Name	Marcia Griffiths
Background	solo_singer
Born	November 23, 1949Kingston, Jamaica
Genre	ReggaeRoots Reggae
Occupation	Vocalist
Years active	1964–present
Associated acts	The WailersPeter ToshBob and Marcia

Marcia Llyneth Griffiths (born 23 November 1949; Kingston, Jamaica) is a successful female singer also called the "Queen of Reggae".

Career

Griffiths started her career in 1964. From 1970 to 1974 she worked together with Bob Andy in the group Bob and Marcia, on the Harry J label. Between 1974 and 1981 she was a member of the I-Threes, a background group, which supported Bob Marley & the Wailers.

Her song "Electric Boogie", released in 1976 and re-released in 1989, made the Electric Slide, a line dance, an international dance craze. It reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it her most successful single. It remains the highest-selling single by a female Reggae singer of all time. However, it was ranked at #76 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever by Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio, who questions, "If it's really electric, can we throw this song, and everybody involved in its creation, into some water?"

Recent Riddim:

Drop It Riddim Riddim (2008)

Mister Eudaric Riddim (2009)

References

External links

Official homepage of Marcia Griffiths

Category:1949 births Category:Living people Category:people from Kingston, Jamaica Category:Jamaican female singers Category:The Wailers members

Name	Tony Rebel
Landscape	yes
Alias	Tony Ranking, Papa Tony
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Patrick George Anthony Barrett
Born	January 15, 1962
Origin	Manchester Parish, Jamaica
Genre	Reggae, Dancehall, Roots reggae, Reggae fusion
Occupation	Deejay, Singer
Label	Flames
Url	www.tonyrebel.com

Tony Rebel (born Patrick George Anthony Barrett, 15 January 1962, Manchester Parish, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae deejay. He was initially a singer, appearing as Papa Tony or Tony Ranking in local talent contests and on sound systems including Sugar Minott's 'Youth Promotion'. His first release was the single "Casino" that appeared in 1988 on the MGB record label, although his career took off when he worked with Donovan Germain's Penthouse setup in the early 1990s. He had a big hit in 1990 with "Fresh Vegetable", and established a singjay style of delivery. He is notable as one of the few dreadlocked 'cultural' deejays of the ragga era. In 1992 he signed a deal with Columbia Records who released Vibes of the Times, a predominantly reggae fusion album, the following year. It spawned some of his more well known international singles such as the title track "Vibes of the Times" and "Nazerite Vow" both of which had accompanying music videos. In 1994 he founded his record label, 'Flames'.

Discography

Albums

Real Rough (1990) (with Capleton and Ninjaman)

Die Hard (1991) Penthouse (with Cutty Ranks)

20 Man Dead (1991) Charm (with Cutty Ranks)

Rebel With A Cause (1992) Penthouse

Rebellious (1992) Ras

Vibes Of The Time (1993) Columbia

If Jah (1997) VP

Jah Is By My Side (1997) VP

Realms of a Rebel (2001) RAS

Connection (2004) Next Music

I Rebel(2007) Flames

He appeared on the track "Rebel" (2000), from Dr.Alban's album "PRESCRIPTION".

Compilations

Collector's Series Vol. 1 – 1998, Penthouse

Collector's Series Vol. 2 – 1999, Penthouse

References

External links

Official website of Tony Rebel

"Nazerite Vow"

"Vibes of the Times"

Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:people from Manchester Parish Category:Jamaican male singers Category:Jamaican reggae singers Category:Reggae fusion artists

Name	Buju Banton
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Mark Anthony Myrie
Alias	Gargamel
Born	July 15, 1973
Origin	Kingston, Jamaica
Genre	Reggae, Dancehall, Reggae fusion, Roots reggae
Occupation	Singer
Url	www.gargamelmusic.com

Buju Banton (born Mark Anthony Myrie July 15, 1973) is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae musician. He has also recorded Pop and Dance songs, as well as songs dealing with political topics. Banton is politically outspoken and influenced by Marcus Garvey and the Rastafari movement. He is currently on a $250,000 bail (November 10, 2010) from the Pinellas County Jail while he awaits a retrial (scheduled for February 2011) on federal drugs charges relating to cocaine.

