Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

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Date of Birth
16 June 1971, East Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Date of Death
13 September 1996, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (homicide)

Birth Name
Lesane Parish Crooks

Nickname
2Pac
Makaveli
Pac

Height
5' 11" (1.80 m)

Mini Biography

Born in New York City, Tupac grew up primarily in Harlem. In 1984, his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he became good friends with Jada Pinkett Smith. His family moved again in 1988 to Oakland, California. His first breakthrough in music came in 1991 as a member of the group Digital Underground. In the same year he received individual recognition for his album "2Pacalypse Now," but this album was also the beginning of his notoriety as a leading figure of the gangsta permutation of hip-hop, with references to cop killing and sexual violence. His solo movie career also began in this year with Juice (1992), and in 1992 he co-starred with Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice (1993).

But law confrontations were soon to come: a 15-day jail term in 1994 for assault and battery and, in 1995, a conviction for sexual assault of a female fan. He was released after serving eight months pending an appeal, but following the Tyson vs Seldon fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, he was hit by four bullets while riding in a car driven by Death Row Records chief executive Marion 'Suge' Knight. His right lung was removed in emergency surgery and, after six days in a medical coma, he died.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Bruce Cameron

Mini Biography

Notorious 25-year-old gangsta MC and actor Tupac Shakur was shot and killed before he had a chance to fulfill the promise of a successful career in both fields. He was born in New York City and his mother, Afeni Shakur, was a member of the Black Panther Party. Shakur spent much of his youth in Harlem, then Baltimore, Maryland. In 1988 his family moved to Oakland, California, where he first gained notice as an MC in 1991 with the group Digital Underground. Later that year, he released a solo album, "2Pacalypse Now." Filled with violent lyrics that promoted cop killing and misogyny, it earned both notoriety and acclaim for fans of the genre. Shakur began his acting career in the late 1980s with an appearance on the television series "A Different World" (1987). He made his feature film debut in 1992 with the film Juice (1992) and followed it up, co-starring with Janet Jackson, in Poetic Justice (1993) in 1993. Shakur had a certain charisma that always made him stand out in his films. This was especially true in Gridlock'd (1997) which proved that the versatile young artist had the makings of being a major star. Unfortunately, he was murdered during a drive-by shooting outside a Las Vegas, Nevada, hotel a few months before its release.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Gilbert Lee

Mini Biography

Tupac Shakur was undoubtedly one of the most successful MCs of all time. Even after his death, he has sold a total of 67 million records worldwide making him the highest selling rap/hip-hop artist of all time! Tupac is widely regarded as the greatest rapper of all time. Moreover, a recent poll in MTV placed him as the #1 MC of all time. However, 2Pac was much more than that. His strong lyrical content grew a huge array of followers, making him a hero among millions. He was a great poet and his theory on life influenced his fans to a huge extent. He was indeed the Rose That Grew from Concrete, whose ever-successful work couldn't have been more admired and loved.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Nagib Ahmad

Spouse
Keisha Morris (29 April 1995 - 1996) (annulled)

Trade Mark

Socially conscious lyrics

Shaved head and goatee


Trivia

Renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur in 1972 by his mother after Tupac Amaru, an Inca who was sentenced to death by the Spaniards. Tupac Amaru, in the Inca language, means "shining serpent".

Son of black panther Afeni Shakur; grew up in Harlem, Baltimore, and Marin County, California.

He had the words "thug life" tattooed across his abdomen.

Was engaged to Kidada Jones

Was going to play the role of Malik in Higher Learning (1995)

Died on a Friday the 13th.

More of his music has been released since his death than was while he was alive.

Appeared in the Salt-N-Pepa video, "Whatta Man."

Founding Member of the Outlawz

Used the name Makaveli which is an altered spelling of Machiavelli, about whom he read while in prison.

In the song "Life Goes On" from the "All Eyez on Me" album, he rhymes about his own funeral.

As a young man, Tupac also studied dance, including ballet.

Tupac is listed as the most successful gangsta MC in the "Guinness Book of World Records."

Grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Jim Carrey was his favorite actor.

Was cast in the movie Woo (1998), but was shot five days before principal photography began.

He was offered a record contract at the age of 13. However, his mother refused to let him sign anything at such a young age. She felt he had a lot to learn about the world before joining the music industry.

He read for the part of "Bubba" in Forrest Gump (1994).

10 albums have been released after his 1996 death; all have gone platinum.

He was voted the 86th Greatest Rock 'n Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.

In November 1994, he was robbed and shot five times by a pair of muggers in the lobby of a New York recording studio. Tupac survived the attack, and afterwards frequently boasted of his durability in his lyrics.

Was originally cast in Menace II Society (1993) but was fired after a physical altercation with director Allen Hughes.

As a teenager, he studied drama at Baltimore's School for the Arts, where he rhymed under the name MC New York.

When he was 12 years old, his mother enrolled him in Harlem's 127th St Ensemble. He played Travis in "A Raisin in The Sun" in his first acting role

Started his career on Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records with Digital Underground.

As a young man, he also studied ballet and dance

His 1996 song "Ghetto Gospel" was released in 2005, with some vocals by Elton John, and went to #1 in the UK, despite the fact he had been dead for eight years.

Was a good friend of fellow hip-hop MC M.C. Hammer, who also was from Oakland, California, USA.

His albums have sold 38 million copies in the USA alone.

Had been rapping since he was 18 years old (1989).

According to Guiness Book of Records 2004, he is the highest selling rap/hip-hop artist selling over 67 million copies worldwide

In a 2005 Rolling Stones Magazine Vote, Tupac was named #6 of the '100 immortal artists of all time' behind the likes of Elvis and Lennon

He is the first rap/hip-hop artist in history to have a wax model of himself set to be placed in Madamme Tussaud's in Las Vegas

Appeared on Forbes' "Top Earning Dead Celebrities" list in 2002, 2003 and 2004 with earnings of $7 million, $12 million and $5 million in each respective year.

Wrote a song, but died before he could finish it. Rap artist Eminem finished the song with his own lyrics and released it shortly afterwards.

First music artist to have a #1 LP while being in jail

Biological Father Is Billy Garland.

The harmonica in "So Many Tears" is a sample from Stevie Wonder's song "That Girl", which spent 9 weeks at number one on the R&B charts in 1982.

His song "Hit 'Em Up", which Shakur considered a "classic battle record" is scathing attack on one-time friend Notorious BIG, Bad Boy Records, and Puff Daddy. In addition, Shakur claimed that he slept with Faith Evans (Notorious BIG's wife) in the song's lyrics.

Was a fan of actor Tim Roth and was delighted to learn he would work with him on "Gridlock'd", released after Shakur's death.

Read the article in "Entertainment Weekly" about his "Me Against The World" album's debut at number one, while incarcerated. The album's title song also appeared in Michael Bay's 1995 film "Bad Boys", which opened in March-- while Shakur was behind bars.

Cited Prince as an inspiration and sampled his music on the "All Eyez On Me" album. Shakur mentioned in an MTV interview that "he [Prince] loves women like I love women.".

Used an interpolation of the 1984 El Debarge song "A Dream" for his hit "I Ain't Mad At Ya". Tupac's version, however, is at a faster tempo than the original.

Recorded much of his vocals of the "All Eyez On Me" album with a Neumann U87 microphone. In addition, entire album was recorded on analog tape. This was considered somewhat archaic by 1995 recording standards, as much of the recording industry had transitioned to digital recording. (However, it should be noted that Dr. Dre, who produced two songs for the album still uses analog tape to record his music, as of late 2006).

The song "To Live and Die in LA", was called by Shakur (who recorded the song under the name "Makaveli", for the "Seven Day Theory" album) "California Love, part 2-- without gay-ass Dre." It is unknown if "gay-ass Dre" is serious slur against Dr. Dre, who left Shakur's label Death Row records shortly after producing two tracks for "All Eyez On Me".

Shakur considered singer Don McClean (best known as the singer/songwriter of the 1972 hit "American Pie") and Kate Bush as two influences in his life. Shakur also saw McClean's hit "Vincent" (a tale of painter Vincent Van Gogh) as one particular inspiration. In addition, Shakur cited African-American poet Maya Angelou and William Shakespeare as being equally important to him.

Gang member Orlando Anderson, often cited as Tupac's killer, was later murdered himself during an altercation at a LA car wash, on May 29th 1998. It should be noted that Anderson was never charged in the slaying.

He completed the 27 song "All Eyez On Me", considered by many to be his magnum opus, in only two weeks. Often cited as rap's first double album, "All Eyez" sessions began just hours after Shakur was released from jail. Released on February 13th 1996, the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart.

His career triumphs--a number one album and pop single-- both happened on the 13th: Rap's first double album, "All Eyez on Me" (certified by the RIAA as of December 2006 at 9 million copies sold) hit store shelves on February 13th 1996. His only number one pop single "How Do U Want It?", reached the apex of the Hot 100 on July 13th 1996. Sadly, it was on September 13th (a Friday) that Shakur succumbed to injuries sustained in a Las Vegas shooting.

"The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory" was recorded and mixed in a mere 7 days in August 1996. It was released November 5, 1996 and debuted at number one on both the pop album and R&B/Hip-Hop album charts, with 663,000 albums sold in its first week. It is certified at 7 million albums sold in the US and 28 million albums worldwide, making it both Tupac's best-selling album and the best-selling rap album of all time.

His first album, "2Pacalypse Now" was released November 12, 1991 and was certified gold. It contains 13 songs and reached number 13 on the R&B/Hip-Hop albums.

Shakur was shot in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996 at approximately 11:15pm, at the corner of Flamingo and Koval streets.

Shakur renamed his publishing company to "Joshua's Dream" in honor of a young, terminally ill child whose dying wish was to meet him.

His number one single, "California Love" was certified at sales of 2 million copies in 1998.

Tupac used the Roland D70 synthesizer for his album "All Eyez On Me" (as seen in an interview with MTV in 1996).

Recorded close to 150 songs during the final year of his life, and often completed three songs per day in the same period. Shakur also wrote lyrics in the studio and often performed his verses in one take. He felt that rappers who could not perform their verses properly on the first take weren't ready to be rappers. R&B music, on the other hand, was worthy of multiple takes for the vocal tracks, he felt.

His 1996 song "Me and My Girlfriend" (from the rapper's posthumously released "Don Killuminati" album) chronicles Shakur's relationship with his pistol, which he frequently carried for protection. The "finger fucking" Shakur refers to in the song is actually a euphemism for pulling the trigger. The song was covered in 2003 by Beyonce and Jay-Z with a slightly altered chorus; it reached the top ten of the American pop charts.

Moved out of his mother's house when he was 17.

Along with friends, he founded the "Junior Black Panthers" in his youth.

His favorite singer was Prince.

Mentioned in the rap-rock song "Mope" by Bloodhound Gang, along with personalities like Luciano Pavarotti, The Notorious B.I.G., Falco, Tori Spelling, Bo Jackson and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Ranked #3 on VH1's 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists.

Tupac died with less than $100,000 in the bank.

Is portrayed by Anthony Mackie in Notorious (2009).


Personal Quotes

"Everybody's at war with different things...I'm at war with my own heart sometimes". In Vibe interview 2/96

"Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real."

"The only thing that comes to a sleeping man is dreams."

"The reason why I could get into acting was because it takes nothing to get out of who I am and go into somebody else."

"I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world."

"I swear, if they hadn't tried to ruin me, I never would have ended up being a rapper. I probably would have been a preacher or something."

"If you walked by a street and you was walking on the concrete and you saw a rose growing from the concrete, even if it had messed up petals and it was a little to the side you would marvel at just seeing a rose grow through concrete. So why is it that when you see some ghetto kid grow out of the dirtiest circumstance and he can talk and he can sit across the room and make you cry, make you laugh, all you can talk about is my dirty rose, my dirty stems and how I am leaning crooked to the side, you can't even see that I've come up from out of that"


Where Are They Now

(December 2004) "Loyal To The Game" was released on Dec. 14. It is the 9th album of his to be released after his death.

(2005) Has another posthumous album tentatively tiled "Ready 2 Die". It's also his 14th album.

(November 2006) New album 'Pac's Life' (originally titled 'Ready 2 Die') is released

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

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Date of Birth
21 May 1972, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Date of Death
9 March 1997, Los Angeles, California, USA (homicide)

Birth Name
Christopher George Letore Wallace

Nickname
Biggie Smalls
The King of New York
The Black Frank White
Big Poppa
Frankie Baby
B.I.

Height
6' 3" (1.91 m)

Mini Biography

Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. Biggie Smalls, was born in Brooklyn, New York, May 21, 1972. He was raised in the poor Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant as the son of a preschool teacher. Dropping out of high school at the age of seventeen, Biggie became a crack dealer, which he proclaimed was his only source of income. Hustlin' one's way was a common life for a young Black man trying to make a living in the ghetto. His career choices involved certain risks. However, a trip to North Carolina for a routine drug exchange ended being the soon-to-be MC a nine-month stay behind bars. Once released, Biggie borrowed a friend's four-track tape recorder and laid down some hip-hop tracks in a basement. The tapes were then passed around and played at local radio station in New York.

Not extremely attractive, Wallace named himself Biggie, for his weight. Biggie was a Black man who was overweight, extremely dark skinned, and had a crook in his eye, yet he was a charmer. A young impresario and sometime producer by the name of Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs heard Biggie's early tapes. Impressed, Puffy went to sign Biggie to his new label, Bad Boy Records.

Puffy and Biggie worked on the artist's first album, and the Notorious B.I.G. was born. Biggie was first heard on a remix of a Mary J. Blige song and a track on the _Who's the Man? (1991)_ soundtrack. After these successes, the album worked on earlier went through its final touches and was released in 1994, titled "Ready to Die." The record was certified platinum quickly, and the Notorious B.I.G. was named MC of the Year at the 1995 Billboard Music Awards. After the quick success of the album, Biggie went back to get his friends, some who didn't even rhyme. He had several run-ins with the law, on charges that ranged from beatings, to drugs and to weapons, while all claimed that Biggie was a gentle person. He soon met an MC from the west coast named Tupac Shakur, and the two became good friends. Tupac supported Biggie and was often giving him advice. However, their friendship turned into the most violent era of hip-hop music on November 30th, 1994. While Biggie and Puffy were at a recording session at Quad Recording in Manhattan, Tupac went there to record with another MC for his third solo album, "Me Against The World" at the same time, but in the lobby, Tupac was held at gunpoint and robbed of $40,000 worth of jewelry. Tupac was shot five times. Biggie rushed down just in time to see Tupac being loaded into an ambulance. Extending a middle finger while dying, Pac blamed Biggie for the shooting and said that B.I.G. knew about it and failed to warn him. This sparked the East Coast West Coast war. Miraculously, Tupac recovered from his injuries. During this encounter, Biggie admitted that he was scared for his life. Biggie never responded to any of Tupac's disses. Tupac attacked Biggie in every way he could, even starting strong rumors that there was a love affair between Tupac and Biggie's wife, Faith Evans.

