Name	Just Blaze
Background	non_performing_personnel
Birth name	Justin Smith
Born
Origin	Paterson, New Jersey
Instrument	drumsKeyboardTurntableSamplerDrum MachineDrums
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Record producer, Rapper, Singer
Years active	1999–present
Label	Roc-A-Fella Records, Fort Knocks Entertainment
Associated acts	Jay-Z, Saigon, Jay Electronica

Justin Smith, better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer from Paterson, New Jersey. Blaze is also the CEO of Fort Knocks Entertainment.

As a DJ

Smith has taken a weekly residency on Friday nights at Santos Party House, a downtown New York City nightclub and concert venue. The residency, entitled "reOPENed," was originally the "OPEN" party headlined by the musician Q-Tip (rapper) and Philadelphia native Rich Medina, which won several nightlife awards including Paper Magazine's "Best Party." Since Just Blaze took over along with DJ Soul, DJ Gravy, Max Glazer (of Federation Sound), and Micro Don, the party has grown in popularity and received much favorable press. BlackBook Magazine's Steve Lewis wrote, "It’s classic hip-hop, house, soul classics, electronic disco and absolutely fantastic."

Discography

External links

Just Blaze's Myspace

Just Blaze & John Mayer dLife Jam Session

The Megatron Don

Just Blaze & Alchemist ‘Soundclash Tour (Trailer)

Category:Living people Category:Hip hop record producers Category:African American musicians Category:People from Paterson, New Jersey Category:1978 births

Name	Jay Electronica
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Timothy Elpadaro Thedford
Born	September 19, 1976 It is 9:13 continuous minutes of music, without drums, built from Jon Brion's soundtrack to the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. There are five segments or movements, marked by changes in music and mood, raps by Electronica, and occasional snippets of sampled dialogue (children arguing in Kurdish, Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka). The first segment is spoken word by Just Blaze and Erykah Badu describing the artist over piano music.
Name	Electronica, Jay
Date of birth	January 1, 1976

Category:African American rappers Category:Rappers from New Orleans, Louisiana Category:Living people Category:1976 births Category:Members of the Nation of Gods and Earths

Name	Quincy Jones
Background	non_performing_personnel
Birth name	Quincy Delight Jones, Jr.
Alias	Leigh Warren
Born	March 14, 1933Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Origin	Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Instrument	Trumpet, drums, vocals, piano, big band synthesizer
Genre	R&B;, funk, soul, big band, swing, jazz, bossa nova, hip-hop
Instruments	trumpet, drums, vocals, synthesizer
Occupation	Musician, conductor, producer, arranger, composer, film composer
Instruments	trumpet, drums, vocals, synthesizer
Years active	1951 – present
Label	Columbia, Mercury, Qwest
Associated acts	Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Aaliyah, including a Grammy Legend Award in 1991. He is particularly recognized as the producer of the album Thriller, by pop icon Michael Jackson, which has sold over 110 million copies worldwide, Jones also impersonated Marion Barry in the then-recurring sketch, "The Bob Waltman Special". Quincy Jones would later be producer for his own sketch comedy show, FOX's MADtv.
Name	Jones, Quincy
Alternative names	Jones, Quincy Delight, Jr.
Short description	Musician, conductor, producer, arranger, composer, film composer
Date of birth	1933-3-14
Place of birth	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Category:1933 births Category:Academy Honorary Award recipients Category:African American musicians Category:American composers Category:American dance musicians Category:American film score composers Category:American jazz trumpeters Category:American music arrangers Category:American people of Welsh descent Category:American record producers Category:American television producers Category:Bebop trumpeters Category:Bell Records artists Category:Berklee College of Music alumni Category:Cameroonian people Category:Commandeurs of the Légion d'honneur Category:Crossover jazz trumpeters Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Harvard University people Category:Ivor Novello Award winners Category:Jazz composers Category:Jazz-pop trumpeters Category:Kennedy Center honorees Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Chicago, Illinois Category:Musicians from Washington (U.S. state) Category:Qwest Records artists Category:Songwriters from Illinois Category:Swing trumpeters Category:National Humanities Medal recipients

