Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Ice Cube - O'Shea Jackson



Ice Cube




O'Shea Jackson (born June 15, 1969), better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper, actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer. He began his career as a member of C.I.A and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer, director, actor and producer in cinema. In 2010 embarked upon a television production career with the TBS series Are We There Yet.


He married Kimberly Woodruff in 1992, with whom he has four children.From the 2000s onwards, Jackson focused on acting, and his musical output has slowed down considerably.







Biography


Jackson was born on June 15, 1969 in South Central Los Angeles, California, the son of Doris Jackson (née Benjamin), a hospital clerk and custodian, and Hosea Jackson, who worked as a groundskeeper at UCLA. His cousins are Teren Delvon Jones, also known as Del tha Funkee Homosapien, who is a part of the rap group Hieroglyphics and is best known for his work with the Gorillaz; and Kam of rap group The Warzone. At age sixteen, Jackson developed an interest in hip hop music, and began writing raps in Taft High School's keyboarding class. He attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology in the fall of 1987, and studied Architectural Drafting. With friend Sir Jinx, Jackson formed the C.I.A., and they performed at parties hosted by Dr. Dre.


In an interview with British newspaper The Guardian, Jackson stated that he is a Muslim, having converted sometime in the 1990s. He described his Muslim faith as a simple, personal one that does not involve attending prayer services or following rituals. Although he has spoken favorably of the Nation of Islam, he denied ever being in the organization.




Monday, October 11, 2010

Outkast



Outkast


OutKast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as The OKB (The OutKast Brothers) but later changed the group's name to OutKast. The group's original musical style was a mixture of Dirty South and G-Funk.Since then, however, funk, soul, rock, electronic music, spoken word poetry, jazz, and blues elements have been added to the group's musical palette.


The duo is one of the most successful hip-hop groups of all time, having received six Grammy Awards. Over 25 million copies have been sold of OutKast's eight releases: six studio albums, a greatest hits release, and the Grammy Award-winning (for Best Album) Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, a double album containing a solo album from each member. Along with their commercial success, OutKast has maintained an experimental approach in their music and are widely praised for their originality and artistic content.







OutKast



OutKast performing in 2001

History
Benjamin and Patton met while attending Tri-Cities High School, a Visual and Performing Arts School. Benjamin's parents were divorced and he was living with his father. Meanwhile, Patton had to move with his four brothers and six sisters from Savannah to Atlanta. Benjamin and Patton eventually teamed up and were pursued by Organized Noize, a group of local producers who would later make hits for TLC The duo initially wanted to be called "2 Shades Deep" or "The Misfits", but because those names were already taken they later decided to use "OutKast" based on finding "outcast" as synonym for "misfit" in a dictionary.OutKast,Organized Noize, and schoolmates Goodie Mob formed the nucleus of the Dungeon Family organization.


OutKast signed to LaFace Records in 1992, becoming the label's first hip hop act and making their first appearance on the remix of labelmate TLC's "What About Your Friends". During the holiday season of 1993, they released their first single, "Player's Ball". The song's funky style, much of it accomplished with live instrumentation, was a hit with audiences. "Player's Ball" hit number-one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.

Future projects


Aquemini Records folded in 2004, and Big Boi founded a new record label, Purple Ribbon Entertainment, to be distributed by Virgin Records. Among its first signees were Sleepy Brown,Bubba Sparxxx, and Killer Mike. Big Boi has released a group album/compilation, titled Big Boi Presents... The Purple Ribbon All-Stars - Got Purp? Vol. 2.


One album remains on the band's LaFace contract. Due to both Big Boi and André's interest in separate projects such as movies, TV (André's Class of 3000) and solo albums, rumors of a split have turned up frequently in the media.André denied those rumors in a phone interview with MTV News, stating that even though they do not feel like performing on stage together, OutKast is "still tight".In an August, 2006, interview with UK journalist Craig McLean, after emphasizing that they would not split, the pair looked beyond music and film careers, Big Boi suggesting he may consider running for the job of Mayor of Atlanta in the future.


In 2007, Andre 3000 confirmed that a new OutKast album would be released, but said that he and Big Boi would release solo records first.Big Boi's 2010 solo album, titled Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, will be released first, the first promotional single "Royal Flush" first appeared in March 2008, featuring Andre 3000 and Raekwon. However, it was cut from the final track listing due to a dispute with Jive Records.


On November 14, 2008, the Guardian reaffirmed that OutKast will release their follow-up to Idlewild. On April 14, 2010, Big Boi said OutKast had something "brewing" and that it was "top secret". The new OutKast album will be released in the summer after Big Boi releases his solo album. The title of this album is to be announced.


On July 30, 2010, Big Boi revealed in an interview that the new Outkast album would be completed "as soon as Dre finishes his album". Big Boi added "Right now, we’re putting beats together for the OutKast album. … When Dre finishes, we’ll commence and record".

