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Biltmore Estate in Ashville, North Carolina

A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over 8,000 square feet (740 m²). A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and many bedrooms. Today, however, there is no formal definition beyond being a large and well-appointed house.^[1]

The word itself derives (through Old French) from the Latin word mansiō ("act of remaining or staying", a verbal noun from manere "to remain" or "to stay".) In the Roman Empire, a mansio was an official stopping place on a Roman road, or via, where cities sprang up, and where the villas of provincial officials came to be placed. The Scots word "manse" originally defined a property large enough for the Minister of the parish to maintain himself, but a mansion is no longer self-sustaining in this way (compare a Roman or medieval villa). 'Manor' comes from the same root — territorial holdings granted to a lord who would remain there — hence it can be seen how the word 'Mansion' came to have its meaning.

In British English a mansion block refers to a block of flats or apartments. In many parts of Asia, including Hong Kong and Japan, the word mansion also refers to a block of apartments.

[edit] History

Montacute House, near Yeovil, Somerset. Built 1598

The "country house," as it is known in English-speaking places, is a distinct variety of mansion.

In the past, it was fashionable for the elite society of Europe to pursue the social circuit from country home to country home, with intervals at town homes, so unfortified country houses supplanted castles and the modern mansion began to evolve.

It was in the 16th century that mansions really began to be built in a completely unfortified and gracious style^{[citation needed]}, with gardens, parks, and drives. This was the era of Renaissance architecture. Hatfield House is a superb example of a house built during the transition period in England^{[citation needed]}. In Italy, classic villas such as Villa Farnese and Villa Giulia were typical^{[citation needed]}, albeit individually diverse forms, of the new style of mansion.

The uses of these edifices paralleled that of the Roman villas. It was vital for powerful people and families to keep in social contact with each other as they were the primary moulders of society. The rounds of visits and entertainments were an essential part of the societal process, as painted in the novels of Jane Austen. State business was often discussed and determined in informal settings. Times of revolution reversed this value. During its revolution, France lost a large part of its country homes to incendiary committees, who destroyed the estates as a reaction to/rejection of the ancient régimes.

Until World War I it was not unusual for a moderately sized mansion in England such as Cliveden to have an indoor staff of 20 and an outside staff of the same size^{[citation needed]}, and in ducal mansions such as Chatsworth House the numbers could be far higher. In the great houses of Italy, the number of retainers was often even greater than in England; whole families plus extended relations would often inhabit warrens of rooms in basements and attics. It is doubtful that a 19th century Marchesa would even know the exact number of individuals who served her. Most European mansions also were the hub of vast estates. A true estate (the medieval villa, French ville) always contains at least one complete village and its church. Large estates such as that of Woburn Abbey have several villages attached.

[edit] Nineteenth century development

A mansion near Almelo, Netherlands

The 19th century saw particularly in the United States a new type of mansion being built, often smaller than the older European mansions. The Breakers in Rhode Island is a fine example, as is the nearby, but completely different, Watts Sherman House.

Fifth Avenue, New York, at this time was lined with numerous mansions, designed by the leading architects of the day, many in European gothic styles, built by the many families who were making their fortunes, and thus achieving their social aspirations, in the mid 19th century. However, nearly all of these have now been demolished, thus depriving New York of a boulevard to rival, in the architectural sense, any in Paris, London or Rome—where the many large mansions and palazzi built or remodeled during this era still survive. Mansions built in the countryside were not spared either. One of the most spectacular estates of the U.S., Whitemarsh Hall, was demolished in 1980, along with its extensive gardens, to make way for suburban developments.

Grand Federal Style mansions designed by Samuel McIntire inhabit an area that, in 2008, is the largest collection of 17th & 18th century structures in the United States of America. This district in Salem, Massachusetts is called the McIntire Historic District with the center being Chestnut Street.^[2]

Little is known about McIntire's personal life. He was born in Salem in 1757 and grew up in a family of housewrights. Samuel married Sally Fields in 1778, and the couple had one son. He built a simple home and workshop on Summer Street in 1786. His favorite hobby was playing and teaching music.

