MESA Impact Story
Using STEM to Redefine the Music WorldBosko Kante – Oregon MESA
President, Founder, and Executive Director of HiiiWAV; CEO and Co-founder of ElectroSpit Inc.
Degrees, Licenses, Certifications
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1994, graduated cum laude (with honors)
Recognition, Awards, News
Valedictorian, U.S. Grant High School
Trustee Scholar at USC
Dean’s List and Graduated cum laude, USC
Produced theme song for Fox hit TV show “In Living Color”
Produced, wrote, and appeared on the Grammy-winning album “College Dropout” by Kanye West
Performed on the Grammy-winning album “Future Nostalgia” by Dua Lipa
Grammy nomination, music producer for the album “Bonafide” by T-Bone
Invented the patented ElectroSpit ESX-1 TalkBox
Won first place and People’s Choice at the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
The ElectroSpit TalkBox used by Stevie Wonder on the 50th anniversary theme song of Sesame Street
Raised $3 million through various awards and grants to purchase a building in Oakland for the non-profit HiiiWAV
All-State track athlete and city champion in the triple jump in Portland
In the city of Portland, Oregon, a young Bosko Kante found himself equally captivated by the worlds of science and music as he wondered how to make his mark on the world.
His introduction to MESA provided not just the academic challenges he needed, but a community that nurtured his burgeoning talents. Bosko vividly remembers the encouragement of Renee Anderson, Oregon MESA’s Director, who recognized his potential and pushed him to dream bigger. Thanks to her guidance, Bosko applied for and won a prestigious Trustee Scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC), a turning point that would shape the next steps of his future.
At USC, Bosko’s intellect and creativity flourished. Balancing his studies in Mechanical Engineering with his love for music, he quickly made a mark. During his junior year, Bosko produced the iconic theme song for the groundbreaking TV show “In Living Color,” blending technical prowess with artistic vision. This achievement was the first in a decades long career producing multiple platinum selling albums that solidified his place in music history and laid the foundation for this entrepreneurial ventures.
Driven by relentless curiosity, Bosko co-founded ElectroSpit Inc., a venture that revolutionized vocal effects technology. His brainchild, the ElectroSpit ESX-1 TalkBox, gained global attention and featured on Grammy-winning albums. Artists like Stevie Wonder and David Guetta embraced Bosko’s innovation, showcasing the TalkBox’s transformative power in music.
Bosko’s ambitions extended beyond music tech. Fueled by a desire to empower displaced artists, he founded HiiiWAV, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering creativity through cutting-edge technology. With a visionary spirit, Bosko secured funding and established an incubator in Oakland, equipping artists with AI and VR skills to thrive in the digital age.
Throughout his career, Bosko has championed diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. As a proud member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), he gives back to his community by mentoring aspiring innovators, paving the way for underrepresented voices like his own to flourish in technology and beyond.
Today, Bosko Kante stands as a beacon of inspiration – a pioneer seamlessly merging his passions for engineering, music, and advocacy. From humble beginnings in Portland to global recognition in technology and the arts, his journey underscores the transformative power of education, mentorship, and unwavering determination. Bosko continues to redefine what’s possible, bridging worlds and shaping a future where creativity and technology converge to uplift communities.
Learn more about Oregon MESA