Thursday, October 7, 2010

LL Cool J - James Todd Smith




LL Cool J









James Todd Smith (born January 14, 1968), better known as LL Cool J, is an American rapper and actor. He is known for romantic ballads such as "I Need Love", "Around the Way Girl" and "Hey Lover" as well as pioneering hip-hop such as "I Can't Live Without My Radio", "I'm Bad", "The Boomin' System", and "Mama Said Knock You Out". He has released twelve studio albums and a greatest hits compilation, with his latest album being 2008's Exit 13, the last for his record deal with Def Jam Recordings. He has also appeared in numerous films, and currently stars as Special Agent Sam Hanna on the CBS crime drama television series NCIS: Los Angeles. He now lives in Manhasset, New York, with his wife and four children.


Early life




Under his new stage name, LL Cool J (Ladies Love Cool James), Def Jam released his first record, the 12" single "I Need a Beat". The single sold over 100,000 copies. The success of "I Need a Beat" helped lead to a distribution deal with Def Jam and Columbia Records in 1985. Soon after, he dropped out of Andrew Jackson High School to record his debut album.LL Cool J was born and raised in Queens, New York, the son of Ondrea (née Griffith) and James Smith.His parents divorced when he was four years old and he was raised by his grandparents.He went to I.S.238 Susan B.Anthony Academy in Queens New York (Hillside). He started rapping at the age of nine. In his youth, LL Cool J performed in the church choir, participated in the Boy Scouts, and delivered newspapers. At age 16, by using a mixing table purchased by his grandfather at Sears, Smith produced and created demos and sent them to various record companies, including Def Jam Recordings.










Acting career




While LL Cool J first appeared as a rapper in the movie Krush Groove, his first acting part was a small role in a high school football movie calledWildcats. He continued to work in movies from then until 1995 when he landed his own television sitcom, In the House. He starred as an ex-Los Angeles Raiders running back who finds himself in financial difficulties and is forced to rent part of his home out to a single mother and her two children.




In 1998 he had a role in the film Halloween H20. In 1999's Deep Blue Sea, he played the wise-cracking cook on a top-secret sea base besieged by genetically-enhanced sharks. Later that year, he had a starring role in Any Given Sunday, in which he played Julian Washington, the talented but selfish running back on the dysfunctional Miami Sharks. Since then, LL Cool J has appeared in a variety of films, such as the 2002 remake ofRollerball, Deliver Us from Eva, and S.W.A.T..




In 2005, he returned to television in a guest starring role on the Fox medical drama House as a death row inmate felled by an unknown disease.




He also guest starred on 30 Rock in the episode "The Source Awards" as the hip hop producer Ridiculous, who Tracy Jordan fears is going to kill him.




LL Cool J appeared in Sesame Street's 39th season where he introduced the word of the day, "Unanimous", in episode 4169 (Sept. 22, 2008) and performing "The Addition Expedition" in episode 4172 (Sept. 30, 2008).




He is currently a series regular on the CBS police procedural NCIS: Los Angeles, a spin-off of NCIS (which itself is a spin-off of the naval legal dramaJAG). LL Cool J plays Special Agent Sam Hanna, an ex–Navy SEAL who is fluent in Arabic and an expert on West Asian culture. The series debuted in autumn of 2009, but the characters were introduced in an April 2009 crossover episode on the parent show. He continues to create a third season, with CBS in their new fall season.




LL Cool J also appeared as Queen Latifah's love interest in the movie Last Holiday.

Rakim - William Michael Griffin, Jr.



Rakim

William Michael Griffin, Jr. (later changed his name to Rakim Allah,born January 28, 1968), better known by the stage name Rakim, is an American rapper and one of the pioneers of the musical genre of hip hop. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled MCs of all time due to his exceptional flow and complex lyrical craftsmanship.




Early Life


Rakim is the nephew of American R&B singer and actress Ruth Brown. He grew up in Wyandanch, New York, and became involved in the New York hip hop scene at a young age. Eric B brought him to Marley Marl’s house to record "Eric B. is President." At the time Griffin was fresh out of high school and on his way to college, but he decided to forgo higher education and instead chose to record with Eric B.


When Griffin turned 16, he joined The Nation of Gods and Earths (also known as the 5 Percent Nation) and legally changed his name to Rakim Allah
In 1986, Rakim started to work with New York-based producer-DJ Eric B. The duo — known as Eric B & Rakim — is widely regarded as among the most influential and groundbreaking of hip-hop groups. The duo’s first single, "Eric B. Is President" (#48, 1986) b/w “My Melody,” was a success and got the duo a contract with the fledgling Island Records sub-label 4th & B'way. The duo’s next single, the smash “I Know You Got Soul,” sparked early debate on the legality of unauthorized, uncredited sampling when James Brown sued to prevent the duo's use of a fragment of his music. Their first full length album, Paid in Full, was released in 1987, and has since been hailed as one of hip-hop's seminal albums. Their follow-up LP; Follow the Leader was released a year later, and was also well received by fans and critics. The duo recorded two more albums; Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and Don't Sweat The Technique before they parted ways in late 1992. Due to legal wrangling over royalties and his contracts with both his record label, and with Eric B., Rakim would not release a solo album until five years later.
Solo career


After splitting with Eric B., Rakim signed with his good friend at the time 'Harun Butt' "Q=BOB" Sallis of Q=BOB Records to commence his solo career, however, the label folded shortly afterward. He eventually returned in 1997 with The 18th Letter, which included collaborations with DJ Premier and Pete Rock; which was released in two versions, one of which included an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits disc titled The Book of Life. The critical reception of the album was positive, and it was certified gold. In 1999, Rakim released The Master, which received very good reviews as well.