McIntire's training came from his father and from books. He and his brothers, Joseph and Angler, began their careers as housewrights and carpenters while in their teens but, early on, Samuel's work caught the eye of Salem's pre-eminent merchant, Elias Hasket Derby. Over the next quarter century, McIntire built or remodeled a number of homes for Derby and members of his extended family. McIntire also worked occasionally on Derby's vessels, and wasn't averse to fixing a wagon or building a birdhouse if his patron so desired.^[3]

"King" Derby's stamp of approval opened many other doors for McIntire, who went on to design and build mansions for John Gardner, Jerethmiel Peirce, Simon Forrester, and other wealthy Salem shipowners. He also built, on elegant Chestnut Street, a function hall (named for Alexander Hamilton) and church for the town's merchant class. McIntire also designed the former Salem Court House and Registry of Deeds.

After 1793, Samuel McIntire worked exclusively in the architectural style developed by Robert Adam in Great Britain and brought to America by the great Boston architect, Charles Bulfinch. The delicate Adamesque style, which emphasized decorative elements and ornamentation, was tailor made for McIntire whose unerring sense of design and proportion was exceeded only by his skill as a woodcarver. Carved swags, rosettes, garlands, and his signature sheaths of wheat dominate wood surfaces in McIntire homes built between 1793 and his death in 1811.

The Breakers, in Newport, Rhode Island, is one of the most famous 19th century mansions in the United States.

Even in Europe some 19th-century mansions were often built as replicas of older houses, the Château de Ferrières in France was inspired by Mentmore Towers which in turn is a copy of Wollaton Hall. Other mansions were built in the new and innovative styles of the new era such as the arts and crafts style: The Breakers is a pastiche of an Italian Renaissance Palazzo; Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire is a faithful mixture of various French châteaux. One of the most enduring and most frequently copied styles for a mansion is the palladian - particularly so in the 18th century. However, the gothic style was probably the most popular choice of design in the 19th century. The most bizarre example of this was probably Fonthill Abbey which actually set out to imitate the mansions which had truly evolved from medieval gothic abbeys following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century.

Mansions built during and after the 19th century seldom were supported by the large estates of their predecessors. These new mansions were often built as the week-end retreats of businessmen who commuted to their offices by the new railways, which enabled them to leave the city more easily^{[citation needed]}. Before this era most owners of mansions were the old aristocracy^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Latin America

Baruel Mansion in São Paulo city, Alto de Santana region.

In Latin America, with its feudal colonial and post-colonial past, the grand rural estate, the Hacienda, Estancia, in Portuguese speaking Brazil Fazenda or Estância, with the mansion as its stately center, is a characteristic feature.

Naturally mansions followed European architectural styles. Whereas until the second half of the 19th century Portugal and Spain as the colonial (or former colonial) powers were the eminent models for architecture and upperclass lifestyle, towards the end of the 19th century they were sometimes replaced by then more dominant powers like France or England.

In comparably developed, densely populated countries like Mexico, feudal estates and their mansions were as grand and stately as in the Mediterranean old world, whereas where estates were founded in the sparsely populated remote areas like the Pampa of Argentina or Uruguay, where iron pillars, doors, windows, furniture had to be brought from Europe by ship and afterwards oxcart, buildings were smaller, but normally still aspiring to evoke a stately impression, often featuring the Mirador (the lookout or tower, see also belvedere) In Venezuela, the traditional Spanish Mansion with the garden in the center of the property are usually referred as "Quinta".

[edit] The "modern" mansion

Mansions built during the last and present centuries usually have specially designed rooms meant to accommodate leisure activities of a particular kind. Many will have a conservatory or greenhouse, while others will have an infinity pool or a home theatre. Some have all of these features. The relative importance of these specially designed rooms changes with the times: At the beginning of the 20th century no true mansion would have been built without a room to house a private library or office, while at the beginning of the 21st century the presence of a room designed for a home theatre or cinema is a must. Most recently, mansions have been built with integrated domotics.

