Name	D-Nice
Background	solo_singer
Birthname	Derrick Jones
Born	June 19, 1971
Origin	Bronx, New York
Instruments	Rapping, Beatboxing
Genre	Hip-hop, soul
Occupation	Rapper, Beatboxer, Photographer, Singer
Label	Jive Records/Violator
Url

D-Nice (born Derrick Jones on June 19, 1971) is the stage name of discjockey, beatboxer, rapper, producer and photographer who began his career in the mid-1980s with the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions. D-Nice currently works as a freelance photographer for many individuals and labels, including Diddy, Cassie and Bad Boy Records.

He has a daughter Ashli Jones with an ex-girlfriend.

In August 2008 he married actress Malinda Williams.

Discography

References

External links

Allmusic

Category:African American rappers Category:Living people Category:Musicians from New York City Category:People from the Bronx Category:1971 births

Name	Treach
Birthname	Anthony Criss
Birthdate	December 02, 1970
Birthplace	East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.A.
Occupation	Rapper, actor
Yearsactive	1989—present
Spouse	Sandra Denton(1998–2001)

Anthony Criss (born December 2, 1970), better known by his stage name Treach, is an American rapper and actor. He is best known as the lead rapper of the hip hop group Naughty by Nature.

Career

With Naughty by Nature Treach worked with fellow group members Vin Rock and DJ Kay Gee. Sometimes he would share verses on songs with Vin Rock, but often, especially on the group's earlier albums, Treach would be the sole performer on the song. Examples of this are some of the group's most well known singles from their self titled second album, such as "O.P.P.," and "Everything's Gonna Be Alright".

His chiseled physique has helped him land roles in crime films, television crime dramas and as a leading man in romance films, including a full frontal in the 2001 crime comedy Love and a Bullet.

He was formerly married to Sandra Denton, better known as 'Pepa' from the Hip-Hop Group Salt-n-Pepa from 1998 to 2001. The couple had a daughter named Egypt.

Filmography

The Art of War III: Retribution (2009)

Before I Self Destruct (2009)

episode "" (2009)

Ca$h Rules (2008)

A Day In The Life (2007)

Connors War (2006)

Park (2006)

The Sopranos episode "The Fleshy Part of the Thigh" (2006)

Feast (2005)

Today You Die (2005)

El Chupacabra (2003)

Playa's Ball (2003)

Conviction (2002)

Love and a Bullet (2002)

Book of Love (2002)

Fastlane (TV series) (2002)

Face (2002)

Empire (2002)

Third Watch (TV series) (2002-2003)

, 2 episodes (2001–2002)

3 A.M.(2001)

Oz, 3 episodes (1999)

First time felon (1997)

Jason's Lyric (1994)

The Meteor Man (1993)

Juice (1992)

Discography

Studio albums with Naughty by Nature:

1989: The Independent Leaders (released as The New Style)

1991: Naughty by Nature

1993: 19 Naughty III

1995: Poverty's Paradise

1999:

2002: IIcons

Guest appearances:

1995: Scream (Naughty Remix) - Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson feat. Treach

References

External links

Category:1970 births Category:African American actors Category:African American musicians Category:African American rappers Category:Living people Category:Musicians from New Jersey Category:People from East Orange, New Jersey Category:Rappers from New Jersey Category:Tommy Boy Records artists

Name	Pharoahe Monch
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Troy Donald Jamerson
Born	October 31, 1972
Origin	South Jamaica, Queens, New York, USA
Genre	Hip hop, Alternative Rap
Years active	1989–present
Label	Hollywood/Priority RecordsRawkus/SRC RecordsDuck Down/W.A.R. Media, LLC
Associated acts	Organized Konfusion, Hilltop Hoods, Busta Rhymes, Adam F, Shabaam Sahdeeq, The HRSMN, Talib Kweli, Common, Mos Def, Kanye West, Erykah Badu, Mr. Porter

Troy Donald Jamerson (born 31 October 1972,) better known by his stage name Pharoahe Monch, is an American hip hop artist. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.

Biography

Pharoahe Monch's name is derived from the monkey dolls, Monchhichis. After receiving a bad haircut, which left Monch looking like a "chimpanzee", girls in Monch's class at the High School of Art and Design began calling him "Monchhichi", which was later shortened to "Monch". Monch adopted the "Pharoahe" prefix after meeting future Organized Konfusion partner Prince Po.

Monch released three albums as part of the rap duo, Organized Konfusion with partner Prince Poetry: The self-titled Organized Konfusion, and The Equinox. The duo handled a large amount of production on these albums themselves. All albums received positive critical reviews, but moderate sales. As a result, the duo split up after recording their final album The Equinox in 1997. Prince Poetry has since denied the possibility of an Organized Konfusion reunion.

Pharoahe Monch then signed to Rawkus Records, an indie label. After making several guest appearances on albums like the best-selling Rawkus compilation Soundbombing 2, Monch's much-hyped debut, Internal Affairs was released in 1999. The first single of the album, "Simon Says", became a hit single, peaking at #97 on the Billboard Hot 100; he was later sued for the use of a sample from Akira Ifukube's Gojira Tai Mosura for the hook. He also had a 2001 hit with "F**k You" off of the Training Day soundtrack (the clean version was called "Got You"), though the single ultimately didn't sell well. In 2003, Pharoahe released his final single through Rawkus Records, "Agent Orange", a war inspired song which revisited the 1991 Organized Konfusion track "Releasing Hypnotical Gases".

Pharoahe's song "Simon Says" was featured in the 2000 cinematic release Charlie's Angels. Viewers will recognize the song and backbeat in the scene where Sam Rockwell is lighting a cigarette in the castle, while holding Drew Barrymore hostage. Two of Monch's songs, "Right Here" and "Simon Says" were featured in the movie Boiler Room.