Biography

Background

Buju Banton was born in Kingston, Jamaica in a poor neighborhood called Salt Lane. "Buju" is a nickname given to chubby children which means breadfruit and was given to him by his mother as a child. "Banton" is a Jamaican word referring to someone who is a respected storyteller, and it was adopted by Myrie in tribute to the deejay Burro Banton whom Buju admired as a child. It was Burro's rough gravelly vocals that Buju emulated and ultimately made his own. Buju's mother was a higgler, or street vendor, while his father worked as a labourer at a tile factory. He was the youngest of fifteen children born into a family which was directly descended from the Maroons, a group of formerly enslaved Africans who became freedom fighters, fighting the British for centuries and obtaining a treaty with the British, giving them semi-autonomy in Jamaica.

Early career

As a youngster, Buju would often watch his favorite artists perform at outdoor shows and local dancehalls in Denham Town. At the age of 12 he picked up the microphone for himself and began toasting under the moniker of "Gargamel", working with the Sweet Love and Rambo Mango sound systems. 1992 was an explosive year for Buju as he broke Bob Marley's record for the greatest number of number one singles in a year. Beginning with "Woman fi Sex", Buju's gruff voice dominated the Jamaican airwaves for the duration of the year. Banton's debut album, Mr. Mention, includes his greatest hits from that year. 1992 saw the unsanctioned re-release of "Boom Bye Bye", which almost destroyed his career. The album showcases the most diverse aspects of Buju Banton, and featured guest appearances by Luciano, Morgan Heritage, Stephen Marley, and Rancid. It carried little of the roots feel heard on Til Shiloh and also virtually none of the hardcore driving sound that had brought him to public acclaim early in his career. It was a departure that many fans felt uncomfortable with. By now, however, he had been enshrined in the minds of reggae lovers as one of the most notable artists of his time, and seemed to have earned the right to some artistic freedom.

Several singles followed in the start of the new decade, mostly without the trademark spitfire delivery typical of dancehall, but displaying Banton's talent for a mellower more introspective approach. In March 2003 he released Friends for Life, which featured more sharply political songs, including "Mr. Nine", an anti-gun song that further verified his status as one of reggae's most socially aware artists. The album has a strong political message for the African diaspora and features excerpts from a speech made by Marcus Garvey. Paid Not Played is included and shows his gradual return to the themes more popular in dancehall. The album also featured some hip hop influence with the inclusion of Fat Joe.

2006 saw the release of the critically acclaimed "Too Bad", his first dancehall orientated album in over a decade. Voicing riddims produced by many of Jamaica's top producers Buju showed he still had what it took to be at the top of the dancehall game. One of the slower tracks from the album, "Driver A", was a massive hit and revived Sly & Robbie's ever-popular "Taxi" riddim.

He performed at the Cricket World Cup 2007 Opening Ceremony with Third World and Beres Hammond.

In 2008 he did a Soca collaboration Winning Season (remix) with Machel Montano of Trinidad and Tobago on Machel's album Flame on.

On April 21, 2009, Buju released his current album Rasta Got Soul.

He has received a Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category, for his critically acclaimed Roots Reggae opus, Rasta Got Soul. Produced by Banton, with contributions from longtime collaborators Donovan Germain, Stephen Marsden and Wyclef Jean. Rasta Got Soul was recorded over a seven year period and finally released on April 21, 2009, the 43rd anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie's historic visit to Jamaica in 1966.

Since its release, the album has received rave reviews from an array of international media outlets including Billboard, Exclaim!, Hip-Hop Weekly and All Music Guide, who called the album an "instant classic." Project highlights include "Magic City," "I Rise," "A Little Bit Of Sorry," "Rastafari," "Sense Of Purpose" featuring Bunny Rugs of Third World and "Bedtime Story" featuring Wyclef. A documentary-style video for the new single"Optimistic Soul" will be released next month.

This prestigious Grammy nod for Rasta Got Soul is the artist's official fourth. Banton was previously acknowledged by the Recording Academy for his albums Too Bad (2007) Friends for Life (2004) and Inna Heights (1999).

Controversies

Anti-gay stance

Banton has attracted criticism over his anti-gay lyrics. For example, his monster hit "Boom Bye Bye", released in 1988 (and re-recorded in 1992), contains lyrics inciting the murder of gay men. In a news article on anti-gay attitudes, The New York Times reporter Kelefa Sanneh said the song is, "a blood-curdling song with a low, lurching beat and a murderous chorus."

