Saigon
Background information
Birth name	Brian Daniel Carenard
Born	(1977-06-01) June 1, 1977 (age 35)
Origin	Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, Actor
Years active	2001 – present
Labels	Suburban Noize Records, Fort Knocks Entertainment, Amalgam Digital
Associated acts	Just Blaze, Tru-Life, Jay-Z, Scram Jones, Bun B, Fatman Scoop, Q-Tip, Trey Songz, Swollen Members, M.O.P., Kool G Rap
Website	Official site

Brian Daniel Carenard (born June 1, 1977) better known by his stage name Saigon, is an American rapper and occasional actor.

Saigon is currently signed to Suburban Noize Records and Just Blaze's Fort Knocks Entertainment record label. After years of delay due to former record label interference, his album The Greatest Story Never Told is available now on Suburban Noize Records.^[1][2] He is also known for his appearances in the HBO television series Entourage.

Background[link]

In the late 1990s, Brian "Saigon" Carenard was sentenced to jail time at Napanoch’s Eastern Correctional Facility, serving a sentence for first-degree assault after shooting at someone in a bar.^[3] One day while in the recreation yard, Brian met a fellow inmate named Hakim, who rapped and had a reputation for incorporating positive messages, and heavy use of prestigious vocabulary in his rhymes.^[3] Carenard would later state that battle rapping with Hakim would help instigate his personal rehabilitation, as he set a course for redemption through hip hop music.^[3] While serving time, Brian named himself "Saigon" after reading Wallace Terry’s book about the Vietnam War.^[3] This book helped realign the content and diction in Saigon's raps, as well as the advice of a prison lifer: "There’s no right way to do wrong."^[3] Saigon was eventually released from prison in 2000, and immediately recorded mixtapes, with the goal of obtaining a record contract as a means to release a debut album, which he wanted to be titled "The Greatest Story Never Told".^[3]

With the help of the underground buzz that he garnered over the years, Saigon signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in 2004.^[3] Despite the co-sign from producer Just Blaze and collaborations with several acclaimed rap artists such as Jay-Z, Kanye West and Kool G Rap, Saigon's record label repeatedly balked at setting a release date for his debut album.^[3] Saigon revealed that he realized as early as two months into his deal with Atlantic Records that there were problems.^[3] He later recalled how his early excitement at signing to the same label that "had so much history with black music, like Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles" was quickly dampened when they suggested he record a radio-friendly song with the Miami-based R&B quartet, Pretty Ricky.^[3] He also recalled a meeting with an Atlantic executive who told him "We need our three singles, then you can bust your artistic nut on the rest of the album."^[3] Saigon however, wasn’t willing to compromise with this request, and only one year after signing with Atlantic, he hired a lawyer to work out a release from his label.^[3] He explained "They signed me knowing the kind of music I was making, but then they try and change the direction".

This however didn’t prompt a break from his record company, as they offered a few stipends, leading him and his fans to believe they’d still eventually put the record out.^[3] Saigon later suspected that Atlantic wanted to make sure he didn’t take the material elsewhere and benefit from the buzz he’d created.^[3] While caught in this issue with Atlantic, Saigon continued to perform freestyles on hip hop radio shows, release mixtapes, and also continued to write and record The Greatest Story Never Told.^[3] Despite not having an official album out, Saigon gradually became somewhat of a high profile hip hop artist, as he appeared on the covers of several magazines and had a recurring role playing himself on the hit HBO show Entourage.^[3]

Discography[link]

Studio Albums[link]

• Warning Shots (2004)
• Moral Of The Story (2007)
• All In A Day's Work (with Statik Selektah) (2008)
• Warning Shots 2 (2009)^[4]
• The Greatest Story Never Told (2011)
• Bread and Circuses (September 11, 2012)

Mixtapes[link]

• 2003: Da Yard Father 1
• 2003: Da Yard Father 2"
• 2005: Abandoned Nation
• 2006: Welcome To Saigon
• 2006: The Return Of The Yardfather
• 2006: Belly Of The Beast
• 2012: Warning Shots 3 : Saigon & Just Blaze Present "One Foot In The Grave" (2012) ^[5]

Singles[link]