Pharoahe is also affiliated with the rap group The HRSMN. Although not a member of the group (there are only four real members), he is constantly linked to someday join the group when/if they ever expand.

There were rumors his next album, Innervisions, was to be released under Denaun Porter's new Shady Records imprint Runyon Ave., but apparently the deal fell through; Monch has since announced a deal with Street Records Corporation, home of Wu-Tang Clan, David Banner and Terror Squad. In June 2007 Monch released his second solo album Desire to critical acclaim. Monch said about the album; "...it's very soulful, very gospel, a fresh, new sound for me." The album's lead single was the self-produced track "Push", with "Let's Go" as its B-Side. The song's music video and single were released in late September 2006. Pharoahe Monch released a second music video entitled "When the Gun Draws" at a Brooklyn music festival in February, 2007. The track was inspired by a song he did with Prince Po entitled "Stray Bullet" which was featured on the album. A final video was made for the title track "Desire" in late 2007. It was directed by New Zealand director Andy Morton and shot on the Rock the Bells tour with full band. The video features both MeLa Machinko and of course, a huge performance from Showtyme.

Monch also produced and ghost-wrote the track The Future and ghost-wrote the track Hold Up with Mobb Deep member Havoc on rap mogul Diddy's latest album Press Play. Critics contest that Monch's writing is evident in both the content and the delivery of Diddy's rhymes.

Pharoahe Monch rapped the Madden NFL 2002 theme for the game and six years later Desire was featured on the soundtrack of Madden NFL 08.

Pharoahe Monch will release his third solo album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) in 2010. He revealed that the album will be a "throwback to 1993, '94 hip-hop" and will feature production by Black Milk, Mr. Porter, Lee Stone & M-Phazes. A ten year anniversary re-issue of Internal Affairs will also be released featuring a documentary about the making of the album.

On the 9th of July 2010, Pharoahe Monch allowed hip-hop website hiphopdx.com to leak a song from his forthcoming album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades). The song was called 'Shine' it featured vocals by MeLa Machinko - who has collaborated with Pharoahe numerus times before - and was also produced by Diamond D.

Rapping technique

Pharoahe Monch is acclaimed for his complex rapping technique Kool Moe Dee ranks him at 26 in his best MCs of all time list, from his book, There's a God on the Mic. Kool Moe Dee notes: "Pharoahe Monch is like an eloquent linguistics professor moonlighting as a rhyme serial killer terrorist, challenging the listeners' I.Q. while daring him or her to keep up." and he 'rewrites' lyrics, saying he will "go back as a screenwriter and rewrite scenes and leave more to the imagination."

For his biggest hit, 'Simon Says', he comments that he wrote the choruses before he wrote the verses, and fellow rapper and collaborator O.C. notes that Monch will write single lines down and then use them five years later. His vocal delivery is inspired by Jazz music and musicians such as John Coltrane.

Discography

Albums

Mixtapes

The Awakening was Pharoahe Monch's first and only official mixtape released prior to Desire.

Singles

1999: "Simon Says"

2000: "The Light"

2001: "F**k You"

2002: "The Life"

2003: "Agent Orange"

2007: "Push"

2007: "Let's Go"

2007: "Body Baby"

2010: "Shine"

Appearances

1998: "Live from the DJ Stretch Armstrong Show with your host Bobbito The Barber" (from Lyricist Lounge, Volume One)

1999: '"Mayor"' & "WWIII" (from Soundbombing 2)

1999: '"Lyrical Fluctuation (feat. Jigmastas, Mr. Complex, Talib Kweli & Shabaam Sahdeeq)" (from the DJ Spinna album The Beyond Real Experience)

1999: '"Dirty Decibels"' (from the High & Mighty album Home Field Advantage)

1999: '"Take Me Home"' (from the Polyrhythm Addicts album Rhyme Related)

1999: '"The Anthem" (featuring Eminem, RZA, Tech N9NE, Xzibit, Kool G Rap, Chino XL & KRS-One) (from the Sway & King Tech album This Or That)

1999: '"Turnablist Anthem"' (from the Rob Swift album The Ablist)

1999: "Innovations" (from the Saukrates album The Underground Tapes)

1999: "Livin' It Up" (from the Next Friday Soundtrack)

2000: '"Why Don't Cha"', "Big Fronter" & "Divine Intervention" (from the Mr. Complex album The Complex Catalog)

2000: '"Ill Collabo (feat. Prince Po)" (from the Cella Dwellas album The Last Shall Be First)

2000: '"Kenny Rogers - Pharoahe Monch Dub Plate (feat. Kenny Rogers)" (from the Wyclef Jean album )

2000: '"What Am I? (feat. L.I.F.E. Long)" (from the Antipop Consortium album Tragic Epilogue)

2000: '"Ghost Weed Skit 1" (from the De La Soul album )

2000: '"One Four Love Pt.1 (from Hip Hop for Respect)

2000: '"Horsemen" (from the Canibus album 2000 B.C. (Before Can-I-Bus))

2000: '"Connect (featuring Xzibit & Gipp)" (from the DJ Hurricane album Don't Sleep)

2000: '"Oh No (feat. Mos Def & Nate Dogg)" (from Lyricist Lounge 2)

2001: "F**k You" (Training Day (soundtrack))

2001: "I Pledge Allegiance" (from the Nate Dogg album Music and Me)

2001: "Last Dayz" (from the Adam F album Kaos: The Anti-Acoustic Warfare )

2002: "Madden 2002 Theme" (from the video game Madden NFL 2002)

2002: "Guerilla Monsoon Rap (feat. Black Thought)" (from the Talib Kweli album Quality)

2002: "The Life (featuring Styles P)" & "Round & Round (Remix)", (from Soundbombing 3)

