background	solo_singer
birth name	Fredrick Tipton
alias	Gangsta Gibbs
birth date	June 14, 1982
origin	Gary, Indiana, United States
genre	Hip hop, Gangsta rap
occupation	Rapper, lyricist, musician
years active	2001–present
label	Corporate Thugz, Str8 Slammin'
associated acts	Young Jeezy, Statik Selektah, Str8 Slammin' Click, The Alchemist, Jay Rock, Pill, Bun B, The Cool Kids, Curren$y, Big K.R.I.T., Statik Selektah
website	}}

Fredrick Tipton (born June 14, 1982), better known by his stage name Freddie Gibbs, is an American rapper from Gary, Indiana. He was signed by Interscope Records before being let go from his deal without a record being released. Subsequent to this, in 2009, he brought out ''The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs''—a compilation of his work to that date, mixing mixtape tracks with unreleased studio material—and ''midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik''—a collection of new music. Both were released for free to the internet. He has just recently teamed up with Cleveland's Chip tha Ripper and Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks of The Cool Kids to form the "super group" P.O.C. (Pulled Over by the Cops). Gibbs was just signed to CTE an Atlanta based label founded by rapper Young Jeezy. As an introductory and celebretory stepping stone into CTE, Gibbs brought out Jeezy during concert at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago, which also featured Smoke DZA and Big K.R.I.T. He has a song, "Look Easy," produced by Sidney Miller aka Speakerbomb, that will be featured on 2K Sports "2K12."

Discography

Albums

EPs

''Str8 Killa'' (2010)

The track listing was confirmed by Rap-Up.

''Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away (with Statik Selektah)'' (2011)

The track listing was confirmed by Rap-Up.

Mixtapes

''Full Metal Jackit: The Mixtape [Vol. 1]'' (2004)

''Full Metal Jackit: The Mixtape [Vol. 2]'' (2004)

''Live from Gary, Indiana'' (2007)

''Live from Gary, Indiana [Part 2]'' (2008)

''The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs'' (2009)

''midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik'' (2009)

''The Labels Tryin To Kill Me!'' (2009)

''Str8 Killa No Filla'' (2010)

''Cold Day In Hell'' (2011)

References

Category:Living people Category:Rappers from Indiana Category:African American rappers Category:Underground rappers Category:1982 births

de:Freddie Gibbs

Name	Dom Kennedy
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Dominic Hunn
Alias	DOM
Born	August 22, 1984 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Origin	Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California
Genre	West Coast hip hop
Occupation	Rapper
Years active	2008–present
Label	OpM - Other People's Money (Independent)
Associated acts	Pac Div Casey Veggies Skeme J Skillz Drew Byrd Brandun DeShay cARTer
Website	DopeItsDom , Twitter , Myspace }}

Dom Kennedy (born Dominic Hunn) is a West Coast rapper from Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California. Since 2008, Kennedy has released 5 Independent record label studio albums, most notably his 2010 "critically acclaimed mixtape" ''From the Westside with Love''. His 6th studio album ''From the Westside with Love II'' released on iTunes June 28, 2011. As his debut commercial album, ''From the Westside with Love II'' is also Kennedy's first album associated with The OpM Company, Kennedy's self established record label.

Early life

Dom Kennedy was born on August 22, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. In an interview with music media outlet IMFlashy, Kennedy describes his childhood growing up as "normal". After his parents' divorce, Kennedy moved with his mother to Leimert Park. Within the first hours of dropping the mixtape, Kennedy amassed over 10,000 downloads, officially solidifying his name among some of the top rappers in L.A.