• 2001: "Say Yes"
• 2002: "Do You Know"
• 2004: "Favorite Things"
• 2006: "Pain In My Life" (featuring Trey Songz)
• 2007: "C'mon Baby" (featuring Swizz Beatz)
• 2009: "Gotta Believe It" (featuring Just Blaze)
• 2010: "Bring Me Down"
• 2011: "The Greatest Story Never Told"
• 2011: "Clap" (featuring Faith Evans)

Collaborations[link]

• 2003: Mark Ronson - "Ooh Wee" (feat. Ghostface Killah, Nate Dogg, Trife Diesel) (on "Here Comes the Fuzz")
• 2012: Chamillionaire - "You Gon Learn (Early Service)" (on "Ammunition (EP)")

Filmography[link]

Personal life[link]

• On the night of January 17, 2006, Saigon was stabbed in the temple with a wine bottle as he left a diner in Chelsea, Manhattan, NYC.^[6] A man approached Saigon and attempted to steal a chain of his. When Saigon grabbed it back, a fight started. Saigon, bleeding from the head, tried to hail down a taxi, but was unsuccessful. As a result, Saigon ended up driving himself to Bellevue Hospital where he received seven stitches.
• On the night of September 19, 2007, after an impromptu performance by Saigon during a Mobb Deep show, words were exchanged between Saigon and Prodigy of Mobb Deep.^[7] This escalated into an argument, which resulted with Saigon punching Prodigy twice in the face.^[8] Two video versions of the events have since emerged. One version with slow motion footage shows a clear look of Saigon punching Prodigy, while another video being endorsed by Mobb Deep shows Saigon being chased and running out of the club.^[9]
• On August 22, Saigon was arrested in Manhattan on felony weapon charges. According to the New York Post, a small knife was found by authorities in Saigon's car after he was pulled over for a traffic infraction. Saigon was released on $1500 bail, and appeared in court on December 5, 2007.
• At the end of 2008, Saigon became a father. His daughter's name is Rayne Dior Carenard and she was the inspiration for his single "Fatherhood". She also appears in the music video of the song, which was directed by Derek Pike.^[10]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Official Label Artist Page on Suburban Noize Records
• Saigon at Myspace
• Saigon at the Internet Movie Database
• In Arms Reach charity organization
• Abandoned Nation organization
• [1] Saigon New Mixtape One foot In the Grave

William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), better known by his stage name Rick Ross (often stylized as RICK RO$$), is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection. Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group, on which he released his studio albums Deeper Than Rap and Teflon Don, Ross was also the first artist signed to Diddy's management company Ciroc Entertainment. In early 2012, MTV named Ross as the Hottest MC In The Game.^[3]

Early life[link]

William Leonard Roberts II was born in Coahoma County, Mississippi.^[1] and raised in Carol City, Florida, near Miami.^[2] After graduating from Carol City Senior High School, he later attended the historically black college Albany State University on a football scholarship.^[4]

Music career[link]

After being signed to Suave House Records, former label for rap duo 8Ball & MJG, he eventually signed a deal with Slip-n-Slide Records, which has been under the Def Jam umbrella since 2006. While signed to Slip-n-Slide, Ross toured with fellow rapper Trick Daddy and made guest performances on other Slip-n-Slide albums.^[2]

[edit] Port of Miami (2006)

His debut album Port of Miami was released in August 2006 and debuted at the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart, with sales at 187,000 units after its first week.^[5][6] Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone magazine predicted that it would be "the summer's biggest rap record".^[7] The second single was "Push It", which samples "Scarface (Push It to the Limit)", the theme song off the gangster film Scarface.^[8] The music video for "Push It" was modeled after the film.^[9] During that time, Ross made guest performances on two singles from DJ Khaled's debut Listennn... the Album: "Born-N-Raised" and "Holla at Me". Port of Miami received Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America on November 8, 2006.

[edit] Trilla (2008)

In March 2008, his second album Trilla was released and, as its predecessor Port of Miami had, debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.^[10] Its lead single "Speedin'" featuring R. Kelly peaked at #121 on the Billboard Hot 100; the next one, "The Boss" featuring T-Pain peaked at #17 on the Hot 100. The third single "Here I Am" featured Nelly and Avery Storm.^[11] MTV News ranked Ross on the fourth spot in its 2008 "Hottest MCs In The Game" list among ten rappers.^[12] The fourth single "This Is The Life" featured Trey Songz and was released in July.

