Dominick Lamb better known by his stage name, Nottz is a music producer, writer and rapper from Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.^[1] He sometimes extends his executive name to Nottz Raw.

History[link]

Nottz has produced for some of the biggest names in hip hop including Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, The Game, Notorious B.I.G., Pusha T, Scarface, J Dilla, and Asher Roth. Some of his earliest production work was on the Rawkus Records compilation Lyricist Lounge, Volume One, in 1998. From there he landed three tracks on Busta Rhymes' Extinction level Event LP, after Rhymes stumbled across one of his beat tapes.

Like many other hip hop producers to emerge before the 2000s, Nottz samples from old (primarily soul) records and film soundtracks to reconstruct new beats. West Coast hip hop icon, Dr. Dre, has named Nottz as one of his favourite producers, and has selected him as one of the few guest producers on his much delayed, yet anticipated Detox album.

Nottz also has a group called D.M.P., which stands for "Durte Muzik Prahdukshun". They released an EP in 2004 and a full length album on Koch Records, titled Nottz Presents D.M.P., in 2005.

On October 26, 2010, Nottz released his first solo album, You Need This Music under Raw Koncept. The album features Nottz as an MC as well as a producer. He is also working on rapper Game upcoming album The R.E.D. Album, after having 3 of his beats on Game's last two albums Doctor's Advocate and LAX. He has worked with female rapper Rah Digga on her long-awaited comeback album, Classic, and it has been released on September 14, 2010. Nottz also worked with rapper Asher Roth on their collaboration EP entitled Rawth, released for free on the internet, on December 27, 2010. an will tour in the UK and Canada in 2011

Discography[link]

The following is the discography by American Hip hop producer, Nottz.^[2]

Studio albums[link]

[edit] Nottz - You Need This Music

[Entire album] Released Date: October 19, 2010

• 01. "Intro" (feat. Travis Barker)
• 02. "Fair Warning"
• 03. "Blast That" (feat. Black Milk)
• 04. "Shine So Brite"
• 05. "You Need This Music" (feat. Dwele)
• 06. "I Do It For Yawl" (feat. Kardinal Offishall & Little Brother)
• 07. "How Long Will It Last?" (feat. Joy Denalane)
• 08. "A Dream Come True"
• 09. "I Still Love You" (feat. Mayer Hawthorne)
• 10. "Dontcha Wanna Be (My Neighbor)" (feat. Asher Roth & Colin Munroe)
• 11. "No Money Down" (feat. Terese Cook)
• 12. "The Cycle" (feat. Joell Ortiz)
• 13. "Never Caugh Slippin'" (feat. Snoop Dogg & Royce da 5'9")
• 14. "Right Here" (feat. Bilal)
• 00. "Cars"

[edit] Rah Digga - Classic

[Entire album] Released: September 14, 2010

• 01. "The Book Of Rashia"
• 02. "Who Gonna Check Me Boo"
• 03. "This Ain't No Lil' Kid Rap"
• 04. "Straight Spittin' IV"
• 05. "Classic"
• 06. "Solidified"
• 07. "Feel Good"
• 08. "Viral"
• 09. "Back It Up"
• 10. "You Got It"
• 11. "Look What You Done Started" (iTunes Bonus Track)
• 11. "Smokin' My Life Away" (Amazon MP3 Bonus Track)
• 00. "Warning Shots"
• 00. "Do Your Numbers"
• 00. "A Few Thoughts" (DJ Booth.net exclusive)

Music Videos[link]

• Shine So Brite (2010) ^[3]
• Cars (2010) ^[4]
• Intro (2010) ^[5]
• Dontcha Wanna Be (My Neighbor) (2010), ^[6] Directed by Shomi Patwary

EPs[link]

[edit] Nottz Raw & Asher Roth - The Rawth EP (released December 27, 2010)

• "Dontcha Wanna Be (My Neighbor)" feat. Colin Munroe
• "Gotta Get Up" feat. DA of Chester French
• "Enforce The Law"
• "Break Bread"
• "In My Mind"
• "Comin/Going" feat. Rhymefest
• "Run It Back" feat. Kardinal Offishall
• "Nothing You Can’t Do"

Singles[link]

• 2008: "Can't Hide The Truth" (feat. Kardinal Offishall & Cory Gunz)

Guest appearances[link]

• 2001: Ed O.G. - "What U Know" (feat. Nottz)
• 2005: Canibus - "Hip-Hop" (feat. Nottz)
• 2005: Diamond D - "We Gangstas" (feat. J Dilla & Nottz)
• 2008: J Dilla – "Fight Club" (feat. Nottz & Boogieman)
• 2008: Jake One, Nottz & Black Milk - "I'm Coming"
• 2009: Edgar Allen Floe - "Mighty Floe Young" (feat. Nottz & Royce Da 5'9")
• 2010: John Regan - "Nobody's Somebody" (feat. Nottz)(additional production)
• 2010: Nefew - "The Fan" (feat. Nottz)

Production discography[link]

Singles are in bold, albums are in bold and italic.