Name	Kanye West
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Kanye Omari West
Born	June 08, 1977Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genre	Hip hop
Instrument	Vocals, keyboards, sampler, percussion, synthesizer
Occupation	Producer, rapper, musician, singer
Years active	1996–present
Label	GOOD Music, Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
Associated acts	Go Getters, Child Rebel Soldier, Jay-Z, Common, John Legend, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, Mr Hudson, Pusha T, Big Sean
Url

Kanye Omari West (; born June 8, 1977) and critical acclaim. His father was Ray West, a former Black Panther who was one of the first black photojournalists at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and is now a Christian counselor. While attending school, West produced for local artists. He later gained fame by producing hit singles for major hip hop/R&B; artists, including Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Cam'ron, Paul Wall, Common, Mobb Deep, Jermaine Dupri, Scarface, The Game, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, John Legend among others. He also "ghost-produced" for his mentor Deric Angelettie, according to his song "Last Call" and the credits of Nas' "Poppa Was a Playa". His work was featured on the lead single "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)," "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" and a against Nas and Mobb Deep named "Takeover"; West has worked with Mobb Deep and Nas since the track's release.

After meeting great commercial success and critical acclaim for his productions on The Blueprint, West became a sought after producer in the hip-hop industry, even before he became known as a rapper and solo artist. In the years 2002-2003 he would produce for artists such as Nas, Scarface, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, T.I., Ludacris, DMX, and Monica. He also continued producing for Roc-a-Fella Records artists and contribued four tracks to Jay-Z's follow up album to The Blueprint, .

After great successes as a producer, West now looked to pursue a career as a rapper and solo artist, but struggled to find a way to get a record deal. Chris Anokute, then A&R; at Def Jam, said that when West regularly dropped by the office to pick up his producer checks he would play demos of solo material to Anokute in his cubicle and bemoan the fact that no one was taking him seriously as a rapper. Beginning his career as a rapper, Kanye West rapped a verse on Jay-Z's , an album he produced for, from the same label he was signed to as a rapper.

The College Dropout (2004)

On October 23, 2002, West was involved in a near fatal car crash while driving home from the recording studio. The crash provided inspiration for West's first single, "Through the Wire". The album was eventually certified triple platinum. Guest appearances included Jay-Z, Ludacris, GLC, Consequence, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common, and Syleena Johnson. The album also featured the singles, "All Falls Down" and "The New Workout Plan", as well as Twista's number one single, "Slow Jamz".

Late Registration (2005)

performing "Gold Digger" at the Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado]] Taking a more eclectic route, West collaborated with American film score composer Jon Brion to construct his second album, Late Registration, which was released on August 30, 2005. Aboolian referred her to another internist. Donda never met with the doctor recommended by Aboolian and had the procedures performed by a third doctor, Jan Adams.

Adams sent condolences to Donda West's family but declined to publicly discuss the procedure because of confidentiality.

West has said that Wu-Tang Clan producer RZA influenced him in his style, After hearing his work on The Blueprint, RZA claimed that a torch-passing had occurred between him and West, saying, "The shoes gotta be filled. If you ain't gonna do it, somebody else is gonna do it. That's how I feel about rap today."

West has stated on several occasions that outside of work, he favors listening to rock music over hip-hop. He cites Franz Ferdinand, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Killers as some of his favorite musical groups. Additionally, on Graduation, West drew inspiration from arena rock bands such as U2, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin for melody and chord progression. West was criticized by various celebrities for the outburst, After Swift appeared on The View two days after the outburst, partly to discuss the matter, West called her to apologize personally. Swift said she accepted his apology. In September 2010, West wrote a series of apologetic tweets addressed to Swift including "Beyonce didn't need that. MTV didn't need that and Taylor and her family friends and fans definitely didn't want or need that" and concluding with "I'm sorry Taylor." West also revealed he had written a song for Swift and if she didn't accept the song, he would perform it himself.

Legal issues

In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel sued West for trademark infringement in West's video for "Touch the Sky." Knievel took issue with a "sexually-charged video" in which West takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel" and attempts flying a rocket over a canyon. The suit filed in federal court claims infringement on his trademarked name and likeness. Knievel also claims the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damage his reputation. The suit seeks damages and to stop distribution of the video. West's attorneys argued that the music video amounted to satire and therefore was covered under the First Amendment. Just days before his death in November 2007, Knievel amicably settled the suit after being paid a visit from West, saying, "I thought he was a wonderful guy and quite a gentleman."