Later, The entire country became divided into two groups, the west side and the east side, which became Death Row Records versus Bad Boy Records, Marion 'Suge' Knight versus Puff Daddy, and Tupac versus Biggie. The two of finally met again late in 1995, and Tupac secretly said to Biggie, "I'm just tryin' to sell some records." Unfortunately, it became very real when on September 7, 1996, Tupac was gunned down in a drive-by shooting off the Las Vegas strip after he left a fight he was involved in inside of the MGM Grand Hotel after a Mike Tyson boxing match. He died six days later as a result of those wounds at the age of 25. The case is still unsolved. Biggie was scared for his life, but he wanted to put an end to the war between the two coasts. Biggie went to the west coast for several events, doing advance press for his next release, "Life After Death," but also to make a statement that the war was over. On March 9, 1997, he attended the Soul Train Music Awards and went to the after party hosted by Vibe magazine and Qwest Records. After he left, Biggie was sitting in an SUV on the street when he was shot several times by an unknown assailant. He died almost instantly. Hip-Hop faced its greatest tragedy when both Pac and B.I.G. were killed. Biggie was only 24 years old.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Rod Reece

Spouse
Faith Evans (4 August 1994 - 9 March 1997) (his death) 2 children

Trade Mark

Deep Voice


Trivia

He had a top 10 hit in the UK with "Mo Money, Mo Problems", which featured Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs and Mase, in August 1997. His solo song was the other top 10 success he had in the UK later that year.

Mother and father are Jamaican. Has a son named Christopher Junior By Faith Evans and a daughter named T'Yonna by an ex girlfriend named Jan.

Was killed in a still-unsolved drive-by shooting. He was an MC who had released two albums before his death, plus another released posthumously.

Awarded the 1995 Billboard Magazine Award for hip-hop artist of the year.

Despite being one of the most popular and well-known artists in the hip-hop industry, he only saw one album released while alive. He recorded and released "Ready to Die" in 1994. He recorded his sophomore album, "Life After Death" while alive. but it was released a mere two weeks after his murder in March of 1997. "Born Again" was released in December 1999, nearly three years after his death. The album featured unreleased songs as well as remixes of old songs, some featuring other rap and R&B artists.

Could not be billed officially as "Biggie Smalls" because someone else trademarked the name "Biggy Smalls" years before. Thus he became The Notorious B.I.G.

He also made a little known song with Michael Jackson, entitled "This Time Around."

Married his wife 9 days after meeting her!

Released a song called "Who Shot Ya?" just after Tupac Shakur was shot. Although Wallace insisted the song was recorded before the shooting and had nothing to do with it, Shakur saw it differently. As such, 2Pac released one of the most bitter, vindictive, and ingenious hip-hop answer records ever, called "Hit em up," which despite its violent background, was very popular.

Got his nickname Biggie Smalls' from the gangster character played by Calvin Lockhart in the film Let's Do It Again (1975).

Frequently referred to himself as "the black Frank White" in his raps. This name was taken from the drug lord character played by Christopher Walken in the film King of New York (1990).

Unlike Tupac Shakur, Biggie never got a chance to star or appear in a movie, but he was confined to music videos and an early episode of New York Undercover. He was writing a screenplay at the time of his death.

Was in fact originally good friends with Tupac Shakur. He would call Tupac, 'Duke' and Tupac would call him 'Christopher'. However when Tupac was shot five times and robbed by gang members linked to Biggie's Bad Boy records, the two had a fatal falling out.

Ironically on the night he got shot, he was in California for the Soul Train Music awards, so he could promote peace between east and west. However when on stage, he got booed by the Californian crowd (a response to the Shakur murder, the previous year) and an embarrassed Biggie left the stage. He was killed hours later

During his early years, he opened for Tupac Shakur on shows. He impressed Shakur for his ability to flow his rhymes right on the beat.

His clothing line, Brooklyn Mint, was launched in 1996. He also had plans to open a fast food chain called "Big Poppa's" which was going to be served in his old neighborhood 24 hours a day.

His posthumous album, Life After Death, is certified Diamond. This means it sold more than 10 million copies.

His first recording deal was with Uptown Records in 1993.

B.I.G. stands for "Business Instead of Game".

Weighs over 400 Pounds

Was Rapping for only 2 years when signed

Died exactly one year after George Burns.

Attended George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, New York, With fellow rappers Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes.

Mentioned in the rap-rock song "Mope" by Bloodhound Gang, along with personalities like Luciano Pavarotti, Tupac Shakur, Falco, Tori Spelling, Bo Jackson and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Kimberly 'Lil' Kim' Jones was his girlfriend at the time of his death.

Is portrayed by Jamal Woolard in Notorious (2009).


Personal Quotes

(On Tupac Shakur's death) I was more shocked than anything, you know what I'm sayin? I wasn't shocked at him dyin I was more shocked at him...Pac'a a strong dude, ya know I know dude, ya know what I'm sayin. He's real strong. So when they was like he got shot, I was just more like 'Again?' Heh. You know what I'm sayin, he's always gettin shot or shot at, he gon' pull through this one again, make a few of records about it, and its gon' be over, you know what I'm sayin? But when he, when he died, I was just 'whoa!' You know what I'm sayin, kinda took me by...and even though we was goin through our drama, I would never with death on nobody, you know what I'm sayin, cause ain't no coming back from that.

 

Snoop Dogg

By Henry Adaso, About.com

See More About:

Photo: © Geffen

Known To His Parents As:

Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr.

Born

October 20, 1971 in Long Beach, CA

Also Known As

  • Snoop Doggy Dogg
  • Dogg Father
Snoop Dogg's Early Life:

Nicknamed "Snoop" by his mother because of his appearance, Snoop often found himself at loggerheads with the law, as a child. He spent a good portion of his post high school graduation time in and out of jail. Music became his ultimate escape route from a criminal lifestyle. Snoop started by creating homemade hip-hop tapes along with Warren G, and Nate Dogg (the trio is known as 213).

Snoop Meets Dre:

Legend has it that Warren G, who happens to be the step-brother of N.W.A. co-founder Dr. Dre, passed Snoop's tape to the good doctor. Dre was sold, and began collaborating with Snoop Dogg. Snoop's first official ticket to fame was the soundtrack to the movie "Deep Cover." Following his stellar performance on the theme song, Snoop was solicited to work with Dr. Dre on the former's G-Funk opus, The Chronic. The Chronic was successful due, in part, to Snoop's charming presence on the mic.

Doggystyle:

Dr. Dre compensated Snoop's Chronic contributions on the fledgling rapper's own debut, Doggystyle. Both CD's became hip-hop essentials, attained multiple platinum status, and stamped gangsta rap on the national map.

"Murder Was The Case That They Gave Me":

In the middle of recordings for Doggystyle, Snoop was charged with being a murder accomplice in the death of Phillip Woldermarian. Snoop was allegedly in the vehicle when his bodyguard, McKinley Lee, shot and killed Woldermarian for stalking the rapper. Both Snoop and his bodyguard were acquitted on grounds of self-defense.

The Dogg Father:

Snoop may have beaten the murder rap, but his own rap career took some pounding of its own. Although Doggystyle became the first debut album to enter the charts at #1 and eventually sold over 4 million units, The Doggfather failed to produce any substantial hit and sales stalled at two million.

No Limit Top Dogg:

Snoop eventually left Death Row for Master P's No Limit Records. While at No Limit, he dropped albums with the frequency of ABBA. Da Game Is To Be Sold Not To Be Told was his first project on P's label. He quickly followed it up with 3 more albums, but none reached the critical acclaim of Doggystyle. Snoop was undeterred. He dabbled into an array of mainstream movies including "Bones" and "Soul Plane." In 2005, Snoop dropped R&G:Rhythm & Gangsta, one of his most successful albums in years.

In His Own Words: "I don't regret anything I've ever said or done. Everything is done for a reason - I'm just a child of God doing what He wants me to do. I say what I say, but before I was here it was being said, and when I leave it is going to continue to be said, so don't blame me, don't hate me, hate the game." (September 1999, interview with Dimitri Erlich)
Snoop Dogg's Discography:
  • 1993 - Doggystyle (Death Row) Compare Prices
  • 1996 - The Dogg Father (Death Row) Compare Prices
  • 1998 - Da Game Is To Be Sold Not To Be Told (No Limit/Priority) Compare Prices
  • 1999 - No Limit Top Dogg (No Limit/Priority) Compare Prices
  • 2000 - Dead Man Walking (D3 Entertainment) Compare Prices
  • 2000 - Tha Last Meal (No Limit/Priority) Compare Prices
  • 2002 - Snoop Dogg Presents Tha Eastsidaz (Dogg House) Compare Prices
  • 2002 - Paid Tha Cost To Be Tha Bo$$ (Priority) Compare Prices
  • 2004 - R & G: Rhythm & Gangsta (Geffen) Compare Prices
  • 2005 - Welcome To Tha Chuuch (Koch) Compare Prices
  • 2005 - Snoopified: The Best of Snoop Dogg (Priority) Compare Prices
  • 2006 - Tha Blue Carpet Treatment (Geffen) Compare Prices

 

 

Biography of Bob Marley

The complete biography of Robert Nesta 'Bob' Marley, born in Nine Miles, Jamaica and raised in Trenchtown, famous for his own version of reggae music.

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Robert Nesta Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in the parish of St. Anns in Nine Miles, Jamaica to Norval Sinclair Marley and Cedella ‘Ciddy’ Malcom. Norval was a British Marine officer and Ciddy was a native Jamaican. Soon after his birth, Bob’s father left and had little contact with him although he did financially support his son.

When Bob was five, his father took him to Kingston, Jamaica. It wasn’t until a year later that Bob saw his mother again. Soon after, he moved with his mother to Trenchtown, a section of Kingston notorious for it’s rough ghettoes.

In 1961, at the age of sixteen, Bob released his first song, Judge Not, which did not do well. This did not discourage Bob. He continued to pursue a career in music and in 1965, he formed a group called ‘The Wailers’ with Bunny Livingstone (later known as Bunny Wailer) and Peter McIntosh (later known as simply Peter Tosh.) Bob acted as front man for the group and wrote most of the group’s material. The trio released ‘Simmer Down,’ ‘Rule Them Rudie’ and ‘It Hurts To Be Alone,’ all of which were hits in Jamaica.

In 1966, Bob Marley married Rita Anderson, his long-term girlfriend. The next day he went to the United States and stayed long enough to gain financing for his next record. The next year Bob and Rita’s first child, Cedella, was born. Soon after, the Marleys set up their own recording label, Wail ‘N Soul ‘M Records, and produced a single, ‘Bend Down Low/Mellow Mood.’ That same year, the record label was ended.

Their next child, David (Ziggy) was born in 1968. The Wailers continued to release singles without producing an album. The band formed another label, Tuff Gong, and

finally reached a degree of success. By that time, the

Wailers were famous in the Caribbean, but were unknown in

the rest of the world.

Finally in 1971, the Wailers got a break. Island Records forwarded them 8,000 pounds for the production of a full album. The Wailers were the first reggae band to receive so much money and to have access to the best

recording studios. They produced two albums, ‘Catch a Fire’ and ‘Burnin’’, the latter which included ‘Get Up Stand Up’ and ‘I Shot the Sheriff.’ The Wailers began to extensively toured the United States and the United Kingdom and when Eric Clapton covered ‘I Shot the Sheriff’ the Wailers soared to instant fame.

Soon after their success in the US, the band changed their name to Bob Marley and the Wailers and then released their next album, ‘Natty Dread.’ The album included the hit single ‘No Woman No Cry,’ perhaps their most popular song. Soon after, Bunny and Peter left to pursue solo careers and

were replaced by new members. By 1976, reggae fever had swept the United States. Rolling Stone magazine named Bob Marley and the Wailers the ‘Band of the Year’ and ‘Rastaman Vibration’ rose to the top of the charts.

On December 3 of 1976, an assassination attempt was made on Bob Marley, his wife and the managers of the Wailers to keep him from playing at the Smile Jamaica concert in Kingston. His concert was scheduled for December 5 after a presidential candidate’s election rally, a presidential candidate who happened to be at odds with the US. Some people believe that the assassination attempt was executed by the US government, for fear that Marley’s performance would sway the vote. Despite receiving two gun shot wounds, Bob Marley performed anyway and then left for the UK.

Bob Marley and the Wailers went on to produce their next album, ‘Exodus,’ in 1977. The release of this album propelled Bob to a international superstar. Later, in May of the same year, Bob found out that he had cancer in his toe. Doctors recommended that he have the toe removed, but

Bob refused since this was against his Rastafarian beliefs.

In July, the rest of the Exodus tour was canceled.

In 1978, the band released another album, ‘Kaya.’ The group's songs went from protest anthems to love songs about ganja (marijuana), which is highly held by Rastafarians as a way to connect with Jah (God.) In April, Marley returned to Jamaica to perform in the One Love Peace Concert, and later that year he received a Peace Medal of the Third World from the United Nations. Bob Marley also traveled to Africa for the first time, making stops in Kenya, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.

The band went on touring throughout the US and Europe and produced a few more albums, ncluding ‘Uprising.’ However, in 1980, Marley fell gravely ill. The cancer in his toe had spread upwards through his body and had infected his liver, stomach and brain. In September, Bob nearly fainted during a concert in New York City. The next day he collapsed while jogging through a park and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors revealed that the tumor in his brain had greatly enlarged and that Bob had less than a month to live.

Bob wanted to continue the tour though, and he performed a spectacular show in Pittsburgh on September 22. Rita was not happy with his decision to spend his final days touring though, and the concert was canceled the next day. Bob then went to Miami where he was baptized at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on November 4. Five days later, in a last attempt to save his life, Bob flew to a controversial treatment center in Germany with Rita. Three months later on May 11, 1981, Bob Marley died at the young

age of 36.

Bob Marley’s funeral was held in Jamaica on May 21, and hundreds of thousands of people attended, including the Prime Minister of Jamaica. Bob’s body was taken back to his birth place in Nine Miles where it now rests in a mausoleum

 ALL MICHAEL JACKSON. com

BIOGRAPHY on Michael Jacksonmichael jackson, biography, bio, history, jackson 5, jacksons

The Bio History of Michael Joseph Jackson began when he was born on the 29th of August 1958 in Gary, Indiana. He was the 7th of nine children. (brothers: Sigmund "Jackie", Toriano "Tito", Jermaine, Marlon, Steven "Randy", and sisters Rebbie, Janet and La-Toya Jackson.

Michael began his musical career at the age of 5 as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 who formed in 1964. In these early years the Jackson 5, Jackie, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon and lead singer Michael played local clubs and bars in Gary Indiana and moving further afield as there talents grew and they could compete in bigger competitions. From these early days Michael would be at the same clubs as big talented stars of there days, such as Jackie Wilson and would be learning from them even back then.

