Curren$y
Background information
Birth name	Shante Scott Franklin
Also known as	Spitta
Born	(1981-04-04) April 4, 1981 (age 31)
Origin	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper
Years active	2000–Present
Labels	Jet Life Recordings, Warner Bros. Records
Associated acts	Wiz Khalifa, The Alchemist, Ski Beatz, Dom Kennedy, Pharrell, Styles P, Raekwon, Prodigy, Fiend, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Jay Electronica
Website	www.currensyspitta.com

Shante Scott Franklin, April 4, 1981, better known by his stage name Curren$y is an American rapper from New Orleans, Louisiana. He is from the 3rd Ward in New Orleans.

Music career[link]

Career beginnings[link]

In 2002, Curren$y signed to Master P's No Limit Records and was a member of the 504 Boyz. The Song "Get Back" by 504 Boyz made it to the Malibu's Most Wanted soundtrack. Curren$y appeared on 5 songs in Master P's Good Side, Bad Side album, released in 2004.^{[citation needed]} Even though he was signed with No limit he represented C-Murders TRU label. Curren$y has several songs with incarcerated friend C-Murder, and was featured on the late Soulja Slim's album, Years Later.

Later on in 2004, Curren$y signed with Cash Money Records and Lil Wayne's Young Money Entertainment. He featured in Lil Wayne's Dedication 1,Dedication 2,Suffix and several unreleased songs while with Young Money. He released a mixtape entitled 'Welcome Back,' in 2004. He was featured in Lil Wayne's "Grown man" on the Carter 2 and on the "Grown man remix" with Boo. He remained in Young Money until late 2007. While still at Young Money, Curren$y created Fly Society with skateboarder Terry Kennedy, first as a clothing company, then expanding to release music. He released the song, "Where da Cash At" as the lead single for his Young Money debut, Music To Fly To, in 2006, but had to deal with several push-backs and lack of promotion. Also in 2006, he released G Series with Young Money members, Mack Maine and Lil Wayne. In 2007, another mixtape was released entitled "Life at 30,000 Feet". Curren$y decided to leave the label and venture off to do business on his own.

For several months throughout 2008, Curren$y released a series of mixtapes. Though he then had the co-sign of one of the top hip hop magazines, Curren$y was still overlooked by major labels. Curren$y reached a milestone in his rapping career with appearances on MTV for his music video "Address", and for a track titled "Breakfast", which was produced by Mos Def. After he took on the music industry by himself, Curren$y recently gained significant recognition via fellow musician Wiz Khalifa, whom he released the mixtape "How Fly" in collaboration with in 2009. His fan base continues to expand due to his original, laid-back flow which is accompanied by his soothing, spacey beats.

[edit] 2009: This Ain't No Mixtape and Jet Files

Curren$y signed with Amalgam Digital to release his debut album, This Ain't No Mixtape, in 2009.^[1] This album was entirely produced by Monsta Beatz. Curren$y also released his second album, Jet Files, through Amalgam Digital in 2009.^[2] Amalgam Digital finally released physical copies of This Ain't No Mixtape and Jet Files on May 31, 2010.

[edit] 2010: Pilot Talk and Pilot Talk II

Curren$y's third album, Pilot Talk, was released on July 13, 2010. The album featured guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Big K.R.I.T. and Mos Def, amongst others, with most of the songs produced by Ski Beatz. Prior to the album's release, there was news of Pilot Talk being released under a newly relaunched Roc-A-Fella Records.^[3] However, Curren$y stated in interviews with both XXL and Complex Magazine that the album would be released under Damon Dash's DD172 record label division, BluRoc Records^[4][4][5][6] and distributed through Def Jam Recordings. He was signed to the label after being recommended by Dame Dash's nephew; Dame Dash asked who was hot at the time, because he was about to go back into the music industry. Curren$y made numerous appearances on labelmate Ski Beatz' debut studio album, 24 Hour Karate School, which was released on September 21, 2010. Curren$y's fourth album, Pilot Talk II, was released on November 22, 2010,^[7] which featured Fiend and Raekwon, among others, with many of the songs produced by Ski Beatz.^[8] 2010 also saw the release of mixtape Smokee Robinson with DJ Don Cannon.