Rakim was signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment record label in 2000, for work on an album tentatively titled Oh, My God. The album underwent numerous changes in artistic direction and personnel and was delayed several times. While working on the album, Rakim made guest appearances on numerous Aftermath projects, including the hit single "Addictive" by Truth Hurts, the Dr. Dre-produced "The Watcher Part 2" by Jay-Z, and Eminem's 8 Mile soundtrack. However, Rakim left the label in 2003 and Oh, My God was indefinitely shelved, a result of creative differences with Dre. Rakim signed with DreamWorks Records shortly afterward, but the label closed its doors shortly after that.



Rakim performing in North Carolina

Rakim also made cameos in the Juelz Santana video "Mic Check," the Timbaland & Magoo video "Cop that Disc," and the Busta Rhymesvideo "New York Shit." In 1999, he worked with The Art of Noise on a single entitled "Metaforce". Eric B. and Rakim's classic album Paid In Full was named the greatest hip-hop album of all time by MTV. Rakim was engaged in a lawsuit with reggaeton performer R.K.M (formerly Rakim) over the use of the name "Rakim". Rakim won the rights to the name. Recently, Rakim was featured in an All-Pro Football 2K8commercial.


The Seventh Seal, Rakim's long-anticipaited album, was released November 17, 2009. The first single off the album, Holy Are You, was released through his MySpace page on July 14, 2009 and was made available on iTunes July 28. A second track "Walk These Streets" ft. Maino was released in October. The album was world premiered on Conspiracy Worldwide Radio almost a month before its release and received an overwhelming response from the hip hop community Rakim has been active during its recording with several national tours and special events. Rakim recently closed the Knitting Factory in NYC as the last Hip-Hop performer to walk off the historic club's stage after 25 years of underground performances.

Rhyme technique


Rakim is credited for the jazzy, heavily stylistic delivery of his lyrics. In an interview on PlanetIll.com, Rakim noted his musical background, being skilled in alto to baritone saxophone, as giving him an advantage in flow and syncopation over his contemporaries.


Rakim is also noted as being the MC who introduced a lot of internal rhymes to rapping, as well as complex literary devices. Masta Ace, in the book How to Rap notes: “Up until Rakim, everybody who you heard rhyme, the last word in the sentence was the rhyming [word], the connection word. Then Rakim showed us that you could put rhymes within a rhyme”. Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship explains that Rakim used braggadocio content in a “very, very technical” way, “talking about physics and metaphysics”.Tajai of Souls of Mischief also says with Rakim, “you can’t listen to [his] rap once and figure out what [he’s] saying”. Rakim was "among the first to demonstrate the possibilities of sitting down and writing intricately crafted lyrics packed with clever word choices and metaphors".











Soulja Boy - DeAndre Cortez Way



Soulja Boy





DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990), better known by his stage name Soulja Boy, or Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, is an American rapper and record producer.



In September 2007, his single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was initially self-published on the Internet, and it became a number-one hit in the United States for seven non-consecutive weeks starting in September 2007. This makes him the youngest person (16 years, 10 months) to write, perform, and produce a number-one song on the Hot 100, a title that was previously held by Deborah Gibson (17 years, 11 months) for almost two decades.


Despite his commercial success, his music has been the subject of ridicule from his peers and critics.





Early life


DeAndre Way was born in Chicago and moved to Atlanta at age six, where he became interested in rap music. At age 14, he moved toBatesville, Mississippi, with his father, who provided a recording studio for Way to explore his musical ambitions.





Music career
Career beginnings and souljaboytellem.com (2005–2008)





Soulja Boy performing "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" in February 2008.


Way founded the record label "Stacks on Deck Entertainment" in 2004. While Way was signed underInterscope and Collipark Music, he claimed that his label had distribution deals with Interscope, Universal Records, and Koch.


In November 2005, Way posted his songs on the website SoundClick. Following positive reviews on the site, he then established his own web pages on YouTube and MySpace. In March 2007, he recorded "Crank That" and released his first independent album Unsigned & Still Major: Da Album Before da Album, followed by a low-budget video filmed demonstrating the "Crank That" dance. By the end of May 2007, "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" received its first airplay and Way met with Mr. Collipark to sign a deal with Interscope Records.


On August 12, 2007, the song appeared on the Emmy-award winning HBO series Entourage, and by September 1, it topped the Billboard Hot 100and Hot RingMasters charts. Way's major label debut album Souljaboytellem.com, which was reportedly recorded using just the demo version of FL Studio, was released in the United States on October 2, peaking at #4 on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts.On December 9, 2007, Way was sued by William Lyons (a.k.a. Souljah Boy of Mo Thugs Family) who claims he first created the stage name "Souljah Boy".


For the 50th Grammy Awards, Way was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song with "Crank That (Soulja Boy)". He lost to Kanye West's and T-Pain's "Good Life".