2002: "The X (Y'all Know The Name) (featuring Xzibit, Inspectah Deck & Skillz)" (from the X-Ecutioners album Built From Scratch)

2002: "H! Vltg3 (featuring Evidence and DJ Babu)" (from the Linkin Park album Reanimation)

2002: "Frontline (featuring Prince Po, Mike Zoot & F.T.)" (from the El Da Sensei album Relax Relate Release)

2002: "Murda 1 Case (featuring KK)" (from the DJ Quik album Under Tha Influence)

2002: "See What I See" (from the Ras Kass album Goldyn Chyld)

2002: "Talking to You (feat. Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Rah Digga & A-Butta)" (Rawkus Single)

2003: "Oblivion" (from the Aimee Allen album I'd Start A Revolution (If I Could Get Up In the Morning))

2003: "What is the Law" (OZ Soundtrack)

2004: "Just Do It" (from the Pete Rock album Soul Survivor II)

2005: "It Ain't The Money" (from the Macy Gray album The Very Best of Macy Gray)

2005; "Evaridae" (from the O.C. album Starchild)

2005: "New World Symphony" (from the Miri Ben-Ari album The Hip-Hop Violinist)

2006: "Fish Filet" (from the Sa-Ra double-single The Second Time Around)

2006: "Book Of Judges" ( Soundtrack)

2006; "Loose Ends (feat. Justin Timberlake & will.i.am)" (from the Sérgio Mendes album Timeless)

2006: "Love" (from the J Dilla album The Shining)

2007: "Rehab (Remix)" (feat. Jay-Z) (from Amy Winehouse album Back to Black)

2007: "Reachin'" (from the Polyrhythm Addicts album Break Glass)

2008: "Apocalypse RMX" (from the Immortal Technique album The 3rd World)

2009: "Classic Example" (from Hilltop Hoods album State of the Art)

2009: "Salute" (from Slaughterhouse's self-titled album Slaughterhouse)

2009: "One Shot" (from the Krs-One & Buckshot album Survival Skills)

2009: "Dollaz & Sense" (with RZA) (from The Black Keys' album Blakroc)

2009: "Back and Then" (from the Prince Po EP X-Files)

2010: "Let U Live" (from the Consequence mixtape Movies On Demand)

References

External links

Official website

Category:Living people Category:African American rappers Category:American hip hop record producers Category:Rappers from New York City Category:1972 births

Name	KRS-One
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Lawrence Parker
Alias	KRS, Teacha
Origin	South Bronx, New York, U.S.
Born	August 20, 1965Flatbush, Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, actor, record producer, author
Years active	1981–present
Instrument	Rapping, vocals, turntables
Label	B-Boy, Jive, RCA, Duck Down
Associated acts	Boogie Down Productions, Scott La Rock, Marley Marl, Diamond D, LL Cool J, Chuck D, Public Enemy, Buckshot, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique
Url	http://www.krsoneinc.com/

Lawrence Kris Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage name KRS-One is an MC and producer. Over his career, he has been known by several pseudonyms including "Kris Parker," "The Blastmaster," "The Teacha," and "The Philosopher." At the 2008 BET Awards, KRS-One was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for all his work and effort towards the Stop the Violence Movement as well as the overall pioneering of hip hop music and culture.

Biography

Born Lawrence Parker in Park Slope, Brooklyn in the fall of 1965, the MC left home at 14 to become an MC and Philosopher. He came to live in a homeless shelter in the South Bronx, where he was dubbed Krishna by residents because of his interest in the Hare Krishna spirituality of some of the antipoverty workers. By the time he met youth counselor Scott Sterling, he was also writing graffiti as KRS-One (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone). Together he and Sterling, a.k.a. DJ Scott La Rock eventually created Boogie Down Productions, releasing their debut album, Criminal Minded, in 1987. KRS-One has been a vegetarian since his youth.

Boogie Down Productions

In the summer of 1984, KRS-One hit the music scene with a rap group called "Scott La rock and the Celebrity Three" with a record called "Advance". And that was, in a time when most rappers rhymed about cars, jewelry, alcohol, and the latest dance, KRS-One was rhyming about nuclear war prevention. Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three was composed of Scott La Rock, Levi167, MC Quality, and KRS-One. After legal problems with the head of the label, Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three were released from their contract. In the winter of 1984, KRS-One wrote a song called "Stop The Violence" although by this time The Celebrity Three had broken up and only KRS-One and Scott La Rock remained. Both realized they had to change the name of the group and they did: the new group was called The Boogie Down Crew.

In 1985, Scott La Rock, a friend of producer/writer Kenny Beck (2 The Limit, Octavia - Pow Wow Records and Mine All Mine, Cashflow - Polygram Records) asked Beck to do a record he had written for his brother Kevin Goldbeck. Since the record was not quite finished being produced yet for [Sleeping Bag Records] and Scott had a real affinity for the sty-lings of Krs-one, Kenny Beck decided to form a group around the three, Kevin (freshly released from New York State Prison), Scott and Krs-one. Their name was 12:41, given that moniker by Beck as that was the time they had completed the final mix. All three plus Beck can be heard rapping on the record. Scott, ever the social worker asked Beck to do this as a way out of the shelter for his friend Krs-one. Of course Kris and Scott wanted to concentrate on their own Boogie Down Crew but first they had to go through this. No one was paid for this project and the small amount budgeted by the label for the product prior to Scott La Rock's and Krs-one's involvement barely covered recording costs. This is why producer David Eng, Snow (Informer) and Inspector Gadget writer and studio owner of Bayside Sound (Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, UTFO was brought in. The original song was written, produced and recorded by Kenny Beck and royalties and claims are being pursued for all parties involved. It was this project that educated Kris and Scott as to the importance of being producers of their music, as well as the artists, so at this point they decided to change the name of their own Boogie Down Crew to Boogie Down Productions.