In 2007 Banton was allegedly among a number of reggae artists who signed a pledge, the Reggae Compassionate Act, created by the Stop Murder Music campaign, to refrain from performing homophobic songs or making homophobic statements, but he later denied that he had made any such commitment.

Following Banton's recent nomination for a Grammy Award, LGBT and human rights groups have mounted a protest and a petition was circulated by the groups Change.org and GLAAD.

Federal drug charges

In December 2009 Drug Enforcement Administration agents remanded Banton to custody in Miami, where the U.S. Attorney charged him with conspiracy to distribute and possession of more than five kilos of cocaine,. On September 27, 2010, the case was declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision. Banton was released on November 10, 2010 on bond. The prosecution is seeking to reindict him.

Discography

1992: Stamina Daddy (later repackaged as Quick)

1992: Mr. Mention

1993: Voice of Jamaica

1995: 'Til Shiloh

1997: Inna Heights

2000: Unchained Spirit

2003: Friends for Life

2006: Too Bad

2009: Rasta Got Soul

2010: Before The Dawn

References

External links

Buju Banton Federal Drug Charge

Official website

discogs.com entry

Category:1973 births Category:Living people Category:Dancehall musicians Category:Jamaican male singers Category:Jamaican Rastafarians Category:Jamaican reggae singers Category:Jamaican songwriters Category:People from Kingston, Jamaica Category:Reggae fusion artists

Name	AZ
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Anthony Cruz
Born	March 09, 1972
Origin	East New York, Brooklyn, New York
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Emcee
Years active	1991–present
Label	EMI, Noo Trybe/Virgin, Motown, Koch, Quiet Money Records
Associated acts	Nas, The Firm, Cormega, Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Premier, Half a Mill
Url	www.doeordie2.com

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972, in Brooklyn), better known as AZ is an American rapper of Dominican & African American descent. He is known for being a long time rhyme partner of Nas, and also a member of hip-hop super group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature. AZ is known for his complex multi-syllabic rhyming pattern and deep content.

In a top 10 countdown of the 10 Most Underappreciated Rappers—Most Underrated Rappers of All Time by About.Com, AZ was listed as number one on the list.

Music career

AZ first came to prominence by appearing on Nas' landmark 1994 album Illmatic on the song "Life's a Bitch", as well as featuring vocals on the opening track The Genesis. He was the only guest feature to appear on that album. After a bidding war, AZ signed with EMI, and soon released his debut album Doe Or Die in 1995 to critical acclaim, but meager commercial success. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became AZ's only major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. AZ's EMI contract was transferred to sister label Noo Trybe Records/Virgin Records when the EMI Label Group was shut down. In 1997, he and Nas appeared in a Sprite commercial. Also in 1997 the group The Firm with AZ, Nas, Nature, and Foxy Brown released their only album as a group, The Album. The album featured production from well known producers such as Dr. Dre and the Trackmasters and generated much hype, but was generally viewed as a disappointment. The group disbanded after just this one album. In 1998 AZ released his second solo album, Pieces of a Man. The album fared well but didn't chart quite as well as his debut and didn't feature a crossover single like "Sugar Hill".

After this album's release, AZ signed with Motown/Universal Records and released 9 Lives. In 2002, he released Aziatic. A single from the album, "The Essence," (featuring Nas) was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The first single from the album is "Feel My Pain" produced by Frank Dukes. Recently, former member of Da Beatminerz, Baby Paul, confirmed he will be producing for the album also serving as the album's executive producer. He told HipHopDX in a interview that he plans on releasing a 15th Anniversary edition of Doe or Die on November 23, 2010 with some remixes and hopes to drops DOD2 next year as he continues to label hunt for it. Currently, Dr. Dre & Kanye West are too busy to produce for the album right now but AZ says he is patiently waiting for them to both drop their next solo records so they can hop on the production board. He is also seeking production from DJ Premier for DOD2.