However, with the release of ''From the Westside With Love'' in 2010, Kennedy became a major hit throughout the underground hip hop scene L.A. Gaining over 100,000 internet downloads, Kennedy began receiving praise from many established figures within the game. As reported by Texas based, major music festival South by Southwest, "Dom Kennedy has been verbally endorsed by many, including The Hundreds, Kenny Burns, Rick Ross, Taz Arnod of Sa-Ra, 9th Wonder, Murs, The Game, Justice League, DJ Mormile, Alchemist (producer), and Don Cannon just to name a few". With the success of ''From the Westside With Love'', Kennedy became a major player on the independent circuit, traveling for performances throughout and outside the country; including a show in Dijibouti, Africa. Kennedy also began releasing an extensive amount of visual material at this time, including ''From the Westside With Love'' music videos for songs such as "1997", "Locals Only", and "The 4 Heartbeatz".

In early 2011, Kennedy released his 5th studio mixtape ''The Original Dom Kennedy'', a tape meant to reflect Kennedy's individuality and sound as an artist. In an interview with MTV News reporter James Lacsina, Kennedy described the project as something that was a testament to himself in the rap game as well as the city he proudly represents:

"...with ''The Original Dom Kennedy'', it was a time for me to take a stand in music. The way we grew up and our lifestyle, being kids from the inner city of Los Angeles. I just felt like that was missing,". On his song "The Homies", Kennedy takes shots at Flex's disparaging remarks regarding the late California rapper Tupac Shakur: ''"Shit I heard Funk Flex say that Pac ain't shit/ and I hope when you see him that he slap your mouth/"''

Influences

Kennedy is often heard proclaiming his hometown rep one liner "Leimert Park what's cool". As a kid, Kennedy describes himself as being highly influenced by artists such as "The Notorious B.I.G., Outkast, and LL Cool J" through the fact that by simply listening to their music, he could feel a sense of where they were from. With his music, Kennedy does the same thing, bringing the feel of the inner city streets of L.A. to anyone willing to listen. In an interview with Hip Hop DX, Kennedy talks about the influence behind the L.A. sound in his music:

"If anything, and I can only speak for myself, I think that I’m trying to do it like DJ Quik did it, or Ice Cube did it, but this is just my way of doing it therefore I guess it’s natural. But I’m not trying to do anything, you know, different or to say, ‘This is new.’... I set out to do it the way they did it, just in my own way".

Kennedy has rapped over a wide range of past and present hip hop beats in his career, consistently bringing the element of L.A. and West Coast hip hop to his music. Such beats include Big Poppa on the track "Notorious Dom" ''(25th Hour)'' and Best I Ever Had (Drake song) on the track "Best You Never Had" ''(Best After Bobby)''. South by Southwest reports major music executive John Monopoly as saying "He is going to get signed".

Performances

Kennedy has performed in a wide variety of venues from local clubs in L.A. to the campus of Georgetown University. In 2010, Kennedy performed a major, hip hop music festival Paid Dues in San Bernardino, California. Other performer included those such as People Under the Stairs, Curren$y, and Jake One.

In 2011, Kennedy performed at premier film festival South by Southwest's Music Matters Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show was hosted by cable entertainment network Black Entertainment Television. Both his performance and that of East Coast rapper J. Cole's were featured online by major, hip hop music magazine The Source (magazine). Kennedy performed his first show outside of the U.S. also in 2011 in Dijibouti, Africa.

Following the release of ''From the Westside With Love II'', Kennedy headlined at The Key Club in West Hollywood, California alongside fellow West Coast rappers Overdoz, Epic Twelve, and Black Cobain. Marketed as the show on "7.1.11", the event was sold out, prompting another show the following week, marketed as the "7.7.11" show.

Endorsements & Marketing

Outside of the music realm, Kennedy is also an avid promoter of fashion, appearing on the Sneaker Pimps Tour in Los Angeles back in 2007. "Sneaker Pimps is the worlds largest touring sneaker hip-hop lifestyle exhibition", featuring celebrity autographed sneakers as well as live music performances by collaborating artists. Past artists to appear include: Nas, Lupe Fiasco, DJ Premier, Public Enemy, Bun B, Redman, Pete Rock, along with many others. In 2009, Kennedy co-signed with California based clothing line and marketing agency The Hundreds.

After the release of his ''Original Dom Kennedy'' mixtape, Dom was featured on the cover of Jenesis Magazine as part of their 4th Year Anniversary.