At the close of 1987, the B.D.P lifestyle got real and Scott La Rock was killed trying to settle a dispute in the Bronx. This shocked the Hip Hop community and as a result rap and violence became a topic in the mainstream press. The rap community thought Boogie Down Productions was over but this only led to new plans for KRS-One. In 1988, KRS-One left B. Boy Records to sign with Jive Records and "By All Means Necessary" was released. Rap music was under a mainstream microscope and KRS-One now was able to release what he and Scott always dreamed about, an album that gave rap a different image. His first video on Jive Records was for "My Philosophy", a song that re-established his presence in the rap world.

KRS-One began his recording career as one third of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions, or BDP, alongside DJ Scott La Rock and Derrick "D-Nice" Jones. They met during a stay KRS-One had at the Bronx Franklin Avenue Armory Shelter. La Rock (real name Scott Sterling) worked as a social worker there. The duo would begin to create music. After being rejected by radio DJs Mr. Magic and Marley Marl, KRS-One would go on to diss the two and those associated with them, sparking what would later be known as The Bridge Wars. Additionally, KRS had taken offense to "The Bridge", a song by Marley Marl's protege, MC Shan (later on, KRS One produced an album with Marley Marl in 2007); the song could be interpreted as a claim that Queensbridge was the monument of Hiphop, though MC Shan has repeatedly denied this claim. Still, KRS "dissed" the song with the BDP record "South Bronx"; next, a second round of volleys would ensue with Shan's "Kill That Noise" and BDP's "The Bridge Is Over". KRS-One, demonstrating his nickname "The Blastmaster", gave a live performance that devastated MC Shan, and many conceded he had won the battle. Many believe this live performance to be the first MC battle where rappers attack each other, instead of a battle between who can get the crowd more hyped.

Parker and Sterling decided to form a rap group together, initially calling themselves "Scott La Rock and the Celebrity Three". That was short-lived, however, as the two peripheral members quit, leaving Parker (now calling himself KRS-One) and Sterling. They then decided to call themselves "Boogie Down Productions", "Success is the Word", a 12-inch single produced by David Kenneth Eng and Kenny Beck was released on indie Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records (under the group name "12:41") but did not enjoy commercial success. Boogie Down Productions released their debut album Criminal Minded in 1987. The album, whose cover pictured BDP draped in ammunition and brandishing guns, is often credited with setting the template for the burgeoning genres of hardcore and gangsta rap. Scott La Rock was killed in a shooting later that year, after attempting to mediate a dispute between teenager and BDP member Derrick "D-Nice" Jones and local hoodlums.

During this time KRS-One also gained acclaim as one of the first MCs to incorporate Jamaican style into hip-hop. Using the Zungazung melody, originally made famous by Yellowman in Jamaican dance halls earlier in the decade. While KRS-One used Zunguzung styles in a more powerful and controversial manner, especially in his song titled "Remix for P is Free", he can still be credited as one of the more influential figures to bridge the gap between Jamaican music and American hip-hop.

Following the fatal shooting of Scott La Rock in 1987, KRS was determined to continue Boogie Down Productions through the tragedy, releasing the album By All Means Necessary in 1988. He was joined by beatboxer D-Nice, rapper Ramona "Ms. Melodie" Parker (whose marriage to Kris would last from 1988 to 1992), and Kris's younger brother DJ Kenny Parker, among others. However Boogie Down Productions would remain Kris's show, and their content would become increasingly political through their subsequent releases , Edutainment, Live Hardcore Worldwide and Sex and Violence.

KRS-One was the primary initiator behind the H.E.A.L. compilation and the Stop the Violence Movement; for the latter he would attract many prominent MCs to appear on the 12-inch single "Self Destruction". As Parker adopted this "humanist", less defensive approach, he turned away from his "Blastmaster" persona and towards that of "The Teacha", although he has constantly used "Blastmaster" throughout his career.

Solo career

in May 2006.]] After five largely solo albums under the name "Boogie Down Productions," KRS-One decided to set out on his own. On his first solo album, 1993's Return of the Boom Bap, Parker worked together with producers DJ Premier, Kid Capri and Showbiz, the latter providing the catchy-yet-hardcore track "Sound of da Police". His second album, 1995's KRS-One, featured Channel Live on "Free Mumia", a song in which they criticize Black Civil Rights Activist C. Delores Tucker among others. Other prominent guest stars on KRS One included Mad Lion, Busta Rhymes, Das EFX and Fat Joe.

In 1991, KRS-One appeared on the alternative rock group R.E.M.'s single "Radio Song", which appeared on the band's album Out of Time, released the same year.

In 1992, Bradley Nowell from Sublime featured an acoustic song named "KRS-One" with his voice and DJ's samplers.

In 1995, KRS organized a group called Channel Live, whose album Station Identification he produced most of, along with Rheji Burrell and Salaam Remi.

In 1997, Parker surprised many with his release of the album I Got Next. The album's lead single "Step into a World (Rapture's Delight)", containing a sample of punk and New Wave group Blondie, was accompanied by a remix featuring commercial rap icon Puff Daddy; another track was essentially a rock song. While the record would be his best-selling solo album (reaching #3 on the Billboard 200), such collaborations with notably mainstream artists and prominent, easily recognizable samples took many fans and observers of the vehemently anti-mainstream KRS-One by surprise. However, in August 1997, Parker appeared on Tim Westwood's BBC Radio 1 show and vociferously denounced the DJ and the radio station more generally, accusing them of ignoring his style of hip hop in favor of commercial artists such as Puff Daddy. Although having not been in the UK since 1991, due to the fact he does not fly, he claimed "to be in touch with the people", and said that "they weren't feeling Westwood, he's a sell out and has sold his soul to the dark side." This sparked controversy in the UK since Radio One was one of the main supporters of the single "Step Into My World" and caused the album to be his best selling. Parker has since visited the UK, most notably in May 2007, in a performance at the Royal Albert Hall where he once again dissed Tim Westwood in a freestyle.

