Kurupt
Kurupt
Background information
Born	(1972-11-23) November 23, 1972 (age 39) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Origin	Hawthorne, California, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Years active	1992–Present
Labels	Death Row (1992 - 1998) (2002 - 2005) Antra (1998 - 2011) Interscope (1992 - 1995) D.P.G (2005 - 2010) Gangsta Advisory (2005 - 2011) Babygrande/Doggystyle (2006 - 2009) Bogish Brand Entertainment (2006 - 2010)
Associated acts	Tha Dogg Pound, Daz Dillinger, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, The HRSMN, 2Pac, Jayo Felony, 40 Glocc, Bad Azz, Mobb Deep, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Lil' Wayne, Xzibit, Eminem, Nate Dogg, DJ Quik, Warzone, Soopafly, Flesh-n-Bone, Roscoe, The Game, Canibus, Killah Priest, Ras Kass, J. Wells, Shade Sheist, Cypress Hill, Dr. Hollywood, Track Bangas
Website	http://www.kuruptgotti.com

Ricardo Emmanuel Brown (born November 23, 1972), better known by his stage name Kurupt, also known as Kurupt Tha Kingpin, Kurupt Young Gotti or Young Gotstra is an American rapper and former Executive Vice President of Death Row Records. He is a member of the rap group Tha Dogg Pound, and is mostly known for his work with Death Row Records. He is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup The HRSMN.

Early life[link]

Ricardo Emmanuel Brown was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he lived for a while. He also lived in East Orange, NJ with his mother, sister and younger brother. A suburb of Newark, East Orange is where he sharpened his emcee skills. He later moved to Hawthorne, California to live with his father Jomax Collins (Ah-Fook).

Career[link]

At Death Row Records[link]

As a result, he has associated himself somewhat with Philadelphia^[1] and its rap scene, including Philly rappers such as Beanie Sigel; his first album, Kuruption!, was a double-disc that featured both east and west coast CDs. He is the cousin of rapper Redrum781, known from the Bloods & Crips Bangin' on Wax albums, and Damu Ridas.

Kurupt was signed to Death Row Records in the early '90's, making up a core roster that consisted of himself, Daz Dillinger, Lady of Rage, Snoop Dogg and RBX, led musically by Dr. Dre. These artists gained maximum exposure by appearing on Dre's breakthrough album, The Chronic, during which Kurupt and Daz developed a close working relationship. After forming two-man crew Tha Dogg Pound, they were heavily featured on Snoop's debut Doggystyle, even given their own song alongside Rage, "For All My Niggaz & Bitchez."

After the signing of Tupac Shakur to Death Row in September 1995, a rivalry was sparked between Death Row and the east coast's Bad Boy Entertainment. Death Row became a divided label, with Suge Knight and 2Pac demanding every rapper on the label diss an assortment of east coast artists hailing from or affiliated with Bad Boy. Having already thrown in on the Ruthless Records/Death Row conflict, Kurupt and Daz joined in the feud with their single "New York, New York," featuring Snoop Dogg; the song was interpreted as a diss against NYC and although it did not diss anyone specifically, it incited the response "L.A., L.A." The duo's album, Dogg Food, became highly successful, despite being the first Death Row release not produced by Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre did, however, mix the album.

The time after Dogg Food's release was a hectic one for Death Row. Artists discouraged by the rising conflict included RBX, who left the label; Lady of Rage, whose project was continually postponed; and Dr. Dre himself, who began to resent Suge's controversial strong-arm tactics and thirst for the spotlight. When Dre jumped ship for Aftermath Entertainment, Daz became the main producer for Death Row, handling much of 2Pac's All Eyez on Me and Snoop Dogg's Tha Doggfather, on which Kurupt was featured relatively sparingly, in contrast to his former high profile on label projects.

Life after Death Row[link]

2Pac's 1996 murder began a mass exodus of artists from Death Row Records. Kurupt was one of the first to leave, preceded only by Nate Dogg; he initially signed with A&M, on which he founded an imprint, Antra Records. It was through this deal Brown released his debut solo album Kuruption! in 1998, with appearances by Dr. Dre, Buckshot, and former foe N.O.R.E. The video for the single, "Ask Yourself a Question" was directed by writer-journalist-filmmaker Barry Michael Cooper (who wrote the screenplays for "New Jack City", "Sugar Hill", and "Above The Rim"); it featured Dr. Dre, producer of the song. The video was filmed in Philadelphia, Pa., in November, 1998.