Kennedy is also one of the front running young rappers associated with the JUST BE COOL Campaign and LAx Paperboys. He is often heard promoting the global, lifestyle brand through lines in his raps such as "just be cool". During an interview with BarrelHouse BKLYN, Kennedy describes the movement as something that started with a crew of inner city kids in L.A. who "just wanted to do something positive".

Discography

Mixtapes

25th Hour (2008)

Future Street/Drug Sounds (2009)

Best After Bobby: Mixed by LA Leakers (2009)

The Original Dom Kennedy (2011)

Commercial Albums

From The Westside With Love (2010)

From The Westside With Love II (2011)

Guest Appearances

"The Life I Know" with cARTer

"Cooking Up" with cARTer

"Cali's Finest" from cARTer's mixtape ''Legal Trappin''

"The Preview" with cARTter

"Friends. Women. Money" from Fly.Union

"Like That" from Fly.Union mixtape ''Value Pack 4''

"Don't Forget the Swishers" from Pac Div mixtape ''Don't Mention it''

"Everybody Knows Us" from Pac Div mixtape ''Don't Mention it''

"Fat Raps Remix" from Big Sean's mixtape ''Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG''

"She Needs Me Remix" from Kendrick Lamar's mixtape ''Overly Dedicated''

"GoodTalk" from Smoke DZA mixtape ''George Kush Da Button''

"No Stress" from Skeme's mixtape ''The Statement''

"LA Night" from Skeme's mixtape ''Pistols & Palm Trees''

"Racing Stripes" from Curren$y's mixtape ''Smokee Robinson''

"Real Estates" from Curren$y's album ''Pilot Talk II''

"Counting My Money" from OverDoz. mixtape ''Live For, Die For''

"Time" with Juicy J

"2 Sports Cars" with CurT@!n$

"Weekend Chic" with Polyester

"Get Through" from Casey Veggie's mixtape ''Sleeping In Class''

"Miss Donna Karan" from L.A.U.S.D. mixtape ''L.A.U.S.D. Presents: Curly Tops & Nautica Jackets''

"L.A. To Chicago" from G.o.D. Jewels mixtape ''Glory or Death''

"Hennesy Beach" from [Curren$y] Verde Terrace mixtape

References

External links

DopeItsDom

Paid Dues Independent Music Hip Hop Festival Archives

SXSW Music

LAxpaperboys.com

Justbecool.net

Category:Living people Category:African American rappers Category:People from Los Angeles, California Category:American rappers Category:Rappers from California Category:West Coast hip hop Category:Underground rappers Category:1984 births

name	Bun B
background	solo_singer
birth name	Bernard Freeman
alias	Big Boy B, Bunny Bee
birth date	March 19, 1973
death	July 30, 2011
origin	Port Arthur, Texas|
genre	Hip Hop, Southern Rap, Trill
occupation	Rapper, Songwriter, Producer, CEO
years active	1987–present
label	Rap-a-Lot
website	bunb.com/bun_b
associated acts	UGK, Slim Thug, Freddie Gibbs, Jay-Z, The Color Changin' Click, Rick Ross, Drake, E-40, Z-Ro, Ludacris, Lil Wayne }}

Bernard Freeman (born March 19, 1973) better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK (UnderGround Kingz). He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas. He recently released his third official solo album Trill OG on August 3, 2010, which received a 5 Mic "Classic" rating in The Source Magazine - the first album in over five years to receive the honor. Bun B is married with two stepchildren.

Solo career

When Bun B's UGK partner, the late Chad "Pimp C" Butler entered a jail sentence on an aggravated gun assault charge in 2003, Bun B made guest appearances on numerous albums by other Southern rappers and released a 2005 mixtape titled ''Legends''. Singles featuring a Bun B guest appearance included "They Don't Know" by Paul Wall, "Gimme That" by Webbie and "I'm A G" by Yung Joc. Bun B also appeared in a documentary titled ''Screwed In Houston'' produced by VBS/Vice Magazine that details the history of the Houston rap scene.