1998[link]

[edit] 3rd Eye - Studio Life (Unreleased)

• 00. "Final Exam"
• 00. "'88 Flashback"

[edit] D.V. Alias Khrist - BlackMask Soundtrack - Movie starring, "Jet Li"

• 00. "Thee Attack is on"

[edit] D.V. Alias Khrist and Lord Have Mercy - Lyricist Lounge, Volume One

• 2-08. "Holy Water"

[edit] Busta Rhymes - E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front

• 02. "Everybody Rise"
• 03. "Where We Are About To Take It"
• 04. "Extinction Level Event (The Song of Salvation)"

1999[link]

[edit] Various - Violator: The Album

• 03. "Whatcha Come Around Here For?" - Flipmode Squad

[edit] The Notorious B.I.G. - Born Again

• 05. "Dangerous MCs" feat. Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes & Mark Curry

[edit] Fat Joe - Thicker Than Water soundtrack

• 05. "Thicker Than Blood" feat. Terror Squad

[edit] Lord Have Mercy - Thee Ungodly Hour (Unreleased)

• 00. "Paint Ya Face"
• 00. "These Men Don't Cry" feat. Method Man
• 00. "Home Sweet Home" feat. M.O.P.

[edit] Soundtrack - Black Mask

• 07. "The Attack Is On" - D.V. Alias Khrist

2000[link]

[edit] Busta Rhymes - Anarchy

• 11. "Get Out!!"
• 13. "A Trip Out Of Town"
• 21. "Anarchy"

[edit] Rah Digga - Dirty Harriet

• 08. "Showdown"
• 09. "The Last Word"
• 11. "Straight Spittin' Part II"
• 12. "What's Up Wit' That"
• 14. "Just For You"

[edit] Funkmaster Flex - 60 Minutes Of Funk - The Mix Tape Volume IV

• 19. "Uhhnnh" - The Bad Seed

[edit] M.O.P. - Warriorz

• 14. "Home Sweet Home" feat. Lord Have Mercy

[edit] Xzibit - Restless

• 04. "U Know" feat. Dr. Dre (co-producer)

2001[link]

[edit] Krumbsnatcha - Long Awaited - Snatcha Season Pt. 2

• 04. "Blaze" feat. Blackndekuh, Nottz & Spoon^{[disambiguation needed ]}
• 09. "Do U Wanna" feat. Boogieman & Top Gun
• 11. "Can't Get None" feat. Lord Tariq
• 13. "Hood Turn Hot"
• 14. "Killer In Me"
• 15. "Jungle"
• 16. "Take Your Pain Away"

[edit] Krumbsnatcha - Training Day Soundtrack

• 02. "W.O.L.V.E.S." feat. M.O.P.

[edit] Busta Rhymes - Genesis

• 01. "Intro"
• 09. "Pass The Courvoisier"
• 20. "Bad Dreams"

2002[link]

[edit] Snoop Dogg - Snoop Dogg Presents…Doggy Style Allstars Vol. 1

• 13. "Don't Make A Wrong Move" feat. Prodigy & Special Ed

[edit] Scarface - The Fix

• 06. "Keep Me Down"

[edit] Krumbsnatcha - Respect All Fear None

• 09. "Oxygen" feat. Boogieman

[edit] 50 Cent - "Guess Who's Back?"

• 09. "Be a Gentleman"

2003[link]

[edit] G-Unit - Beg for Mercy

• 09. "Footprints"

[edit] Kardinal Offishall - Firestarter Vol. 2: The F-Word Theory (Unreleased)

• 00. "Sick!" feat. Bounty Killer

[edit] Black Moon - Total Eclipse

• 06. "Why We Act This Way?"

[edit] Craig G - This Is Now!!!

• 05. "Now That's What's Up" feat. Mr. Cheekz

[edit] Pitch Black - Pitch Black Law

• 08. "R You Ready 4 This?"