Souljaboytellem.com received a favorable review from Allmusic but received mainly negative ones, such as from Entertainment Weekly. Several reviewers credited Soulja Boy with spearheading a new trend in hip-hop, while speculating he will likely be a one-hit wonder.
iSouljaBoyTellem (2008–2009)


In June 2008, on DJ Cisco's Urban Legend mixtape, Ice-T criticized Way for "killing hip-hop" and his song "Crank That" for being "garbage" compared to the works of other hip-hop artists such as Rakim, Das EFX, Big Daddy Kane and Ice Cube. One of the comments in the exchange was when Ice-T told Way to "eat a dick". The two then traded numerous videos back and forth over the Internet. These videos included a cartoon and video of Ice-T dancing on Way's behalf and an apology, but reiteration of his feelings that Way's music "sucks", on Ice-T's behalf. Rapper Kanye West defended Way by arguing that the younger artist created a new, original work for hip-hop, thus keeping the authentic meaning of the music.


The follow-up to souljaboytellem.com, iSouljaBoyTellem, was released on December 16, 2008, to negative critical reception. The first single from the album, "Bird Walk", peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and the top 20 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. "Kiss Me Thru the Phone", with Sammie, followed, peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts.
The DeAndre Way (2009–present)


The DeAndre Way is Way's upcoming third studio album, due for a November 2, 2010 release.Way has stated that the album is intended to be his most personal and successful album thus far. When speaking on possible collaborations, he stated he wished to work with artists such as Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West,Eminem, among others. The album was originally called "The DeAndre Way" but was changed in early 2010 to Dre, however it was changed back to The DeAndre Way in July 2010.


The lead single from the album, "POW", was released in January 2009 but failed to garner success and was dubbed a promo single. The official lead single from the album, "Pretty Boy Swag", was released in June 2010. The single has reached number thirty-four on the Billboard Hot 100, number six on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number five on the Billboard Rap Songs chart. The album's second single was due to be "Digital", then "Speakers Going Hammer", but "Blowing Me Kisses" will be released in on August 31, 2010 as the second single instead. Soulja Boy will be part of the Summerbeatz tour held in Australia alongside, Flo Rida, Jay Sean and Travie McCoy in November 2010.
Musical style


Critics and hip hop figures such as Method Man have cited Soulja Boy as artistically typical of contemporary rap trends such as writing for the lucrative ringtone market, and the ascendence of "Southern hip hop", emphasizing catchy music that discards rap's traditional emphasis on message. Soulja Boy identifies his goal as making upbeat, party-themed music that avoids the negative, violent image that he sees in most hip-hop.


Despite this, his music has been banned from some school dances for sexual, violent content or innuendo. However, he has denied these claims. In the original YouTube video for "Shootout", Soulja Boy demonstrates his dance while holding a handgun in each hand and pretending to shoot into the audience.
Personal life


On December 30, 2008, Way was robbed and assaulted in his home. Initial reports indicated that the robbers were six masked men with AK-47s and pistols but on December 31, 2008, video clips surfaced on the Internet of two masked men claiming sole credit for the crime. Soulja Boy described the incident to MTV News a month later: He had come home very late at night after attending an album release party and was recording songs with friends when the robbers came in pointing their guns.


On October 7, 2009, Way was arrested on one count of obstruction, a misdemeanor, for running from police when he'd been ordered to stop. The rapper was released on $550 bond.


Soulja Boy has over 100 tattoos with his SODMG logo being his favorite.

Nas - Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones


Nas



Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones (pronounced /nɑːˈsɪər/; born September 14, 1973), who performs under the mononym Nas (/ˈnɑːz/), formerlyNasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, he was born and raised in the Queensbridge housing projects in New York City. His debut album Illmatic, released in 1994 by Columbia Records, was critically acclaimed and would go on to be widely hailed a classic in the genre. Nas was part of hip-hop supergroup The Firm, which released one album.


From 2001 to 2005, Nas was involved in a widely publicized feud with rapper Jay-Z; both rappers verbally attacked each other in their songs. The two formally ended their rivalry through duet performances at concerts sponsored by New York City-area hip-hop radio stations. In 2006, he signed to Def Jam, releasing his albums Hip Hop Is Dead in 2006 and an untitled album in 2008. In 2010 he released a collaboration album with Damian Marley and he plans to release a tenth solo studio album in 2010-2011.

Early life


Nas was born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. His father, Olu Dara, is a jazz and blues musician from Mississippi. His mother, Fannie Ann Jones, was a Postal Service worker. He has one sibling, a brother named Jabari Fret who assumes the alias Jungle. While his family lived in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Nas would play the trumpet on his home stoop at age four. His family moved to the Queensbridge Houses in the late 1970s. Nas began writing rhymes at the age of nine. His neighbor, Willy "Ill Will" Graham, influenced Nas's interest in hip hop by playing him records. Nas' parents divorced in 1985,and he dropped out of school in the eighth grade.He educated himself, reading about African culture and civilization, the 360° Lessons of the Nubian Islamic Hebrews scrolls, the Bible and the Qur'an.