[edit] Deeper Than Rap (2009)

"I look at the game and the business and all different aspects, it's a lot of great lyricists on the corner that will never properly understand the business and know how to market themselves and get in a position where they can gain capital. I look at all the strategies people use and what made them successful. What made Birdman just as relevant today after selling 50 million records? That intrigues me. To see the class of Jay-Z, his accomplishments and see how he sits backs and accurately makes his moves."^[13]

A track from the album called "Valley of Death" was what stood out to MTV reporters. In the song, Ross speaks briefly on his controversial stint as a prison guard. "Keep it trilla, nigga, never had a gun and badge," which he stresses, leaving the word that he was indeed an officer of the law. "Kept a nice watch, smoking on a hundred sack/ Back in the day I sold crack for some nice kicks/ Skippin' school, I saw my friend stabbed with an ice pick/ Can't criticize niggas trying to get jobs/ Better get smart, young brother, live yours." Later, he implies that while he was working as a corrections officer, he was on the streets. "Only lived once and I got two kids/ And for me to feed them, I'll get two gigs," he raps. "I'll shovel shit, I'll C.O./ So we can bow our heads and pray over the meatloaf." Although, he still provided no explanation for lying about being a C.O. to begin with, nor did he explain why he failed to pay child support for his children.^[14][15]

The cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL magazine, titled "Rick Ross Up in Smoke", featured Ross wearing a pair of Louis Vuitton sunglasses. After publication, a spokesperson for the luxury-goods maker contacted XXL to inform them that Ross was sporting fake sunglasses in the cover image.^[16] It was later revealed that the rapper was wearing authentic Louis Vuitton sunglasses which were altered by Jacob Bernstein, known as "The Sunglass Pimp". Bernstein defended his customizations despite Louis Vuitton's insistence that such modification and resale of trademarked property is not legal.^[17]

[edit] Teflon Don and other works (2010)

Rick Ross released his fourth studio album entitled Teflon Don, which was released on July 6, 2010. The lead is "Super High" featuring Ne-Yo. Actress Stacey Dash made an appearance in the music video. A second official single was released titled "Live Fast, Die Young" which features and is produced by Kanye West. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 selling 176,000 copies in its first week.

In November 2010, rapper and frequent collabourator, Diddy, who in 2009 signed Ross to a management deal with his Ciroc Entertainment, announced from his YouTube account, that him and Ross are working on an EP together, which is going to be released in 2011.^{[dated info]} A single has been released for the project, called "Another One".^[18]

[edit] God Forgives, I Don't (2011 - present)

Rick Ross had also announced the release of his next album, "God Forgives, I Don't", for December 13, 2011, however it was confirmed on November 17, 2011 it has been pushed back for release in 2012.^[19][20]

Rick Ross premiered two songs from his new album "God Forgives, I Don't", titled "You The Boss" and "I Love My Bitches".^[21]

Along with his music projects, Rick Ross was nominated by The Source as its "Man of the Year".^[22]

Rick Ross performed at BET Awards 2011, which aired on June 26, 2011.^[23] He also received a nomination for Best Male Hip Hop Artist.^[24] In early 2012, Ross was named the Hottest MC In The Game.^[3]

Personal life[link]

Correctional officer photos[link]

In July 2008, The Smoking Gun produced details linking Ross' social security number to an eighteen month stint as a correctional officer at the South Florida Reception Center, along with a photograph purporting to be Ross in his correctional officer uniform.^[25] Ross initially denied that the photograph was of him;^[26] after overwhelming evidence of his past came into the public's eye, Ross later admitted that he did work as a correctional officer in Florida during the early 1990s.^[27] In a 2008 interview with AllHipHop.com,^[28] "Freeway" Ricky Ross, claimed offense that Roberts used his name and identity when he learned that The Smoking Gun posted documents revealing Roberts' previous employment as a Florida correctional officer.^[29]

Legal issues[link]

Mugshot of Rick Ross taken in 2008.