In 1999, there were tentative plans to release Maximum Strength; a lead single, "5 Boroughs", was released on The Corruptor movie soundtrack. However, Parker apparently decided to abort the album's planned release, just as he had secured a position as a Vice-President of A&R; at Reprise Records. The shelved album was again scheduled to be released in 2008, but ultimately an unrelated album entitled "Maximum Strength 2008" was released in its place. He moved to southern California, and stayed there for two years, ending his relationship with Jive Records with A Retrospective in 2000.

Parker resigned from his A&R; position at Reprise in 2001, and returned to recording with a string of albums, beginning with 2001's The Sneak Attack on Koch Records. In 2002, he released a gospel-rap album, Spiritual Minded, surprising many longtime fans; Parker had once denounced Christianity as a "slavemaster religion" which African-Americans should not follow. During this period, KRS founded the Temple of Hiphop, an organization to preserve and promote "Hiphop Kulture". Other releases have since included 2003's Kristyles and D.I.G.I.T.A.L., 2004's Keep Right, and 2006's Life.

The only latter-day KRS-One album to gain any significant attention has been Hip-Hop Lives, his 2007 collaboration with fellow hip hop veteran Marley Marl, due in large part to the pair's legendary beef, but also the title's apparent response to Nas' 2006 release Hip-Hop Is Dead. While many critics have commented they would have been a lot more excited had this collaboration occurred twenty years earlier, the album has been met with positive reviews. KRS One has appeared on several songs with other artists, due to this he has received 9 Gold and 7 Platinum plaques.

KRS One has collaborated with several artists including Canadian Rap group Hellafactz, Jay-Roc N' Jakebeatz and New York producer Domingo among other. He and Domingo publicly squashed their beef that started over financial issues and released a digital single to iTunes on November 25. The single titled "Radio" will also feature Utah up and comer Eneeone and is dedicated to underground MC's that don't get the radio airplay they deserve. In 2009 KRS One guest starred on several albums including Arts & Entertainmen on the song "Pass the Mic" by fellow Hip Hop veterans Masta Ace & Ed O.G and featured on the posse cut "Mega Fresh X" by Cormega (alongside with DJ Red Alert, Parrish Smith, Grand Puba, & Big Daddy Kane) on his album Born and Raised.

KRS One and Buckshot announced that they would be collaborating on an album set to be released in 2009. The first single, ROBOT, was released on May 5, 2009. The music video was directed by Todd Angkasuwan and debuted as the New Joint of the Day on 106 & Park on September 4, 2009. The album leaked on the Internet on September 9, 2009 and released album was released on September 15, 2009. It debuted at #62, making it on The Billboard 200 selling around 8,500 copies its first week and was met with generally positive reviews. Steve Juon of RapReviews.com gave the album a flawless 10 out of 10, claiming "Buckshot and KRS have achieved something rather remarkable here - an album I can't find a single fault with. There's not a bad beat, there's not a whack rhyme, there's not a collaborator on a track that missed the mark, and the disc itself is neither too short nor too long."

In 2010 KRS One was honored along with Buckshot by artists Ruste Juxx, Torae & Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, Promise, J.A.M.E.S. Watts and Team Facelift to name a few on their mixtape 'Survival Kit' which is an ode to the 2009 album Survival Skills by KRS One and Buckshot. The mixtape was released for free download on DuckDown.com. The album features new version of KRS classics 'South Bronx', 'Sound Of Da Police' and 'MC's Act Like They Don't Know' as well as new versions of well known Buckshot songs and 'Past Present Future' from the Survival Skills album. The MC Fashawn stated in his verse on MC's Act Like They Don't Know that 'I did it to make Kris smile I figured he'd appreciate it'

Most recently, KRS One was featured as the voice of Chris Cringle in the new Nike Most Valuable Puppets commercials. KRS One performed in May 2010 at SUNY New Paltz for their annual "Rock Against Racism" concert,

Stop the Violence Movement

The Stop the Violence Movement was formed by KRS-One in 1988/1989 in response to violence in the hip hop and black communities.

During a concert by Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy a young fan was killed in a fight. Coming soon after the shooting death of his friend and fellow BDP member Scott La Rock, KRS-One was galvanized into action and formed the Stop the Violence Movement. Composed of some of the biggest stars in contemporary East Coast hip hop, the movement released a single, "Self Destruction", in 1989, with all proceeds going to the National Urban League. A music video was created, and a VHS cassette entitled Overcoming Self-Destruction - The Making of the Self-Destruction Video was also released.

"Self-Destruction" was produced by KRS-One and D-Nice of Boogie Down Productions (Hank Shocklee of the Bomb Squad is credited as an associate producer).

Temple of Hip Hop

The Temple of Hip Hop is a ministry, archive, School, and Society (M.A.S.S.) founded by KRS-One. Its goal is to maintain and promote Hiphop Kulture. The Temple of Hip Hop maintains that Hip Hop is a genuine political movement and culture, as it has been accepted by the United Nations as a culture. The Temple of Hiphop calls on all Hip Hop fans to celebrate Hip Hop Appreciation Week, occurring in the third week of May. It encourages DJs and MCs to teach people about the culture of Hiphop, to write more socially conscious songs, and radio stations to play more socially conscious hip hop. Hip Hop Appreciation Week is celebrated on the third week of May each year. Hip Hop History Month (November), founded by the Universal Zulu Nation, is also recognized.