In 1968 the Bobby Taylor and The Vancouvers discovered the Jackson five and from there they got an audition for Berry Gordy of Motown Records. The Jackson 5 signed for Motown and moved to California. Their first 4 singles, "I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There" all made US No1 hits. The Jackson 5 recorded 14 albums and Michael recorded 4 solo albums with Motown.

The Jackson 5 stayed with Motown until 1976, wanting more artistic freedom they felt they had to move on and signed up with Epic. The group name Jackson 5 had to be changed as it was owned by Motown, so they reverted to The Jacksons as they had be known in the early days. Brother Jermaine married Berry Gordy's daughter and stayed with Motown. Youngest brother Randy joined in his place. The Jacksons had a number of hit records and in total made 6 albums between the years of 1976 and 1984.

In 1977 Michael made his first film debut when he starred in the musical 'The Wiz' playing Scarecrow with Diana Ross in the lead role of Dorothy. It was at this time Michael met Quincy Jones who was doing the score for the film.

Michael teamed up with Quincey Jones as his producer for his first solo album with Epic Records. The album titled "Off The Wall" was a big success around the world and the first ever album to release a record breaking 4 No1 singles in the US.

In 1982 Michael Jackson released the world's largest selling album of all time, 'Thriller'. This album produced 7 hit singles, breaking yet again more records, and went on to sell over 50 million copies worldwide. Michael was keen to use music video or short films as he called them to promote his singles from the album. He worked with the best directors and producers, using the latest technology and special effects for the hit song 'Billie Jean' The short film 'Thriller' used the latest make-up artists technolgy combined with fantastic dancing and cherography, to produce a 14 minute video, with a start, a middle and an ending. So successful was this video that 'The Making Of Michael Jackson's Thriller' became the world's largest selling home video combined with soaring album sales. In 1983 Michael performed the now legendary moonwalk for the first time on the 'Motown 25 years' anniversary show. This performance alone set Michael undoubtable into the realm of a superstar.

In 1984 Michael won a record breaking 8 Grammy awards in one night. The awards were for his work on the 'Thriller' album and his work on the narrative for the 'ET Storybook'.

On December 9th 1984 at the last concert of the Jackson's Victory Tour, Michael announced he was splitting from the group and going solo.

In 1987 Michael released his much awaited third solo album, titled 'Bad', and lauched his record breaking first solo world tour. 1988, Michael wrote his first autobiography, Moonwalk, talking for the first time on his childhood and his career. At the end of the 1980s Michael was named 'Artist Of The Decade' for his success off of his 'Thriller' and 'Bad' albums.

In 1991 Michael signed with Sony Music the largest ever recording contract and released his fourth solo album, 'Dangerous'. He toured world again in 1992, taking his concerts to countries that had never before been visited by a pop/rock artist. Also Michael founded the 'Heal the World Foundation' to help improve the lives of children across the world.

In 1994 Michael married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock legend Elvis Presley. The marriage only lasted for 19 months, as they divorced in 1996.

1995 saw Michael release a fifth solo album, 'HIStory', which was a double album, first half new material and second half half greatest hits. Michael toured again over a legs covering a 2 year period. In between legs of the tour on November 14th 1996, Michael married for his second time to Debbie Rowe who was a nurse that Michael had met in the treatment of his skin pigment disorder. Together they had their first child Prince Michael Joseph Jackson jr born on February 13 1997 and a daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson born on April 3rd 1998.

In 1997 Michael released the remix album 'Blood On The Dance Floor' which also contained 5 new song linked with a 38min film "Ghosts". This film Michael played 5 roles using the latest special effects and make-up artistry, combined with his dance and music.


In September, 2001 Michael celebrated his 30th anniversary as a solo artist with two concerts to be held in New York, USA. Many artists such as Whitney Houston, Usher, Destinys Child, Shaggy and many more performed there own and Michael Jacksons past songs. Michael then reunited with all of his brothers and performed there biggest hits. Michael then went onto perform solo some of his biggest hits.

In October 2001 Michael released the album 'Invincible' releasing only 2 singles including the big hit "You Rock My World". Shortly after the albums release there were rumours of a rift with Sony Music and a clear lack of promotion of the album. The second single "Cry" was released with a very poor music video which did not feature Michael and no other singles were released.

In November 2003 a new single "One More Chance" was released as a single and was also a track on new compilaition album "Number Ones".

In March 2009, Michael annouced a shock comeback tour at the O2 Arena in London to start in July 2009, intially for 10 dates but the total grew to a sold out 50 dates with over 750,000 tickets sold. All sold tickets sold out within minutes of being released.

On June 25th 2009 Michael Jackson died suddenly of a reported cardiac arrest. He was 50 years old.

For a more indepth biographical look at Michael Jacksons life read the following era's;
The Jackson 5 Era
The Jacksons Era
Off The Wall Era
Thriller Era
Bad Era
Dangerous Era
HIStory & Blood on the Dance Floor Era
Invincible Era

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

Lil wayne by alexander sundin                      


 

Lil Wayne (born Da'Wayne Carter September 27, 1982 in New Orleans, Louisiana) was one of the Hot Boys, an American rap group associated with Cash Money Records. His debut solo album was, Tha Block Is Hot was released in 1999. The title track was a huge hit. His second album was 2000's Lights Out, followed by 500 Degreez in 2002. In 2004 he released his latest solo album titled " Tha Carter".

Related Topics:
September 27 - 1982 - New Orleans, Louisiana - The Hot Boys - Rap - Cash Money Records - Tha Block Is Hot - 1999 - 2000 - Lights Out - 500 Degreez - 2002 - Tha Carter

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A native of New Orleans, Lil Wayne grew up in the Hollygrove section of town. As an aspiring young rapper, Wayne rapped at neighbour parties and it was at one of these parties that he was overheard by members of U.N.L.V., a group signed to Cash Money Records. Wayne was given contact information and followed up on them in a autograph signing session where he met the Cash Money CEOs Brian "Baby" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. An impromptu freestyle session led to serious consideration on the parts of the Williams brothers. After Wayne found out the location and phone number of Cash Money Records, he visited on an almost daily basis while also leaving freestyles on their answering machine. Such dedication on the part of the 12-year-old Wayne moved the Williams brothers and they signed the young rapper; pairing him up with another newly signed young rapper named Big goochie and released their group effort "TRU Story nigga", under the name The B.G.'z.

Related Topics:
New Orleans - U.N.L.V. - Cash Money Records - Brian "Baby" Williams - Ronald "Slim" Williams - TRU Story nigga

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As Wayne became more serious about the rap game and started to wear gang-affiliate attire, his mother became concerned about the Williams brothers' influence on her son, as she had knowledge of the Williams brothers' thorough street reputation. She pulled Wayne out of Cash Money. However, after running away from home for a week and convincing his mother that his erratic behaviour had nothing to do with the Williams brothers, he stayed with Cash Money Records. But before Cash Money blew up, tragedy struck.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While playing with a loaded gun, Wayne shot himself in the chest and almost bled to death. When the police arrived, he claimed the unregistered gun had belonged his stepfather, Reginald "Rabbit" Carter. This landed Rabbit a six month prison bid. Then shortly after Rabbit came home, he was abducted and murdered. As Brian came to pick up Wayne for studio sessions one afternoon, he was informed of the tragic news, and decided to raise Wayne on Rabbit's behalf as Wayne's surrogate father. Wayne now has a large tattoo of the words "Bang Bang" on his chest to commemorate his shooting and also has "Rabbit" tattooed on his arm, in honour of his beloved slain stepfather.

Related Topics:
Gun - Prison - Murder - Tattoo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As the youngest of the Hot Boys Wayne was 16 at the time of their debut, "Get It How You Live".

Related Topics:
Hot Boys - Get It How You Live

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Even more noteworthy, most young rappers of teenage years perform bubble gum rap until at least their 20's. Lil Wayne, however, performed gangsta rap in the strictest sense since an early age. Because of his impressive lyrical talents, he continues to sell records with ease.

Related Topics:
Bubble gum rap - Gangsta rap

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On his latest CD, Tha Carter, Lil Wayne returns with a much improved flow mimicing the style of Jay-Z and features the hit single "Go DJ", a cover of the U.N.L.V. underground classic of the same name. He has also been featured on 3LW's "Neva Get Enuf" and Destiny's Child's "Soldier".

Related Topics:
Tha Carter - Jay-Z - Go DJ - 3LW - Destiny's Child

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It should also be noted that Wayne is the first known person to use the now-popular slang term "Drop It Like Its Hot." He first said it in the 1999 hit by Juvenile, "Back That Thang Up." By 2004, the term was so popular that legendary rapper Snoop Dogg used it as a comeback hit. He also coined to more popular phrase, "Bling-Bling".

Related Topics:
Slang - Juvenile - Snoop Dogg

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Following acclamations for Tha Carter, newly minted Def Jam president Jay-Z entered into a bidding war with Cash Money for Wayne's services. Wayne eventually resigned with Cash Money and earned himself a new label, "Young Money," distributed through Cash Money/Universal which first featured his crew Squad Up. But the group soon broke, and now Lil Wayne has a new group named Young Money. The Group consists of Curren$y, a local rapper previously on C-Murder's TRU Records, Boo of Boo and Gotti, and a new up and coming rapper named Mack Maine also from the Hollygrove area of New Orleans.

Related Topics:
Def Jam - Jay-Z - Cash Money - Young Money - Squad Up - Curren$y - C-Murder - TRU Records - Boo - Boo and Gotti - Mack Maine - Hollygrove - New Orleans

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lil Wayne is currently studying Sports Management at the University of Houston.

Related Topics:
Sports Management - University of Houston

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

Biography for
T.I. (I) More at IMDbPro » Clifford Harris

advertisement
Date of Birth
25 September 1980, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Birth Name
Clifford Joseph Harris Jr.

Nickname
King Of The South
Rubberband Man
T.I.P

Height
5' 9" (1.75 m)

Mini Biography

T.I. was born on September 25, 1980 as Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also known as T.I.P. and "Rubberband Man". T.I. is from the streets of Westside Bankhead Zone 1 in Atlanta. He is of both Native American and African American descent. His original stage name, T.I.P., it stems from his childhood nickname "Tip", given by his grandfather. He later changed it to T.I. out of respect for label mate Q-Tip. He was dubbed "the Jay-Z of the South" by Pharrell Williams, T.I. gradually established himself as one of rap's greatest and most successful MCs during the early 2000s. T.I. has been active with helping the community especially with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, T.I. worked with troubled youths at Paulding Detention Center in Atlanta, provided scholarships for single parent families at Boys and Girls Clubs. He has had successful movies roles such as: ATL (2006) and most notably American Gangster(2007) along side Denzel Washington.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Steve Huey

Trade Mark

Usually wears sunglasses.


Trivia

Won for the best dressed man at the 2005 BET awards.

He increased his growing street credibility by collaborating with Tupac, Baby, and Bonecrusher.

His sophomore album "Trap Muzik" debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 Charts while "Urban Legend" debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip- Hop Albums.

On Urban Legend's "Why U Mad At Me," T.I. makes a reference to the legal problems that landed him in jail, and the somewhat overzealous efforts by police officers determined to make him pay his debt to society.

First album with Atlantic Records, "Trap Muzik", had 3 hit singles off of it..24's, Rubberband Man, and Lets Get Away.

Started rapping at age 9, signed a record deal at 19 and released one major-label album (I'm Serious, Arista, 2001) before he joined Atlantic with his own Grand Hustle imprint.

Owns New Finish Construction with his uncle, which builds and repairs homes in Atlanta's less fortunate neighborhoods

He doesn't like champagne.

His favorite actress is Angela Bassett.

One of his favorite TV shows is Friends.

He originally called himself "T.I.P." but he changed his name to avoid confusion with Q-Tip

has his own record label,Grand Hustle Entertainment.

his group P$C (Pimp Squad Click) contains the members Mac Boney,Big Kuntry King,and AK

Won for the best street anthem from his smash hit "Rubberband Man" at the 2004 Vibe awards.

Won for the best street anthem from his smash hit "You Don't Know Me" at the 2005 Vibe awards.

Co-CEO of Grand Hustle Records

He co-executive produced the soundtrack to the hit film Hustle and Flow and released the collection through Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records.

His new album 'King' debuted number 1 on Billboard 200 chart on April 4, 2006 selling over 520,000 copies. His first movie 'ATL' was rank #3.

Is good friends with other rappers like Jay-Z, Diddy, Young Jeezy, Young Buck and B.G.

Has had beef with rappers Lil Flip and Ludacris

Raised over $263,000 for rapper David Banner's "Heal the Hood" foundation

Was called by Pharrell Williams of The Neptunes "The Jay-Z of the South"

Won "Best Male Hip-Hop Artist" at the 2006 BET Awards, and came in second place for "Viewers Choice."

Wrote lyrics for rappers Bow Wow, Diddy, and Lil Kim.

Won best rap solo song and rap/sung collaboration at the 2007 Grammy Awards.

Appeared on Forbes' "Hip Hop Cash Kings" list with $16 million in earnings. [2007]

Was a strong supporter for helping in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

He is of Native American descent.

In August of 2008, T.I. earned himself his first #1 hit when his second single, "Whatever You Like" from his sixth album 'Paper Trail' soared from #71 to #1 in a single week on the Billboard Hot 100.

Son Major Philant Harris was born in May 2008. Mother is 'Tameka 'Tiny' Cottle' .

Engaged to LaShon Dixon.

Engaged to Tameka "Tiny" Cottle (2002-2008).

T. I. is father of Messiah YaMajesty Harris (b. 2000) and Domani Uriah Harris (b. 2001) with LaShon Dixon. He also has a daughter Dehjah Imani Harris, from a previous relationship. And with Tameka "Tiny" Cottle has three sons: Clifford King Harris III (b. August 2004), Llayah Amour Harris (died at stillbirth late night on March 21, 2007) and Major Philant Harris (b. May 2008) and he's the stepfather of Zonnique (daughter of Tameka from a previous relationship).

Was sentenced to a year and a day of prison in relation to his arrest in 2007, when he was caught trying to buy an arsenal of guns from an undercover FBI agent. [March 2009]


Personal Quotes

About his album King, "This album is a solidification of why I call myself The King of the South."

About how he got his nickname Rubberband Man, "I'm the Rubber Band Man. It's basically about being back in the Trap, like when we start our day, we might have two, three, rubber bands on our wrist. According to how much dope we had to sell. By the end of the day, if we sold all our dope we don't have any more rubber bands around our wrists cause they wrapped around money. So the Rubber Band Man is just my little way of holding on to that lifestyle just a little bit. I ain't selling no more dope, but I'm still wrapping rubber bands around money."

On how he came up with the lyrics for his album Trap Muzik, "This is a paperless album. I don't write nothing down. Just listen to the beat for a minute like this right here.. and get in the booth and lay it down."

"He's one of the most charismatic guys next to me you will find in the south. The best rapper next to me." - On his protégé, rapper Young Dro


Where Are They Now

(July 2005) Released the soundtrack for Hustle & Flow.

(January 2006) Working on his 4th album "The King".

(March 2006) Stars in Chris Robinson's feature Film A-T-L-

(March 2006) His 4th album "King" is released.