Though the double-disc effort featured only a bit of Daz production, he and his former groupmate were still on good terms; when Dillinger followed in his tracks and left Death Row in 1999, he produced several tracks for his groupmate's second album Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha, marking the end of Kurupt's tenure at Antra. The record featured a widespread diss track called "Calling Out Names," on which Kurupt called out various rappers, including DMX, accusing the east coaster of stealing his contract deal with Ja Rule. During this time, he linked up with fellow Californian Ras Kass, Wu-Tang Clan-affiliate Killah Priest and former Universal Records wonder Canibus to form a group called The HRSMN; despite repeated promises of an album, the group's only release has been an unfinished white label.

While Suge owned rights to Tha Dogg Pound name, Kurupt and Daz formed the core of an extended family called DPG (Dogg Pound Gangstaz)/DPGC (Dogg Pound Gangsta Clique), the latter of which also prominently featured Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg, Soopafly, and others intermittently. Daz and Kurupt went on to release Dillinger & Young Gotti under the name DPG, which garnered lukewarm reviews.^[2] Kurupt's following solo album for Artemis Records, Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey, fared better, with production from Daz and up-and-coming producer Fredwreck; his then-fiancee, Natina Reed, provided the hook for the single "It's Over."

In the 2002 song 'Till I Collapse off The Eminem Show album, Kurupt was referenced as one of Eminem's favorite rappers.

Second term at Death Row[link]

After an unofficial remix/compilation Dogg Pound album called 2002 in early 2002, questions began to arise as to the status of Tha Dogg Pound vs. Death Row. While the duo officially said they weren't sure, Kurupt signed back to Death Row in exchange for the role of Vice President^{[citation needed]}. This apparently shocked his groupmates, especially Daz, who'd had a much more volatile falling-out with Knight; a verbal war erupted wherein Kurupt and Daz repeatedly dissed each other viciously, on records and in interviews.^[3][4] While this was going on, Kurupt was mentoring a new roster of Death Row artists, including Spider Loc, Crooked I, and Eastwood; he also began work on his next album, Against tha Grain, and formed a new group: The Riflemen,^[5] consisting of Kurupt, Mobb Deep, Jayo Felony, 40 Glocc, and The Alchemist, though the possibility of a record from this ensemble has seemingly faded over time.

More hurt by the conflict than he let on,^[6] Kurupt continued to work disses into his solo album; a bootleg version of the project, Originals, was released in 2004 after repeated delays of its official release, as well as those of Crooked I and other Death Row artists. In 2005, Snoop Dogg began acting as a diplomat between the two parties, and Tha Dogg Pound reunited under its original moniker in April of that year at a west coast unity event hosted by Snoop.^[7] Against tha Grain was released, but by that time Kurupt had already left the label a second time, and publicly denounced the disses inherent in the record; an EP called Against tha Grain E.P. has also surfaced, containing said disses to his cohorts. Since their reunion, Kurupt has claimed both members got over their previous problems with no issue.^[8]

Dogg Pound reunited[link]

Kurupt and Daz released Dillinger & Young Gotti II: The Saga Continuez in 2005, Cali iz Active (as DPG with Snoop Dogg)^[9] in 2006, and Dogg Chit in 2007; while he originally touted Dogg Chit as the heir to Dogg Food's legacy,^[1] he has since stated that none of the group's intermittent releases are to be considered actual albums—more like mixtapes, and that the upcoming 100 Wayz (originally titled Westcoast Aftershocc) is to be considered the second actual Dogg Pound release.^[8] '06 also saw the release of Snoop Dogg's album Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, on which Kurupt appeared. After putting out Digital Smoke with J. Wells, Brown also released an album with his younger brother Roscoe entitled The Frank and Jess Story. Kurupt appeared on Snoop Dogg's 2008 album Ego Trippin'.

Before 100 Wayz, Tha Dogg Pound's Gangsta Grillz mixtape was released, hosted by DJ Drama;,^[10] followed by an album called BlaQKout with DJ Quik due out on April 28, 2009^[11]--the single for which, "Fuck Y'all," is a diss to former Quik partners AMG, Hi-C and 2nd II None.

Kurupt has been featured on many tracks with other independent artists over the last few years and released his first solo album in four years, Streetlights, on April 20, 2010. Kurupt is currently recording with MC Eiht, King T, Jayo Felony, Tha Chill, and Sir Jinx for a hip hop group project called "1st Generation".^[12] Kurupt also plans to release the long anticipated HRSMN album in 2012 as well as a compilation album with collaborations between various artists titled 'The Academy' on Penagon Records.