''Trill''

In October 2005, Bun B's debut solo album ''Trill'' was released. Singles included "Draped Up", "Git It", and "Get Throwed". The album peaked at the sixth spot on the American Billboard 200 chart and number one on the Top R&B;/Hip Hop Albums chart.

''II Trill''

After Pimp C died in 2007, Bun B returned to a solo career. In 2008, he released his second album, ''II Trill'' The first single was "That's Gangsta" featuring Jamaican American artist Sean Kingston. It debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, selling 98,000 copies. Other singles were "Damn I'm Cold" featuring Lil Wayne and "You're Everything" featuring Rick Ross, David Banner, and 8Ball & MJG, the latter of which was dedicated to the late Pimp C.

''Trill OG''

Bun B's third album is ''Trill OG''. In an interview with MTV Live, Bun B stated that 2Pac is set to feature on the album, claiming "It's a brand new verse." The album was released under Universal Music Group after leaving Warner Music Group's Asylum Records. The album was released on August 3, 2010.

Other Ventures

Acting

Bun B recently acted in the Straight-to-DVD movie "Ghetto Stories: The Movie". It is unknown at this time though if he is still pursuing an acting career.

Teaching

At the start of the Spring 2011 semester, Bun B joined the faculty of Rice University as a Distinguished Lecturer. He teaches a course in the School of the Humanities on Hip-Hop and Religion.

Personal life

Family

Bun B is married to Angela Walls with two stepchildren. One of his stepsons is American rapper Young B, who is currently a member of the rap group ''Youngest N Charge.'' Youngest N Charge is currently Bun B's opening act.

Discography

2005: ''Trill''

2008: ''II Trill''

2010: ''Trill OG''

2012: ''Keep It Trill IVEver''

Filmography

Films

''Ghetto Stories:the movie'' (2010)

References

External links

Rap-A-Lot Records

Discography at discogs.com

Category:1973 births Category:Screwed Up Click members Category:African American rappers Category:Rappers from Houston, Texas Category:People from Port Arthur, Texas Category:Asylum Records artists Category:Living people Category:Rice University faculty Category:Southern hip hop musicians Category:Rappers from Texas

de:Bun B es:Bun B fr:Bun B it:Bun B nl:Bun B no:Bun B pl:Bun B pt:Bun B fi:Bun B sv:Bun B tr:Bun B

name	Dan Auerbach
landscape	Yes
background	solo_singer
birth name	Daniel Quine Auerbach
born	May 14, 1979Akron, OhioUnited States
instrument	Vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, drums
genre	Blues-rock, garage rock
occupation	Musician, songwriter
years active	2000–present
label	Alive Records, Fat Possum Records, Nonesuch Records, V2 Records
associated acts	The Black Keys, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Blakroc
website	Official website
notable instruments	Ibanez SGHarmony H77Fender TelecasterSupro Val Trol }}

Daniel Quine Auerbach (born May 14, 1979) is a multi-instrumentalist best known as the guitarist and vocalist for The Black Keys, a blues rock band from Akron, Ohio. He is married to Stephanie Gonis, with whom he has a daughter, Sadie Little Auerbach, born in 2008.

Childhood and early life

Daniel Quine Auerbach is the son of Charles Auerbach (b. about 1950) and Mary Little Quine (b. about 1948). Auerbach grew up in a family with musical roots. His first cousin once removed is the late Robert Quine. Auerbach became infatuated with blues music after listening to his father's old vinyl records during his childhood. He was influenced early-on by his mother's side of the family, notably his uncles who played bluegrass music. Auerbach described himself as a normal teenager in high school who smoked marijuana and captained his high school soccer team. He was heavily influenced by Junior Kimbrough in college, eventually resulting in him dropping out to pursue the guitar more seriously. "I've listened to him so much, it's just how I hear it... I studied him so much... Getting F's in college, when I should've been studying, I was listening to Junior Kimbrough's music instead". Other major influences include: Robert Johnson, R.L. Burnside, Clarence White, Robert Nighthawk, T-Model Ford, Hound Dog Taylor, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Kokomo Arnold and Son House.