(September 2006) Filming Ridley Scott's American Gangster (2007) with co-stars Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in New York City.

(January 2007) T.I. is working on his 5th album "T.I. v.s. T.I.P" which it set to be released by the end of the year.

(April 2007) Finishing up his fifth album T.I. vs T.I.P. which will be released July 3.

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

Sean "Puffy" Combs Biography

(1971–)

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Singer, songwriter, producer. Born in 1971, in Harlem, New York. Combs was raised by his mother, a model, after his father was murdered in 1974. He grew up in Mt. Vernon, New York and attended a Catholic boys school in the Bronx. Combs gained the nickname "Puffy" in high school because of his habit of puffing out his chest to make his body seem bigger. Combs is also known by the nickname "Puff Daddy."

Combs majored in business administration at Howard University, producing weekly dance parties and running an airport shuttle service while attending classes. He dropped out to pursue an internship at Uptown Records, which led to a talent director position. Combs rapidly rose to the level of vice president and had success producing several key artists for Uptown, but left the company in the early 1990s.

In 1993 he started his own production company, Bad Boy Entertainment, working with such upcoming and established rap, hip-hop, and R&B recording artists as Mariah Carey, New Edition, Method Man, Babyface, TLC, Boyz II Men, Li'l Kim, SWV, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, and the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. (also known as Biggie Smalls). In 1996, Combs was named as ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year. By 1997, Bad Boy Entertainment had sold nearly $100 million worth of recordings and had made a multi-million dollar deal with Arista Records for management of the label.

After his friend Biggie Smalls was murdered in 1997, Combs recorded the tribute "I'll be Missing You" which topped the Billboard singles chart for six weeks and launched Combs' first album, No Way Out (1997) to platinum status. Soundscan named No Way Out as the third best-selling LP of 1997, with more than 3.4 million copies sold in the U.S. Combs released his second album, Forever, in 1999. Combs has also launched his own clothing line, Sean John, which debuted in America in 1999.

In December 1999, Combs and his then-girlfriend,  the actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, were allegedly involved in a shooting incident at a New York City nightclub, in which three people were injured. Combs was later charged with four counts of illegal gun possession and one count of bribery, as prosecutors claimed he offered his driver, Wardel Fenderson, $50,000 to say that the loaded gun police found at the scene of the crime was Fenderson's. His trial began in late January 2001. On March 16, Combs was cleared of all charges, as was his bodyguard, Anthony "Wolf" Jones. Combs' protege, the young rapper Jamal "Shyne" Barrow, who was accused of firing wildly inside the nightclub and injuring the three bystanders, was found guilty of assault, reckless endangerment, and criminal weapon possession, but was cleared of the more serious charge of attempted murder.

In 2002, Combs released We Invented the Remix followed by Bad Boy’s 10th Anniversary … The Hits in 2004. Though his Bad Boy music label was seriously slumping, it found new life with Combs’ 2006 release Press Play, which featured Brandy, Mary J. Blige and Timbaland..

© 2007 A&E Television Networks. All rights reserved

 Added by Alexander Sundin.

Biography

In the winter of 2005, southern soulster T-Pain burst on the rhythmic scene with his debut Rappa Ternt Sanga and things just ain’t been the same. As a former microphone fiend who was down with the rap pack known as the Nappy Headz, a five-man group who had moderate success with “Robbery” in the early 2000’s, T-Pain was tired of the borders that divides hip-hop and soul, especially since he was excellent at both.

“I just got tired of turning on the radio and everything just sounding the same,” remarks the Tallahassee, Florida native whose government name is Faheem Najm. “I know it might sound corny, but I wanted to try and make something different.” After doing an unofficial remix of Akon’s “Locked Up,” the African sensation signed T-Pain to his Konvict Music imprint.

Incorporating a soaring chorus, soulful handclaps and 808 grooves, his first single “I’m Sprung” (2005) detailed the maddening joy of finding a new love. “…with his acoustic guitar and Vocoder-laced vocals suggest a hurt that no exotic dancer can cure,” wrote critic Chris Ryan in Spin magazine. While some compared the laidback electro with the best of the late Roger Troutman of the group Zapp, it was obvious that T-Pain was on a different level of creativity than his contemporaries.

Followed by the enticing second single “I’m N Luv (Wit A Stripper). As T-Pain told MTV.com: "Dancers love [the song]," he professed. "There's finally a song about strippers that ain't degrading. It's not the shake-that-ass song or 'Let's go in the backroom.' It's a song that's appreciating strippers.” Well on his way to a brilliant career, T-Pain sold a combined five million ring-tones of “Stripper” and “Sprung.”

Coming back strong in 2007, T-Pain has been hard at work constructing his sophomore joint Epiphany. “There has been a growth inside of me since I made that first album,” states T-Pain, reflecting on the time he spent working on his latest project. “To be blunt, I had to learn to stop being lazy in the studio. On the first album I recorded what I thought people wanted to hear, this time it was about me being an artist.”

Personal without being pretentious, Epiphany offers the listener a variety of musical styles that ranges from the snappin’ first single “Buy U a Drank” (featuring Yung Joc) to the rebel reggae furor of “Shotz” to the deep message of “Suicide.” Indeed, with each song we can only marvel had the proficiency that T-Pain has developed, both on the mic and behinds the boards.

“I recorded over forty songs in six months,” he says. “Of course, all of them weren’t the hottest, but creatively I felt truly inspired when working on these tracks.”

Borrowing from four different snap records to create one hot track, “Buy U a Drank” manages to simultaneously clubcentric and romantic without being straight-up nasty. “Basically, these days lots of people begin their relationships in the clubs,” explains T-Pain. “Whole conversations begin with some guy buying a young lady a drink. I wanted to make a song for those folks.”

On the second single “Bartender” tells the tale of a broken-hearted dude and his crush on a cutie-pie mixologist. “Sometimes, the bartenders are the hottest girls in the club,” T-Pain explains. “Guys are always falling in love with those girls, even if it goes no further than that night. ‘Bartender’ is an anthem for those guys.”

While T-Pain has no problem making hypnotic dance tracks like the amazing “Church,” he can also induce tears with songs like “Suicide.” Opening with the sorrowful chords of a Spanish guitar, T-Pain lyrically flashes upon the many ways the youth of today is killing themselves. “Having sex without condoms, driving drunk, selling drugs, all that is ‘Suicide.’ We do a lot of stupid stuff that only has one ending.”

Having seen firsthand how drugs can destroy the fiber of family, T-Pain consciously chose to detour from that path. Recently, with his wife and daughter, he recently relocated to Atlanta in hopes of a fresh start. In addition, T-Pain built two studios in his sprawling basement.

Traveling throughout the world while on tour with label-mate Chris Brown (and later with Bow Wow), also gave T-Pain a different perspective on life and music. “I loved being in London, because overseas it seemed that people were taking different kinds of risks with their records,” T-Pain says. “I was also impressed when I was in Brixton, and the club was filled with Black people and not one fight broke out. Where I come from, folks fighting inside the spot is a regular thing.”

In addition to Epiphany, T-Pain is also gearing up to start working with various artists on outside projects including R. Kelly, Kanye West, Usher, Chris Brown and Britney Spears. “In the past nineteen days, I’ve gotten more than twenty-five calls from artists who want to work with me,” T-Pain explains. “Right now, it’s a very exciting time.”

While T-Pain embraces both the old-school and current R&B, his complete persona on Epiphany shows us an artist who is unafraid of taking chances. “For me, soul music is about love, and it’s that kind of warmth that I want to bring back to the music.” Forget about the next level, because T-Pain is taking us places that have yet to be defined.

In the winter of 2005, southern soulster T-Pain burst on the rhythmic scene with his debut Rappa Ternt Sanga and things just ain’t been the same. As a former microphone fiend who was down with the rap pack known as the Nappy Headz, a five-man group who had moderate success with “Robbery” in the early 2000’s, T-Pain was tired of the borders that divides hip-hop and soul, especially since he was excellent at both.

“I just got tired of turning on the radio and everything just sounding the same,” remarks the Tallahassee, Florida native whose government name is Faheem Najm. “I know it might sound corny, but I wanted to try and make something different.” After doing an unofficial remix of Akon’s “Locked Up,” the African sensation signed T-Pain to his Konvict Music imprint.

Incorporating a soaring chorus, soulful handclaps and 808 grooves, his first single “I’m Sprung” (2005) detailed the maddening joy of finding a new love. “…with his acoustic guitar and Vocoder-laced vocals suggest a hurt that no exotic dancer can cure,” wrote critic Chris Ryan in Spin magazine. While some compared the laidback electro with the best of the late Roger Troutman of the group Zapp, it was obvious that T-Pain was on a different level of creativity than his contemporaries.

Followed by the enticing second single “I’m N Luv (Wit A Stripper). As T-Pain told MTV.com: "Dancers love [the song]," he professed. "There's finally a song about strippers that ain't degrading. It's not the shake-that-ass song or 'Let's go in the backroom.' It's a song that's appreciating strippers.” Well on his way to a brilliant career, T-Pain sold a combined five million ring-tones of “Stripper” and “Sprung.”

Coming back strong in 2007, T-Pain has been hard at work constructing his sophomore joint Epiphany. “There has been a growth inside of me since I made that first album,” states T-Pain, reflecting on the time he spent working on his latest project. “To be blunt, I had to learn to stop being lazy in the studio. On the first album I recorded what I thought people wanted to hear, this time it was about me being an artist.”

Personal without being pretentious, Epiphany offers the listener a variety of musical styles that ranges from the snappin’ first single “Buy U a Drank” (featuring Yung Joc) to the rebel reggae furor of “Shotz” to the deep message of “Suicide.” Indeed, with each song we can only marvel had the proficiency that T-Pain has developed, both on the mic and behinds the boards.

“I recorded over forty songs in six months,” he says. “Of course, all of them weren’t the hottest, but creatively I felt truly inspired when working on these tracks.”
Borrowing from four different snap records to create one hot track, “Buy U a Drank” manages to simultaneously clubcentric and romantic without being straight-up nasty. “Basically, these days lots of people begin their relationships in the clubs,” explains T-Pain. “Whole conversations begin with some guy buying a young lady a drink. I wanted to make a song for those folks.”

On the second single “Bartender” tells the tale of a broken-hearted dude and his crush on a cutie-pie mixologist. “Sometimes, the bartenders are the hottest girls in the club,” T-Pain explains. “Guys are always falling in love with those girls, even if it goes no further than that night. ‘Bartender’ is an anthem for those guys.”

While T-Pain has no problem making hypnotic dance tracks like the amazing “Church,” he can also induce tears with songs like “Suicide.” Opening with the sorrowful chords of a Spanish guitar, T-Pain lyrically flashes upon the many ways the youth of today is killing themselves. “Having sex without condoms, driving drunk, selling drugs, all that is ‘Suicide.’ We do a lot of stupid stuff that only has one ending.”

Having seen firsthand how drugs can destroy the fiber of family, T-Pain consciously chose to detour from that path. Recently, with his wife and daughter, he recently relocated to Atlanta in hopes of a fresh start. In addition, T-Pain built two studios in his sprawling basement.

Traveling throughout the world while on tour with label-mate Chris Brown (and later with Bow Wow), also gave T-Pain a different perspective on life and music. “I loved being in London, because overseas it seemed that people were taking different kinds of risks with their records,” T-Pain says. “I was also impressed when I was in Brixton, and the club was filled with Black people and not one fight broke out. Where I come from, folks fighting inside the spot is a regular thing.”

In addition to Epiphany, T-Pain is also gearing up to start working with various artists on outside projects including R. Kelly, Kanye West, Usher, Chris Brown and Britney Spears. “In the past nineteen days, I’ve gotten more than twenty-five calls from artists who want to work with me,” T-Pain explains. “Right now, it’s a very exciting time.”

While T-Pain embraces both the old-school and current R&B, his complete persona on Epiphany shows us an artist who is unafraid of taking chances. “For me, soul music is about love, and it’s that kind of warmth that I want to bring back to the music.” Forget about the next level, because T-Pain is taking us places that have yet to be defined

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

Serius Jones - Biography Print E-mail
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Monday, 23 July 2007
Serius Jones - BiographyKnown for his magnetic personality, witty realism, incredible wordplay and distinctive voice, Serius Jones is planting his seed in the music industry. The New Jersey born emcee is set to unleash his distinctive sound onto the world. His repertoire includes obliterating unsuspecting victims in lyrical battles and cultivating ground-breaking music.

After twelve consecutive victories, Jones captured The Fight Klub’s AllHipHop.com 2005 Battle Championship and cash purse by defeating the reigning Fight Klub champ. This was a wake up call to the new generation of emcees, and to the music industry as a whole.

Serius discovered the power of his words and true talent for captivating a crowd while huddled in playful neighborhood ciphers. After entering a freestyle battle as a dare, Jones caught the eye of now multi-platinum producer Needlz, who noted the young emcee’s insatiable passion, broad appeal, and unparalleled charisma. Needlz decided to support Serius’ talent with production resources, however, on a cold Harlem night Jones was arrested and incarcerated on weapons charges, temporarily derailing his plans for success.

After his release, Serius became relentless in his approach to breaking into the music industry. Setting out to develop the dimension of his unique sound, he has been collaborating with platinum producer Needlz (Ludacris, 50 Cent, Game, Young Buck, Cassidy), Buckwild (Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G, BIG L) and many others. “Serius is an amazing artist to work with”, Needlz beams. “He is a funny, charismatic, approachable guy that is always coming up with new ideas and concepts that the average person would never think of. It’s rare to work with someone that has a personality so transparent through their music”.

Officially signed to Disturbing Tha Peace / Def Jam Recordings in January 2007 Serius Jones has continued building his vision day by day, as his fan-base expands within the “Life Is Serius” movement. Serius has since begun production on his debut release “Life Is Serius,” an epic journey through his vigorous life with the assistance of Grammy Award winning recording artist and founder of DTP, Ludacris along with executives Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon.

Disturbing Tha Peace recognizes the dynamic talent of the young emcee. "I feel that Serius is capable of changing the game as we know it", says Chaka. "He is battle-proven, but not limited to being a battle rapper. His approach to Hip Hop is refreshing and challenging, and it's no holds barred. '07 is gonna be serious for Hip Hop... pun intended". With the completion of King Me: The Official Street Album, and battle stripes under his moniker, “Mister Uptop” is ready to bring his music to the national front. “Creating groundbreaking music is a beautiful challenge and I’m looking forward to getting these records out to the world. I’m just living one day at a time and creating the soundtrack to life”.

 

Ice Cube Biography: Added by Alexander V. Sundin.


Home > Music > I > Ice Cube > Biography

Ice Cube was the first member of the seminal Californian rap group N.W.A. to leave, and he quickly established himself as one of hip-hop's best and most controversial artists. From the outset of his career, he courted controversy, since his rhymes were profane and political. As a solo artist, his politics and social commentary sharpened substantially, and his first two records, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted and Death Certificate, were equally praised and reviled for their lyrical stance, which happened to be considerably more articulate than many of his gangsta peers. As his career progressed, Cube's influence began to decline, particularly as he tried to incorporate elements of contemporary groups like Cypress Hill into his sound, but his stature never diminished, and he remained one of the biggest rap stars throughout the '90s.