2004[link]

[edit] Krumbsnatcha - Let The Truth Be Told

• 03. "Do Me"
• 04. "Boston To VA" feat. Fam-Lay
• 06. "Thorough" feat. Ghostface Killah & Solomon Childs
• 14. "Get Live" feat. DMP
• 00. "Never Grow Up"

[edit] Cassidy - Split Personality

• 12. "Real Talk"

[edit] 213 - The Hard Way

• 07. "Lonely Girl"

[edit] Ghostface - The Pretty Toney Album

• 14. "Be This Way"
• 16. "Tooken Back" feat. Jacki-O

[edit] Kardinal Offishall - Kill Bloodclott Bill (Mixtape)

• 04. "Gas"

[edit] D.M.P. - Nottz Presents D.M.P. The E.P.

• [Entire album]

2005[link]

[edit] Ghostface Killah and Trife Da God - Put It On The Line

• 03. "Struggle" - Ghostface Killah

[edit] Consequence - Caught Up in the Hype (Single 12')

• "Caught Up in the Hype"

[edit] D.M.P. - Nottz Presents D.M.P. The album

• [Entire album]

[edit] Skillz - Confessions Of A Ghostwriter

• 06. "Wave Ya Hands" feat. Musiq Soulchild
• 07. "Imagine"
• 08. "S.K.I.L.L.Z."

[edit] Canibus - Hip-Hop for Sale

• 01. "It's No Other Than"
• 02. "Back Wit Heat"
• 04. "Show 'Em How"
• 05. "Dear Academy"
• 06. "I Gotcha"

[edit] Royce Da 5'9" - Independent's Day

• 05. "Politics" feat. Cee-Lo Green
• 09. "Blow Dat..."

2006[link]

[edit] Little Brother - Soldiers of Fortune (Hall of Justus album)

• 07. "Life of The Party" feat. Carlitta Durand

[edit] Snoop Dogg - Tha Blue Carpet Treatment

• 05. "That's That Shit" feat. R. Kelly

[edit] The Game - Doctor's Advocate

• 10. "One Night"

2007[link]

[edit] Sunshine Anderson - Sunshine At Midnight

• 03. "My Whole Life"

[edit] Boot Camp Clik - Casualties of War

• 04. "Bubblin' Up"

[edit] WC - Guilty by Affiliation

• 03. "Jack & The Bean Stalk"

[edit] Swizz Beatz - One Man Band Man

• 03. "Big Munny"

[edit] Kanye West - Graduation

• 07. "Barry Bonds" feat. Lil' Wayne (co-prodced by Nottz)

[edit] Little Brother - Getback

• 08. "Two-Step Blues" feat. Darien Brockington

[edit] Scarface - Made

• 04. "Girl You Know" feat. Trey Songz

[edit] Cassidy - B.A.R.S. The Barry Adrian Reese Story

• 11. "I Get My Paper"

2008[link]

[edit] Snoop Dogg - Ego Trippin'

• 11. "Deez Hollywood Nights"

[edit] Dwele - Sketches of a Man

• 05. "A Few Reasons (Truth Pt. 2)"

[edit] AZ - Undeniable

• 04. "Fire"
• 10. "Now I Know"

[edit] The Game - L.A.X.

• 07. "Cali Sunshine" feat. Bilal
• 08. "Ya Heard" feat. Ludacris

[edit] Kardinal Offishall - Not 4 Sale

• 08. "Ill Eagle Alien"

[edit] Murs - Murs for President

• 10. "Me and This Jawn"
• 11. "Think You Know Me"
• 00. "Better Than The Best" (Leftover)

[edit] J Dilla - Pay Jay (Unreleased MCA Album)

• 01. "Diamonds"

[edit] Termanology - Politics As Usual

• 05. "Please Don't Go"
• 06. "Float"
• 08. "Drugs Crimes Gorillaz" feat. Freeway & Sheek Louch

[edit] Bishop Lamont - The Confessional (unrelease)

• "Ghetto Song" feat. YM
• "What People Do"
• "Why U Wanna Piss Me Off"

[edit] Scarface - Emeritus

• 04. "Can't Get Right" feat. Bilal
• 05. "Still Here" feat. Shateish

[edit] Adama

• "Take Me Home"/ Remix

[edit] Rapper Big Pooh - Rapper's Delight

• "Rapper's Delight" feat. Chaundon

[edit] Diamond D - The Huge Hefner Chronicles

• 03. "D-I-A-M-O-N-D"

Nottz - n/a[link]

• "Can't Hide The Truth" feat. Kardinall Offishall & Cory Gunz

[edit] Ne-Yo - n/a

• "Free Me"

[edit] Drake - n/a

• "One More Time"

2009[link]

[edit] Asher Roth - Asleep in the Bread Aisle

• 15. "Y.O.U." (UK Bonus Track) feat. Slick Rick

[edit] Slaughterhouse - Slaughterhouse

• 00. "Woodstock (Hood Hop)" feat. M.O.P

[edit] Finale - A Pipe Dream and A Promise

• 06. "Jumper Cables"
• 11. "Brother's Keeper"