[edit] 2011: Weekend at Burnie's

On February 1, 2011, it was announced that Curren$y signed a label deal with Warner Bros. Records for his imprint, Jet Life Recordings.^[9] Covert Coup was his first project on his Jet Life Recordings imprint under Warner Bros. Released for free via Curren$y's official website on April 20, the album contains ten songs completely produced by The Alchemist.^[10] He released his sixth album, Weekend at Burnie's on June 28, 2011, featuring his Jet-Life anthem "#JetsGo", which was produced by Rahki. The rest of the album was produced by frequent collaborator Monsta Beatz.^[11] Mixtape Verde Terrace was well-received by Curren$y's fanbase and gained 49,696 downloads in part of 204,427 views within 24 hours of its release. In 2011, Curren$y and his Jet Life crew released the album Jet World Order, under Jets International / iHipHop. Every track on this album features Young Roddy and Trademark da Skydiver. Frequent collaborators of Curren$y are also featured on this album, including Smoke DZA, The Cool Kids' Mikey Rocks, Cornerboy P, Fiend, Street Wiz, and Nesby Phips. Curren$y himself appears on 3 tracks.

[edit] 2012-present: Muscle Car Chronicles and The Stoned Immaculate

On November 10, 2011, Curren$y announced through Twitter the release of a new album. Muscle Car Chronicles, a 2-Disc set, was released on February 14, 2012. Curren$y also plans on releasing Pilot Talk III in 2012, and mentioned the possibility of it being a free album. An album entirely produced by Chuck Inglish called Puff Daddy is set to be released this year, as well as another titled The Stoned Immaculate. Curren$y and The Alchemist also intended on releasing the sequel to Covert Coup, Re-conversionalize in April 2012, the project has not yet been released. In February 2012, Curren$y released the EP Here..., and a few days later released another EP #The1st28 with Styles P.

On April 21, 2012 the track listing for "The Stoned Immaculate" was released. ^[12]

Jet Life Recordings[link]

On February 1, 2011, Curren$y signed a label deal with Warner Bros. Records for his imprint Jet Life Recordings.^[13]

Current artists[link]

• Currensy (CEO)
• Trademark The Skydiver
• Young Roddy
• Street Wiz
• Smoke DZA
• Sir Michael Rocks (a.k.a. Mikey Rocks of The Cool Kids)
• Nesby Phips
• DeeLow
• Corner Boy P
• Fiend

Producers[link]

• Monsta Beatz
• Fiend

Legal Issues[link]

In March 2012, news surfaced of legal action being taken against Damon Dash by Curren$y. In the lawsuit, the rapper claimed that he never legally signed to Dash's DD172 label, and the record executive released the pair of albums (Pilot Talk I and II) as well as Muscle Car Chronicles without authorization. Curren$y is demanding that Dash immediately stop releasing his music for profit, and is seeking $1.5 million in damages. A ruling has yet to be decided in the case.^[14]

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• Pilot Talk (2010)
• Pilot Talk II (2010)
• Weekend at Burnie's (2011)
• Muscle Car Chronicles (2012)
• The Stoned Immaculate (2012)

Independent albums

• This Ain't No Mixtape (2009)
• Jet Files (2009)

Collaboration albums

• Jet World Order (with Jet Life Recordings)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Curren$y on Myspace
• Curren$y at Twitter
• Curren$y at Facebook
• Curren$y at MTV
• Curren$y at Allmusic

French Montana (born November 9, 1984) is an American rapper and singer of Moroccan^[2][3] and Somali^[2][4] descent. He is the founder and CEO of Cocaine City Records, and in 2012, signed a joint venture recording deal with Maybach Music Group and Bad Boy Records. He is known for his frequent collaborations with Max B, and more recently with Rick Ross and with his group Coke Boys.

Early life[link]

French Montana was born Karim Kharbouch in 1984 in Rabat, Morocco,^[1][4] where he lived for the first 13 years of his life. Growing up in Rabat, he was consumed by playing soccer and rapping, describing them as his two favorite childhood hobbies.^[5] In 1996, French emigrated with his parents and two younger brothers to the Bronx in New York City.^[6] His father left the family when French was 17, and so he began to provide for his mother and younger brothers.