For such a revolutionary figure, Cube (born O'Shea Jackson) came from a surprisingly straight background. Raised in South Central Los Angles, where both of his parents had jobs at UCLA, Cube didn't become involved with b-boy culture until his late teens. He began writing raps while in high school, including "Boyz-n-the Hood." With his partner Sir Jinx, Cube began rapping in a duo called CIA at parties hosted by Dr. Dre, and he eventually met Eazy-E, then leading a group called HBO, through Dre. Eazy asked Cube to write a rap, and he presented them with "Boyz-n-the Hood," which was rejected. Eazy decided to leave CIA, and he, Cube, and Dre formed the first incarnation of N.W.A. Cube left to study architectural drafting at Phoenix, AZ, in 1987, returning the following year after he obtained a one-year degree. He arrived just in time for N.W.A.'s breakthrough album, Straight Outta Compton. Released late in 1988, Straight Outta Compton became an underground hit over the course of 1989, and its extreme lyrical content -- which was over-the-top both lyrically and politically -- attracted criticism, most notably from the FBI.

N.W.A. may have been rivaling Public Enemy as the most notorious group in hip-hop, but Cube was having deep conflicts with their management, resulting in him leaving the band in late 1989. He went to New York with his new posse, da Lench Mob, and recorded his first solo album with Public Enemy's production team, the Bomb Squad. Released in the spring of 1990, his debut AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted was an instant hit, going gold within its first two weeks of release. While the record's production and Cube's rhythmic skills were praised, his often violent, homophobic, and misogynist lyrics were criticized, particularly by the rock press and moral watchdogs. Even amid such controversy, the album was hailed as a groundbreaking classic within hip-hop, and it established Cube as an individual force. He began his own corporation, which was run by a woman, and he produced the debut album from his female protégée, Yo-Yo. At the end of 1990, he released the EP Kill at Will, which was followed in the spring by Yo-Yo's debut, Make Way for the Motherlode. That summer, his acting debut in John Singleton's acclaimed urban drama Boyz 'n the Hood was widely praised.

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted may have been controversial, but it paled next the furor surrounding Cube's second album, Death Certificate. Released late in 1991, Death Certificate was simultaneously more political and vulgar than its predecessor, causing more outrage. In particular, "No Vaseline," a vicious attack on N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller, was perceived as anti-Semitic, and "Black Korea" was taken as a racist invocation to burn down all Korean-owned grocery stores. The songs provoked a public condemnation from the trade publication Billboard. It was the first time an artist had been singled out by the magazine. The furor over Death Certificate didn't prevent it from reaching number two and going platinum. During 1992, he toured with the second Lollapalooza tour in a successful attempt to consolidate his white rock audience. He also converted to the Nation of Islam during 1992, which was evident on his next album, The Predator. Upon its release in December of 1992, The Predator became the first album to debut at number one on both the pop and R&B charts. The steady-rolling single "It Was a Good Day" and the Das EFX collaboration "Check Yo Self" made the album Cube's most popular.

However, Cube's hold on the mass rap audience was beginning to slip. His former colleague, Dre, was dominating hip-hop with his stoned G-funk, and Cube tried to keep pace with 1993's Lethal Injection. While the album debuted at number five and went platinum, its funkier sound wasn't well-received. Lethal Injection was Cube's last official album for several years. In 1994, he wrote and produced da Lench Mob's debut Guerillas in tha Mist, and produced Kam's debut, Neva Again, releasing a remix and rarities collection Bootlegs & B-Sides at the end of the year. In 1995, he kept quiet, appearing in Singleton's film Higher Learning and making amends with Dre on their duet "Natural Born Killaz." The following year, he acted in the comedy Friday, which he wrote himself. He also formed Westside Connection with Mack 10 and WC, releasing their debut album, Bow Down, at the end of the year. It went gold within its first month of release. In the spring of 1997, Cube starred in the surprise hit horror film Anaconda. War & Peace, Vol. 1 (The War Disc) followed in 1998; its sequel, The Peace Disc, followed two years later.

Cube spent the next few years devoting his time to film. Three Kings, Ghosts of Mars, and the big hit Barbershop all appeared in theaters before the rapper returned to music with Westside Connection's sophomore effort, Terrorist Threats, which appeared in 2003. Three years later he revived his barely used Lench Mobb label for his solo comeback album, Laugh Now, Cry Later. In the Movies, a compilation of soundtrack cuts, was put together for a 2007 release. A year later he returned with Raw Footage, an album filled with Cube's observations on politics along with the single "I Got My Locs On" featuring special guest Young Jeezy. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin

Eminem's Biography

Eminem (born Marshall Bruce Mathers III on October 17, 1972) is an American rapper, and both a Grammy and Oscar-winner. He is of mostly Scottish-American descent, and currently lives in suburban Detroit. Discovered by rapper/producer Dr. Dre, Eminem is known as one of the most skillful and controversial rappers in the industry, becoming a crossover sensation with his debut single "My Name Is" while simultaneously earning respect from the hip-hop community for his lyrical talent.

He is noted for his ability to change his own verbal pace (flow) and style multiple times within one song without losing the beat, and has been praised for his skill in alliteration and assonance.


EminemHe is infamous for the controversy surrounding many of his lyrics. With the enormous success of his sophomore album The Marshall Mathers LP following its release in May 2000, and its subsequent nomination for four Grammy awards including Album of the Year, critics such as GLAAD denounced his lyrics as homophobic, while others complained that it was also extremely misogynistic and violent. However, he has received a great deal of praise within the hip-hop community for his lyrical ability. He is the second-highest selling rapper of all time, behind Tupac Shakur, though the latter has had several posthumous albums released.

While generally avoiding overtly political tones previously (or if they were mentioned it was in passing), in late 2004 before the presidential election, Eminem released the song "Mosh," which harshly criticizes President George W. Bush. Encore, Mathers' fourth major-label album, was released later that year, but was considered by many to be a disappointment in comparison to his previous three albums and sold half of what The Eminem Show had. Though Eminem considers himself neither a militant nor a political artist, he did have his own Hip Hop Political Convention as a parody of the national political conventions held in 2004. His latest release is Curtain Call: The Hits, a compilation which covers many of his past hit songs, and includes three new tracks.

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

Flavor Flav


 

William Jonathan Drayton, Jr., better known as Flavor Flav (born March 16, 1959), is a rap artist and member of the influential and politically-conscious hip hop group Public Enemy. Born in Roosevelt, New York, Flav, a classically-trained pianist, attended Adelphi University in Long Island where, while rapping under the name MC DJ Flavor he met then graphic design student Carlton Ridenhour (Chuck D). Chuck D compiled DJ Terminator X, Professor Griff and Flavor Flav to form Public Enemy and release the debut album Yo! Bum Rush the Show in 1987.

Related Topics:
March 16 - 1959 - Rap - Hip hop - Public Enemy - Roosevelt, New York - Adelphi University - Long Island - Chuck D - DJ - Terminator X - Professor Griff - Yo! Bum Rush the Show - 1987

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Flav participated in Public Enemy as second rapper or vocalist (vocals were mostly done by Chuck D), and as the band's drummer. His stuttering vocal style has influenced rappers including Busta Rhymes and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Providing a comic foil to the political message of Chuck D, some credit Flav with the development of the role of the rap sidekick. While in the group, Flav had numerous brushes with the law. During the time of the band's success, Flav was also a heavy drug abuser, most notably of crack, and had his driver's license suspended at least 48 times, though he is proudly clean as of 2004.

Related Topics:
Stutter - Busta Rhymes - Ol' Dirty Bastard - Foil - Sidekick - Drug abuse - Crack - Driver's license - As of 2004

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Flav credits himself as having been the originator of the current platinum grill craze in hip-hop fashion. Though Flav himself has vehemently stated that he would never wear platinum teeth himself, his near-constant wearing of gold teeth has inspired other rappers to get gold or platinum teeth, he claims. Given that no noticeable celebrity wore gold-plated teeth prior to Public Enemy's success, Flav's comments are arguably accurate.

Related Topics:
Platinum grill - Hip-hop

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He often wears a clock around his neck, stating that observers will "know what time it is." The clock is set to either twelve o'clock ("straight up") or six o'clock ("straight up and straight down"). The clock became one of Flav's trademarks, along with comic sunglasses. Flav is also known to wear flashy colors, such as hot pink, and a metal-horned helmet on his head, while Chuck D used to perform in dark colours, and the Security of the 1st World wear military uniform. Flav realizes that his style is bizarre, and he is proud of his own uniqueness.

Related Topics:
Clock - Sunglasses - Helmet - Security of the 1st World

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Flav has reportedly completed two solo albums, both of which were rejected by his record label, Def Jam. A third LP, It's About Time, was due to be released in 1999 but never appeared.

Related Topics:
Def Jam - 1999

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In 2004, Flavor Flav appeared in the third season of The Surreal Life on VH1, in which he had an on-screen relationship with Brigitte Nielsen. He and Nielsen continued their odd pairing on VH1's reality show Strange Love.

Related Topics:
2004 - The Surreal Life - VH1 - Brigitte Nielsen - Strange Love

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Sometime after the premiere of Strange Love, Flav started to come under fire from various organizations and individuals including North Carolina's Reverend Paul Scott, who labeled Flav's performance a "coon act" on "a modern day minstrel show." Episodes have shown Flav acting up at a Public Enemy concert as well as having confrontations with his children and their mother, who have received no child support from him. Chuck D went as far as issuing a statement to denouce Flav's participation on Strange Love. A petition was set up in conjunction with Chuck D's criticisms in hopes of convincing VH1 to pull the show off of the air. In May 2005 Flav appeared on yet another reality show, The Farm on UK channel five.

Related Topics:
North Carolina - Minstrel show - Child support - Reality show - The Farm - Five

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Flavor Flav has seven children by three women. What are their names? He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Flav's favorite sayings (Catchphrases):

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1. YEAH BOY!

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2. FLAVOR FLAAAAV!

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3. COLD MEDINA!

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

Rapper Dolla Killed: The Biography of Dolla

By Co-editor • on May 18, 2009

On the afternoon of May 18th Roderick Anthony Burton II, also known as Dolla was shot and killed, shortly after 3:00 PM near the La Cienega Boulevard entrance of the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, after a fight between a group of individuals broke out. Witnesses report that a woman was seen firing a handgun.  TMZ says a male suspect was arrested at LAX as he attempted to board a flight.



This biography is from Rapper Dolla’s Facebook Group.

Dolla may only be 20 but his age shouldn’t fool you. Unlike most MC’s these days, Dolla, born Roderick Anthony Burton II, began his musical journey in his early teens. Forming a group called Da Razkals Cru with friends Scrappy and Sas, a 12 year-old Dolla rapped in showcases around his Atlanta, Georgia hometown. Eventually, the group caught the attention of both Missy Elliott and P. Diddy however those two weren’t the only executives interested. By 2001, the threesome signed to Elektra Records where Dolla met then unknown singer, Akon, who was producing for the label.

“I’ve known Akon and his brother, Bu, since I was 12 and we’ve stayed cool,” says Dolla.

Living back and forth between Los Angeles and Atlanta, the MC modeled for Diddy’s clothing line, Sean John, and his image garnered a towering billboard. Unfortunately, Elektra came to an end several years later and Da Razkals Cru was released from their contract in 2003. Dissolving the group and going their separate ways, Dolla returned to Atlanta and focused on a solo career.

“I was disappointed but all that made me do was work harder,” says Dolla. “It was a stepping stone.”

Continuing to pen lyrics, the teen shopped his ghostwriting skills to signed and unsigned artists alike. While making the rounds, Dolla ran into former Elektra acquaintance, Akon. The Senegalese singer was now a multi-platinum artist looking to expand his own Konvict Muzik roster. Meanwhile, Dolla linked with his current manager to form their own production company, The Gang Entertainment and before long signed a joint venture with Akon’s production company, Konvict Muzik. Soon after, once the joint venture was official, Dolla was finally signed as a Jive artist. After a year of working on the album, Akon was instrumental in pulling together Dolla’s newest hit, “Who The Heck Is That?” featuring chart champion, T-Pain and newcomer, Tay Dizm. Now as “Who The Heck Is That?” climbs the charts, Dolla can look back on his struggle with a bit of vindication.

Born in Chicago, Illinois as a twin, Dolla’s sibling died at birth. Still, as the only boy amongst two sisters, the light-eyed MC admits to being spoiled. “We’d clean the house every Sunday but my only job was to take out the trash,” says Dolla.

In 1991, the Burton family moved to Los Angeles, California for greener pastures. Instead, they suffered mounting struggles. As a five year-old Dolla sat on his parent’s bed with his elder sister, Divinity, their father took his own life.
Moving the family to Atlanta, GA his mother tried her best to regroup. But again, financial burdens began to take a toll on the family and Dolla found himself at ten years of age trying to help support his family, even if it meant breaking the law.

“It was a part of me growing up in a single parent home and supporting my momma,” says Dolla. “She told me I was the man of the house but it’s not something that I glorify.”

Still, Dolla’s dream wasn’t deferred. The pre-teen began writing raps during his elementary school classes to break the monotony. Drawing on his mother’s love of classic soul singers like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, Dolla followed his heart and chased a career in music.

As he matured, life delivered yet another hardship. His sister was sentenced to several years in prison for an altercation with the police in 2006. Drawing on his strong sense of family, Dolla along with his mother, took over the responsibilities of caring for his niece and nephew.

With all of these hardships under his belt, Dolla is wrapping up his debut solo album Dolla & A Dream via The Gang/Konvict Muzik/Jive Records. The LP is a collection of both jubilant and heart-wrenching music. “Who The Heck Is That?” the lead single is a DJ Montay production that comically details Southern nightlife. On “Loudmouth,” Dolla chastises cowards for gossiping over a sinister organ that’s reminiscent of a ride through the trap. “I’m Fucked Up” shows Dolla’s sensual drunken side while the beat’s horns bop and the MC whispers his lyrics. Another song, “Be Alright,” chronicles a young girl growing up in the ghetto and dating older men to her detriment. “Ghetto Prayer” describes the young MC’s difficult struggle through life over pianos and a strong wailing chorus. With both sobering messages and light-hearted lyrics in his pocket, Dolla is ready to spark a little change.

“My music is universal,” says the 20 year-old. “I can do street music or pop music. But whatever I do, I attempt to make meaningful songs with substance.”

 

Top 25 Celebs

1989

Chris Brown

May 05

A Little Dancing Brown

Clinton Brown and Joyce Hawkins welcome their son Chris. Influenced by King of Pop Michael Jackson, Brown begins teaching himself to sing and dance at a young age. "I was 11 [in my house] and watching Usher perform 'My Way,' and I started trying to mimic it," Brown tells PEOPLE in 2005. "My mom was like, 'You can sing?' And I was like, 'Well, yeah, Mama.'"