[edit] T.I. - n/a

• "The Way You Want It"

[edit] Skyzoo - The Salvation

• 05. "Popularity"
• 16. "Maintain"

[edit] M.O.P. - Foundation

• 11. "I'm A Brownsvillain"

[edit] KRS-One & Buckshot - Survival Skills

• 09. "One Shot" feat. Pharoahe Monch

[edit] Cormega -"Born & Raised"

• 10. "What Did I Do"

[edit] Shafiq Husayn - Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka (Nottz Remix)

• 03. "Cheeba" feat. Bilal

[edit] Royce da 5'9" - Street Hop

• 02. "Count for Nothing"
• 13. "Street Hop"

[edit] Rakim - The Seventh Seal

• 04. "Man Above" feat. Tracey Horton

[edit] Snoop Dogg - Malice n Wonderland

• 11. "Pimpin' Ain't EZ" feat. R. Kelly

2010[link]

[edit] Snoop Dogg - More Malice

• 02. "Protocol"

[edit] Dwele - W.ants W.orld W.omen

• 02. "I Wish"
• 16. "Give Me A Chance"

[edit] Mayer Hawthorne - bonus "Stones Throw Records recording artist's

• "I Need You"

[edit] Bilal - Airtight's Revenge

• 04. "Flying"
• 12. "Lost My Mind" (Bonus)
• 00. "Free"

[edit] Ghostface Killah - The Apollo Kids

• 09. "Handcuffin Them Hoes"

2011[link]

[edit] Pusha T - Fear of God

• 13. "Alone in Vegas"
• 8. "Open Your Eyes"

[edit] Rapper Pooh - "Dirty Pretty Things"

• "Ballad of the Son"
• "Are You Ready"

[edit] Torae - "For The Record"

• "Thank You"

[edit] Strong Arm Steady - Arms & Hammers

• 06. "All the Brothers" feat. Chace Infinite, Talib Kweli, KRS-One & Planet Asia

[edit] Reks - R.E.K.S. (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme)

• 03. "Limelight"

[edit] Asher Roth feat. Quan

• 00. "SummerTime"

[edit] Royce da 5'9" - Success Is Certain

• 03. "Merry Go Round"
• 06. "On The Boulevard f. Nottz & Adonis"

====Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa- Mac & Devin Go To High School (movie & album )====

• 04. "6:30"

2012[link]

[edit] Bow Wow - Underrated

• "Yeah Yeah" (featuring Lloyd Banks)

Upcoming projects[link]

• "AMTRIM the album"
• "DMP"
• "Rawth(er)"

References[link]

External links[link]

• Nottz at MySpace
• Nottz at Discogs
• http://www.rawkoncept.com

Interviews links[link]

• Nottz at HipHopGame
• http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/features/id.1400/title.producers-corner-nottz
• Interview, HitQuarters Aug 04

• Collabos and Bullets (2003)

To comply with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines, the introduction of this article may need to be rewritten. Please discuss this issue on the talk page and read the layout guide to make sure the section will be inclusive of all essential details. (April 2012)

Asher Roth
Background information
Birth name	Asher Paul Roth
Born	(1985-08-11) August 11, 1985 (age 26)
Origin	Morrisville, Pennsylvania, US
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper
Years active	2005-present
Labels	Schoolboy, SRC, Def Jam
Associated acts	Nottz Raw, All City Chess Club
Website	asherrothmusic.com

Asher Paul Roth (born August 11, 1985) is an American rapper from Morrisville, Pennsylvania. Roth is signed to Schoolboy Records, SRC, and Def Jam.

Early life[link]

Asher Roth was born and raised in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, a small town about 20 miles northeast of Philadelphia.^[1][2] His mother, Elizabeth (née McConnell), is a yoga instructor, and his father, David Roth, is the executive director of a design firm.^[3][4][5][6] His mother has Scottish ancestry and his paternal grandfather was Jewish.^[7][8] Roth does not consider himself Jewish, although his name often leads people to believe he is.^[9] He attended Pennsbury High School. Growing up, Roth was exposed to little hip hop in his family, with his parents preferring "The Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire ... Bruce Springsteen and Dire Straits."^[10] According to Roth:

The first CD I ever bought was Dave Matthews Band's Crash ...That is how suburban I am...I finally got into hip hop in '98 when I heard the Annie sample with Jay-Z....When I wrote my 'A Milli' freestyle, that was me listening to 10 years of hip hop and not relating to it at all. Like, Damn I don’t sell coke. Damn, I don’t have cars or 25-inch rims. I don't have guns. I finally got to a point where I had the confidence to do this thing myself, and I was making music for me. And it turns out, a lot of people feel the same way I do.^[11]