Musical style


Nas has been praised for his ability to create a "devastating match between lyrics and production" by journalist Peter Shapiro, as well as creating a "potent evocation of life on the street", and being compared to Rakim for his lyrical technique. However, Shapiro also notes that Nas has "regressed" ever since his debut album Illmatic.Kool Moe Dee notes that Nas has an "off-beat conversational flow" in his book There's a God on the Mic - he says: "before Nas, every MC focused on rhyming with a cadence that ultimately put the words that rhymed on beat with the snare drum. Nas created a style of rapping that was more conversational than ever before".


O.C. of D.I.T.C. comments in the book How to Rap: “Nas did the song backwards [‘Rewind’]... that was a brilliant idea”. Also in How to Rap, 2Mex of The Visionaries describes Nas’s flow as “effervescent”,Rah Digga says Nas’s lyrics have “intricacy”, Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde explains that Nas doesn’t always have to make words rhyme as he is “charismatic”, and Nas is also described as having a “densely packed” flow, with compound rhymes that “run over from one beat into the next or even into another bar”.


In 2006, Nas was ranked fifth on MTV's "10 Greatest MCs of All Time" list.





Personal life

In 1994, Nas' ex-fiancée Carmen Bryan gave birth to their daughter, Destiny. Bryan had allegedly had a sexual relationship with Jay-Z and Allen Iverson after she and Nas had split up. Nas also briefly dated Mary J. Blige. In 2005, Nas married R&B singer Kelis in Atlanta after a two-year relationship. On April 30, 2009, a spokesperson confirmed that Kelis filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Kelis gave birth to his first son on July 21, 2009, although the event was soured by a disagreement which ended in Nas announcing the birth of his son, Knight, at a gig in Queens, NY, against Kelis' wishes.


According to attorneys for Kelis, Nas owes over $200,000 in child and spousal support as well as attorney's fees. In February 2010, her attorneys filed a contempt motion against Nas due to the fact that he had not yet paid said fees. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted of contempt he could face time in jail.


Nas is a spokesperson and mentor for P'Tones Records a non-profit after school music program that's mission is "to create constructive opportunities for urban youth through no-cost music programs"










Jay-Z - Shawn Corey Carter





Jay-Z

Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper and businessman. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America having had a net worth of over $150 million in 2009.He has sold approximately 50 million albums worldwide, while receiving ten Grammy Awards for his musical work, and numerous additional nominations.


Jay-Z co-owns The 40/40 Club, is part-owner of the NBA's New Jersey Nets and is also the creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He is the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings, one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records, and the founder of Roc Nation. As an artist, he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200. Jay-Z also has had four number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, one as lead artist.


Along with his financial and musical success, Jay-Z is known for quarreling with other artists in the rap industry, the most famous feud beingbetween him and fellow New York rapper Nas, which was eventually settled in 2005. He married American R&B superstar Beyoncé Knowles on April 4, 2008. On December 11, 2009, Jay-Z was ranked as the 10th most successful artist of the 2000–2009 decade by Billboard Magazine and ranking as the 5th top solo male artist and as the 4th top rapper behind Eminem, Nelly, and 50 Cent





Early years




Jay-Z (top) with a friend (left) in Trenton, New Jersey, circa 1988


Originally from Marcy Houses housing project in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City, Jay-Z was abandoned by his father and, at age 12, he shot his brother in the shoulder for stealing his jewelry. Jay-Z attended Eli Whitney High School in Brooklyn, along with rapper AZ, until it was closed down. After that he attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in Downtown Brooklyn, which fellow rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes also attended, and Trenton Central High School in Trenton, New Jersey, but did not graduate. In his music he refers to having been involved in selling crack cocaine.


According to his mother, Gloria Carter, a young Jay-Z used to wake his siblings up at night banging out drum patterns on the kitchen table. Eventually, she bought him a boom box for his birthday, sparking his interest in music. He began freestyling, writing lyrics, and followed the music of many artists popular at the time. In his neighborhood, Carter was known as "Jazzy", a nickname that eventually developed into his stage name, "Jay-Z". Themoniker is also an homage to his musical mentor, Jaz-O, as well as to the J/Z subway lines that have a stop at Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn.


Jay-Z can briefly be heard on several of Jaz-O's early recordings in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including "The Originators" and "Hawaiian Sophie".Jay-Z was also involved in and won several battles with rapper LL Cool J in the early 90's as part of a plan to get a sought-after record deal. He first became known to a wide audience by being featured on the posse cut "Show and Prove" on the 1994 Big Daddy Kane album Daddy's Home. Jay-Z has been referred to as Big Daddy Kane’s hype man during this period, though Kane explains that he didn’t fill the traditional hype manrole, instead Jay-Z “basically made cameo appearances on stage. When I would leave the stage to go change outfits, I would bring out Jay-Z and Positive K and let them freestyle until I came back to the stage”. He made an appearance on a popular song by Big L, "Da Graveyard", and on Mic Geronimo's "Time to Build", which also featured early appearances by DMX, and Ja Rule in 1995. His first official rap single was called "I Can't Get With That", for which he released a music video.