Performances and bands

The Barnburners

Auerbach was a member of a band called The Barnburners before forming The Black Keys in 2001. The Barnburners included Auerbach, Jason Edwards and Kip Amore. The Barnburners were a blues-based band that performed in Northeast Ohio clubs and released a 6 track album called The Rawboogie EP. The album includes the Junior Kimbrough song "Meet Me in the City", which Auerbach later covered with The Black Keys on their Chulahoma studio album.

The Fast Five (band)

The band "Fast Five" toured with Auerbach in 2009. The Fast Five's other members drew from the band Hacienda and percussionist Patrick Hallahan from My Morning Jacket The original percussionist, Bob Cesare, was unable to perform with the Fast Five due to a death in his family.

Dan and Pat met the members of Hacienda at a club, Emo's, in Austin, Texas while watching a band during the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Upon seeing one of the Hacienda band members hit on an intoxicated woman, Carney walked over and leaned in saying, "Dude, trust me, that's a bad idea." After becoming acquainted with each other, Dan emailed Hacienda a month later asking for more demos, which eventually led them to being asked to open for The Black Keys and Dr. Dog at a show in Austin, Texas. Afterwards, Auerbach asked Hacienda to travel to Akron, Ohio where they would be his "Guinea pigs" while recording Keep It Hid.

Discography

;Solo

''Keep It Hid'' (2009)

;With The Black Keys

''The Big Come Up'' (2002)

''Thickfreakness'' (2003)

''The Moan'' (2004)

''Rubber Factory'' (2004)

''Chulahoma'' (2006)

''Magic Potion'' (2006)

''Attack & Release'' (2008)

''Brothers'' (2010)

;Blakroc

''Blakroc'' (2009)

Other Projects

Jessica Lea Mayfield ''With Blasphemy So Heartfelt'' – Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Arranger, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Bass, Drums, BG Vocals, Piano, Synthesizer, Hammond Organ, Toy Piano, Lap Steel, Percussion

Shivering Timbers ''We All Started In The Same Place'' – Producer, Engineer, Drums, Mixer

Cadillac Sky ''Letters In The Deep'' – Producer, Engineer, Mixer

Hacienda ''Loud Is The Night'' – Producer, Engineer, Mixer, BG Vocals, Guitar

Hacienda ''Big Red & Barbacoa'' – Producer, Engineer, Mixer

Radio Moscow ''Radio Moscow'' – Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Acoustic Guitar

Buffalo Killers ''Let It Ride'' – Producer, Engineer, Mixer

The Ettes ''Danger Is EP'' (2 songs) – Producer, Engineer, Mixer

The Ettes ''Do You Want Power'' (1 song- No Home) – Producer, Engineer, Mixer Piano

Nathaniel Mayer ''Why Don't You Give It To Me'' – Co-producer, co-mixer, Guitar, Drums, Vocals

Nathaniel Mayer ''Why Won't You Let Me Be Black?'' – Co-producer, co-mixer, Guitar, Vocals

Brimstone Howl ''Guts of Steel'' – Producer, Engineer, Mixer

Black Diamond Heavies ''A Touch of Someone Else's Class'' – Producer, Engineer, Mixer

Patrick Sweany ''Every Hour Is a Dollar Gone'' – Producer, Engineer, Mixer

'''SSM ''SSM'' – Recorded, Engineered

SSM ''EP1'' – Recorded, Engineered

Musical equipment

Guitars

Fender Jerry Donahue Telecaster Harmony Stratotone H47 Harmony H78 Hollowbody Harmony Heath TG-46 Harmony Rocket Gibson Firebird VII 70's Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 60's Gibson SG Junior Supro Martinique Silvertone U1 Rickenbacker 360 Ibanez SG copy Ibanez Rocket Roll[flying v copy] National Map Tiesco Del Rey SS-4L

Amplification

Fender Quad Reverb Marshall JTM45 and vintage Marshall 8x10 cab Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue Fender Musicmaster Bass Fender Super Reverb