Music career[link]

Cocaine City[link]

In 2002, along with his friend Camz he created a series of street-flavoured DVD documentaries called 'Cocaine City' after drawing inspiration from the 'Smack' DVD series. Under the name Young French he used the DVDs as a means of showcasing his talent as an underground artist. To gain a broader fan base, French incorporated interviews with major artists, as well as some up and comers. The first edition in the series included Pee Wee Kirkland and Remy Ma alongside French himself among others. What started out as simply a medium for developing an audience quickly grew into one of the top-selling "street DVDs".^[3][6][7] The series ran for 8 years between 2002 and 2010, with a total of 14 editions being released.^[8]

2009-2010[link]

In 2009, French signed a deal with Akon's Konvict Muzik record label, but later left the label in 2011 due to album delays.^[9] Montana was subsequently reportedly close to signing a deal with Rick Ross's Maybach Music Group (MMG).^[10] There were also reports that he would join Kanye West's GOOD Music label.^[11]

Bad Boy Records/ Maybach Music Group[link]

In December 2011, Montana signed a record deal with P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records^[12] and Interscope Records.^[13] According to French, of the many major labels that were courting him, Maybach Music Group would have been his second choice had he not signed with Bad Boy.^[14] However on January 2, 2012 while in the studio with Rick Ross Montana announced that he had signed a joint venture deal with Bad Boy Records and Maybach Music Group with Rick Ross and Diddy set to executive produce his debut album.^[15] It was announced that his debut album Excuse My French would be released July 17, 2012. French was featured on XXL's Freshman Class of 2012 alongside Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, Macklemore, Don Trip, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea, Roscoe Dash and labelmate Machine Gun Kelly (rapper).^[16][17] However, he later revealed to Sway Calloway on RapFix Live that he almost turned down the cover opportunity, feeling he "deserved it two years ago" and that he had surpassed the current crop of rap rookies.^[18][7]

Influences[link]

According to French, the rappers Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, The Notorious B.I.G. and Wu-Tang Clan were among the hip hop artists that he listened to while growing up. He also considers himself a general music lover.^[19]

Personal life[link]

Between 2003 and 2004, French was shot in the head as he was exiting a recording studio in New York. He was rushed to the hospital after the incident and survived. Describing the shooting as a possible assassination attempt, the artist was subsequently involved in a murder trial in which he was eventually found not guilty. Rumors began to swirl that he had received settlement money from the case, which he then used to start his rap career. However, French later dismissed these claims as false in an interview.^[20]

Religion[link]

French Montana is Sunni Muslim, having been raised in Morocco under the Maliki madhab, or school of thought. In an interview for Vlad TV which took place on the first day of the Islamic holy month Ramadan, French revealed that he participates in fasting during the month.^[21]

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• Excuse My French (July 17, 2012)

Mixtapes[link]

• French Revolution Vol. 1 (Hosted by Cutmaster C) (2007)^[22]
• Live From Africa (Hosted by Cocaine City) (2008)^[23]
• Coke Wave (with Max B; Hosted by DJ Whoo Kid) (2008)^[24]
• Coke Wave 2 (with Max B; Hosted by Evil Empire) (2009)^[25]
• The Laundry Man (Hosted by Evil Empire & Big Mike) (2009)^[26]
• Mac Wit Da Cheese (Hosted by Big Mike) (2009)^[27]
• The Laundry Man 2 (Hosted by Evil Empire) (2009)^[28]
• Cocaine Konvicts: Gangsta Grillz (Hosted by DJ Drama) (2009)^[29]
• Mac & Cheese 2 (Hosted by Evil Empire, Self & Big Mike) (2010)^[30]
• Coke Boys (with Coke Boys; Hosted by DJ Lust, DJ Drama & DJ Diggz) (2010)^[31]
• Mister 16 (Casino Life) (Hosted by DJ Holiday) (2011)^[32]
• Coke Boys 2 (with Coke Boys) (Hosted by Evil Empire) (2011)^[33]
• Coke Boys Run NY (with Chinx Drugz; Hosted by ItsBizkit, Trapemasters Inc & Evil Empire) (2011)^[34]
• Lock Out (with Waka Flocka Flame; Presented by DJ Drama & DJ Green Lantern) (2011)^[35]
• Cocaine Mafia (with Juicy J and Project Pat; Hosted by Evil Empire) (2011)^[36]
• Coke Boys 3 (2012)^[37]
• Mac & Cheese 3 (Hosted by Evil Empire, Self & Big Mike) (TBA)