In January 2008, Ross was arrested on gun and marijuana charges. During a deposition of Officer Rey Hernandez, a Miami Beach cop who arrested Ross, Ross's lawyer, Allan Zamren, asked Hernandez why Ross’s case was assigned to the gang task force. The officer stated that it was because Ross claimed affiliation with Carol City Cartel and other known gang members. Zamren then pressed Hernandez for a personal link between Ross and the gang members, but ultimately one could not be established.^[30]

In August 2008, YouTube entertainer DJ Vlad filed a lawsuit against Ross for assault and battery. Vlad claimed Ross organized an ambush on him at the 2008 Ozone Awards in Houston, Texas for asking questions about his past as a correctional officer.^[31]

On June 18, 2010, Freeway Ricky Ross sued Rick Ross for using his name,^[32] filing a copyright infringement lawsuit in a California Federal Court.^[32] Jay-Z had been called to testify in the lawsuit, as he was CEO of Def Jam when Ross/Roberts was signed.^[32] The reformed drug kingpin was looking for 10 million dollars in the lawsuit.^[32] Also, the release of his album, Teflon Don, was threatened to be blocked by Freeway Ricky Ross. A week after the filing of the lawsuit, Rick Ross responded to the charges: "It’s like owning a restaurant, you’re gonna have a few slip and falls. You get lawsuits, you deal with them, and get them out your way…sometimes you lose."^[33] He then denied rumors that he would change his name to "Ricky Rozay" as a consequence of the lawsuit. The lawsuit was thrown out of court on July 3, 2010^[34] and his album, Teflon Don, was released on July 20 as scheduled.

On March 26, 2011, Ross was arrested in Shreveport for possession of marijuana. According to the police records, a strong odor of marijuana was detected from his room at the Hilton in Downtown Shreveport.^[35]

Religion[link]

Rick Ross is a Christian,^[36] and in an interview with Corey "Coco Brother" Condrey on Lift Every Voice, he indicated that "I had told myself at one point no matter what I go through, I never question God."^[37] In addition, Ross indicated that he prays every time he goes on stage to perform.^[38]

Seizures[link]

On October 14, 2011 Rick Ross suffered two seizures in the same day, once in the morning and once again early evening. Following the morning seizure, he was unconscious and CPR was being performed. He did, however, post a video to his Twitter account later in the day saying that he was OK.^{[citation needed]} Ross boarded another plane later in the day and suffered another seizure. On October 14, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital confirmed that Ross had been admitted to the emergency room. TMZ, who first reported the seizure, updated their story originally posted at 4:45 PST, stating that Ross was in stable condition.^{[citation needed]}

Feud with 50 Cent[link]

In January 2009, Ross started a feud with rapper 50 Cent because he supposedly looked at him the wrong way at the BET Awards. 50 Cent told news sources that he did not remember seeing Ross there.^[39] In late January, "Mafia Music", by Ross, leaked onto the Internet. There were several lines that seemed to diss 50 Cent. Days later, 50 Cent released "Officer Ricky (Go Head, Try Me)" in response to Ross's disparaging remarks on his "Mafia Music" song.

Before going to Venezuela, 50 Cent uploaded a video entitled "Warning Shot," wherein he stated: "Rick Ross- I'mma fuck your life up for fun." In addition, 50 Cent released the first of a series of "Officer Ricky" cartoons. Early in February, 50 Cent once again made a video which he uploaded to YouTube in which he interviewed "Tia", the mother of one of Ross's children. She verifies that he was a correctional officer and claims his whole persona is fake and fraudulent.^[40] On Thursday, February 5, 2009, Game, who 50 Cent has a long-standing "beef" with, called up Seattle R&B station KUBE. When asked about the beef between 50 Cent and Ross, Game sided with 50 Cent and said that things are not looking good for Ross. He offered to help, stating, "Rick Ross, holla at your boy, man," and, "50 eating you, boy."^[41] On his album Deeper Than Rap, Ross references 50 Cent in the song "In Cold Blood". A video for the song was released that portrayed 50 Cent's mock funeral. Upon release, Ross stated that he has ended 50 Cent's career.^[42] That same day Ross released a new diss track called "Push 'Em Over The Edge". The next day 50 Cent released the controversial video "A Psychic Told Me", dissing DJ Khaled. On February 12, 50 Cent responded with "Tia Told Me", along with Lloyd Banks' response "Officer Down" and Tony Yayo's "Somebody Snitched".