Doe or Die (1995)

Doe or Die was released October 10, 1995 on EMI Records. The album features guest appearances by artists such as Nas and Miss Jones, and production from Pete Rock, L.E.S., and Buckwild, among others. Upon release, Doe or Die received notable critical, and commercial success. The album peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200, and #1 on the U.S. Top R&B;/Hip Hop Albums chart. Doe or Die produced several singles, including, "Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homicide," "Gimme Your's (remix)," "Doe or Die" and "Sugar Hill" - which was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995.

Pieces of a Man (1998)

Pieces of a Man is AZ's second album. The album is vastly different from his debut, Doe or Die. It contained fun, party tracks as opposed to Doe or Die's grimey, street oriented lyrics and production. Despite this major change, the album was still highly praised for its complex and insightful lyricism. The first single was supposed to be "Hey AZ" featuring SWV. That song uses the same sample as Mariah Carey's song "Honey", "Hey DJ" by the World Famous Supreme Team. Both were released in summer of 1997. The song "Hey AZ" had a video as well but for some reason when the album was released in spring 1998, the song was not on there. After the release of the album, Noo Trybe Records took AZ off of their roster.

9 Lives (2001)

AZ demonstrates his strong multi-syllabic rhyming again, as shown in "Problems" :

Soakin in Remy, sittin back smokin a twenty Shit is scabby, the hustlin is so in me. Never show envy, got a style I maxed I'm like po', back in eighty-fo', now smile at that. Unseen when I'm low, but still right in your face I'm so skinny, but that semi-auto's right in my waist. From Jags to Jeeps, hoopties with the raggedy seats Just imagine how I'm movin if we had any beef. Beats relax me, good cheeba keeps me nasty Lower the smoke when I see the D's creepin past me. Duckin the narcs, was born bustin dutches apart. Love pussy with pretty lips, when you fuck it it fart.

Aziatic (2002)

Aziatic is considered AZ's comeback album, which restored his credibility. The album features AZ's flow and style over melodic, soulful production. It featured a duet between AZ and long-time friend and collaborator, Nas, "The Essence", which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.

The album was mostly well received by critics, one such positive review from Brad Mills at Allmusic, states: "AZ has been looked upon to do amazing things with his music. Has he lived up to those high expectations? On this album he has. From start to finish, the beats on this album are complex, inventive, and almost perfectly suited for AZ's style of rhyming. He's carefully crafted this album rather than slapped it together overnight to meet his quota, and it shows. It helps immensely that he's brought along people like DR Period, Az Izz, Nas, and Buckwild, but they don't outshine the younger AZ and he holds his own well." He continues by saying; "Lyrically, musically, and historically, AZ has come up with his best work in a long time on this album." Despite the positive remarks, the main points of criticism draw from the length of the album, with only three songs breaking past the four minute mark.

AWOL (2005)

A.W.O.L. was released on September 6, 2005. It was recorded after Final Call, which AZ declined to release because his label had pushed its release back two months—according to him, they were also the source of its early leak to the press and the internet. Garnering critical praise with production from highly-regarded New York underground acts such as DJ Premier, Buckwild, and DipSet production duo the Heatmakerz, the rapper abandoned his previously money-oriented subject matter, stating that he "wanted it to be all street.[1] A.W.O.L. is the first AZ album which was released on his own Quiet Money Records imprint. In a couple of months after the release, A.W.O.L. 1.5, which included a bonus disc featuring a cappella and instrumental versions to the songs on A.W.O.L., was released.

The Format (2006)

The format album features production from Fizzy Womack (better known as Lil' Fame of M.O.P.), Face Defeat, Emile, J. Cardim, Phonte, Statik Selektah and DJ Premier. Guest appearances are provided by M.O.P., Little Brother, as well as artists on AZ's new label, Quiet Money Records. The album's lead single is its title track, "The Format", produced by DJ Premier, with "Vendetta" as its B-Side.[1] The Format also features the bonus track "Royal Salute", a retaliation to 50 Cent's song "What If", which included a line aimed at AZ. On October 7, 2007, Quiet Money released The Format (Special Edition) adding six bonus tracks including "Royal Salute."

Undeniable (2008)

Undeniable was released on April 1, 2008 through Fast Life Music and Koch Records. The album debuted at number 141 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling over 5,000 copies in its first week.

Doe Or Die II (2011)

In the early stages of the recording process. AZ wants Dr. Dre & Kanye for producing & hopes to collaborate with Nas.