A modern mansion today may not necessarily be limited to a single house standing alone. Compounds, or a grouping of larger houses have become more popular. The Kennedy Compound is an example of one family building surrounded by large houses on a single plot. There is no single accepted size where a big house would instead be called a "mansion". As the word itself derives from the Latin word mansiō ("act of remaining or staying"), many city villas suitable for receiving guests are operated as bed and breakfasts, like Valencia Mansion in Spain.

[edit] See also

• Castle
• Chateau
• Estancia
• Estate
• Hacienda
• Hôtel particulier
• Manor house
• Palace
• Palazzo
• Villa

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Look up mansion in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Historic Mansions and Estates in Latin America
• Estonian Manors Portal the English version introduces 438 well-preserved historical manors (mansions, estates) in Estonia
• "Mansion" in 1911 Britannica

Marece Richards (born September 2, 1983),^[1] better known by his stage name Rich Boy, is an American rapper from Mobile, Alabama. He is best known for the hit single "Throw Some D's". His self-titled debut album was released in early 2007.

[edit] Background

[edit] Early career

Richards dropped out of his studies of mechanical engineering at Tuskegee University in order to concentrate on trying to rap. Rich Boy signed a contract with Zone 4 through Interscope Records and started to work on his debut album.^[2] In the meantime, he snuck onto one of Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace compilations and on a few mix tapes, such as Comeback Season by Canadian rapper Drake and Da Bottom, Vol. 5 by DJ Ideal and Jermaine Dupri.

[edit] 2007: Self titled debut album

On March 13, 2007, Rich Boy released his self-titled debut album, with the singles "Throw Some D's," "Boy Looka Here," "Good Things", and "Let's Get This Paper". "Throw Some D's" reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and #2 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. "Boy Looka Here" and "Good Things" both peaked around #50 on the R&B chart.^[3]

[edit] 2012: Resurrected In Diamonds

He recently released a single "Top of the World", part of the More Than a Game soundtrack album. Rich Boy's second album Resurrected in Diamonds is slated for a 2012 release.^[4] The first single is "She Luvs Me (She Luvs Mi Knot)" featuring Polow da Don and it was released on June 21, 2010. Dr. Dre and Polow da Don produced on the album.^[5] Rich Boy has also worked with R&B singer Lloyd and Young Money artist Drake, on a track called "To the Floor"^[6]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] Mixtapes

[edit] Singles

[edit] Dat Ass

Dat Ass is an internet meme based on a still photograph of rapper Rich Boy that was taken during his studio visit to MTV’s Total Request Live in March 2007. The original picture reveals the young Southern rapper biting his lower lip while trying to listen to someone speaking in the audience. Since its inception, both the facial expression and the catchphrase “Dat Ass” have been used as a popular response to rump threads on message boards.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Rich Boy on Myspace

Nipsey Hussle
Background information
Birth name	Ermias Asghedom
Also known as	Nipsey Hussle
Born	1985
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States[1]
Genres	Gangsta rap, West Coast hip hop, G-funk
Occupations	Artist
Years active	2003–present
Labels	All Money In,Skee Music,Money Gang
Associated acts	Snoop Dogg, Jay Rock, Game, YG, Tyga, Chamillionaire, Lloyd Banks, Drake, Kokane, Danny Green, The Kid Gashi
Website	ihussle.com

Ermias Asghedom, better known by his stage name Nipsey Hussle, is a West Coast rapper from Los Angeles, California.

[edit] Music career

Nipsey's first recorded mixtape, was Slauson Boy Volume 1, and soon became the name of his own record label.^[2] In 2008 Nipsey released two mixtapes, Bullets Ain't Got No Name, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2,^[3] before signing with Epic Records.^[4][5] In 2009, his debut single, "Hussle In The House", was released.