September 11 comments

In 2004, KRS engendered a controversy when he was quoted in a panel discussion hosted by The New Yorker magazine as saying that "we cheered when 9/11 happened". The comment drew criticism from many sources, including a pointed barb by the New York Daily News that called Parker an "anarchist" and said that "If Osama bin Laden ever buys a rap album, he'll probably start with a CD by KRS-One." Parker responded to the commotion surrounding his comments with an editorial written for AllHipHop.com, stating:

In late 2005, KRS was featured alongside Public Enemy's Chuck D on the remix of the song "Bin Laden" by Immortal Technique and DJ Green Lantern, which blames American neo-conservatives, the Reagan Doctrine and U.S. President George W. Bush for the World Trade Center attacks, and indicates a parallel to the devaluation, destruction, and violence of urban housing project communities.

On April 29, 2007, KRS-One again defended his statements on the September 11 attacks when asked about them during an appearance on Hannity's America on the Fox News network stating that he meant that people cheered that the establishment had taken a hit, not that people were dying or had died. He also discussed amongst other things, the Don Imus scandal and the use of profanity in hip-hop.

Gospel of Hip Hop comments

In an interview with AllHipHop about his book "The Gospel of Hip Hop", KRS-One said:

"I’m suggesting that in 100 years, this book will be a new religion on the earth... I think I have the authority to approach God directly, I don’t have to go through any religion [or] train of thought. I can approach God directly myself and so I wrote a book called The Gospel of Hip Hop to free from all this nonsense garbage right now. I respect the Christianity, the Islam, the Judaism but their time is up. ...In a hundred years, everything that I’m saying to you will be common knowledge and people will be like, 'Why did he have to explain this? Wasn’t it obvious?'"

These comments have been referred to by numerous media outlets such as the AV Club who comment that "KRS-One writes 600-page hip-hop bible; blueprint for rap religion" and "KRS-One has never been afraid to court controversy and provoke strong reactions. Now the Boogie Down Productions legend has topped himself by writing The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument, a mammoth treatise on the spirituality of hip-hop he hopes will some day become a sacred text of a new hip-hop religion". Parker was a graphic designer and fashion entrepreneur. A private memorial service was held on July 18 , which would have been his 24th birthday.

Benefit for first responders

KRS-One spoke at a hip hop benefit concert on September 12, 2009 to benefit the first responders of 9/11 he spoke of non violence to take back the country. The event was presented by the 9/11 group We Are Change based in New York City and SMT Studios.

Awards

VH1

2004, VH1 Hip Hop Honors

BET Hip Hop Awards

2007, I am Hip Hop

2007, Lifetime Achievement

Urban Music Awards

2009, Living Legend Award

Discography

{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !align="center"|Boogie Down Productions !align="center"|Year |- |Criminal Minded |1987 |- |By All Means Necessary |1988 |- | |1989 |- |Edutainment |1990 |- |Live Hardcore Worldwide |1991 |- |Sex and Violence |1992 |- |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !align="center"|Solo Albums !align="center"|Year |- |''Return of the Boom Bap |1993 |- |''KRS-One |1995 |- |''I Got Next |1997 |- |''A Retrospective |2000 |- |''The Sneak Attack |2001 |- |''Strickly for Da Breakdancers & Emceez |2001 |- |''Spiritual Minded |2002 |- |''The Mix Tape |2002 |- |''Kristyles |2003 |- |''D.I.G.I.T.A.L. |2003 |- |''Keep Right |2004 |- |''Life |2006 |- |- |''Adventures in Emceein |2008 |- |''Maximum Strength |2008 |- |''Back to the L.A.B. |2010 |- |} {| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !align="center"|Collaborative Albums !align="center"|With !align="center"|Year |- |Hip Hop Lives |Marley Marl |2007 |- |Survival Skills |Buckshot |2009 |- |The Just-Ice and KRS-ONE EP Volume #1 |Just-Ice |2010 |- |Meta-Historical |True Master |2010 |- |Godsville |Showbiz |2011 |- |Return of the Boom Bip |DJ Premier |2011 |- |}

Filmography

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" border="2" cellpadding="4" background: #f9f9f9; |- align="center" ! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Year ! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Film ! style="background: #CCCCCC;" | Role |- | 1988 | I'm Gonna Git You Sucka | himself |- | 1993 | Who's the Man? | Rashid |- | 1997 | Subway Stories: Tales from the Underground | Vendor |- | 1997 | Rhyme & Reason | himself |- | 2000 | Boricua's Bond | |- | 2000 | Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme | himself |- | 2002 | The Freshest Kids | himself |- | 2003 | 2Pac 4 Ever | narrator |- | 2003 | Beef | himself |- | 2003 | Hip-Hop Babylon 2 | himself |- | 2003 | Soundz of Spirit | himself |- | 2003 | 5 Sides of a Coin | himself |- | 2003 | MuskaBeatz | himself |- | 2004 | War on Wax: Rivalries In Hip-Hop | himself |- | 2004 | The MC: Why We Do It | himself |- | 2004 | Beef II | himself |- | 2004 | And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop | himself |- | 2004 | Hip-Hop Honors | himself |- | 2004 | Keep Right | himself |- | 2005 | Zoom Prout Prout | himself |- | 2006 | A Letter to the President | himself |- | 2008 | | himself |- | 2009 | Good Hair | himself |- |}

Books

{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" align="center" !align="center"|Book !align="center"|Year |- |Break the Chain KRS-ONE | 1994 |- |The Science of Rap (self published, 1996, out of print) | 1996 |- |Ruminations (Welcome Rain Publishers, July 25, 2003, out of print) | 2003 |- |The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument | 2009 |}