2005

Chris Brown

November 29

Chris' Music Debut

After signing with Jive Records at 15, Brown's self-titled debut album is released. "I hope I can be the next Michael Jackson," Brown tells EW. "He made music that's for every age. It's right in the middle so everyone can have it." On the strength of such hit singles as "Run It!" and "Gimme That," the album peaks at No. 2 on Billboard's 200 albums chart, eventually selling 1.9 million copies in the U.S. and more than three million worldwide.

2006

Chris Brown

December 07

Grammy Acclaim for Chris

Brown receives a pair of Grammy nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best New Artist, where he is in the company of fellow new artist nominee Carrie Underwood. "I was actually under the weather when I first heard it," Brown, who performs at the Grammys in February 2007, tells Canada's National Post. "But at the same time, I was so amped and excited." The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is also impressed: "I love Chris Brown. He got down on the Grammys and he's as bad as he wants to be. He's definitely Numero Uno!"

2007

Chris Brown

Chris Brown Acts Up!

Brown makes his film debut in Stomp the Yard and a three-episode stint on The O.C., where he plays Will Tut, a new kid in the rich Orange County scene, opposite Mischa Barton's onscreen sister, Kaitlin Cooper (played by Willa Holland). "I wanna be a mogul," Brown tells PEOPLE. "I wanna be a singer, actor, entrepreneur, have a clothing line, be an executive everything." In November, he also has a supporting role in the holiday film, This Christmas.

Chris Brown

September 09

MTV Breakthrough

Although Britney Spears' lackluster performance at the MTV Video Music Awards garners headlines, it is Brown who puts on the best performance. He leaps from table to table, flies over the heads of audience members like Diddy, and even performs with Rihanna. Afterward, Justin Timberlake says, "Whatever Chris Brown just did, reminded me how much I'm getting older, 'cause damn." Brown later tells EW, "I just had a lot to prove. So when I got out there I was like, 'Lemme show you what I could really do'."

Chris Brown

November 06

Chris Brown's Exclusive

Brown releases his sophomore disc, Exclusive, which peaks at No. 2 on Billboard's albums chart. His single "Kiss Kiss," featuring T-Pain, hits the top spot on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart, while his second single, "With You," peaks at No. 2. A Rolling Stone review states that Brown has grown from Usher's "temporary substitute to an undeniably major pop star. He seals the deal with Exclusive, an all-grown-up album on a level with Justin Timberlake's Justified, Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad."

2008

Chris Brown

February

Chris Gets Wet with Rihanna

After losing the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Grammy to Rihanna, Brown is romantically linked to the beautiful songstress. "He's one of my closest friends in the industry," Rihanna told Allure in January. "He makes me feel like a teenager. I have to act and think like an adult so much. He makes me feel young again." In February, the pair is spotted awfully close in a pool in Jamaica.

2009

Chris Brown

February 08

Brown Allegedly Beats Rihanna

Brown and Rihanna are embroiled in a domestic violence drama that results in Brown, 19, being charged with two felonies in the alleged beating of his girlfriend. A week after the incident, Brown says in a statement, "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired." In June, he's sentenced to five years probation and 180 days of community labor.

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

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Date of Birth
18 February 1965, Los Angeles, California, USA

Birth Name
Andre Romell Young

Height
6' 1" (1.85 m)

Mini Biography

Considered by many to be hip-hop's greatest producer, Dr. Dre (b. André Young, February 18, 1965) pioneered gangsta hip-hop and his own variation of the sound, dubbed G-Funk. His very early albums were violent but cautionary tales of the criminal mind, but Dre's records with NWA celebrated the hedonistic, amoralistic side of gang life. Being around during the birth of west coast hip-hop during the early 1980s, Dre found himself performing at house parties and clubs with the World Class Wreckin' Cru around South-Central Los Angeles. Wearing a Doctor's mask when he preformed, he called himself Dr. Dre, Dre being a nickname from André. In 1986, Dre met Ice Cube. Instantly becoming good friends, the two MCs began writing songs for Ruthless Records, a label started by former drug pusher 'Eazy-E'. Initially they were rejected by the record-buying public, but Eazy formed NWA, an acronym for Niggaz With Attitude, with Dre, Cube, and newcomers M.C. Ren and DJ Yella, releasing their first album in 1987. Then, in 1989, with distribution from Bryan Turner and his Priority Records label (now a part of EMI), N.W.A. delivered "Straight Outta Compton," a vicious, violent, and mysogynistic record that became an underground hit with virtually no support from radio, the press, or the still hip-hop-free MTV. N.W.A. became notorious for their violent lyrics, especially those of the song "Fuck tha Police," which resulted in the FBI sending a warning letter to Ruthless and its distributor, Priority Records, suggesting that the group should watch their step. Dre would have several bad falls with the police during his life. While it seemed that the group was strong, Ice Cube suddenly departed in late 1989 admist many financial disagreements with Dre. Suddenly the the music was in Dre's hands. Dre left the group the next year to form Death Row Records with 'Suge Knight'. Knight held NWA's manager at gunpoint and threatening to kill him if he refused to let Dre out of his contract. Dre didn't know how he got out, nor did he care, he was making music. Then Dre discovered Snoop Dogg through his stepbrother 'Warren G', and he immediately began working with the brilliantly talented MC. Snoop would become great friends with the Doctor and was on Dre's 1992 debut "The Chronic" as much as Dre himself. But trouble was soon to follow. Dre grew frustrated with Knight's strong-arm techniques. At the time, Death Row was devoting itself to Tupac Shakur's label debut, "All Eyez on Me," and Snoop was busy recovering from his draining murder trial. Dre, fed up, left the label in the summer of 1996 to form Aftermath, declaring gangsta hip-hop was dead. Soon thereafter, both 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. were murdered, putting a sudden end to the East Side/West Side hip-hop war, and Suge was later arrested and sent to prison. It would be at least three years before anything big came out of the great producer. It wasn't until he began working on his 2001 album, and discovering an underground MC by the name of Eminem that Dre would make his comeback.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Rod Reece

Spouse
Nicole Threatt (May 1996 - present) 2 children

Trivia

Reconciled with fellow MC/actor Ice Cube in 1993. Ice Cube left N.W.A. in 1990 after a dispute with Ruthless Records heads Jerry Heller and 'Eazy-E'.

Left Death Row Records in 1995

His stepbrother, Warren G, played a demo tape of Snoop Doggy Dogg at a party, which prompted Dre to record the title theme for the film Deep Cover (1992), which appeared during the end credits.

Stepbrother of rapper Warren G..

First hip-hop artist to gain mainstream acceptance with gangsta music with the album "The Chronic" (1992).

Assaulted TV hostess Dee Barnes (Pump It Up) in retaliation to her interviewing Ice Cube, where he made a deragatory comment against N.W.A. (at the time, the album Efil4zaggin debuted at #1). [1991]

Father of rapper Curtis "Hood Surgeon" Young, from a teenage relationship, Marcel (b. 1991), with singer Michel'le, son Truth (b. 1997) and daughter Truly (b. 2001).

Credited for discovering rapper Eminem.

21st February 2001: Became the first hip-hop producer to win a Grammy for Producer of The Year. He was also nominated for 4 other awards including: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for the track "Forget About Dre" with Eminem.

Won an MTV Music Video Award in 1995 for the hit single "Keep Their Heads Ringin." The music video starred Chris Tucker, who steals and pilots a Boeing 747.

He was voted the 54th Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.

Ranked #7 on VH1's 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists.

Son, André Romelle Young Jr., passed away on 23 August 2008, at their Woodland Hills, CA home.


Personal Quotes

"I don't care if he's purple, as long as he can rap!" (On if Eminem being white affected his choice on signing him to Aftermath.)

"I got Ice Cube his start. I also launched Eazy-E. There ain't no question that N.W.A. became what it was in large part because of my music and my producing. Me and Eazy had agreed from Jump Street that we was to be partners. Now Eazy says he's the owner of the record company, Ruthless. Well, let him own it then. But I was never supposed to be signed to him or owned by him."

(On the mysogyny in his songs): "Black women are the strongest most hardworking people on earth. The sh*t I talk on records about black women is just that: sh*t."

The only two things that scare me are God and the IRS.


Where Are They Now

(January 2006) After years of anticipation, Dr. Dre's third album "Detox" is nearly complete. The album will be released in 2006. It will also feature guest appearances from every artist signed to his record label Aftermath as well as other musicians.

(January 2009) After years of anticipation, Dr. Dre's third album "Detox" is nearly complete. Dr. Dre recently told MTV that the album will be released after 50 Cent's Before I Self Destruct and Eminem's Relapse. Relapse released on May 19th 2009 and Before I Self destruct is set to release in June 2009. It will also feature guest appearances from every artist signed to his record label Aftermath as well as other musicians.

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

Eazy-E Biography:


Home > Music > E > Eazy-E > Biography

Whether as a member of N.W.A., a solo act, or a label head, Eazy-E was one of the most controversial figures in gangsta rap. While his technical skills as a rapper were never the greatest, his distinctive delivery (invariably described as a high-pitched whine), over-the-top lyrics, and undeniable charisma made him a star. Following N.W.A.'s breakup, E's street credibility took a major beating, though his recordings continued to sell well when they appeared; unfortunately, he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1995, and died not long after.

Eric "Eazy-E" Wright was born September 7, 1964, in Compton, CA, a rough part of the Los Angeles metro area that N.W.A. would later make notorious. A high school dropout, Wright turned to drug dealing to support himself, and eventually used the profits to start his own rap label, Ruthless Records, with partner and music-business veteran Jerry Heller. E discovered a major performing talent in the D.O.C., and recruited Ice Cube and Dr. Dre to write songs for his stable of artists. When their composition "Boyz-N-the Hood" was rejected by Ruthless signee HBO, Cube, Dre, and E formed the first version of N.W.A. to record it themselves. Their first album, N.W.A. and the Posse, was released in 1987 and largely ignored; after a few tweaks of the lineup and the rough-edged subject matter, 1988's Straight Outta Compton made N.W.A. into superstars. E seized the opportunity to release a solo project later in the year, titled Eazy-Duz-It, which would be the only full-length album he would complete; it would sell well over two-million copies.

After Ice Cube's bitter departure from N.W.A. toward the end of 1989 (precipitated in part by Heller's business tactics), Eazy-E took over his not inconsiderable share of the rapping and songwriting duties, becoming the group's dominant voice on 1991's Efil4zaggin. His taste for cartoon-ish vulgarity began to undermine the claims of realistic inner-city reporting that the group had used to defend themselves. Disputes between the members led to N.W.A.'s breakup that summer, and a court battle between Ruthless and Dre's new label Death Row soon followed, with Eazy alleging that Death Row head Suge Knight had coerced Ruthless into releasing Dre from his contract. The case was eventually thrown out, but a bitter feud between Dre and Eazy raged for the next several years; Dre's seminal solo debut The Chronic made merciless fun of Eazy. E's 1992 solo EP 5150 Home 4 tha Sick sold well, but did little to dispel his increasingly cartoon-ish image; he found more success running the Ruthless label, with a roster that included Above the Law, N.W.A. bandmate MC Ren, the poorly received all-female group H.W.A. (Hoez With Attitude), and, eventually, the lucrative Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Eazy addressed his feud with Dre on the 1993 EP It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa, which famously included an actual photo of Dre wearing makeup and sequins during his World Class Wreckin' Cru days. Still, save for dissing Dre, Eazy didn't seem to have much to say, and despite healthy record sales, his artistic credibility was declining at an alarming rate. Eazy didn't help matters much when, in early 1993, he spoke out in support of Theodore Briseno, the only LAPD officer involved in the Rodney King beating to express displeasure; later in the year, he paid 2,500 dollars to attend a Republican fund-raiser, which his detractors saw as a further betrayal of his roots.

In early 1995, Eazy entered the hospital with respiratory difficulties, believing he had developed asthma. The diagnosis was far more serious: he had contracted AIDS. Eazy announced his plight to the public shortly thereafter, winning admiration for his straightforward attitude. Sadly, just a few weeks later, on March 26, 1995, the disease claimed his life. The record he had been working on, Str8 Off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton, was released posthumously (in unfinished form) later on in the year. In 2002, on the seventh anniversary of his death, some previously unreleased material from the Ruthless vaults was released as the EP Impact of a Legend, which was accompanied by a DVD. Steve Huey, All Music Guide


Member Of:
N.W.A
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Influenced By:
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Followers:
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Bizzy Bone Biography:


Home > Music > B > Bizzy Bone > Biography

Best known as a member of the Cleveland crew Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, rapper Bizzy Bone began a prolific, risk-taking, and sometimes baffling solo career in 1998. Combining rapid raps and laid-back singing, his soul-searching debut, Heaven'z Movie, didn't sound entirely unlike a Bone Thugs album, but it was obvious that on his own Bizzy felt free to explore his psyche and to go eccentric places his group just would not. The Gift from 2001 further divided Bone fans, with some seeing his confessional writing as riveting while others found it overly indulgent. A year later at a Bone Thugs-N-Harmony performance in New York City, Bizzy was noticeably drunk and walked off-stage halfway through the show. He was let go from the group that night, but Bizzy claimed he had been a solo artist for years and only a guest in the group. He also began giving more interviews around this time, frequently speaking about his new crew, the 7th Sign. He also made an appearance on the Fox television series America's Most Wanted, revealing he had been kidnapped at the age of four and had wrongly believed his mother was dead until he was rescued, thanks to someone who had recognized his picture from a photo shown at the end of the 1983 television movie Adam.

