Singer, Musician, Artist

Known throughout his career as Chris Kramer (Simple X of Herma Puma & "Kramer" from Tensei) and now performing under the moniker Son Tensei. An American singer, musician, and multi-faceted artist born and raised on the South Side of Chicagoland, Son’s musical identity is deeply rooted in his hometown’s legendary heritage. Growing up immersed in the fertile grounds of Chicago's premier Jazz, Soul, and Hip-Hop communities (since he was small), he absorbed the city's raw grit and sophisticated harmonies, weaving them into a sonic tapestry uniquely his own and learned from some of the best black jazz & soul artists in 2010s.

His deep connection to rhythm and rhyme started early. In 1991, as a 7th grader riding the school bus back from Chicago Heights, Son first discovered his voice, freestyling with childhood friends. This foundational spark initiated an obsession with the power of language. Decades later, his creative world expanded globally; having been a part of a Japanese family since 1999, Son became fully fluent in Japanese. This cross-cultural immersion profoundly reshaped his vision, leading him to write and record Japanese music, blending international textures with his original foundations.

Son’s vocal prowess bridges genres seamlessly. Operating as a commanding Baritenor, he possesses the rare capability to deliver velvety soul melodies and sharp, rhythmically complex rap verses with equal authority. This vocal dexterity is matched by his fluency as a multi-instrumentalist. Rather than confining himself to a single lane, Son commands multiple instruments to fully articulate the complex arrangements floating through his mind. For years, the industry recognized his immense talents as Chris "Kramer" of the acclaimed musical collective Tensei. 

During this chapter, he solidified his reputation as a formidable force in the underground and independent music scenes. However, true artistry demands growth. Stepping into a new chapter, he transitioned to Son Tensei—a deliberate evolution signifying both an artistic and a spiritual rebirth. This name change marks the shedding of past constraints, stepping fully into the light as a solo visionary while honoring the foundations that built him. The ultimate validation of this fearless trajectory arrived on music’s biggest stage. 

Son became a Grammy Certified Composer (Kramer of Tensei) and Jazz Hop producer due to his work on the track "A Mile in His Soul"(IPI 00643227167) (Track 6) from J. Ivy’s critically acclaimed album, The Poet Who Sat By The Door (2023). This monumental achievement cemented his status as a premier architect of modern sound, proving that his distinct blend of Chicago-bred soul and spoken-word synergy resonates on a global scale. Now celebrating a 15-year career, Son remains defined by a completely fearless approach to music-making. Balancing his artistic endeavors with structural independence, he actively works on tech projects while leaving himself the mental freedom to compose, produce, and create music strictly when he feels the inspiration strike.

At the absolute core of his creative philosophy is a deep passion for improvisation. Whether leading a live band through an unscripted jazz fusion jam or letting a vocal track bleed into raw, spontaneous emotion, Son Tensei relies on the magic of the present moment to redefine what it means to be an independent American artist in the 21st century.

Son Tensei is also an author of the foundational text Love our Mother, Love the Children. Writing under the name Son Tensei, Kramer proposes a "Planetary Sustenance and Evolutionary Blueprint" that bridges ancient virtues with modern biophysics.  His work identifies the human body as a "Micro-Earth," proving that our biological systems (circulatory, respiratory, and nervous) are structural mirrors of the planet's own hydrosphere, forests, and atmosphere.   For more information please visit https://reclaimyourhumanity.org

His recently invented the Harmonic Path Logic Framework (Patent Pending). This is hard-coded ethical framework that ensures Robotics and AI systems remain subservient to biological life aka Humans and the Earth. By Preventing Man Made things from committing any 7 deadly sins, Son seeks to end the cycle of human self-destruction and secure a stable, sustainable home for the children of Earth that also enables AI and Robots to help us be better ethically.