On September 11, 2008, West and his road manager/bodyguard Don Crowley were arrested at Los Angeles International Airport and booked on charges of felony vandalism after an altercation with the paparazzi in which West and Crowley broke the photographers' cameras. West was later released from the Los Angeles Police Department's Pacific Division station in Culver City on $20,000 bail bond. On September 26, 2008 the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said it would not file felony counts against West over the incident. Instead the case file was forwarded to the city attorney's office, which charged West with one count of misdemeanor vandalism, one count of grand theft and one count of battery and his manager with three counts of each on March 18, 2009. West's and Crowley's arraignment was delayed from an original date of April 14, 2009. West was arrested again on November 14, 2008 at a hotel near Gateshead after another scuffle involving a photographer outside a nightclub in Newcastle Upon Tyne. He was later released "with no further action", according to a police spokesperson.

Discography

; Studio albums

The College Dropout (2004)

Late Registration (2005)

Graduation (2007)

808s & Heartbreak (2008)

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)

; Live albums

''Late Orchestration (2006)

(2010)

; Collaboration albums Watch The Throne (2011) (with Jay-Z)

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Kanye West at Beatbuggy

Category:1977 births Category:1990s singers Category:2000s rappers Category:2010s rappers Category:2000s singers Category:2010s singers Category:African American rappers Category:African American singers Category:American bloggers Category:American hip hop record producers Category:American music video directors Category:American pop musicians Category:American record producers Category:Songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state) Category:BRIT Award winners Category:Chicago State University alumni Category:Electro-hop musicians Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Hip hop musicians Category:Hip hop singers Category:Living people Category:Mercury Records artists Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia Category:Rappers from Chicago, Illinois Category:Roc-A-Fella Records artists Category:World Music Awards winners

Name	Juelz Santana
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	LaRon Louis James
Born	February 18, 1982New York City, New York, United States
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, record producer, actor
Years active	1999–present
Label	Skull Gang, Def Jam
Associated acts	Skull Gang, The Diplomats, Lil Wayne, Cam'ron, Chris Brown, Lloyd Banks
Url	juelzsantana.defjam.com

LaRon Louis James (born February 18, 1982), better known by his stage name Juelz Santana, is an American rapper, producer and actor. He came to fame following his appearances on Cam'ron's 2002 singles, "Oh Boy" and "Hey Ma". In 2003, his debut album From Me to U was released by Def Jam Recordings; his next album What the Game's Been Missing! contained the top-ten single "There It Go (The Whistle Song)".

Early life & career

Santana was born to an African American mother and to a Dominican father. He began rapping at the age of five and at age twelve started duo Draft Pick, which was signed to Priority Records. In 2000, Santana made a guest performance on a track on Cam'ron's album S.D.E. and eventually joined The Diplomats.

==Music career== Had his first daughter Tatayana Harris

2002-2004 (Final Destination, From Me To U)

After the signing of The Diplomats, also known as Dipset, to Roc-a-Fella Records in 2002, there was an influx of mixtapes, features on other artists' records, television and radio interviews, in which Juelz achieved mainstream recognition not previously gained through the various Diplomat mixtapes, and his solo mixtape Final Destination, that was sold in late 2002. After being featured on fellow Diplomat member Cam'ron's two singles, "Hey Ma" and "Oh Boy". Juelz started working on his debut album. In the summer of 2003, Santana released his debut album entitled, From Me to U under Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam; its single "Down/Rain Drops" which didn't reach success and debut single "Dipset (Santana's Town)" reached #70 on the Billboard R&B;/Hip-Hop chart.

What the Game's Been Missing! (2005)

What the Game's Been Missing! followed in 2005 with the singles "Mic Check", "There It Go (The Whistle Song)", "Oh Yes", "Clockwork," "Shottas", and "Make It Work For Ya" Feat. Young_Jeezy Young Jeezy] and Lil Wayne. "There It Go" reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts; "Oh Yes" reached #56 on the Hot 100 and #8 on the Rap charts. "Mic Check" reached 35 in the Billboard Hot 100. Both this album and single "There It Go" were certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

I Can't Feel My Face, Def Jam Signing & Skull Gang(2006-2009)