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• 1998: Kuruption!
• 1999: Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha
• 2001: Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey
• 2004: Against tha Grain
• 2006: Same Day, Different Shit
• 2010: Streetlights
• TBA: After Hours^[13]

Compilation albums[link]

• 2005: Originals
• 2010: Down and Dirtybite
• 2011: Penagon Rydaz

Collaboration albums[link]

• 2003: The Horsemen Project (with The HRSMN)
• 2007: Digital Smoke (with J. Wells)
• 2008: The Frank and Jess Story (with Roscoe)
• 2009: BlaQKout (with DJ Quik)
• 2009: Tha Tekneek Files (with Roscoe)
• 2011: The Academy (with VA)
• TBA: The End is Near (with The HRSMN)
• TBA: Stay of Execution^[14] (with The N'Matez)^[15][16]

EPs[link]

• 2007: Against tha Grain E.P.

Unreleased albums[link]

• 2002: Row Ryder (leaked in 2009)
• 2003: Against The Grain (DPG Version)

Filmography[link]

• 1995 Murder Was the Case
• 1998 Straight from the Streets (Video)
• 1999 Charlie Hustle: Blueprint of Self-Made Millionaire (Video)
• 1999 3 the Hard Way^{[disambiguation needed ]} (Video)
• 2000 The Up In Smoke Tour (Video)
• 2001 Keepin' It Real (as Raw-D)
• 2001 The Wash (as Maniac)
• 2002 Kurupt: G-TV (Video)
• 2002 Half Past Dead (as Twitch)
• 2002 Dark Blue (as Darryl Orchard)
• 2003 Fastlane (TV episode called "Dosed" (as Fallon)
• 2003 Hollywood Homicide (as K-Ro)
• 2003 "Hardware: Uncensored Music Videos - Hip Hop Volume 1"(Video) (segment "The Next Episode")
• 2003 Tupac: Resurrection
• 2003 "Vegas Vamps"
• 2004 "I Accidentally Domed Your Son" (as Krego)
• 2004 Johnson Family Vacation (as himself)
• 2005 "A Talent for Trouble" (as himself)
• 2005 Brothers in Arms (as Kansas)
• 2006 "Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops"
• 2006 Stand By Your Man (as Joker)
• 2007 Half Past Dead 2 (as Twitch)
• 2008 Vice(as TJ Greene)
• 2008 Days of Wrath (as Bobby)
• 2008 Loaded (as Dyson)

Grammy Award nominations[link]

Kurupt has been nominated for one Grammy Award.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Kurupt at MTV
• Kurupt at the Internet Movie Database
• Kurupt Interview at Metal Lungies.com
• Kurupt & DJ Quik Interview with soundhustle.com
• Kurupt Interview at HipHopDX
• Kurupt on the set of "In Gotti We Trust" by Streetgangs.com, March 28, 2010

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• Daz Dillinger (discography)

• Snoop Dogg
• {{small|Big C-Style))
• {{small|The D.O.C.))
• Nate Dogg
• Soopafly
• Bad Azz
• RBX
• Lady of Rage
• Lil' C-Style
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• Warren G
• Goldie Loc
• Lil' Half Dead
• Roscoe
• Big Pimpin'
• {{small|Lil' Pimpin'))
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• {{small|Slip Capone))
• {{small|TC))
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Romeo Miller
Miller in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Percy Romeo Miller, Jr.[1]
Also known as	Lil' Romeo, Rome, Romeo
Born	(1989-08-19) August 19, 1989 (age 22)[1] New Orleans, Louisiana, United States[1]
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper Model Basketball player Entrepreneur Actor
Years active	2001–present
Labels	No Limit (2001–2002) Priority (2001–2002) The New No Limit (2002–2004) Universal (2002–2003) E1 (2004–2005) Guttar Music (2005–2006) Take A Stand (2007–present) The Next Generation (CEO) (2010–present) No Limit Forever (CEO) (2010–present)
Website	romeoforever.com

Percy Romeo Miller, Jr. (born August 19, 1989),^[2] better known by his stage name Romeo (previously Lil' Romeo), is an American rapper, actor, basketball player, entrepreneur, and model. As a rap musician, Miller has released three studio albums and two compilation albums.

Early life[link]

Romeo Miller was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the son of rapper and entrepreneur Master P and former rapper Sonya C. He is the nephew of rappers C-Murder and Silkk the Shocker and the brother of singer Cymphonique. Romeo was signed to No Limit at the age of 5 after he wrote a rap to his dad.