Effects

Ibanez Standard Fuzz Sovtek Big Muff Gibson Maestro Fuzz Tone Tubeplex tape delay Fulltone Tape Echo Boss TR-2 Tremolo

References

Real Detroit Weekly – Dan Auerbach

External links

Cold Steel in the Midnight Hour: An Interview with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys

Black Keys – Interview

Pentatonic for the soul: Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys

Keep It Hid Review

Dan Auerbach live review on Citizen Dick

Dan Auerbach on Obscure Sound

Category:Living people Category:1979 births Category:American blues guitarists Category:Blues rock musicians Category:Musicians from Ohio Category:People from Akron, Ohio Category:University of Akron alumni Category:American male singers Category:American rock guitarists

fr:Dan Auerbach it:Dan Auerbach nl:Dan Auerbach pl:Dan Auerbach pt:Dan Auerbach sv:Dan Auerbach

Name	Ski Beatz
Background	non_performing_personnel
Alias	DJ Ski, MC Willski
Origin	Greensboro, North Carolina
Instrument	Percussion, synthesizer, keyboards, bass, turntables
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, Record producer
Years active	1989–present
Label	Now City RecordsBlu Roc
Associated acts	DJ Clark Kent, Jay-Z, Camp Lo, Curren$y Young Uno The Bizzie Boyz }}

David Willis, otherwise known as DJ Ski and Ski Beatz, is an American record producer mainly working in hip hop.

Biography

Discovered by DJ Clark Kent, Ski was originally known as "MC Will-Ski". In the 1990s, he was a member of the group Original Flavor, the first group managed by future recording industry executive Damon Dash. In the mid-90s, Ski was working on duo Camp Lo's debut album ''Uptown Saturday Night'' when Dash called him in to work on the debut album of his own artist, Jay-Z. Jay's album, ''Reasonable Doubt'', was released in 1996, marking Ski's first major production placement. Ski produced four tracks off the album, including the singles "Dead Presidents" and "Feelin' It".

After the critical success of ''Reasonable Doubt'', Ski formed Roc-A-Blok Productions in affiliation with Jay and Dame's label, Roc-A-Fella Records, working with Camp Lo and Sporty Thievz. The producer crafted most of Camp Lo's debut, which dropped in 1997, and produced the Fat Joe single "John Blaze"; Ski continued to work with Jay-Z, on his second album ''In My Lifetime, Vol. 1'' as well as non-solo albums and compilation projects, until 1998, when Jay released his third project ''Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life'' without beats from any of his former producers except for DJ Premier.

Though Roc-A-Blok Productions had since folded, Ski stayed somewhat active in music. Relocating to his home state of North Carolina for a break from New York City's fast-paced lifestyle, he continued producing for artists such as Nature, members of the New Jersey crew The Outsidaz, Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown, Ras Kass and Proof. The producer has continued to produce for Camp Lo, providing most of the production for their second album ''Let's Do it Again'', as well as their third album, ''Black Hollywood''.

Recently, Ski linked back up with Dame Dash, joining the entrepreneur's DD172 collective, subsequently nicknamed the 24-Hour Karate School. Since the foundation of the studio enclave, Ski has worked with Mos Def, Jay Electronica, Jean Grae and others; on April 30, 2010, he announced that he will be producing upcoming albums for Jean Grae, Joell Ortiz, Ras Kass and others, and will be producing all but three songs on the rapper Curren$y's 3rd album Pilot Talk ; these artists are also all featured on the producer's upcoming solo debut, entitled ''24 Hour Karate School'' in honor of the collective.

Discography

Ski Beatz production discography

; Studio albums

''24 Hour Karate School'' (2010)

''24 Hour Karate School Pt. 2'' (2011)

References

External links

Ski Hip Hop Pow Interview

Interview, HitQuarters Nov 08

Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:American hip hop record producers Category:American businesspeople Category:American music industry executives Category:Hip hop record producers Category:Living people Category:People from Greensboro, North Carolina Category:Musicians from North Carolina