Monday, October 4, 2010

D Soldierz-Desi Rap Crew



































D-Soldierz is an Indian Hip Hop group originating from New Delhi City.

D Soldierz emerged on the New Delhi Music Scene by independently releasing several underground tracks in the genre of Gangsta Rap, RnB & Punjabi Rap.The Crew was formed in March 2009 by 4 Young & Dynamic Soldiers who had a Vision & a Strong Belief in themselves to do something exceptionally different & the Determination to Represent India to the Fullest in the International Music Scenario.

In just 11 months, D Souljaz has come a long way from being a Beginner to being a Brand today.In such a short span of time, D Souljaz has to its name, An Underground Album called “Six Men Army”, Interviews on TV Channels like MTV, BBC World, Colors, Bindass & Various News & FM Channels & Big Shows with Celebrities like Bohemia, RDB, DJ Green Lantern(Eminem’s DJ), Raghav etc. which make D Souljaz, The Hottest Hip Hop/RnB Crew in the Country. 


ARTISTES



O POSITIVE (English Rapper) 

MAGIK ELEVEN (RnB Singer) 

B.I.R (Punjabi Rapper) 

NIFTY (English Rapper) 



O POSITIVE 

Apurav Aditya Sharma(born January 2, 1988) also known as O POSITIVE.

An Upcoming Underground Rapper/Songwriter from New Delhi City,India.Got Influenced By Hip Hop Music at the age of 14 and since then dedicated to the genre.After listening to all the Westcoast , East coast & Dirty South rappers like Tupac,Snoop Dogg,Biggie Smalls,Ludacris etc. He started writing Rhymes and produced his own tracks like Desi Guy, Parking Lot etc.

One of his known track Baby Love ft Eleven(Brother) had been telecasted on MTV DnD & National F.M 102.6. 

MAGIK ELEVEN 

Anupam Aditya Sharma(born January 2, 1986) also known as MAGIK ELEVEN.

A Forthcoming RnB Singer/Songwriter originating from the Capital of India , New Delhi City.Got Introduced to the game in the year 2005. He writes his own rhymes about Love,Passion,Motivation.

Famous for his Underground RnB tracks like Baby Love,Parking Lot & I Dont Want You To Go Girl & has been in the limelight for his track Baby Love on MTV & 102.6 FM, with brother O Positive. 

B.I.R 

Bir Kamal(born March 31, 1992) also known as B.I.R.

Young Kid Straight Outta BlockJust Kills with his fresh Punjabi Lyrics and Gangsta flow.He is one of the Finest Punjabi Rappers in India.

Known for his Hit Tracks Delhi & Paisa Bolda. 

NIFTY 

Narender Singh(born July 7, 1986) also known as NIFTY.

Fresh outta Houston,Texas , The Land of Rappers.He has been in the game since 6 years.Influenced by Dirty South rappers like Lil Flip,Ludacris,Lil Wayne etc.

Famous for his Sick Flow and Punch Lines in songs like When We Walk , Shine On etc.


FREE DOWNLOAD LINKS FOR D SOLDIERZ' UNDERGROUND TRACKS :

1.D SOLDIERZ (MagikEleven ft. Efizee , O Positive , B.I.R , Nifty) - I Got My Shine On - http://www.4shared.com/file/125936625/d09602f2/_2__D_Souljaz_-_Shine_On.html

2.D SOLDIERZ (MagikEleven ft. Efizee & O Positive) - Parking Lot - http://www.4shared.com/file/135286799/eaab3c69/D_Souljaz_-_02_-__Eleven_ft_Efizee__O_Positive__-_Parking_Lot.html

3.D SOLDIERZ(MagikEleven ft O Positive) - Don't Want You To Go Girl - http://www.4shared.com/file/98726975/f0eb2fa/Eleven_ft_O_Positive_-_Dont_Want_You_To_Go_Girl.html

4.D SOLDIERZ (MagikEleven ft O Positive) - So Seductive - http://www.4shared.com/file/98726348/57051852/Eleven_ft_O_Positive_-_So_Seductive.html

5.D SOLDIERZ (Bir) - Paisa Bolda - http://www.4shared.com/file/135339597/ea7837e2/D_Souljaz_-_09_-__Bir__-_Paisa.html?s=1

6.D SOLDIERZ (MagikEleven ft. O Positive , B.I.R , Nifty) - Iam Dreamer - http://www.4shared.com/file/123192983/821730d1/D_souljaz_-_Im_a_dreamer-__produced_by_Dj_Kary_91-9910071677_.html?s=1

7.D SOLDIERZ (MagikEleven Ft O+positive) - Baby Love - http://www.4shared.com/file/77267631/9960c617/Eleven_Ft_Opositive-Baby_Love.html

8.D SOLDIERZ (MagikEleven) - Janiya - http://www.4shared.com/file/106381097/e1b0f189/Janiya_-_ELEVEN.html?s=1

9.D SOLDIERZ (O Positive ft Bir & Nifty) - Desi Guy Like Me - http://www.4shared.com/file/98725680/e115b269/D_SOULJAZ__O_Positive_ft_Bir__Nifty__-_Desi_Guy_Like_Me.html