Music career[link]

[edit] Lil' Romeo (2001)

He then released his debut album 7 years later titled after his original alias Lil' Romeo. This offering contained the hit single "My Baby" that charted No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-hop Singles. The album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,selling more than 500,000 copies the first week out making it certified Gold. The album is now certified certified Platinum by the RIAA for the sales of 1,300,000. Also in 2001 he was featured on his uncle Silkk the Shocker's remix single of "That's Kool", which was also featured on his own album.

[edit] Game Time (2002–2003)

In 2002, a year later after his debut album, Miller put out his second studio album, Game Time. It peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard 200 and No. 10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums selling close to a 110,000 copies the first week .^[1] It spawned the billboard charting single "2-Way" that charted to No. 66 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It also spawned the album second single "True Love" which charted at No. 16 under the Hot 100 Singles. Though not as successful on the charts as Miller's debut album It still was successful in sales certified 2x Platinum, selling 2,430,785 copies making this Miller's highest selling album.

[edit] Romeoland (2004–2007)

In 2004, miller released his third studio album Romeoland, which was not as successful as his last two albums selling 50,000 the first week, but still managed to be certified Gold selling over 459,000 copies in the United States.^[1] It was also the last studio album to feature Miller billed as Lil' Romeo. In 2005 Romeo along with his brother Valentino Miller who was known as Young V at that time and their three cousins C-Los, Lil' D & Willie J formed the group Rich Boyz & released their debut album Young Ballers: The Hood Been Good to Us. In 2006 Miller released a compilation album entitled Greatest Hits the album featured all of his hit songs when Miller was billed as Lil' Romeo. In 2006 Romeo released the two albums Lottery & God's Gift on the new label owned by himself and his father Master P, entitled Guttar Music. Lottery served as Millers first independent release while God's Gift served as a soundtrack to a movie with the same name. God's Gift was also Miller's first album to use the name Romeo and to have explicit language.^[1] The two albums were also known for containing Miller's single "U Can't Shine Like Me" which was a direct response to Bow Wow, who fans thought dissed Miller in his song "Fresh Azimiz". In 2007 Miller released a collaboration album with his father Master P titled Hip Hop History it sold 32,000 records worldwide.

[edit] Intelligent Hoodlum (2008–present)

In 2008 Miller stated he was working on his fourth studio album entitled Gumbo Station.^[3] On June 17, 2008 Miller released the first single from the album which was "Get Low wit It" which featured Akon & his brother Valentino Miller it failed to gain success on the Billboard charts.^[4]

On March 3, 2009 Romeo released a compilation entitled Get Low LP that contained songs that were supposed to be on Gumbo Station. It debuted at No. 149 on the Billboard 200 and as of May 5, 2009 it has sold over 20,000 copies. In 2010 Romeo confirmed that he was still working on his fourth studio album but he changed the name of the album to The College Boy. Romeo then announced that the title of the album was going to be I Am No Limit.

On January 19, 2010 Romeo released the first promotional single for the album entitled "Tell Me A Million Times" that featured Tempo.^[5] Then on January 26, 2010 Romeo released the second promotional single for the album entitled "Ice Cream Man Jr." which was a tribute to his dad Master P.^[6] On February 16, 2010 Miller released his debut mixtape Patience Is A Virtue to promote the album.^[7] Then on March 2, 2010 Romeo released two EPs to promote the album which were the Famous Girl & Monster/Practice.^[8][9] Also In 2010 Miller debuted his newly founded record label The Next Generation Entertainment with his new group the College Boyys.^[10] They released a collaboration album on May 25, 2010 entitled Spring Break which sold over 200,000 copies worldwide.^{[11][dead link]} Miller also on this day released three singles which were "You" that featured D'Anna & Lil Twist, "She Bad" that featured Millers cousins Lil' D & Black Don & "They Dont Know" but all of the singles failed to reach the charts.^[12][13][14] Romeo also performed at the 2010 Hip Hop Honors along with his brother Valentino Miller, his cousins Lil' D & Black Don, & his uncle Silkk The Shocker, along with Trina, Gucci Mane & Mystikal to honor his dad Master P & No Limit Records.^[15] In late 2010 Romeo relaunched No Limit as No Limit Forever Romeo also confirmed that he has changed the name of the album from I Am No Limit to Intelligent Hoodlum.^[16]