In an interview, 50 Cent said Ross is "Albert From CB4. You ever seen the movie? He's Albert," he added. "It never gets worse than this. You get a guy that was a correctional officer come out and base his entire career on writing material from a drug dealer's perspective."^[43]

Discography[link]

Solo albums[link]

• 2006: Port of Miami
• 2008: Trilla
• 2009: Deeper Than Rap
• 2010: Teflon Don
• 2012: God Forgives, I Don't ^[20]

Maybach Music Group Albums[link]

• 2011: Self Made Vol. 1 (with Maybach Music Group)
• 2012: Self Made Vol. 2 (with Maybach Music Group)^[44]

Collaboration albums[link]

• 2009: Custom Cars & Cycles (with Triple C's)
• TBA: Bugatti Boyz (with Diddy)^[45][46]

Compilation albums[link]

• 2007: Rise to Power

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rick Ross

• Rick Ross Official Def Jam Website
• Rick Ross at the Internet Movie Database

Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap performing in New York City, 2004
Background information
Birth name	Nathaniel Thomas Wilson
Also known as	Kool G. Rap, G Rap, Giancana
Born	(1968-07-20) July 20, 1968 (age 43) Queens, New York City, US
Origin	Corona, Queens, New York City, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, mafioso rap, hardcore hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, record producer, screenwriter, author
Years active	1986–present
Labels	Cold Chillin'/Warner Bros. Records Cold Chillin' Cold Chillin'/Epic Street/SME Records KOCH'
Associated acts	DJ Polo, Juice Crew, Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Fat Joe, Canibus, Five Family Click, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, MF Grimm, Mobb Deep, R.A. The Rugged Man, Ras Kass, DJ Premier, Rick Ross, Game (rapper)

Nathaniel Thomas Wilson (born July 20, 1968^[1]), better known by his stage names Kool G Rap (or simply G Rap, and originally Kool Genius of Rap) is an American rapper, from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York City.^[2] He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew. He is often cited as one of the most influential and skilled MCs of all time^{[3][4][5][6][1][7][8][9][10]} as he is a pioneer of mafioso rap/street/hardcore content^{[5][10][11][12][13][14]} and multisyllabic rhyming.^[15] On his album The Giancana Story, he stated that the "G" in his name stands for "Giancana" (after the mobster Sam Giancana), but on other occasions he's stated that it stands for "Genius".^[1][16]

He has also been cited as a major influence to some of hip-hop's most critically acclaimed figures such as Eminem, Nas, Jay-Z, Big Pun, RZA and more.^[9][17][18]

Biography[link]

Early years[link]

Wilson grew up in the poverty-ridden streets of Corona Queens, New York with legendary producer Eric B.^[19] In an interview with The Source he stated;

Growing up in Corona was like a little Harlem, it wasn't that hard for a nigga to be influenced by the street life type of mentality. I was like 15 years old, Ma dukes couldn't dress a nigga no more and at that age you want a little money in your pocket. That's what gets us all, material possessions. A nigga got caught up in that mentality. Nigga started selling drugs at a certain point, and all that shit, it's what was goin' on in the streets ... eventually all my friends got smoked. Everybody was droppin'. All my friends started packing burners everyday, we was wild shorties.

—Kool G Rap, The Source Magazine, issue 72, September, 1995.^[20]

Around this time, Wilson was looking for a DJ, and through Eric B., he met DJ Polo, who was looking for an MC to collaborate with.^[19]

Kool G Rap and DJ Polo[link]

Juice Crew producer, and Mr. Magic DJ; Marley Marl knew Polo, and allowed him and G Rap to go to his studio to do a demo, which resulted in the song "It's a Demo." The song was written and recorded in one night, and had Marley so impressed, that he instantly embraced Kool G Rap and DJ Polo as Juice Crew members (it's worth noting that this was the first time G Rap had ever met Marley.)^[21] In 1986 on Mr Magic's Rap Attack radio show on 107.5, the duo got their first exposure which created more buzz. They eventually released "It's a Demo" as a single with "I'm Fly", along with two more singles. Shortly after this, Kool G Rap appeared on the Juice Crew's classic posse cut 'The Symphony' before they released their debut album, Road to the Riches in 1989.^[22][23] This album and their two later albums, Wanted: Dead or Alive (1990) and Live and Let Die (1992), are highly regarded and considered Hip-Hop classics.^{[12][15][22][24][25][26]} Eventually in 1993, Kool G rap parted ways with DJ Polo in pursuit of a solo career.