Discography

List of studio albums

Doe or Die (1995)

Pieces of a Man (1998)

9 Lives (2001)

Aziatic (2002)

A.W.O.L. (2005)

The Format (2006)

Undeniable (2008)

Doe or Die 2 (2011)

List of collaboration albums

The Firm: The Album (with The Firm) (1997)

List of compilation albums and mixtapes

S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) (2000)

Decade 1994–2004 (2004)

The Memphis Sessions: The Remix-Tape (2007)

N.4.L. (Niggaz 4 Life) (2008)

Final Call (The Lost Tapes) (2008)

Anthology (B-Sides & Unreleased) (2008)

Legendary (2009)

G.O.D. (Gold, Oil & Diamonds) (2009)

Doe or Die 15th Anniversary (2010)

List of guest appearances

1992: "Understanding" Nas Pre-Illmatic Demo Tape

1994: "The Genesis", "Life's A Bitch" Nas Illmatic

1995: "Wake Up Show Anthem" With Big L, Chino XL, Doug E. Fresh & Masta Ace Sway & King Tech Wake Up Show 2

1996: "A+Z" A+ The Latch-Key Child

1996: "When The Cheering Stops" With Zhané, Ray Buchanan & Scott Galbraith (from NFL Jams (Import))

1996: "Lady [DJ Premier Remix]" D'Angelo Lady 12"

1996: "Album Intro", "Affirmative Action" With Foxy Brown & Cormega Nas It Was Written

1996: "La Familia" Foxy Brown I'll Be 12"

1996: "I Miss U [Come Back Home Remix]" Monifah Moods... Moments LP/ Miss U 12"/You 12"

1996: "Something About You (Darkchild Remix)" New Edition single

1998: "Head Over Heels [Trackmaster's Remix]" Allure Head Over Heels 12"

1998: "Rock Me [JD Remix]" V.A. Caught Up OST

1998: "Promises" With LaTocha Scott Of Xscape & Ray Buchanan (from NFL Jams (Intersound))

1999: "Let's Live" With Animal The Union Hard Labor

1999: "24/7 [Remix]" Kevon Edmonds 24/7 12"

1999: "Thug Connection" With Kool G Rap Papoose Alphabetical Slaughter 12"

2000: "Takin' Ova Da Streets" The Bleach Brothers Takin' Ova Da Streets 12"

2000: "Groove On [Remix]" Half-A-Mil Groove On 12"

2000: "Quiet Money" Half-A-Mil Milíon

2000: "Quiet Money [Blood Money]" With Animal & Half-A-Mil The Union Organized Rhymes

2000: "It's War" DJ Skribble Traffic Jams

2001: "Layaway" Jon B. Pleasures U Like

2001: "The Flyest" Nas Stillmatic

2002: "Holla Back" With Nawz & Tito Kool G Rap The Giancana Story

2002: "Keep On Lovin' You [Remix]" Dave Hollister Keep On Lovin' You 12"

2004: "Redemption" Cormega Legal Hustle

2006: "Professional Style" The Alchemist Chemistry Files

2006: "The Hardest Pt. I" Styles P The Ghost Sessions - Mixtape

2007: "No Holding Back" With Cormega Statik Selektah Spell My Name Right: The Album

2007: "Who Am I?" with Cormega & Nature Cormega Who Am I?: The Soundtrack

2008: "Too Real" Foxy Brown Brooklyn's Don Diva

2008: "It's So Hard" with Ali Vegas, Styles P & Danny McClane

2008: "Road to Success" ASN

2008: "On the Road" ASN with Keisha Shontelle & Fuc That

2009: "Harbormasters" with Ghostface Killah & Inspectah Deck Chamber Music

2009: "D.O.A." (Death of Autotune) [Remix]" with Jay-Z

2010: "Under Pressure" with T-Bizzy, Lost in Translation

2010: "Winner" with Black Sheep, From the Black Pool of Genius

References

External links

Category:1972 births Category:Living people Category:1990s rappers Category:2000s rappers Category:2010s rappers Category:African American rappers Category:Aftermath Entertainment artists Category:Hispanic and Latino American rappers Category:Members of the Nation of Gods and Earths Category:Motown artists Category:People from Brooklyn Category:Rappers from New York City Category:Virgin Records artists Category:EMI Records artists