In 2011 It was confirmed that Romeo is going on a new tour with his dad Master P & his uncle Silkk the Shocker the tour is entitled ”No Limit Forever International".^[17] On January 11, 2011 Romeo released his EP Dont Push Me.^[18] On May 3, 2011 Romeo released the first official single from Intelligent Hoodlum which is "Famous Girl (Remix)" which is really the mastered version of the original it still features appearances from Sean Kingston & Miller's cousin Black Don.^[19] On August 19, 2011 Romeo released his I Am No Limit mixtape which was originally supposed to be his fourth studio album before it got changed but Miller just decided it would be best to just release it as a mixtape for his fans.^[20][21][22]

In 2012 Romeo formed a new group called RESQ3 they released their first single "The Only One" & supposed to be releasing a album in some time.^[23] Even though Romeo has created his new group he is still working & planning on releasing his fourth studio album Intelligent Hoodlum. On April 12, 2012 he released his first single from the album entitled "Hug Me Forever" which features his brother Valentino & his artist Kyros & has already shot the official music video for it.^[24] On May 19, 2012 Romeo released the music video for "Hug Me Forever" it was directed by Corey Molina of Creative Dream Productions.^[25]

Other ventures[link]

Acting career[link]

Miller started his acting career with a cameo appearance in the 2001 film Max Keeble's Big Move, as himself.^[26] He later co-starred with Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer and Zachary Isaiah Williams in the film Honey (2003). In Honey, his character was Benny, a young boy looking for a break.^[27] Also in 2003, he voiced himself on an episode of the animated series, Static Shock, to which he had performed the theme song.^[28] He co-starred with his dad in a movie called Uncle P in 2005.^{[citation needed]} He also starred in another movie with Zachary Isaiah Williams, God's Gift, which came out in 2006. Recently, he made a cameo appearance, as himself, in Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide as a rapping coach for the teachers. Then in 2007 he starred in film ASL as himself, Rome, alongside Forrest Lipton and Zachary Isaiah Williams who played the young Romeo; Lil Romey and had also previously starred with Romeo in Honey and Nickelodeon's Romeo!. He guest-starred as a rapper accused of murder in the 2010 CBS series, The Defenders and acted in the highly successful film, Jumping the Broom, released in May 2011. In 2011, he also starred in TV commercials for McDonald's & ICDC Colleges.

Fashion designer[link]

On July 24, 2010 Romeo launched his own clothing line titled "College Boyys", which has also been promoted by Miller & his new group the College Boyys. It has also been promoted by artists such as Justin Bieber, Big Time Rush & Jaden Smith.^[29] Romeo stated

Basketball career[link]

Percy Miller, Jr.
College	USC
Conference	Pac-10
Sport	Basketball
Position	Point guard
Jersey #	15
Nickname	Romeo, Prince P
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg)
Nationality	American
Born	(1989-08-19) August 19, 1989 (age 22) New Orleans, Louisiana
High school	Beverly Hills High School
Tournaments
2009 NCAA Tournament

Romeo was invited, in the summer of 2006, to the Reebok-sponsored ABCD Camp, which is considered the premier basketball camp in the United States. The Teaneck, New Jersey-based ABCD Camp is an invitation-only basketball showcase previously attended by high-profile players including Kobe Bryant, Stephon Marbury, Tracy McGrady, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. Surrounded by future NBA players such as O. J. Mayo, Derrick Rose, and Kevin Love, Miller looked out of place and averaged less than 2 points a game throughout the camp. The Wall Street Journal made an article on March 8, entitled "A Hot Prospect," cites Sonny Vaccaro, the longtime director of the ABCD Camp, as explaining, "he invited Romeo Miller to the 2006 camp, primarily as a favor to Percy Miller, whom he knew from the club basketball circuit." In the article, Vaccaro indicated, "If you're looking for the profile of an athlete who plays basketball at USC, he's not it."^[30]

On April 13, 2007, Miller verbally committed to the University of Southern California (USC) and signed a letter of intent on November 19, 2007.

Miller, a 5'11" point guard, was a four year starter at Beverly Hills High School. As a junior during the 2005–2006 high school season he averaged 13.9 points and 5.6 assists per game.^[31][32] As a senior during the 2006–2007 high school season he averaged 8.6 points and 9.0 assists per game.^[30][31]

According to The Wall Street Journal, it appears the decision to grant Miller a full scholarship at USC was largely driven by his relationship with friend and teammate Demar DeRozan, the 6-foot-6 All-American forward who was rated as the number five prospect in the country on Scout.com. The Wall Street Journal reported Coach Tim Floyd as saying, "Last April...Percy Miller called while driving both players from a tournament in Fayetteville, Ark...Percy Miller said 'Demar and Romeo are ready to make their decision, and would you like to have them both on scholarship?'...'I said absolutely.'"^[30] Miller and DeRozan began playing in the 2008–2009 season.