Other mixtapes

• Cocaine & Caviar (2010)
• Cocaine & Caviar 2 (2011)

Album appearances[link]

Singles[link]

As featured performer

Videography[link]

2008

• "Why So Serious"
• "Do It Right"
• "Smoking"
• "We Run New York"
• "Why So Serious"

2009

• "Im So Special"
• "New York Minute"
• "Playing In The Wind"
• "Henny & My 44"
• "Lay Down"
• "Stick up Boys"

2010

• "Them Girls"
• "Go Hard"
• "Whatcha Know About It"
• "Im On It"
• "Heartache & Pain"

2011

• "Tryna Breathe"
• "Choppa Choppa Down"
• "Choppa Choppa Down (Remix)"
• "Shot Caller"
• "We Mobb"
• "Stay Schemin'"

2012

• "Weed & Drinks"
• "Everything's a Go"

References[link]

External links[link]

• French Montana - Breakthrough Artist 2009/2010
• French Montana - Last.fm
• XXL magazine - French Montana
• CHAMP Magazine
• [3]
• [4]
• [5]
• [6]

Slim Thug
Slim Thug at the KDHT studio in 2005.
Background information
Birth name	Stayve Jerome Thomas
Born	(1980-09-08) September 8, 1980 (age 31) Houston, Texas
Genres	Hip hop Gangsta rap
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Swishahouse, Boss Hogg Outlawz, Interscope, E1
Associated acts	Boss Hogg Outlawz, Bun B, Chalie Boy, Chamillionaire, Z-Ro, Mike Jones, T.I.
Website	www.bosshoggoutlawz.com

Stayve Jerome Thomas (born September 8, 1980),^[1] better known as Slim Thug, Boss Hogg or Thug Boss, is an American rapper. He gained mainstream attention for his contribution to the popular single from rapper Mike Jones, "Still Tippin'".

Early life[link]

Slim Thug grew up in Houston's Northside neighborhood of Homestead/Scenic Woods. Slim says that his rap name come from the fact that as a teenager, he was very tall and skinny before he filled out.^{[citation needed]} He stands 6'6" tall. The Thug part comes from people's assumptions of him due to his fresh braids and sunglasses.^{[citation needed]} At age 17, he performed freestyle raps at local high school parties. He began his rap career with Swishahouse in the late 1990s. After realizing how much money he could make distributing his own mixtapes, he parted ways with Swishahouse on good terms and formed his own independent label, Boss Hogg Outlawz.^[2] Thomas bought two record stores and worked in real estate.^[1]

Music career[link]

Already Platinum (2005–2008)[link]

Slim Thug's debut album with Star Trak Entertainment & Interscope Records, Already Platinum, was released in July 2005 after many delays.^[1] It premiered on #2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and sold 130,000 copies in its first week.^[3] Singles included "3 Kings" (featuring T.I. and Bun B), and "I Ain't Heard of That" (featuring Pharrell and Bun B). Slim Thug appeared on Still Tippin' with Mike Jones and Paul Wall, Beyoncé Knowles's #1 single "Check on It" and Gwen Stefani's "Luxurious". With the Boss Hogg Outlawz, Slim Thug released three albums, Boyz N Blue (2004), Serve & Collect (2007) and Back by Blockular Demand: Serve & Collect II (2008). He left Star Trak & Interscope Records in 2008.^[4]

Boss of All Bosses (2009)[link]

Slim Thug's second solo album Boss of All Bosses was released in 2009. Although not as successful as his debut album Boss of All Bosses debuted at #15 on the Billboard 200 with 32,000 copies sold in the first week released. It included the single "I Run".