If it seemed the black sheep of Bone was becoming more personal and approachable, 2004's fascinating and cryptic Alpha and Omega was a puzzling move, but fans responded positively to the album, influencing Bizzy to produce his own underground limited-edition album, The Beginning and the End. In 2005 he made news with a drunken appearance on Houston's KPFT radio, where he claimed to be homeless. He made no excuses for his appearance in the many interviews that would follow, and while he admitted he wasn't actually homeless, he did admit to having a drinking problem and that he was working on controlling it. With Bizzy showing no signs of slowing down, the perfectly titled Speaking in Tongues appeared that year along with two mail order-only releases -- For the Fans, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 -- and a reunion album with Bone member Layzie Bone titled Bone Brothers. Bizzy's refusal to tour in support of Bone Brothers found him out of favor with the group once again, and the full Bone reunion that had been talked about fell apart. Bizzy moved ahead and made 2006 even busier with the albums Thugs Revenge, The Story, and The Midwest Cowboy all landing that year. A second volume of Bone Brothers arrived in 2007. David Jeffries, All Music Guide


Member Of:
The Bone Brothers
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
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Date of Birth
6 July 1975, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Birth Name
Curtis James Jackson III

Nickname
Interscope
Fiddy
Boo Boo

Height
6' (1.83 m)

Mini Biography

Born in the South Jamaica section of Queens, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has lived in New York City all his life. Raised by his grandparents after his father ran out and his mother was shot when he was only eight. Growing up, the Queens rapper originally wanted to be a heavyweight boxer, but eventually fell back on rapping. DJs had taken it upon themselves to release two Best of 50 Cent mix CDs, before he had even signed to a major label. 50 Cent hit the scene with "How To Rob An Industry Nigga" and he's been on a rampage ever since dealing with bootleggers, label back stabbing and other platinum selling artists trying to get at him physically. In 1999 his album Power of the Dollar, was heavily bootlegged and Trackmasters/Columbia never released it. Supposedly, Trackmasters weren't comfortable with him being caught up in the streets and getting shot three days before filming the video for "Thug Love," (with Destiny's Child) -- his first single. 50 was shot three times that night, two shots hitting him in the head, the bullet that struck his face he carries as a reminder of what happened. That event led to the fall out with Columbia and negotiating his release from their grasps. He still showed love and rhymed over a Trackmasters produced remix of "I'm Gonna Be Alright" on J-Lo's latest album, but rivals at Murder Inc. had 50 cut from the track which could have launched the rapper. This all changed in one night when Eminem said on a radio show that "50 Cent is definitely my favorite rapper right now, he's the only one keeping it real." The very next day a bidding war started on 50, ending when 50 signed to Eminem's very own label Shady/Aftermath. 50 Cent's fame has exploded, being produced by Dr. Dre and Eminem and finally making his debut album "Get rich or Die Tryin'." 50 has full access and advantage of the streets through mix-tapes; that's his forum because he controls it. 50 Cent is the most anticipated artist of 2003. It's well deserved because he's "been patiently waiting."

IMDb Mini Biography By: Rod Reece

Trivia

Is involved in a feud with fellow rapper Ja Rule.

Is signed to Eminem's Shady Records imprint, distributed by Interscope Records.

Has a son, Marquise, nicknamed 25 Cent.

His debut album "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" was the highest debut ever with 900,000 copies sold in the first week.

His mother was killed at age 23, when he was just eight years old.

Was discovered by Jason Mizell aka Jam Master Jay.

Voted #8 on VH1's 100 Hottest Hotties

Used to be a boxer

Neither drinks alcohol nor smokes.

He bought former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson's Farmington, CT, mansion for $4.1 million. The house is approximately 50,000 sq. ft., has 52 rooms and was bought by Tyson for $2.7 million in 1996. Its features include five Jacuzzis, 25 full baths, 18 bedrooms, an elevator, two billiard rooms, a movie theater and a locker room.

Recorded an album in 1999 titled "Power of the Dollar" but it was shelved by Columbia Records due to his legal problems at the time.

Released a series of street mixtapes in 2002. They became so popular that Eminem heard them and signed him to his record label. Even after his success, 50 still releases street mixtapes on a regular basis.

Album "The Massacre" was originally titled "St. Valentine's Day Massacre" and set for a February 15 release date, but production problems forced it to be set back to March 8.

Was accompanied by actress Vivica A. Fox to the MTV Video Music Awards 2003

Created a dance known as the "two step".

His favorite actor is Charlie Sheen.

His cartoon-like photo on the cover of his album "The Massacre" was meant to make him look like a Ninja Turtle, his son's favorite cartoon characters. He is also a fan of the cartoon, his favorite turtle being Donatello.

His group, G-Unit, includes Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, and Young Buck. The Game was once a member but a well-publicized feud developed between them.

Raised in Queens, NY, by his grandparents.

Named among Fade In Magazine's "100 People in Hollywood You Need to Know" in 2005.

Was #8 on the annual Forbes magazine Celebrity 100 list in 2006

Founder of G-Unit Records, G-Unit Films, G-Unit Books, G-Unit Clothing and G-Unity Foundation.

In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his earnings for the year at $33 million.

Favorite foods are fried chicken and watermelon. Favorite drink is kool aid.


Personal Quotes

The only thing that I'm scared of is not livin' up to the expectations of Dr. Dre and Eminem.

[On his feud with rapper Ja Rule] Right now he's desperate. He should be talking about me, not Eminem and [Dr. Dre] and everybody else. He'll lose, he knows that. The route that he has to take is the "I'm a mad gangsta" hardcore route, and ain't nobody gonna believe him.

In Hollywood they say there's no business like show business. In the hood they say there's no business like ho' business.

I'm not trying to save the world. As a musician and artist, it just ain't me.

A man becomes as attractive as an attractive woman when he becomes successful and is publicly noted. Power's an aphrodisiac.

I think it's easier for the general public to embrace me in a negative way. You have people who already have a perception of me that says I'm a bad person.

I don't display emotions. I have every feeling that everyone else has but I've developed ways to suppress them. Anger is one of my most comfortable feelings.

In my neighborhood if you're too aggressive, you intimidate someone, they kill you. Or if you decide to be emotional and you start crying, you're a victim. You know, the kid in the schoolyard that doesn't want to fight always leaves with a black eye. You have to find a way to stay in the middle, somewhere where people just don't mess with you because they know that you don't have a problem with it if it goes there.

[on his feuds with many of his fellow rappers, such as Nas, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Shyne, The Game, Ja Rule, Sheek Louch and Styles P., among others] If they keep comin' at me, I'll just keep responding back until they don't exist anymore. I got the time and energy to ruin what is left of their careers, if they want to do that.

A lot of kids join the army to get a college education. That's why they do it, and they get sent into these horrible situations.


Where Are They Now

(June 2003) Currently touring everywhere possible with artists like Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Sean Paul, Chingy, and Bone Crusher on the Roc Tha Mic Tour.

(January 2005) Finishing up sophomore album entitled "The Massacre" scheduled for a March 2005 release

(July 2005) He's on tour with Eminem, Lil' Jon and G-Unit!! (Anger Managment Tour 3)

(November 2005) Re-released "The Massacre" with an additional DVD of music videos for each song.

(February 2006) Working on his third album.

(March 2006) Currently filming a motion picture called "Home of the Brave" with Jessica Biel and Samuel L. Jackson.

(September 2007) Released his third studio album, 'Curtis', on September 11th (US).


 

Akon Biography

Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, often going by the shorter Aliaune Thiam (born 14 October 1981 in St. Louis, Missouri; raised in Dakar, Senegal), and better known by stage name Akon, is a Grammy Award-nominated Senegalese hip-hop and R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and record executive. He is the founder of both Konvict Muzik and Kon Live Distribution. Other sources have his name as Alioune Badara Thiam.

Akon is the son of jazz percussionist Mor Thiam. He grew up in Senegal until he was seven, split time between Senegal and the U.S. until he was fifteen, then his family permantently moved to Jersey City, New Jersey and as such he speaks English, French, and Wolof. In Jersey City he attended Snyder High School,[citation needed] where he discovered hip hop music. His first song was entitled "Operations of Nature," which he recorded at age 15. However, he was jailed for armed robbery and drug distribution charges, and used his time in prison to work on his music. Upon release, Akon began writing and recording tracks in his home studio. The tapes found their way to SRC/Universal, which released Akon's debut LP Trouble in June 2004. The album is a hybrid of Akon's silky, West African-styled vocals mixed with East Coast and Southern beats.


Akon's solo debut album, Trouble was released on June 29, 2004. It spawned the hit singles "Locked Up" and "Lonely," as well as "Belly Dancer (Bananza)," "Pot Of Gold," and "Ghetto." "Locked Up" reached the top 10 in the U.S. and the top five in the UK, and was written after Akon served time in jail for grand theft auto. His manager Robert Montanez was shot to death following a dispute in New Jersey in December 2005. "Ghetto" became a radio hit when it was remixed to include verses from legendary rappers 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. In 2005, he released the single "Lonely" (which samples Bobby Vinton's "Mr. Lonely"). The song reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the charts in Australia, the UK and Germany. His album also climbed to number one in the UK in April, 2005. When music channel The Box had a top ten weekly chart, which was calculated by the amount of video requests, Akon's "Lonely" became the longest running single on the top of the chart, spanning over 15 weeks. In 2005, Akon gained more popularity after being featured on Young Jeezy's debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, on the song "Soul Survivor" which became a top five hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Akon served a three-year jail sentence for grand theft auto, an experience that inspired his Locked Up.

Akon's sophomore album, entitled Konvicted, was released on November 14, 2006. Konvicted included collaborations with Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Styles P. Late August 2006, Akon released the single "Smack That" featuring Eminem, from the album. This single peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for five weeks. The music video for "Smack That" was directed by Raymond Garced. "I Wanna Love You", the second single off Konvicted, was released in September 2006. It is a collaboration between Akon and Snoop Dogg. This single earned Akon his first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, and Snoop's second. "I Wanna Love You" topped the U.S. charts for two consecutive weeks. In January 2007, Akon released his third single "Don't Matter" which so far has reached five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Konvicted debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 285,000 copies in its first week. After only six weeks, Konvicted sold more than one million records in the U.S. and more than 1.3 million worldwide. Konvicted has continued to stay in the top twenty of the Billboard 200 after 14 weeks, and it peaked on three consecutive weeks, not including its debut. Currently it has sold more than 1.5 million records in the U.S. and 2.2 million worldwide.

On the week of October 5, Akon broke a record on the Hot 100, as he achieved the largest climb in the chart's 48-year-history with "Smack That" jumping from number 95 to number seven. The song's monstrous leap is fueled by its number six debut on Hot Digital Songs with 67,000 downloads sold.

In 2006, Akon started his new record label Kon Live Distribution under Interscope Records. The first artist to sign was Chilli from TLC. Her debut solo album Point of View will be released under Kon Live. Earl Ray has also been signed to the label.

In December 2006, Akon's "Smack That" was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards.

He was featured on Gwen Stefani's latest album, The Sweet Escape. He made an appearance on the title track and second single, "The Sweet Escape". The song was produced by him. On December 10, 2006 both Akon and Stefani appeared as musical guests on Saturday Night Live, however they did not perform the song as Stefani had not yet learned the lyrics. "The Sweet Escape" has reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Akon collaborated with Chamillionaire on his latest mixtape entitled, Mixtape Messiah 2. He is featured on "Ridin' Overseas", which Akon also produced. The mixtape became available for download on Chamillionaire's website as of December 24, 2006.

There is a strong rumor going around that a collaborative album between Akon and Young Jeezy is in the works. It may be released later this year or possibly next year. After their 2005 Akon-produced single, "Soul Survivor", the duo says that there is a lot more to expect from them in the future. Jeezy has stated that the album will be somewhat similar to Jay-Z and R. Kelly's The Best of Both Worlds or Unfinished Business collaborative albums.

Akon is set to embark on a world tour in 2007. Starting in Africa, he'll swing through Europe and then segue to the United States. There is no word yet on supporting acts, but Akon told Billboard.com, "We'll probably get the hottest act in whatever region we're in." When asked about strong rumors that he'll be collaborating with Michael Jackson, Akon just laughed, saying only, "Right now that's in the air. I can't talk about it." He offers up the same laugh and vague response when queried about working on Elton John's next album. Akon was also effusive about another upcoming collaboration: Whitney Houston. "I'm working on more uptempo records for her," he says. "She's been through a lot and has a dark history. So we've got to make the album brighter because she's come out of the cave now. She wants a celebration. She needs to come back to the old Whitney we remember."

Akon is rumored to make an appearance on Papoose's major label debut album, The Nacirema Dream. Currently the track, "Go to War (Ghetto Soldier)" on which Akon is featured, is tentative. The Nacirema Dream is slated to be released March 2007.

Akon is scheduled to appear on Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's upcoming album Strength and Loyalty. He will be featured on the album's lead single entitled "I Tried", which will be released in February, 2007. He is also rumoured to be featured on the second single as well, which is "Never Forget Me". The album will be released on April 17, 2007.

Not for Sale, Kardinal Offishall's fourth solo album, and his first as a member of Konvict Muzik, is scheduled for release in early 2007. The Toronto-based rapper's album will feature established artists such as Lil' Wayne, De La Soul, Clipse, Rihanna and Stat Quo. It is confirmed that Akon will be the executive producer of the album.

Three 6 Mafia's eight studio album, Da Last 2 Walk is expected to feature guest appearances by Akon in addition to appearances from T.I., Paul Wall, Lil' Scrappy, Young Buck and more. It will be released Spring 2007.

T.I.'s 5th album, T.I. vs. T.I.P., is scheduled for release in the summer of 2007. It will boast production from high profile producers such as Dr. Dre, Eminem, Lil Jon, Just Blaze, Timbaland, as well as Akon. Akon is also expected to make a guest appearance on the album.

We The Best is the upcoming sophomore album from DJ Khaled, scheduled for release in the summer of 2007. The lead single, "We Takin' Over" will feature T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Lil Wayne and Birdman as well as Akon.

Akon is rumoured to be featured on Juvenile's upcoming album, entitled Diary of a Soulja. "The Verdict" and "I'm So Fly" are two tracks that Akon is featured on and may make the album. The album is schelduled to be released during the third quarter of 2007.

Epiphany, the sophomore album by T-Pain will be executively produced by Akon. The album is expected to be released sometime 2007.

Upcoming Aftermath rapper, G.A.G.E. will release his debut solo album, The Soundtrack To My Life sometime in 2007 and is expected to feature production from Dr. Dre, Scott Storch, Cool & Dre and others. The album can expect to have appearances from Akon, Busta Rhymes, The Game, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, T.I., and many more

 Atlanta based rapper Ludacris has caused quite a stir in his hometown. And with the debut album "Back for the first time" the rest of the hip-hop community will find out what ATL heads have known for a while.
Originally titled "Incognegro," "Back for the first time," was released independently and was re-released by media giant Def Jam as the first record on its new Def Jam South imprint with additional production by Atlanta-based producers Organized Noize, Jermaine Dupri, and Timbaland.

Followers of artists like Timbaland have heard him rip the mic on guest spots. He appeared on "Phat Rabbit" from Tim's "Life from the Bassment". He has also worked with Dallas Austin and Jermaine Dupri.

"The nickname is something I made up," said Ludacris, aka Chris Bridges about his name. "I have kind of a spirit personality - part of me is calm cool and collected, while the other side is just beyond crazy. My lyrics are ludicrous, my live shows are ludicrous - ludicrous like off the chain crazy."

Ludacris' musical career goes back to childhood. To infancy, in fact. Born while his parents were still in college he found himself at many house jams, soaking in the music at an age most kids are still teething.

"They were always jamming to the old school stuff, like Frankie Beverly and Maze, Cameo, all that kind of music," said Ludacris. "They used to take me to college parties and let me get out in the middle of the floor and dance for all the other students."

His love affair with music continued into his pre-teen years. At age 12 he joined a Chicago based hip-hop outfit called the Loudmouth Hooligans. Moving to Atlanta the same year, he pursued his goal with a vengeance. During his time at College Park's Banneker High School, he started battling in the lunch room, often getting so involved in the verbal contests that he would forget to eat. Later he started performing, showing up at talent shows, and at clubs.