See also

Suicide, it's a suicide

References

External links

KRS-One Official Site

KRS-One MySpace Profile

Rolling Stone bio

Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:African American rappers Category:American graffiti artists Category:American vegetarians Category:Hip hop activists Category:Jive Records artists Category:Koch Records artists Category:American rappers of Jamaican descent Category:People from the Bronx Category:People from Brooklyn Category:Rappers from New York City Category:1990s rappers

Name	Eazy-E
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Eric Lynn Wright
Born	September 07, 1963Compton, California, U.S.
Died	March 26, 1995Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper, CEO, record producer
Genre	Gangsta rap, West Coast hip hop, gangsta funk
Years active	1985–1995
Label	Ruthless, Priority, Relativity, Epic, MCA
Associated acts	DJ Yella, N.W.A., Rhythum D, Naughty by Nature, Cold 187um, Above the Law, B.G. Knocc Out & Dresta, Kokane, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Brownside, Kid Frost, Compton's Most Wanted, Roger Troutman

Eric Lynn Wright (September 7, 1963 – March 26, 1995), better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California. After dropping out of high school in the tenth grade, he supported himself primarily by selling drugs. He invested in the record company Ruthless Records, which he would co-found with Jerry Heller in 1983. When Ruthless artists Dr. Dre and Ice Cube wrote "Boyz-n-the-Hood", Dre, Cube, and Eazy formed N.W.A. After DJ Yella, MC Ren, and Arabian Prince joined the group, N.W.A released N.W.A. and the Posse. In 1988, they released their most controversial album, Straight Outta Compton. The group released two more albums, then Dr. Dre asked Eazy to release him from his contract. At first Eazy refused, but after Suge Knight threatened him, Eazy signed Dre off.

Eazy's main influences include Ice-T, Redd Foxx, King Tee, Bootsy Collins, Run-D.M.C., Richard Pryor, The Egyptian Lover, Schoolly D, Too $hort, Prince, The Sugarhill Gang, and George Clinton. When reviewing Eazy's albums, many critics noted his unique overall style, with Steve Huey of the All Music Guide summing up: "While his technical skills as a rapper were never the greatest, his distinctive delivery (invariably described as a high-pitched whine), over-the-top lyrics, and undeniable charisma made him a star." His father was a postal worker and his mother was a grade school administrator. Wright dropped out of high school in the tenth grade and supported himself by selling drugs. His profit went to invest in Ruthless Records. He was also a member of the Kelly Park Compton Crip during his teen years, and he openly associated himself with other Crips. He later received a high school equivalency diploma. In 1986, at the age of 23, Wright had allegedly earned as much as $250,000 (USD) from dealing drugs. However, he decided that he could make a better living by becoming involved with the Los Angeles hip-hop scene, which was growing rapidly in popularity. He then began recording songs during the mid-1980s in the garage of his parents' home.

Musical career

Ruthless Records, N.W.A. and Eazy-Duz-It (1987–1991)

In 1987, Eazy used the profits from his drug sales to co-found Ruthless Records with Jerry Heller. The compilation album N.W.A and the Posse was released on November 6, 1987 and would go on to be certified Gold in the United States. The album featured N.W.A collaborating with the Fila Fresh Crew, a West Coast rap group originally based in Dallas, Texas. N.W.A's debut album, Straight Outta Compton was released in 1988. Eazy-E's only solo recording was a remix of the song "8 Ball", which originally appeared on N.W.A and the Posse. The album featured Eazy-E's writing and performing, where he performed on eight of the songs, and helped write four songs. N.W.A released the EP 100 Miles and Runnin', and released Niggaz4Life in 1991. Niggaz4Life featured seven out of eighteen songs where Eazy-E performed.

Eazy-E's debut album, Eazy-Duz-It, was released on September 16, 1988, and featured twelve tracks. It featured the musical genres West Coast hip hop, Gangsta rap, and Golden age hip hop. It has sold over 2.5 million copies in the United States and reached number forty-one on the Billboard 200. The album was produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella and largely written by Ice Cube, with contributions from MC Ren and The D.O.C.. After the release of Straight Outta Compton, Ice Cube left due to internal disputes, and the group had since continued as a four-piece. In March 1991, Eazy-E accepted an invitation to a lunch benefiting the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle, hosted by then-President George H. W. Bush. A spokesman for the rapper claimed that Eazy-E supported Bush for overseeing Operation Desert Storm.

End of N.W.A and feud with Dr. Dre (1991–1994)

N.W.A began to split up after Jerry Heller became the band's manager. Dr. Dre recalls: "The split came when Jerry Heller got involved. He played the divide and conquer game. He picked one nigga to take care of instead of taking care of everybody, and that was Eazy. And Eazy was like, 'I'm taken care of, so fuck it'." Dre sent Suge Knight to look into Eazy's financial situation because he was beginning to grow suspicious of Eazy and Heller. Dre asked Eazy to release him from the Ruthless Records contract, but Eazy refused. The impasse led to what reportedly transpired between Knight and Eazy at the recording studio where Niggaz4life was recorded. After he refused to release Dre, Knight declared that Eazy had kidnapped Heller and was holding him prisoner in a van. However, the rumor did not convince Eazy to release Dre, and Knight threatened Eazy's family. Knight gave Eazy a piece of paper that read Eazy's mother's address, with Knight telling him "I know where your mama stays." Eazy finally signed Dre's release, officially ending N.W.A.