Solo career[link]

In 1995, G Rap started his solo career with the album 4,5,6, which featured production from Buckwild, and guest appearances from Nas, MF Grimm and B-1 – it has been his most commercially successful record, reaching No.24 on the US Billboard 200 album chart.^[27] This was followed by Roots of Evil in 1998.^[1] He was then meant to release his next album, The Giancana Story in 2000, on Rawkus Records, but due to several complications with the label, the album was pushed back several times, and eventually released in 2002. "My Life" the hit single from the album featuring Talk Box legend G-Wise reached No.5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. In 2008 he released the EP Half a Klip on Chinga Chang Records, featuring production from, among others, DJ Premier and Marley Marl.^[28]

Criticisms of Kool G Rap's solo albums usually focus on the production not being up to the standard of the rapping.^[29][30]

While Kool G Rap has always been popular and well respected in Hip-Hop circles for his lyrical skills,^[11][15] he never crossed over and saw the same level of commercial success as rappers such as Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane, both also members of the Juice Crew.^[28][31] He is known for consistently making records which are hardcore, dark, intelligent, and underground.^{[6][11][12][26]}

Legacy[link]

Kool G Rap is regarded as a hugely influential golden age rapper.^[1] Music journalist Peter Shapiro suggests that he "created the blueprint for Nas, Biggie and everyone who followed in their path".^[32] Kool G is described by Kool Moe Dee as "the progenitor and prototype for Biggie, Jay-Z, Treach, Nore, Fat Joe, Big Pun, and about twenty-five more hard-core emcees",^[3] and Kool Moe Dee also claims Kool G Rap is "the most lyrical" out of all of the artists mentioned.^[33] MTV describes Kool G Rap as a "hip-hop godfather", adding that he paved the way for a lot of MCs who we would not have heard of otherwise.^[5] Rolling Stone says, "G Rap excelled at the street narrative, a style that would come to define later Queens MCs like Nas (who was hugely influenced by G Rap on his early records) and Mobb Deep".^[10]

Other artists who have named Kool G Rap as a major influence include Notorious B.I.G.,^[34] Eminem,^[17] Jay-Z,^[35] Tajai of Souls of Mischief,^[36] Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks,^[37] Steele of Smif-n-Wessun,^[38] Havoc of Mobb Deep,^[38] Rock of Heltah Skeltah,^[38] MC Serch,^[39] Termanology,^[40] Black Thought of The Roots,^[41] M.O.P.,^[42] R.A. The Rugged Man,^[43] Bun B of UGK,^[7] Rah Digga,^[8][44] RZA^[9] and Raekwon^[45] of Wu-Tang Clan, Lady Of Rage,^[46] Big Pun,^[2] O.C. of DITC,^[47] Memphis Bleek,^[48] Kurupt,^[49] Pharoahe Monch,^[50] and Twista,^[51][52] among others.

He is also often very highly rated in terms of his technical ability^{[5][6][7][8][9][26][33]} and is often ranked alongside other highly regarded golden age MCs, such as Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, and KRS-One.^[11][15] In Jay-Z's track 'Encore', Jay-Z raps, "hearing me rap is like hearing G Rap in his prime",^[28][53] comparing his skill level to that of Kool G Rap. Allmusic calls him "one of the greatest rappers ever", "a master", and "a legend".^[6][26] A number of rappers, such as Ice Cube, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Lloyd Banks, and Nas have put him in their lists of favorite rappers.^[54] Kool Moe Dee ranked Kool G Rap at No.14 in his book There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs,^[33] and MTV gives him an 'Honorable Mention' in their Greatest MCs Of All Time list.^[5]

Rhyme technique[link]