"I would show up at any venue that had an open mic" he said.

He eventually landed a gig on Atlanta's then-new hip-hop station Hot 97.5 ganing a job producing the night show. Not straying from his roots, Ludacris made his mark rapping on voice over promos. He wound up being as recognizable as some of the deejays.

"I started rapping on the station promos. We did them over all of the top hits, so people got to hear me rap over tight beats."

Eventually he saved enough money to put out "Incognegro" independently, on hiw own Disturbing The Peace Entertainment. Fueled by the single "What's Your Fantasy," which got as many as 500 spins a week on radio in some southern markets, the album moved 30,000 unites in just over three months. That success caught the eye of many major labels including Def Jam South and president Scarface. After a long courtship by several labels, Ludacris decided to go with Def Jam South.

A wide range of influences show up on "Back for the first time". The hard hitting "U Got A Problem", displays a braggadocious verbal performance that demonstrates Ludacris' way with a metaphor. On the Organized Noize produced "The Game Got Switched" he raises the bar on weak MCs ("too many rookies/not enough pros"). Most of the album is produced by Ludacris' in-house producer Shondre. He's responsible for the first single, the hiccuping "What's your fantasy" in which Ludacris flips rapid fire sex rhymes over Shondre's ATL bass-inlfluenced track (at one point he imagines getting his freak on in the Georgia Dome during a Falcoms game).

Now that he has hooked up with the most famous brand name in the hip-hop record industry. Ludacris has big plans for his career - pushing the artists signed to his production company.

"I have artists that I want to build up - Fate Wilson, 4IZ, and Infamous 20. My ultimate goal is to have a successful record company, and this recording career is helping me take things to the next level

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

"Lupe Fiasco employs his unique brand of imagery..."

Lupe Fiasco's The Cool

Hip-hop music, once a platform for creative expression and friendly competition, has, sadly, become a popularity contest. With record sales down and ringtone dollars up, rookies searching for that "one big hit" seem solely concerned with being deemed "cool." Lyrics have side-stepped, giving way to dance-instructing "rappers" more concerned with sparking the new "Macarena" than being hailed as an MC.

On the outside looking in at such followers is Lupe Fiasco. Rather than conform to music industry standards, Fiasco (born Wasalu Muhammad Jaco) has trail-blazed his own path to critical acclaim. Possessing head-spinning wordplay and a topical range more akin to the underground than the mainstream, the 25-year-old lyricist has proven that talent can still make waves in the rap gam

e.

Born and raised in the seedy, confrontational West side of Chicago, Illinois, Fiasco grew up like the regular urban survivor. What wasn't common, however, was the means by which he carried himself. Comic books and literature of all genres cluttered his bedroom floor, and a skateboard replaced your typical drop-top Cadillac. Influenced by the Californian gangsta rap of artists such as Spice 1 and Ice Cube, Fiasco gradually grew leery of such negative messages, gravitating toward the dazzling lyricism of the likes of Nas and Jay-Z.

In 2004, Fiasco signed with Atlantic Records - even launching his own company, 1st & 15th Entertainment - and began recording his debut, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. Fiasco's first major look came on fellow Chi-town native Kanye West's hit single, "Touch The Sky," where Fiasco delivered a show-stopping verse. The buzz gained from that song transitioned the gumshoe rapper into his first official solo single, the skateboard-meets-rap gem "Kick Push." Inspired by his own quirky hobby, Fiasco delivered a metaphorical tale of uplift through the eyes of a thrashing, four-small-wheel riding skater boy.

Released to extensive critical lauding and media embrace in September of 2006, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor (executive produced by good friend, and one-time mentor, Jay-Z) set the stage for a career that promises longevity. As a result, Lupe landed a remarkable three Grammy nominations - including Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song for "Kick Push."

Now, ready to capitalize on such promise, Fiasco has returned with his second offering, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool. A largely conceptual tour-de-force, the album's title is inspired by a standout track from Fiasco's debut, a hustler-turned-zombie epic also called "The Cool." This time around, Fiasco introduces three new characters - Michael Young History (The Cool before his death), The Game (a male personification of a hustler's damaging influences), and The Streets (a female embodiment of an urban area's corrupt allure).

The potent sense of thematic execution comes across perfectly on "The Coolest," a highlight of Lupe Fiasco's The Cool that serves as a prelude to the earlier track, "The Cool." Detailing Michael Young History's fall from glory to tragedy at the hands of his lover, The Streets, Fiasco employs his unique brand of imagery: "If the rain stops and everything's dry / She would cry so I could drink the tears from her eye."

Elsewhere, Fiasco strays away from his characters to comment on his own rise to fame, an issue that clearly causes discomfort. Look no further than the first single, "Superstar," produced by Fiasco's closest collaborator, Soundtrakk, and beaming with poignant unease: "A fresh, cool young Lu / Trying to cash his microphone check, 2, 1, 2 / Wanna believe my own hype, but it's too untrue / The world brought me to my knees, what have you brung you?"

Primarily produced by Soundtrakk, and also featuring contributions from a diverse array of atypical instrumentalists (including Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump), Lupe Fiasco's The Cool is evidence that Fiasco is anything but average. Rather than follow up a monumental '06 year - capped by his three Grammy nods, four BET Hip Hop Award nominations, and recognition as GQ's "Breakout Man of the Year," amongst other accolades - with an obvious attempt to further crossover, the young wordsmith has crafted a dense, dark, and atmospheric examination of life's pleasures. Whether negative or positive, what people consider to be "cool" ultimately dominates their every move, and Fiasco is completely aware of this.

In hip-hop's popularity contest, Lupe Fiasco is the observer, a thinking man brave enough to dictate the acute thoughts that his peers ignore. Now, that is cool.
10/07

 Added by Alexander V. Sundin.

Profile of Ace Hood

 

Type(s) of Music: Rap, Hip-hop

Birth name: Antoine McColister

Place of Origin: [city?], Florida

Year the Act Began: 2007

Musical Influences:

 

 

 

Click here to read our interview with Ace Hood

Ace Hood Picture

Biography/History of Ace Hood

 

Florida’s heat has been radiating over hip-hop for many years. From the legendary “Uncle” Luke Campbell, Trick Daddy and Trina to DJ Khaled, Flo Rida, T-Pain, Rick Ross and Plies, the sunshine state has always produced hot music. The next artist to emerge from this sizzling climate is Ace Hood, and with an ace on the top of the deck, he is guaranteed to continue Florida’s heat wave.

 

“I got the name Ace as a child. My family always thought that I would be the one who would succeed in whatever I did,” he explains. “I feel like I’m an army in myself. I carry my own weight and since I represent for the hood, why not attach that to my name?” 
 
Born Antoine McColister in Broward County, Florida, Ace knew he was destined for greatness. After an injury derailed his burgeoning football career, Ace turned to his true passion, rapping. At the age of 17, Ace teamed up with the Broward-County-based entertainment label, Dollaz & Dealz, to record the hit "M.O.E." ("Money Over Everything") which sparked an immediate buzz in South Florida. Ace began to perform and network which helped him gain exposure like never before. After fine-tuning his craft on local crowds, he set his sights on performing for DJ Khaled at his annual birthday bash. 
  
“We was outside the radio station not even trying to get a deal, just hoping to perform at his birthday bash,” he recalls. “We just figured we’d try and perform. He had a contest going on where you had to give a certain amount of reasons why you should perform at the birthday bash. So I was going to rap for him on camera and show him why I was worthy. Although he had to go to a meeting, he came out, looked at me and said I love his image. We handed him a CD and once we did that he listened to it and called my manager that night. He said I love his swag, I hear starvation in his music and I want to take a meeting with him.”  
  
That meeting turned into Ace becoming the first artist signed to DJ Khaled’s label “We the Best” distributed by Def Jam Records. His hot new single “Cash Flow” featuring T-Pain and Rick Ross is currently blazing the radio waves everywhere. “Once I played the song for Rick Ross he loved it and he put his whole swag to it” explains Khaled. “The song was pretty much done but we felt to make it more of a hit record, get somebody like T-Pain who’s running the game right now, on the hook to make it go that much further.”  The song is setting the stage for Ace’s debut album, Gutta, with guest appearances from some of rap’s elite including Trick Daddy, Flo Rida, Akon, Plies and production from Cool & Dre, The Runners, Danjahandz and J.U.S.T.C.E. League, Ace’s deck is definitely stacked. 
  
“This album is definitely gonna be a classic,” Ace says confidently. “People are expecting a lot out of me not only because I’m on Khaled’s label, but because everyone knows that the ace is ranked as the highest.” 

 

With an ace up your sleeve, how can you go wrong?

 

Ace Hood Videos

"Cash Flow" (Feat. Rick Ross & T-Pain)

 

 

Get To Know Ace Hood

 

Listen to Music

 

Ace Hood Contact Information: Click the following link to Contact Any Celebrity

Discography

Gutta (2008)

Def Jam

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Filmography

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Pictures of Ace Hood (click on any image below to enlarge)

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Related Links

MySpace.com page: http://www.myspace.com/acehood  

Tour Dates

 

Nelly Biography

Nelly was born Cornell Haynes Jr. in St. Louis in November 1974. Born in Texas, his father, who was in the Air Force, moved the family to Spain for three years. Eventually, they landed in the Muddy Mississippi, the city Nelly calls home, St. Louis. "St. Louis is real. It's the rawest of the raw. It's so small so everybody knows each other. I've got a love/hate relationship with it." Nelly's parents divorced when he was eight years old.

Nelly, being the youngest kid in his neighborhood, spent most of his days getting into trouble with other guys. He grew up in St. Louis and experienced first-hand the dangers and temptations of life on the street. As a result, he was moved around to live with a different family members--not to mention attend a variety of schools--in hopes of keeping him on the right track. It wasn't until he moved to University City and became interested in organized baseball that he was distracted from the streets. Nelly excelled at the sport and several offers were made for him to play professioanlly.

Nelly's passion for baseball helped keep him out of trouble. In 1993 Nelly left his gritty St. Louis neighborhood and settled in the suburban area of University City. "I really thought I'd be playing ball right now," he said. But after listening to MCs like Rakim, LL Cool J, Run DMC, Outkast, Goodie Mob and Jay-Z day after day, Nelly was seduced by the rap game. "Rappers like Biggie and Tupac brought something different to the music. They attrected people to it." Fortunately, Nelly has chosen to pick up the mic and lead St. Louis into the hip-hop spotlight. "I've got a style that's all my own. I'm rappin' the blues. I like to think of my music as a jazz form of hip-hop. I don't really even know what I'm going to sound like until I hear the beat."

Nelly continued to work on his baseball skills and formed a rap group called the St. Lunatics with school pals Kyjuan Ali, Murphy Lee and his little brother City Spud. In 1996, with financial banking from management, the supergroup went into the studio and came out with the 12-inch singe, "Gimme What Ya Got," which sold an impressive 7,000 units regionally and dominated airwaves, rising to the top slot on St. Louis' #1 Hip Hop station, 103 the Beat Nelly continued with the Lunatics while playing shortstop in the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association. At the time, it looked as though Nelly would be a professional baseball player.

The St. Lunatics managed to put out another song called Who's The Boss, which became a local hit. The song helped their reputation locally but didn't grab the interest of record companies. The frustrated St. Lunatics decided to try their luck in Atlanta and teamed up with Kula who was managing Mase at that time. Eventually they realized Nelly would have a better chance of scoring a record deal on his own.

Sure enough, his rapid-fire cadence, soulful sound and energetic stage presence caught the attention of Universal Records, which immediately signed him. "I don't necessarily feel like a solo artist," he explains. "I'm just the key in the door for the rest of the St. Lunatics. I'm the first to release an album. But we're all family. We came up together from nothing. So it's St. Lunatics for Life."

Nelly's career was off like a rocket with the release of his song Country Grammar. Nelly took the melodic hook from his lead single, "Country Grammar (Hot...)" from the children's song, 'Down, down baby...' "That beat stuck in my head and I just put my own 'country grammar' spin on it." "St. Louis" is an ode to his hometown; everything from waking up on a Sunday to being out at night. On the local club anthem "E I" Nelly explains: "E I means 'Yes! Bring it on'" He enlists the mic skills of LIL WAYNE, from Cash Money Records' the Hot Boys, on "For My," a song dedicated to all af their supporters, and "Never Let 'Em See You Sweat" features the New Yourk-based duo The Teamsters. His fellow St. Lunatics join his muscial mayhem on "Steel The Show" and "Batter Up." St. Lunatics memebers Jason and City Spud serve as producers on Country Grammar.

On June 6, 2000, Nelly released his first full-length album - also called Country Grammar. The album managed to sneak past Eminem and Britney to the number one spot on the Billboard charts on August 26, 2000.

When Nelly first debuted nationally in summer 2000, he seemed like a novelty, but it quickly became apparent that he was, in fact, an exceptional artist, a rapper with truly universal appeal. He wasn't from the East or West Coast, and wasn't really from the Dirty South, either. Rather, Nelly was from St. Louis, a Midwestern city halfway between Minneapolis and New Orleans. His locale certainly informed his rapping style, which was as much country as urban, and his dialect as well, which was, similarly, as much Southern drawl as Midwestern twang. Plus, Nelly never shied away from a pop-rap approach, embracing a singalong vocal style that made his hooks incredibly catchy. As a result, Nelly became an exceptional rapper capable of crossing all boundaries, from the Dirty South to the TRL crowd and everything in between.

Though Nelly had become a star as a solo artist as planned, he said that he is and always will be a member of St. Lunatics, a collective that also includes Big Lee, Kyjuan, Murphy Lee, and City Spud. Nelly fulfilled his promise in 2001 with the release of Free City, the debut St. Lunatics album featuring the hit single "Midwest Swing."

With the release of the song Ride Wit Me Nelly the rapper has secured his spot as a popular rap artist who's known as much for his signature low-riding pants as he is for his music.

The following summer Nelly returned with his second album, Nellyville, and lived up to his self-proclaimed "1" billing. The album topped the Billboard album chart while the The Neptunes-produced lead single, "Hot in Herre," remained atop the singles chart. In all, Nelly impressively held the number one spot on ten different Billboard charts the week of Nellyville's release. Few rap artists could boast such numbers, and Nelly surely savored his number one status, particularly after being dismissed as a novelty two summers earlier when he debuted. You could call him a pop-rapper if you liked, but you surely couldn't challenge his number one status. After all, his hit streak continued unabated, with "Iz U" (from his stopgap Da Derrty Versions: The Reinvention remix album) and "Shake Ya Tailfeather" (from the Bad Boys II soundtrack) keeping him in the spotlight while he readied his double-disc Sweatsuit project (following the lead of OutKast and R. Kelly, who had both recently released very successful two-disc sets). The seperately released double album dropped in fall 2004, preceded perfectly by a pair of red-hot singles: "My Place" (a slow jam) and "Flap Your Wings" (a club jam). A stroke of commercial (and to an extent, creative) genius, the superstar-laced project catapulted Nelly back atop the pop-rap world, where his presence was peerless

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