Hip-hop/R&B a capella group Kazual is coming to Iowa State to perform at 9 p.m. April 4 in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union for a free show.

Kazual is a style of a capella of its very own. They both sing and dance in their shows, which brings to the table old-school and new-school hip-hop, R&B and many other styles together to create a unique presentation.

The group is made up of three brothers and their cousin. The family of performers has appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and Showtime, and has opened for major acts including Beyonce, Nelly and Destiny’s Child.

“We’re actually related,” said Playboi, one of the brothers. “Three of us are brothers. Playboi, Lil Gabe and D-Mac are brothers, and then our cousin is E Jae. We started off in a church, in the male section of a choir.”

Kazual’s wide range of influences incorporates everything from hip-hop to R&B, rock and pop, and everything in between.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” E-Jae siad. “Sometimes it’s a little R&B, sometimes it’s hip-hop, it’s pop, we’ve been known to do a little country now and then. Being that we grew up in a church, there’s that soulful, church influence as well. It’s really a diverse show, like Playboi said earlier. Our style of music is kind of all over the place.”

“[Our influences are] Boys to Men, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, and the New Edition,” D-Mac said. “Pretty much, our group has been heavily influenced by the R&B groups and pop groups of the 90s.”

The group tours heavily, but they enjoy the work they put into it.

“[Our touring schedule] is crazy,” E-Jae said. “We are on the road more than we are home. It’s been a great, successful tour experience.” 

Kazual’s most recent album “Back From the Future” was released in 2010. The release demonstrates “Doo Wop Hip Hop” a style fusion of doo wop and hip hop.

“Our Back to the Future album has 15 tracks on it,” Playboi said. “The way we would describe our sound is Doo Wop Hip Hop. To explain what that sound is, the sound of our show, it’s a little bit of old school, a little bit of new school and everything in between, with all of the groups that have influenced us.”

“To add to what Playboi was saying,” E Jae said. “We do have a Doo Wop influence in the harmonies that are on the album. So a lot of the background, and things like that, you’ll hear this Doo Wop influence over hip-hop or pop-like music. That’s the reason we call it Doo Wop hip-hop.”

In their first time ever visiting Ames, Kazual promises a fun show that will include the audience.

“You can expect a lot of energy,” E Jae said.

 “There will be lots of fun and participation from the crowd,” D-Mac said. “We are very interactive with the crowd.”

“We’re looking forward to being there,” Playboi said. “Let everyone know that Kazual is coming, we’re going to turn it up.”

The performance is free to the public, hosted by the Student Union Board and ISU AfterDark.