Tha Thug Show (2010–present)[link]

Slim Thug's third studio album Tha Thug Show. His first single was "Gangsta" which featured Z-Ro. His second single featured rapper/singer B.o.B entitled "So High". It was released November 30, 2010.

Other Ventures[link]

Acting career[link]

In October 2009 he appeared on The Daily Show, in a parody discussing the effects of the recession upon wealthy rappers such as himself.^[5] The skit was filmed in part at The Lion's Den Recordings in Houston, Texas.

Personal life[link]

Slim Thug dated singer LeToya Luckett until 2006.^[6][7] He claimed the two broke up as a result of his cheating and having a child with another woman.^[8]

According to MTV News, Lupe Fiasco's video for "Hip Hop Saved My Life" was based on Slim Thug's life story. "It is based on Slim Thug," Fiasco revealed.^[9] On June 7, 2010, Vibe released controversial statements Slim Thug had made regarding treatment of black men by black and white women saying "it’s hard to find [a successful black man] so Black women have to bow down and let it be known that they gotta start working hard; they gotta start cooking and being down for they man more. ...White women treat they man like a king."^[10]

The article stirred many varied reactions from bloggers and online commentators.^[7][11][12] Cultural critic and Columbia University professor Marc Lamont Hill,^[13] singers Aubrey O'Day, D. Woods,^[14] and Talib Kweli^[15] have all responded publicly to his comments.

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• 2005: Already Platinum
• 2009: Boss of All Bosses
• 2010: Tha Thug Show
• 2012: Hogg Life

Awards and Nominations[link]

MTV Video Music Awards

References[link]

External links[link]

• Slim Thug on Myspace
• Slim Thug at the Internet Movie Database
• Slim Thug on Twitter

Mac Miller
Mac Miller performing at the Governor's Ball in 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Malcolm McCormick
Also known as	Easy Mac
Born	(1992-01-19) January 19, 1992 (age 20) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, producer, actor, songwriter
Years active	2007 – present
Labels	Rostrum Records, Most Dope Entertainment
Associated acts	Wiz Khalifa, Beedie, The Ill Spoken, I.D. Labs, Big Jerm
Website	www.macmillerofficial.com

Malcolm McCormick (born January 19, 1992),^[1] known by his stage name Mac Miller (previously Easy Mac), is an American rapper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is signed to Rostrum Records and released his debut album Blue Slide Park on November 8, 2011.^[2]

Early life[link]

Malcolm McCormick was born on January 19, 1992, the son of an architect and a photographer, and raised in the Point Breeze part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.^[1][3] His father is Christian and his mother is Jewish; Miller was raised Jewish and had a Bar Mitzvah.^[4][5][6] Before attending Taylor Allderdice High School, Miller attended Winchester Thurston School.^[7] In high school, Miller decided to focus on his hip-hop career, later noting, "Once I hit 15, I got real serious about it and it changed my life completely ... I used to be into sports, play all the sports, go to all the high school parties. But once I found out hip-hop is almost like a job, that's all I did."^[1] Miller, a self-taught musician, plays piano, guitar, drums, and bass.^[1][8]

Career[link]

Before embarking on a solo career, Miller was part of rap group The Ill Spoken together with fellow Pittsburgh rapper, Beedie. The Ill Spoken released the mixtape How High in 2008. Prior to changing his name to Mac Miller, he was known as EZ Mac and released the mixtape But My Mackin Ain't Easy in 2007 at 15 years old. In 2009 Mac Miller released two mixtapes The Jukebox: Prelude to Class Clown and The High Life before getting signed to Rostrum Records.