In 2009 he released a third mixtape, Bullets Ain't Got No Name, Vol. 3. He appeared with Drake on the song "Killer"^[6] and on the song "Upside Down" on Snoop Dogg's album Malice n Wonderland.^[7] A first studio album, South Central State of Mind, was expected in the summer of 2009 but was never released; it has been postponed indefinitely. The Marathon was released instead on December 21, 2010.^{[citation needed]}

In 2010 he appeared on the song "We Are the World 25 for Haiti".^[8] He was chosen as one of XXL Magazine's "Annual Freshman Top Ten", a selection of ten up-and-coming artists^[9] as "Most Determined"^[10] And continues to have success with the release of his new single "Feelin Myself" featuring Lloyd. The first single off The Marathon mixtape is "Keys to the City" (Produced By E.N.G. & Djay Cas).^[11] He made a guest appearance on fellow rapper YG's 2012 single "Bitches Ain't", also featuring Young Money member Tyga.^[12] It debuted on the Hot 100 at #100 and on the Heatseekers Songs chart at #11.^[13]

[edit] Other ventures

[edit] Acting career

In 2007 Nipsey had a small part in Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's semi-biographical film "I Tried" directed by Rich Newey. In 2010 he starred in the film Wrath of Cain, starring Ving Rhames.^[14][15]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

[edit] Mixtapes

[edit] Singles

[edit] Solo singles

[edit] Promotional singles

[edit] As featured performer

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Films Year Title Role Notes 2007 I Tried Little Ricky Support role 2008 Three Thug Mice Unknown Main role 2009 Malice N Wonderland Nipsey Support role 2010 The Wrath of Cain Ricky Main role Love Chronicles: Secrets Revealed Janky Support role [edit] References ^ Reid, Shaheem; Dukes, Rahman (October 19, 2009). "Nipsey Hussle Drops One More Mixtape Before Debut Album". Mixtape Daily (MTV News). http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1624110/20091016/nipsey_hussle_1.jhtml. Retrieved 27 January 2010.  ^ Nipsey Hussle Bio[dead link] ^ "Who's Next?...Nipsey Hussle", Written by Diamond Bradley, Parlé, Monday, 01 February 2010 ^ // Nipsey Hussle Interview (June 2008) // West Coast News Network. Dubcnn.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-16. ^ XXL Magazine September 2009 Issue ^ // Nipsey Hussle In Store at Regal Tenant. Dubcnn.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-16. ^ >> Snoop Dogg Reveals Tracklisting & Credits For Upcoming Malice N Wonderland Album. BallerStatus.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-16. ^ >> Nipsey Hussle, The Making of "We Are the World 2010". XXLmag.com (2010-02-04). Retrieved on 2011-09-16. ^ >> XXcLusive: XXL's 10 Freshmen for '10 Cover Revealed. XXLmag.com (2010-03-01). Retrieved on 2011-09-16. ^ Nipsey Hussle, Most Determined. Xxlmag.Com. Retrieved on 2011-09-16. ^ Nipsey Hu$$le - Keys to the City | New Hip Hop Music & All The New Rap Songs 2011. HipHop DX (2010-11-22). Retrieved on 2011-09-16. ^ "iTunes - Music - Snitches Ain't... (feat. Tyga, Snoop Dogg & Nipsey Hussle) - Single by YG". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-02-07. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/snitches-aint...-feat.-tyga/id498358669. Retrieved 2012-03-06.  ^ "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard.com. http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100?begin=91&order=position. Retrieved 2012-03-06.  ^ >> Nipsey Hussle Speaks on Role in New Ving Rhames Movie. XXLmag.com (2009-07-14). Retrieved on 2011-09-16. ^ Paine, Jake. (2009-06-18) Ving Rhames Talks New Film, Nipsey Hussle, Gillie Da Kid. HipHopDX. Retrieved on 2011-09-16. [edit] External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nipsey Hussle Official website Nipsey Hussle at the Internet Movie Database Official Tumblr Nipsey Hussle Interview with HipHopAtLunch Persondata Name Hussle, Nipsey Alternative names Short description Date of birth August 15, 1983 Place of birth Date of death Place of death