Creative
Council

Kriss "Kajun" Johnson Jr. is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum producer, songwriter, artist, and music executive whose career spans three decades of shaping contemporary music. Born into a musical dynasty on Chicago's South Side, his journey began at age three, playing drums in his grandmother Pastor Daily Bingham's church. Performing alongside his father, renowned guitarist Criss "Righteous" Johnson, both in the studio and on stages nationwide, music became more than a passion. It became his destiny.

Early in his career, Kajun's musical lineage led to a defining moment: a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Blues Album for the late Queen of Blues KoKo Taylor's Royal Blue album, where he served as drummer for the entire project while his father produced. This recognition solidified his place as a rising creative force and set the stage for a career that would bridge genres, generations, and cultural movements.

In 2008, Kajun's music reached Jay Dixon, bringing him into the Disturbing Tha Peace / Ebony Son Management family. His first major placement came shortly after—producing and writing on Ludacris' Battle of the Sexes album, including the Billboard Top-10 single "Sex Room" featuring Trey Songz. This breakthrough led to a major publishing deal with LA Reid Music Publishing / EMI under the guidance of LA Reid and Big Jon Platt, positioning him among the industry's elite creatives.

Kajun's influence expanded beyond production into executive leadership. He served as Co-Executive Producer for Avant's Face The Music and produced the Billboard #1 single "You & I" (Avant featuring KeKe Wyatt), a record that has amassed over 100 million views on YouTube. He also Co-Executive Produced Syleena Johnson's Chapter 6: Couples Therapy and served as Music Supervisor for BET's accompanying television release, demonstrating his versatility across audio and visual mediums.

His catalog includes collaborations with some of the biggest names in music: Ludacris, Trey Songz, Rihanna, Lil Durk, Jeremih, Ronald Isley, Avant, KeKe Wyatt, Ann Marie, and Syleena Johnson. He has worked alongside industry titans such as Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, D'Mile, Harvey Mason Jr., JR Rotem, DJ Toomp, and DJ L. Beyond his own success, Kajun has developed emerging talent including Ann Marie, Makaela, Devon Culture, The Hamiltones, Carson Stone, and Josh K, shaping the next generation of artists.

Throughout his career, Kajun has built strategic partnerships with major labels including Universal Republic, APG, and Warner Records. In 2023, he expanded into label ownership, partnering with Warner Records Senior VP Ron Stewart to launch LVLS Music Group, signing their first artist, rapper Lul Jaida. As founder of Rank-1 Entertainment and now LVLS Music Group, Kajun continues to build not just songs, but artists, brands, and cultural moments.

As DJ L's first mentor in music, Kajun holds a special place within dai+drm, where he serves as Director of SQ (Sonic Quality). In this role, he ensures that every track meets the highest standards of sonic excellence and cultural authenticity, bridging the gap between cutting-edge innovation and timeless musicality. Versatile across all genres and eras, Kajun's mission is clear: he's not just shaping records, he's shaping culture.

Terrence "Bump J" Boykin is a Chicago hip hop pioneer who helped define the sound and spirit of the city's street rap movement in the early 2000s, long before the drill era emerged. In 2004, at the height of his career, Bump J signed a $3 million recording contract with Atlantic Records a deal that signaled Chicago's arrival on the national hip hop stage. His debut single "Move Around," produced by Kanye West, became a cultural phenomenon, featured in McDonald's commercials, the Madden NFL 06 video game, and HBO's Entourage. His raw, unapologetic style and lyrical precision captured the essence of Chicago's streets, making him one of the city's most influential voices and paving the way for the next generation of artists.

Bump's relationship with Kanye West was pivotal in shaping his career and Chicago's hip hop trajectory. During the mid 2000s, when Kanye was ascending to global superstardom, he handpicked Bump J to work with, recognizing his raw talent and authentic street perspective. Kanye didn't just produce "Move Around," he championed Bump, bringing him into the studio, collaborating on multiple tracks, and positioning him as the next voice of Chicago. Their creative partnership represented a rare synergy: Kanye's innovative production genius combined with Bump's unfiltered lyricism and street credibility. This collaboration positioned Bump at the intersection of underground authenticity and mainstream visibility, a balance few artists ever achieve.

Bump's influence on Chicago hip hop is undeniable. Before Chief Keef, before the drill movement took over, Bump J was the voice of the streets, a rapper whose music embodied the swagger, intensity, and authenticity that would later become synonymous with Chicago's sound. His music wasn't just heard, it was felt, shaping the culture and attitude of an entire generation of Chicago artists who came after him. His career has spanned decades, and his relevance has never waned. He's collaborated with G Herbo on the critically acclaimed Humble Beast album, earned a co writer credit on Kanye West's introspective track "I Thought About Killing You," and in 2023, reunited with Kanye to feature alongside Lil Durk on "Vultures," a Billboard Hot 100 hit that marked his first chart entry and reaffirmed his enduring impact on hip hop. His ability to remain relevant across eras speaks to his authenticity and the timeless quality of his artistry.

When Romel Murphy launched dai+drm, he understood that building a label rooted in innovation required more than just forward thinking technology, it required the wisdom and authenticity of those who built the culture. Bringing Bump J on board as Associate Creative Director was a strategic and visionary move, ensuring that dai+drm stays grounded in real artistry while pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Bump's role centers on bridging the gap between AI and human creativity, making sure that technology enhances the soul of hip hop rather than diluting it. His mission is clear: to make AI generated music sound good, not robotic, not generic, but authentic, powerful, and true to the culture that raised him.

As founder of [B.K.N], Bump J represents the bridge between eras, the elder statesman who carries hip hop's authentic legacy forward while helping shape its future. His presence at dai+drm is a reminder that the best way to innovate is to bring the legends with you, ensuring that progress never loses sight of the authenticity, grit, and cultural truth that made hip hop powerful in the first place. Terrence "Bump J" Boykin isn't just a part of hip hop's history, he's actively shaping its future.