10.D SOLDIERZ (B.I.R ft. Efizee) - Delhi - http://www.4shared.com/file/117176598/4f562bba/Delhi_-__BIR__FEZ_D-SOULJAZ.html?s=1

11.D SOLDIERZ (Nifty ft O Positive & F.E.Z) - When We Walk - http://www.4shared.com/file/117158641/1b7d7759/D_SOULJAZ__Nifty_ft_O_Positive__FEZ__-_When_We_Walk.html

12.D SOLDIERZ (MagikEleven) - Nasha - http://www.4shared.com/file/106381095/fbe90a5/NASHA_-_ELEVEN.html?s=1

13.D SOLDIERZ ( O Positive ft Bir & Don Jee ) - Lets Come Together - http://www.4shared.com/file/93365143/bdf00a76/D_SOULJAZ___O_Positive_ft_Bir__Don_Jee___-__Lets_Come_Together.htm

Introducing: Asi Khan (Punjabi Rapper)















Asi Khan is a young, talented and energetic punjabi rapper who hails from Norway. I still remember the ending of the song Mundiyan Tohn Bachke by Bohemia when at the end they say "desi hip hop - its spreading like a virus" ....and this is certainly true when you look at example such as Asi Khan from Norway, and let me tell you he has got some well produced tunez, so take a listen !

Asi Khan first step into the underground desi-music world was with his debut on Fauji Djs Miztape 'Hip-hop Vol1' which was released towards the end of February 2007. In April 2007 Asi Khan was announced as a Future Friction on The BBC UK Asian network charts. From there he grew and succeeded more then ever. He also got titles such as the weeks newcomer, one of the top 5 on their charts and the Artist of the week which means Future Friction. Since then his music has been all over the Internet and has also appeared in a few different mixtapes.

He grew up listening to music such as the Bollywood music, Qawali and Bhangra which was where he got influenced from. He used his influence and turned it up a notch to make it into something that described who he was; The Real Him. He took the two things that were the most important to him; his roots and the reality and so came up with Desi Hip Hop in which he has excelled in so far.

Sullee J: The Voice of Our Generation



SULEE J



His work is compared to the likes of artists such as Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Common, and Eminem. But what makes Sullee J the most requested rising artist today is his compassion for humanity.


Born and raised into a Pakistani home in Baltimore, Suleman Janjua (Sullee J) wrote poems ever since elementary school as he found it the best way of expression. He spent a few good college years attending College Park in Maryand before he got into a three-car-collision in Chicago that threatened his life. Suffering severe injuries, he resorted to strengthening his faith in God. His recovery was a miracle and it gave him a second shot at life. “I thank God before anyone (or) anything. (He) pulled me through the worst.” This time around, Sullee J wanted to create awareness- of unity, faith, and hope.


Sullee J resorted to music to spread his message. His single “Billy’s Conscience” gave him national and international praise as he spoke about Billy Anderson a young family man who suffered a mystery disease. He then became the voice of the Anderson family and demonstrated his passion for humanity through his passion for music. “I look at it like, I myself, am not different from anybody in this world”, said Sulle J, “I just see the world in a different perspective.” From here on, Sullee J took up to always voice a cause. His exemplary work such as “How Much Longer”, “BismiAllah”, “Nothing Stronger”, “Billy’s Conscience”, “Make A Change”, has been featured on mainstream radio stations across the nation and around the world in countries such as Uganda, Russia, Norway, and France. And he sure is one of the first artists to be touring worldwide- unsigned.


He agreed with me that there is a stereotype out there in regards to the music industry. People associate rappers and hip hop artists with things such as sex, drugs, women, and money. He wants to be a resistance to this stereotype. He says that he makes music for a cause because that is what the world needs the most. Music has no barriers and his music touches the hearts of millions because it addresses reality, pain, anger, sadness, injustice, and hope- his music talks about life. Sullee J says that he wants to promote a positive image of his faith, heritage, and compassion through the music he makes. “I’m trying to build history by letting go of history”, said Sullee J.


He has done events locally with a recent performance at the Haiti Relief Show at UIC, Chicago. His most recognized global efforts include a performance in the past for Save the Children, an NGO helping refugee kids; representing Billy Anderson’s family; speaking on Derrion Albert’s case by making “Nothing Stronger” and he also has an upcoming tour of Norway, France, Uganda and many more places.


The reason I chose to interview Sullee J was not only because he is the first hip hop artist of Pakistani descent who was featured on FOX, CBS, and CNN but also because his desperate desire to help the humanity. He shares the same passion as Thaakat Foundation- a sense of building a future; a sense of supporting the needy; a sense of giving back.


While we ask you to support music, such as Sullee J’s, which helps create positivity; Sullee J is a proud supporter of Thaakat Foudation and asks everyone to give the foundation their valuable time and consideration. Fan mail for Sullee J can be directed toLogik325@gmail.com. He would love to hear from you

Lil Wayne-Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr.



Lil Wayne



Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. (born September 27, 1982), better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included rappers Juvenile, B.G., and Turk. Hot Boys debuted with Get It How U Live! that year. Lil Wayne gained most of his success with the group's major selling album Guerrilla Warfare, released in 1999. Also in 1999, Lil Wayne released his Platinum debut album Tha Block Is Hot, selling over one million copies in the U.S.