Kool G Rap is known for using complex multisyllabic rhymes since his debut (in a similar way to other golden age MCs such as Big Daddy Kane and Rakim),^[15] and this remains a hallmark of his style, along with his rapid-fire delivery and "superhuman breath control".^[15] Although many of today's MCs use multisyllabic rhymes extensively (such as Eminem, Pharoahe Monch, Nas, Papoose, and many others), Kool G Rap is known for taking the technique to its limits and packing in as many multisyllabic rhymes as possible,^[55][56] sometimes all in the same rhyme scheme for a whole verse, such as on Sway & King Tech's 'The Anthem'.^[56]

He has also been cited as one of Hip-Hop's greatest storytellers, alongside Slick Rick and Notorious B.I.G.,^[24][57] with "laser-like visual descriptions",^[12] and "vivid narratives".^[15] Rolling Stone states that, "Live and Let Die continued G Rap's reign as rap music's premier yarn-spinner".^[10]

Kool G Rap provided the foreword for the 2009 book How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC,^[58][59] also providing insight into his rhyming technique.

Mafioso/Street content[link]

Kool G Rap is often credited as the first rapper to infuse his lyrics with mafioso and hardcore street content.^{[5][10][11][12][13][14][15]} This can be seen as early as 1989 in the song "Road to the Riches" where he makes a reference to Al Pacino (who plays mobster Tony Montana in the 1983 crime drama movie Scarface)^[60] – this was long before albums such as Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… (1995), and Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt (1996) made such references popular.^[14]

Since his debut, he has used various references to mob movies in his lyrics, album covers, and titles.^[1] For example, the first line of 'Bad to the Bone' from Wanted: Dead or Alive (1990) is, I'm bad to the bone / with a style like Al Capone,^[61] the album Live and Let Die (1992) uses samples from the film The Untouchables,^[62] the album cover of Roots of Evil (1998) uses elements from The Godfather and Scarface theatrical posters,^[29] and The Giancana Story (2002) album title references Mafia boss Sam Giancana.^[1]

Rolling Stone says, "before Kool G Rap, New York didn't really have the street rap that could hold its own against what artists such as L.A.'s Ice-T and N.W.A were churning out"^[10] and that "G Rap excelled at the street narrative".^[10]

His take on crime, violence, and the mafioso lifestyle ranges from remorse and contemplation (e.g. 'Streets of New York',^[63] described by Rolling Stone as "a vivid look inside the misery of the hood"^[10]), to glorification (e.g. 'Fast Life' featuring Nas^[64]).

Personal life[link]

Wilson dated Karrine Steffans. They have one son. Kool G Rap also has children with other women.^[65]

Discography[link]

Featured appearances[link]