Santana began working with Lil Wayne on a collaboration album I Can't Feel My Face in 2006. Mick Boogie, a DJ from Ohio, released a mixtape in late August 2006 titled Blow that contained 12 leaked tracks from the album recording sessions. Recording and production reportedly concluded by summer 2007. Santana told Angie Martinez in an interview on New York City hip-hop station Hot 97 that he blames the delay on the album on fellow Dipset rapper Cam'ron. In April 2008, Santana stated that issues existed over his and Lil Wayne signing to different labels and thus announced plans for various mixtapes to promote "unity and creativity". Santana claimed that Cam'ron blocked collaborations by other artists. XXL magazine brought up the delay of the album release in a February 2009 interview with Santana, who replied that "contractual issues" were to blame and that he was talking to L.A. Reid about releasing this album before his own solo album. In Lil Wayne's album Tha Carter III, Santana appeared on the fifteenth track.

In August 2008, Dipset founder Cam'ron revealed that he had sold Santana's contract to Def Jam Records for $2 million. Despite selling him to the Def Jam label, Santana says he is not mad at Cam. He revealed that he had inked a joint 50/50 joint venture with Def Jam, where he will release his next album Which will feature up and coming rapper slay webb of plainfield,nj Born to Lose, Built to Win. Santana performed on Jim Jones' single "Pop Champagne", which was produced by Ron Browz. "Pop Champagne" peaked at #22 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart; it was also certified Gold by RIAA on February 26, 2009. In May 2009 Skull Gang's debut album was released on Santana's new label, Skull Gang Entertainment, and Koch Records.

Born to Lose, Built to Win & Dipset Reunion(2010-present)

Since 2007, Santana has been recording material for his third album, Born to Lose, Built to Win. Shortly after recording began, Santana released a promo single, "The Second Coming", produced by Just Blaze. After a two year hiatus, he released a new song, "Days of Our Lives", with two accompanying music videos featuring cameos from Skull Gang. In late 2009 he released the first single off Born to Lose, Built to Win, "Mixin' Up the Medicine" featuring Yelawolf. In 2010, he released the second single titled, "Back to the Crib" featuring Chris Brown. In April 2010, Cam'ron and Jim Jones announced they ended their feud. In June 2010, the Dipset reunion began with a teaser titled "Under Construction" and a street single, "Salute" produced by Araabmuzik. The song features Jim Jones, Cam'ron, and Juelz Santana. The remix features new Diplomat artist Vado with a verse added. Since the reunion it is not yet known if or when Juelz will release the album. But it is known that he is working on a new album with The Diplomats. Recently Santana Twits "I will give people that people wants Reagan Era in the studio" so that means that we can wait a new album for 2011.

Juelz Santana recently collaborated with UK rapper's Giggs & Wiley on a track called Bright Lights produced by UK producers Dan Dare & Zdot.

Personal life

Santana maintained a store of his clothing and music near his old neighborhood of 151st and Amsterdam/Broadway on Amsterdam Avenue between 150th and 151st Streets

Legal issues

Santana was arrested outside of his Teaneck, New Jersey home in March 2008. After being pulled over for driving with a suspended license,stating he was driving to Plainfield,NJ to see a close friend Rahjon Ross. After a search of Santana's Bentley police found marijuana, 29 hollow-point bullets, and $19,500 in cash inside a plastic bag filled with Jolly Ranchers .

Discography

;Studio albums

2003: From Me to U

2005: What the Game's Been Missing!

TBA: Born to Lose, Built to Win

;Official mixtapes

2003: Final Destination

2004: Back Like Cooked Crack Pt. 1

2005: Back Like Cooked Crack Pt. 2

2006: Back Like Cooked Crack Pt. 3

2011: Reagan Era

;Collaboration albums

2003: Diplomatic Immunity (with The Diplomats)

2004: Diplomatic Immunity 2 (with The Diplomats)

2009: Skull Gang (with Skull Gang)

2011: Diplomatic Immunity 3 (with The Diplomats)

Filmography

State Property 2 (2005)

Killa Season (2006)

The Project (2011)

References

External links

Official website

Official blog

Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:African American rappers Category:American people of Dominican Republic descent Category:The Diplomats members Category:Hispanic and Latino American rappers Category:People from Manhattan Category:People from Teaneck, New Jersey Category:People from Harlem Category:Rappers from New York City Category:Roc-A-Fella Records artists