Although his next two albums Lights Out (2000) and 500 Degreez (2002) were not as successful (only reaching Gold status), Lil Wayne reached higher popularity in 2004 with Tha Carter, which included the single "Go D.J." Wayne also appeared on the Destiny's Child top ten single "Soldier" that year. In 2005, the sequel to Tha Carter, Tha Carter II, was released. In 2006 and 2007, Lil Wayne released several mixtapes and appeared on several popular rap and R&B singles. His most successful album, Tha Carter III, was released in 2008 which went on to sell 1.0 million copies in the U.S. its first week of release. It included the number-one single "Lollipop" and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. Lil Wayne released his debut rock album, Rebirth, in 2010 to primarily negative reception from critics. The album eventually went gold. In March 2010, Lil Wayne began serving an 8 month prison sentence in New York after being convicted of criminal possession of a weapon stemming from an incident in July 2007. While in jail he released his eighth studio album I Am Not a Human Being in September 2010. He will start recording material for ninth studio album Tha Carter IV once he is released.



The Notorious B.I.G.. - Christopher George Latore Wallace


The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997) was an American rapper. He was popularly known asBiggie Smalls (after a character in the 1975 film Let's Do It Again), Big Poppa, Frank White (after the main character of the 1990 film King of New York), and by his primary stage name The Notorious B.I.G..




Wallace was raised in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. When Wallace released his debut album Ready to Die in 1994, he became a central figure in the East Coast hip hop scene and increased New York's visibility at a time when West Coast artists were more common in the mainstream. The following year, Wallace led his childhood friends to chart success through his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A.. While recording his second album, Wallace was heavily involved in the East Coast–West Coast hip hop feud, dominating the scene at the time.


On March 9, 1997, Wallace was killed by an unknown assailant in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. His double-disc set Life After Death, released 15 days later, hit #1 on the U.S. album charts and was certified Diamond in 2000 (one of only 4 hip hop albums to receive this certification). Wallace was noted for his "loose, easy flow",dark semi-autobiographical lyrics and storytellingabilities. Since his death, a further two albums have been released. MTV ranked him at #3 on their list of The Greatest MCs(Rappers) of All Time. He has sold 17 million albums in the United States.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Deep Cold

DEEP aka Deep Cold,
Deep Da 1, is a Punjabi-American Southern rap artist from Houston, Texas. Raised in Houston, DEEP attended the same high school as Paul Wall and Chamillionaire. His first interest in music came at a young age when a tight family house hold income made him seek other avenues/interests.



After a rough year in 2000, DEEP was forced to re-evaluate his position and decided to co-create Da 1 Records with his cousin. DEEP released his debut album In Trunks Now in 2005 on his independent label. It featured big Southern Rap names such as Slim Thug, David Banner, Big Moe, Big Pokey as well as Too Short.

Since then he has personally signed new artists Lenny Lenn and Kamla Punjabi to the label and has played a major role in the financing of their album.

He also wrote a poem about his name. "My name is deep, i should be called deep because i am so deep." He co-hosted a MTV Desi Show with Kamala Punjabi.






Featured On
2005: Big Suga Kane Records - West Coast Desi
2006: Big Suga Kane Records - First Blood
2006: Kal M, DJ Sanj & Lil Sach - America's Most Wanted 4
2007: Mr. Underground - Underground Road Trip (Mixtape)
2007: J-Nas - Asian R&B
2008: Sonny Brown - Please Come Again
2008: DJ Sanj - Bollywood Punk
2009: Papa Reu & Deep Cold - Get Low (Single)

    Dr Dre - Andre Romelle Young







    Andre Romelle Young (born February 18, 1965), primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper,record executive, and actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records, also having produced albums for and overseeing the careers of many rappers signed to those record labels, such as Snoop Dogg,Eminem and 50 Cent. As a producer he is credited as a key figure in the popularization of West Coast G-funk, a style of rap music characterized as synthesizer-based with slow, heavy beats.


    Dr. Dre began his career in music as a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru and he later found fame with the influential gangsta rap group N.W.A with Eazy-E and Ice Cube which popularized the use of explicit lyrics in rap to detail the violence of street life. His 1992 solo debut, The Chronic, released under Death Row Records, led him to become one of the best-selling American performing artists of 1993 and to win a Grammy Award for the single "Let Me Ride". In 1996, he left Death Row to establish his own label, Aftermath Entertainment. Under that label, he produced a compilation album titled Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath in 1996, and released a solo album titled 2001 in 1999, for which he won the Grammy producer's award the next year.


    During the 2000s, he focused his career on production for other artists, while occasionally contributing vocals to other artists' songs. Dr. Dre signed Eminem and 50 Cent to his record label in 1996 and 2003 respectively while contributing production on their albums. They have both gone on to become some of the biggest names in hip hop in the 2000s. Rolling Stone named Dr. Dre among the highest-paid performers of 2001 and 2004. Dr. Dre has also had acting roles in movies such as Set It Off, and the 2001 films The Wash and Training Day.