Modeling career[link]

On December 27 Romeo modeled for a new 2011 calendar.^[33] On April 10, 2011 Miller modeled for the April issue of TROIX magazine.^[34] On April 12, 2011 Miller modeled again for some new pictures.^[35] He also modeled with the singer-songwriter Chynna Terrell.

Dancing with the Stars[link]

After originally withdrawing from season two of Dancing with the Stars due to an injury,^[36] Romeo competed in season twelve.^[37] He was partnered with professional dancer, Chelsie Hightower. They were eliminated from the show on May 10, 2011 and finished in the Top 5, one week before the semi-final.

• In week 7, Donnie Burns was the guest judge and scored the dances.

Personal life[link]

Miller attended Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, California. Romeo sponsors "Loco Tonic", an energy drink he mentions in his newer songs. In 2008, Romeo was ranked No. 18 in the most fit men in the world. Miller was born on Aug. 19, 1989 in New Orleans, La. He is the oldest of seven children from parents Percy, Sr. and Sonya Miller. His father is a business entrepreneur and musician. His father also shares a passion for the game of basketball and signed contracts with the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors. Percy wears the No. 15 because that is the number his father wore in high school. Miller also believes in giving back to the community and is involved in a variety for charity endeavors and in 2008 along with his father received the key to the city in Memphis in recognition of their "Let the Kids Grow" educational program.

Discography[link]

Filmography[link]

Felipe Solis is schedule to appear in Romeo's new reality show Romeo & Juliet

Awards and nominations[link]

• Billboard Music Awards
  • 2001, Rap Artist of the Year (Winner)
  • 2001, Music Videos: My Baby (Winner)
  • 2002, R&B/Hip-Hop: My Baby (Winner)
• Kids Choice Awards
  • 2004, Favorite Television Actor – Male for: Romeo! (Nominated)
  • 2005, Favorite Television Actor – Male for: Romeo! (Winner)
  • 2006, Favorite Television Actor – Male for: Romeo! (Nominated)
• Teen Choice Awards
  • 2004, Choice Breakout Movie Star – Male for: Honey (Nominated)
• Black Reel Awards
  • 2004, Choice Breakout Movie Star – Male for: Honey (Nominated)
• Young Artist Awards
  • 2005, Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor: Romeo! (Nominated)
• NAMIC Vision Awards
  • 2005, Best Comedic Performance: Romeo! (Nominated)
• Image Awards
  • 2005, Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program – Series or Special: Romeo! (Nominated)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Romeo Miller

• Official website
• USC Athletics Player Biography: No. 15 Percy Miller
• Romeo Miller's channel on YouTube
• Romeo on Myspace
• Romeo Miller on Twitter
• Romeo at the Internet Movie Database
• Photos from Shrink-A-Bulls

Tramayne Thompson (born October 22, 1981), primarily known by his stage name Shade Sheist, is an American songwriter and recording artist from Inglewood, California. He began his career in 2000 by contributing the single "Where I Wanna Be" to a compilation executive produced by himself and local producer Damizza. After writing and recording tracks for other artists, television/film and video game soundtracks, Shade Sheist released his debut album Informal Introduction, featuring Where I Wanna Be in 2002 under Universal Records.

Early life and career[link]

Sheist was born in Inglewood, California and grew up in both Inglewood and neighboring city South Los Angeles.^[1] He started writing music around the age of 10 and formed a performing group with his best friends that won first and second place prizes at local talent shows produced by ASCAP. He worked with producers Johnny J, Howie Hersh and Ronnie King on his early recordings. He performed from 1994 to 1999 as Shady Montage, signed to Hollywood Records. Two singles he released under this moniker, Shake You Down and Leaving You Again (both hip hop interpolations of older r&b compositions) were well received and aired on major market radio stations nationally. At one point during this period he became label mates and recorded with Biggie Smalls (the artist who caused the late Christopher Wallace to change his stage name to The Notorious B.I.G.)^[2] As a teen he appeared in several music videos including 2Pac's So Many Tears and South Circle's Attitudes. Sheist graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School in 1997.^[3]

Music career[link]

He first performed commercially as Shade Sheist in 2000 on the song If You Were My Bitch from the gold-selling compilation Irv Gotti Presents: The Murderers. That year, he also appeared on the song It's Your Life from Ja Rule's triple platinum-selling album Rule 3:36. Additionally, Sheist met Los Angeles-based producer Damizza (real name Damion Young), who worked as senior director for artist relations at Los Angeles hip-hop station Power 106 (KPWR) and released a various-artists compilation titled Where I Wanna Be.^[1] Sheist, Kurupt and Nate Dogg performed the title single, which peaked at #60 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart but at #1 on the Hot Rap Singles. Shade Sheist and Nate Dogg collaborated again on the track Cali Diseaz on the soundtrack to the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious.^[4] Damizza recorded the track "Bad News" with Shade Sheist and N.U.N.E. for the soundtrack to the short-lived Fox television drama Dark Angel.

