ninth Inning" (2011)
• "The Blame" (2012)

Guest Appearances on Other Albums

• Flying Lotus – "Testament" from Los Angeles (2008)
• The Gaslamp Killer – "I'm in Awe" from Death Gate (2010)
• Humansuit – "Lawnmower Man" from Humansuit (2012)
• The Gaslamp Killer – "Veins" and "Apparitions" from Breakthrough (2012)
• Old English – "The Omen" from Band in Amerikkka (2013)
• Perera Elsewhere – "Giddy" from Everlast (2013)
• Awol One & Gel Roc – "Flight" from The Cloaks (2014)
• Dag Savage – "Bad Trip" from E & J (2014)
• The Bug – "Save Me" from Angels & Devils (2014)
• L'Orange & Mr. Lif – "Strange Technology" from The Life & Death of Scenery (2016)
• The Gaslamp Killer – "Good Morning" from Instrumentalepathy (2016)
• A7pha – "Hater Hate It" from A7pha (2017)