In early 2010, Miller signed with Rostrum Records.^[9] Rostrum president Benjy Grinberg met Miller while recording with Wiz Khalifa at ID Labs.^[10] Although Grinberg started giving Miller advice, he didn't show any interest in getting involved with his career until the artist began work on the K.I.D.S. mixtape, when, as he later told HitQuarters, Grinberg "noticed a maturation in his sound and approach to his music."^[10] By that point Miller had started attracting interest from different record companies but chose Rostrum due to its location in his hometown and association with Wiz Khalifia.^[10] K.I.D.S. was released by the label in August 2010.^[1] The mixtape was inspired by the movie Kids. A significant breakthrough came in late 2010 when Miller embarked on his first "Incredibly Dope Tour", selling out at every location on the tour.^[10]

Miller's 5th^[when?] release was a mixtape titled Best Day Ever. The mixtape features his single "Donald Trump" and the hit songs "Wear My Hat", "BDE Bonus" and "All Around The World." The mixtape featured mainstream producers such as Just Blaze, 9th Wonder, and Chuck Inglish. On November 22, 2010 his first single "Knock Knock" premiered its video on YouTube.^[11]

On March 29, 2011, he released an EP called On And On And Beyond. The six-track work was produced by Rostrum Records.

On July 5, 2011, Miller announced the title of his first album Blue Slide Park on his YouTube channel, set for a Fall release.^[12] In September 2011 it was revealed that Miller would release a mixtape titled 92 Til Infinity hosted by DJ Jazzy Jeff prior to the release of Blue Slide Park.^[13] However, the release did not happen, and it was since then left in planning.

Prior to his 2011 national Blue Slide Park tour, Miller traveled Europe on his "Incredibly Dope Tour" visiting cities such as London, Manchester, and Amsterdam.

On October 14, 2011, Mac Miller released a 13 song mixtape called I Love Life, Thank You for reaching 1,000,000 followers on Twitter. It had features from Sir Michael Rocks of The Cool Kids, Talib Kweli, and Bun B.

On November 2011, Blue Slide Park debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 144,000 copies.^[14]

On March 23, 2012, Mac Miller released his seventh mixtape called Macadelic. He released "Loud" as a single off the mixtape as well as filiming a music video. Miller also released a video for "Thoughts From A Balcony".

Awards and honors[link]

In 2009 at age 17, he made it to the final four in Rhyme Calisthenics, the MC competition at Shadow Lounge.^[15] In 2010, he won two awards at the Pittsburgh hip-hop awards.^[16] His video "Live Free" won video of the year and he also won Best Artist Under 21. In September 2011 Maroon 5 announced that Mac Miller will be featured on their remix of their top chart song "Moves Like Jagger".^[17] In 2011 Miller was one of eleven rappers featured in XXL magazine's Freshman Class of 2011.^[18] The video for the first single released from this mixtape, "Donald Trump", has reached over 53 million views on YouTube^[19] and Donald Trump himself, who is referenced on the song, acknowledged the video on the social networking site Twitter when it reached 20 million views stating "Who wouldn't be flattered?". He declared that Miller was the “new Eminem,” and stated “I am very proud of him.”^[20] Endorsements by Donald Trump helped Miller become increasingly more popular. The song also charted on iTunes debuting at #73 and peaking at #40,^[21] before Miller was signed to a major label. In 2011, his first TV appearance took place in the VH1 show Single Ladies; he played a fictionalized version of himself that succeeded in selling one of his mixtapes to one of the main characters. Also in 2011, he was a part of MTV Jams Fab Five artists.^[22]

Musical philosophy[link]

Mac Miller includes Big L, Lauryn Hill, The Beastie Boys, Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest among his influences.^[8] He also has a close relationship with fellow Pittsburgh rapper Wiz Khalifa, saying "Wiz has been a big brother to me with this music thing so far. Our relationship is beyond music. He really is just my homie, whether I will be making music or not."^[23]

As an artist, Mac Miller has performed in a number of different styles. His classic musical style contains lyrics focused on marijuana, women, and "a dream". However, Miller has lately been experimenting with new styles in his music, such as in his 2012 mixtape Macadelic. Most songs have a heavy psychedelic influence, and include lyrics with deeper meaning. Also, older artists and music performers are praised on some of Mac's new works (the beginning of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by the Beatles is used as an interlude for the song "Loud").

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• Blue Slide Park (2011)

Extended plays

• On and On and Beyond (2011)

Mixtapes

• But My Mackin' Ain't Easy (2007)
• The Jukebox: Prelude to Class Clown (2009)
• The High Life (2009)
• K.I.D.S. (2010)
• Best Day Ever (2011)
• I Love Life, Thank You (2011)
• Macadelic (2012)

References[link]