In 2002, Sheist released his debut album Informal Introduction through a deal between MCA Records and his own Baby Ree label. Informal Introduction featured production by Timbaland, DJ Quik, Damizza and Kay Gee of Naughty By Nature. The singles included Money Owners (with Timbaland), Wake Up (with Nate Dogg and Warren G), and John Doe (with DJ Quik, AMG, Hi-C & Swift). The Where I Wanna Be music video featured cameos from N.U.N.E., TQ, Irv Gotti, Ja Rule and The D.O.C. The Money Owners music video featured a special appearance from Dr. Dre, who worked in the studio room next door to Sheist during the recording of the "Informal Introduction" album. Shade Sheist stated that Dr. Dre was a big help during the creation of his debut album.

The Los Angeles Times asserted that Power 106 played Shade Sheist singles more than any other urban radio station in the U.S. and reported that Peter Hart of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting brought up conflict of interest issues given that Emmis Communications funded both the radio station and Sheist's label Baby Ree.^[5] Power 106 decided to disclose its ties to Sheist after the Times brought up the issue.^[6] Emmis president Rick Cummings stated that his station played Sheist's music based on listener tastes.^[7]

Sheist returned in 2004 with the single What Would You Do featuring Nate Dogg and Mariah Carey. The track appeared on Sheist's second album Before The Waitin Before The Hatin which originally released in 2005 and re-released in late 2006 with new tracks included. In 2008, Sheist, N.U.N.E. and other associate rappers from the PYO Entertainment International label toured the world.

In 2010, Shade Sheist released a new album with N.U.N.E., Movin Units which was his first original studio release in 4 years. The album featured the single Movin Like a Boss which spawned several international remixes.^[8] On May 31, 2011 Shade Sheist released a new single worldwide titled "Queen," featuring LaToiya Williams.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

Singles[link]

Other charted songs[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Shade Sheist Blog
• Put Yourself Out Entertainment International
• Shade Sheist Interview at Illuminati2G
• Shade Sheist Interview at DUBCNN.com
• Shade Sheist Interview at PlanetUrban.com.au
• Shade Sheist Interview at SoPrupRadio.com
• Shade Sheist on Facebook
• Shade Sheist Blog

Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011), better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Warren G, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 in 1998, Music and Me in 2001 and Nate Dogg in 2008.

Nate Dogg died in 2011 in Long Beach, California of complications from multiple strokes.^[3]

Early life[link]

Nate Dogg was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He moved to Long Beach, California when he was 14 following his parents' divorce. He was the friend and partner in the rap game with rappers Snoop Dogg, Warren G, RBX, Daz Dillinger and was the cousin of Butch Cassidy and Lil' ½ Dead. He began singing as a child in the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach and Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi where his father Daniel Lee Hale was pastor. At the age of 16 he dropped out of high school in Long Beach and left home to join the United States Marine Corps,^[4] serving for three years.

Career[link]

Early career with 213[link]

In 1990, Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg,^[5] and their friend Warren G, formed a rap trio called 213. 213 recorded their first demo in the back of the famed V.I.P. record store in Long Beach, the demo was later heard by Dr. Dre at a house party and he was instantly hooked on the soulful voice of Nate.^[6]

Solo career[link]

Nate Dogg made his debut on The Chronic. Singing in what later become his trademark style, he was well-received by fans and critics alike, and would go on to sign with Death Row Records in 1993. Nate Dogg was also featured on Mista Grimm's "Indosmoke" with Warren G. Then in 1994 he produced his first hit single "Regulate" with Warren G. Nate Dogg was also featured in many Tupac releases, including his collaboration record Thug Life: Volume I. Then in 1998 after a tumultuous time at Death Row Records he released another album. The double album was titled G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 and was followed up in late 2001 with Music & Me on Elektra Records. Music & Me peaked at number three on the Billboard hip-hop charts in 2001.^[7] After a number of delays and an original release date of April 2004, his self-titled album was released under the Affiliated Entertainment Group on June 3, 2008.^{[citation needed]}