• 1988: "The Symphony" (on the Marley Marl album In Control Volume 1)
• 1991: "Don't Curse" (from the Heavy D album Peaceful Journey")
• 1991: "The Symphony Vol. II" (on the Marley Marl album In Control Volume 2: For Your Steering Pleasure)
• 1992: "Death Threat" (from the Brand New Heavies album Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol. 1)
• 1993: "You Must Be Out of Your Fuckin' Mind" (from the Fat Joe album Represent)
• 1993: "Pee-Nile Reunion" (from the MC Shan Don't Call It Comeback 12")
• 1993: "This Is How We..." (from the Pudgee Tha Phat Bastard album Give Em The Finger)
• 1996: "Representin'" (Ruffa featuring Kool G Rap)
• 1996: "Stick To Ya Gunz" (from the M.O.P. album Firing Squad)
• 1996: "Know Da Game" (from the Frankie Cutlass album Politics And Bullshit)
• 1998: "Truly Yours 98" (from the Pete Rock album Soul Survivor)
• 1998: "Guns Blazing (Drums of Death, Pt. 1)" (from the UNKLE album Psyence Fiction)
• 1998: "40 Island" (from the N.O.R.E. album N.O.R.E.)
• 1999: "Friend of Ours" (from the E-Moneybags album In E-Moneybags We Trust)
• 1999: "The Anthem" Also feat. RZA, Tech N9ne, Eminem, Xzibit, Pharoahe Monch, Jayo Felony, Chino XL & KRS-One and "3 to the Dome" also feat. Big Daddy Kane & Chino XL (from the Sway & King Tech album This or That)
• 1999: "The Realest" (from the Mobb Deep album Murda Muzik)
• 2000: "Fall Back" (from the Big L album The Big Picture)
• 2000: "Ghetto afterlife" (from the Reflection Eternal album Train of thought)
• 2000: "Legendary Street Team" (from Lyricist Lounge 2)
• 2001: "Let 'Em Live" (from the Chino XL album I Told You So)
• 2001: "I Am" (from the G. Dep album Child of the Ghetto)
• 2001: "Gorillas" (from the Screwball album Loyalty)
• 2001: "No Surrender" (Shabaam Sahdeeq featuring Kool G Rap)
• 2002: "Allied Meta-Forces" (from the Canibus album Mic Club: The Curriculum)
• 2002: "Nuthin Has Changed" (from King Tee album The Kingdom Come)
• 2003: "Animal Rap" (from the Jedi Mind Tricks album Visions of Gandhi)
• 2005: "AIDS" (from the MF Grimm album Scars and Memories)
• 2005: "Ghost & Giancana" (from the Ghostface Killah album Put It on the Line)
• 2006: "We Gone Go Hard" (from the Ras Kass album Revenge of the Spit)
• 2006: "Reckless Eye-Ballin" (from the VERBAL THREAT album The Golden Era)
• 2006: "Full Metal Jacket" (from the Molemen album Killing Fields)
• 2007: "Hood Tales" (from the Marco Polo album Port Authority)
• 2007: "100 Roundz" (from the Domingo album The Most Underrated)
• 2007: "Come one, come all" (from the Styles P album The Ghost Sessions)
• 2007: "Next Up" (from the UGK album Underground Kingz)
• 2007: "6 in the Morning" (from the Statik Selektah album Spell My Name Right: The Album)
• 2007: "Buck Buck" (on the Red Cafe and DJ Envy album The Co-Op)
• 2007: "And Wot (Remix)" (Album "Unified: He Whanau Kotahi Tatou" featuring Sweet Tooth & Carbon Kid)
• 2007: "Terrorise the City(on the Klashnekoff album Lionheart: Tussle with the Beast featuring Kyza)
• 2008: "Queens" (from the LL Cool J Exit 13 Promo EP)
• 2008: "One Shot" (album Hood 2 Hood: The Blockumentary Soundtrack, Pt. 1)
• 2008: "The Next Step" (from the Big John album The Next Step featuring R.A The Rugged Man)
• 2008: "Same Old Hood" (Saul Abraham featuring Kool G Rap & St Laz)
• 2009: "Das Leid / The Light" Azad featuring Kool G Rap (from Brisk Fingaz album Einzelkämpfer)
• 2009: "Gunz From Italy" (from the Club Dogo album Dogocrazia)
• 2009: "Ill Figures" (from the Wu-Tang Clan compilation album Wu-Tang Chamber Music)
• 2009: "Legendary" (from the 67 Mob album Raising The Bar)
• 2009: "ALC Theme" (from The Alchemist album Chemical Warfare)
• 2009: "KGR & Honda" (from the DJ Honda album IV)
• 2010: "Cursed" (from the Diabolic debut album "Liar & A Thief")
• 2010: "Boot Rap" featuring Canibus (from the Mark Deez album "Bootstrap Theory")
• 2010: "White Sand Part 2" Rick Ross Ft. Triple C's from The Albert Anastasia EP
• 2010: "Knife Fight" Rick Ross Ft. Kool G Rap from The Albert Anastasia EP
• 2010: "Ready For War" CHI-ILL Ft. Kool G Rap from The Last Chance Lounge EP.
• 2010: "Controlling Tha Game" Tyger Vinum FT. Kool G. Rap from "Grindin Muzik" album
• 2010: "Frozen" (From The Left album "Gas Mask")
• 2010: "3 Extremes" (from Dusty Philharmonics album "The Audiotopsy", Unexpected Records)
• 2011: "Kies in tha game" (from Duo Kie album "De Cerebri Mortis")
• 2012: "Summertime" (from Adil Omar album The Mushroom Cloud Effect)
• 2012: "Keep it Live" (from NNFoF album No Name Full of Fame)

References[link]