The feud with Dr. Dre continued after a track on Dre's The Chronic contained lyrics that dissed Eazy-E. Eazy responded with the EP It's On (Dr. Dre) 187^um Killa, featuring the tracks "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" and "It's On". The album, which was released on October 25, 1993, contains pictures of Dre when he was a member of the Electro-hop World Class Wreckin' Cru, where the pictures show Dre wearing "lacy outfits and makeup." Klein, former Ruthless Records director of business affairs said this provided Ruthless Records with muscle to enter into negotiations with Death Row Records over Dr. Dre's departure. While Suge Knight violently sought an outright release from Ruthless Records for Dr. Dre, the JDL and Ruthless Records management were able to sit down with Death Row and negotiate a release in which the record label would continue to receive money and publishing rights from future Dr. Dre projects. It was under these terms that Dr. Dre left Ruthless Records and formed Death Row with Suge Knight. He died due to "complications from AIDS" one month after his diagnosis, on March 26, 1995, at approximately 6:35 PM (Pacific time). He was 31 years old. During the week of March 20, having already made amends with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, Eazy-E drafted his last message to fans. One week after making that announcement, Wright succumbed to the disease. Eazy was buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California. In November 1995, shortly after Eazy-E's death, Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton was released.

Musical influences and style

Allmusic cites that Eazy-E's influences include Ice-T, Redd Foxx, King Tee, Bootsy Collins, Run-D.M.C., Richard Pryor, The Egyptian Lover, Schoolly D, Too $hort, Prince, The Sugarhill Gang, and George Clinton.

When reviewing for Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton, Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted "…Eazy-E sounds revitalized, but the music simply isn't imaginative. Instead of pushing forward and creating a distinctive style, it treads over familiar gangsta territory, complete with bottomless bass, whining synthesizers, and meaningless boasts." When reviewing Eazy-Duz-It Jason Birchmeier of Allmusic said "In terms of production, Dr. Dre and Yella meld together P-Funk, Def Jam-style hip-hop, and the leftover electro sounds of mid-'80s Los Angeles, creating a dense, funky, and thoroughly unique style of their own." Birchmeier also described Eazy's style as "dense, unique, and funky," and claimed that it sounded "absolutely revolutionary in 1988." Steve Huey of Allmusic said "while his technical skills as a rapper were never the greatest, his distinctive delivery (invariably described as a high-pitched whine), over-the-top lyrics, and undeniable charisma made him a star." In features a song written by Naughty By Nature. The track "Merry Muthaphuckkin' Xmas" features Menajahtwa, Buckwheat, and Atban Klann as guest vocalists, and "Neighborhood Sniper" features Kokane as a guest vocalist. It's On (Dr. Dre) 187^um Killa features several guest vocalists, including Gangsta Dresta, B.G. Knocc Out. Kokane, Cold 187um, Rhythum D, and Dirty Red. Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton also featured several guest vocalists, including B.G. Knocc Out, Gangsta Dresta, Sylk-E. Fyne, Dirty Red, Menajahtwa, Roger Troutman, and ex-N.W.A members MC Ren and DJ Yella.

Legacy

Eazy-E has been credited as the godfather of gangsta rap. MTV's Reid Shaheem said that Eazy was a "rap-pioneer," Since his 1995 death, many book and video biographies were produced, including 2002's The Day Eazy-E Died and Dead and Gone . Jerry Heller and Gil Reavill wrote the book Ruthless: A Memoir, which was released August 28, 2007. It included information on his death, his signing off of Dr. Dre, his debut Eazy-Duz-It, and many of Heller's experiences with Eazy. When Eazy was diagnosed with AIDS, many magazines like Jet, Vibe, Billboard, The Crisis, and Newsweek covered and released information on the topic. Although Eazy-E was never certified any awards and was never featured in a film cast, all of his studio albums and extended plays charted on the Billboard 200, and many of his singles —"Eazy-Duz-It","We Want Eazy", "Real Muthaphuckkin G's", and "Just tah Let U Know"— also charted in the US. On March 30, 1995, four days after Eazy-E's death, Tom Elerwine, a Daily Arts editor for The Michigan Daily covered Eazy's career in The Michigan Daily newspaper.

Discography

;Solo

;With N.W.A

References

External links

Eazy E At Find A Grave

Category:1963 births Category:1995 deaths Category:1990s rappers Category:African American rappers Category:AIDS-related deaths in California Category:American drug traffickers Category:American music industry executives Category:Crips Category:G-funk Category:N.W.A members Category:People from Compton, California Category:Priority Records artists Category:Rappers from Los Angeles, California Category:Ruthless Records artists

Name	Dana Dane
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Dana McLeese
Born	Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died
Instrument	Rapping
Genre	Hip hop
Years active	1985–present
Label	Profile/Arista/BMG Records Maverick/Warner Bros. Records
Associated acts	Slick Rick
Url	www.danadane.com

Dana Dane (born Dana McLeese) is an American hip hop artist known for performance of humorous lyrics (imitating a British accent) and for his fashion sense. He was born in the Walt Whitman housing project in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, in New York City, and began his career as part of the Kangol Crew with fellow MC Slick Rick, to whom he sounded markedly similar, although Slick Rick's English lilt was actually genuine. His biggest hit in the United States was "Cinderfella Dana Dane", which peaked at #11 on Billboard magazine's R&B; charts in 1987. His debut album peaked at #46 on the Billboard album chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. After a long stint at the legendary Profile Records, where he was one of that label’s core artists, he recorded briefly for Rap-A-Lot Records, where he didn’t release anything, and at Madonna’s Maverick Records, where he released his last album to date in 1995. He is also in the midst of marrying Tana Session with her son Brandon Thompson the crew Shurykin which consists of Mario Smith and Clay John which play a huge roll in Brandon,Dana, and Tana's life.

Dane operated a clothing boutique in New York for several years in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is an on-air host for Sirius/XM Satellite Radio on its old school hip-hop channel BackSpin.

Discography

Albums

Dana Dane with Fame (1987)

Dana Dane 4 Ever (1990)

Rollin' wit Dana Dane (1995)

Best of Dana Dane (2002)

References

External links

Official website

Category:People from Brooklyn Category:Living people Category:Rappers from New York City Category:Maverick Records artists Category:Profile Records artists