Television appearances[link]

In 2002, Nate Dogg and Isaiah Mendez appeared on a celebrity episode of the Weakest Link, making it to the last three players before being eliminated by Xzibit and Young MC.^[8]

Collaborations with other artists[link]

Nate found success, not only in solo projects, but in collaborations with other hip-hop artists. In the 2000s, Nate's high-ranking collaborative singles, according to Rolling Stone, includes Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode," Mos Def's "Oh No," Fabolous' "Can't Deny It," Ludacris' "Area Codes," 50 Cent's "21 Questions," Mark Ronson's "Ooh Wee," Houston's "I Like That," Eminem's "'Till I Collapse" and "Shake That", and Mobb Deep's "Have a Party."^[9]

Legal issues[link]

In the early 1990s, Hale was charged with two separate robberies, Check Changers robbery in 1991 and robbery of a San Pedro Taco Bell in 1994.^[10][11] He faced a maximum of nearly eleven years in prison,^[12] but he was subsequently acquitted of both charges.^[11][12]

In 1996, Hale was convicted of a drug-related offense in Los Angeles County.^[13]

On June 17, 2000, Hale was alleged to have kidnapped and assaulted his former girlfriend and set her mother's car on fire in Lakewood. He was arrested by a SWAT team at his home in Pomona. He was accused of kidnapping, domestic violence, making terrorist threats and arson.^[14] He spent a night in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles before he was released on a $1 million bail.^[15] These charges were later dismissed, but Hale faced jail time for a new charge, illegal possession of a firearm by felon. An unmarked firearm was found in his home during the June 17 arrest.^[13] Hale pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge, and was sentenced to probation of three years and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.^[16]

On April 12, 2002, Hale was stopped by Arizona Department of Public Safety officers outside of Kingman, Arizona while traveling on a tour bus. He was arrested and charged with firearms-related and drug-related offenses after two pistols and four ounces of cannabis were found. Hale was booked on Mohave County Jail and subsequently released on a $3,500 bond.^[17] Weapon charges against him were dropped as an exchange to guilty plea to drug possession charge. Hale was subsequently sentenced to probation and community service. He was also ordered to attend drug counseling sessions in May 2002.^[18]

In 2006, Hale was charged with misdemeanor aggravated trespassing, telephone harassment, battery assault, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime and violation of a restraining order. In March 2008, Hale pleaded guilty to trespassing and battery and was ordered to complete a domestic violence treatment program, probation of three years, and was stripped of gun ownership rights for the next ten years.^[19]

In July 2008, Hale was charged with two felony criminal threats after allegedly sending threatening emails to his estranged wife,^[20] and one count of stalking after allegedly chasing her by car on Interstate 405 in previous month.^[21] Hale initially pleaded not guilty to these charges,^[21] which were eventually dropped in April 2009, because the alleged victim did not contact prosecutors in the case.^[20]

Additionally, Hale has a conviction of driving under the influence.^[21]

Strokes and death[link]

On December 19, 2007, Nate Dogg suffered a stroke, according to a coordinator for his recently formed gospel choir, Innate Praise.^[22] Reports had circulated that Nate Dogg had been admitted to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in Pomona, California after suffering a heart attack. Erica Beckwith, however, confirmed to MTV News that Nate Dogg was released on December 26 after being treated for a stroke and was admitted to a medical rehabilitation facility to assist him in his recovery. On January 18, 2008, it was officially reported that the stroke had rendered the left side of his body paralyzed. Doctors believed there would be a full recovery, and his voice was not affected. In September 2008, he suffered a second stroke.^[23] Nate Dogg died March 15, 2011 in Long Beach, California. On March 17, his attorney Mark Geragos confirmed that the cause of the death was from complications of multiple strokes.^[3]

Discography[link]

• G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 (1998)
• Music and Me (2001)
• Nate Dogg (2008)

Filmography[link]

• The Transporter song "I Got Love" (2002)
• Doggy Fizzle Televizzle as singer of the theme song for the sketch "The Braided Bunch" (2002–2003)
• Head of State as himself (also singer/composer of theme song) (2003)
• Need For Speed: Underground song "Keep it Comin"
• The Boondocks (2008)

Awards and nominations[link]

During his career, Nate Dogg was nominated for four Grammy Awards.

References[link]

External links[link]

Biography portal

• Nate Dogg at MTV
• Nate Dogg at the Internet Movie Database

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