Asher has also stated that:

Hip-hop has always been very influential in the ‘burbs, [but] it’s just a matter of where we could relate to it. You find a lot of kids that are really confused. You look at them and they’re dressed out of character. They don’t look right. I figured out, I don’t have to dress this way, but I can still love hip-hop.^[12]

After graduating high school, Roth entered West Chester University and became an Elementary Education major, while continuing to record verses over other people's beats. During sophomore year, Roth posted some of his verses on his MySpace page and sent a Friend Request to Scooter Braun, an Atlanta-based promoter and former VP of Marketing for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def. One week after speaking to Braun, Roth flew down to Atlanta and was immediately signed by Braun, who subsequently became his manager.^[10]

Asher Roth cites Jay-Z and Eminem among his influences in hip hop, mostly by Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life".^[13]

Roth's lyrics characteristically center around what have been called "middle-class minutiae, some also consider them to be a joke."^[11] Roth's song "I Love College" is about partying after a visit to Penn State, but includes fatuous lyrics such as "I can get pizza a dollar a slice"^[11] that have been identified as "far from threatening".

Music career[link]

After linking up with Braun, Roth moved to Atlanta to pursue a hip-hop career full-time. As industry buzz grew, Roth was courted by a number of labels, including SRC, Def Jam, Warner Bros. Records and Atlantic Records.^[14] Roth would eventually sign a joint venture between Braun's Schoolboy Music and Steve Rifkind, chairman of SRC/Universal Records. On June 13, 2008, Roth put out his first professional release, the Don Cannon and DJ Drama-helmed The Greenhouse Effect mixtape, via the Internet. This resulted in Roth being the second white rapper to be featured on Drama and Cannon’s Gangsta Grillz series.

[edit] 2009: Asleep in the Bread Aisle

Roth started recording a full album in late 2008. It was completed in 2009. The first single was "I Love College" which received many hits across North America. His second single was "Lark on my Go-Kart". After the two singles were released, Roth's studio album Asleep in the Bread Aisle was released on April 20, 2009. He supported his album with a nationwide tour with B.o.B. and Kid Cudi. Asher also joined Blink-182 in the second half of their reunion tour in the fall of 2009.

Roth was featured on the cover of XXL magazine’s annual Top 10 Freshmen: Hip-Hop’s Class ’09 issue.

[edit] 2010-present: The Rawth EP and Is This Too Orange?

After finishing touring in 2009 and releasing a second mixtape, Seared Foie Gras with Quince and Cranberry,^[15] Roth began working on his second studio album. From his friend Boyder's YouTube page, he has been seen working with producers Pharrell Williams and Nottz Raw. While working with Nottz, the two of them decided to collaborate on a project together, due to having a number of records rejected by the label due to sampling & copyright issues.^[16] The end result was an eight track EP, solely produced by Nottz, entitled The Rawth EP. The EP, which features appearances from Colin Munroe, D.A. (of Chester French), Rhymefest and Kardinal Offishall, was released December 27, 2010.^[17] Roth released and promoted "G.R.I.N.D (Get Ready It's a New Day)", the first single off of his upcoming second album, by traveling to different radio stations around the country. Roth revealed four tracks on his upcoming album in a XXL article. One features Game, one is produced by Swizz Beatz and another is titled "Run it Back".^[10] On May 25, it was announced that Roth's second studio album would no longer be called The Spaghetti Tree.^[18] His song with Akon titled "Last Man Standing" is featured on the soundtrack for the videogame Madden NFL 12. In an interview with Rikki Martinez of Power 106 he announced he will be releasing a mixtape titled Pabst & Jazz and revealed the title of his upcoming second album, Is This Too Orange?.^[19] On November 11th, 2011 he released the first offering off Pabst & Jazz, a song titled "Common Knowledge". In November 2011, Roth signed to Def Jam Recordings after several years been signed to SRC Records.

Personal life[link]

Asher Roth is open about his use of cannabis. As stated in an interview conducted and filmed by DJ Vlad, Roth stated his views about the legalization of marijuana and the use of cigarettes:

Cigarettes don't do anything for you except kill you ... I honestly don't believe [marijuana] is the gateway drug, because I use it and I've never done anything else ... I'm trying to be open about my "pot smoking" ...^[20]

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• Asleep in the Bread Aisle (2009)
• Is This Too Orange? (2012)

Mixtapes[link]

• The GreenHouse Effect (2008)
• Seared Foie Gras with Quince and Cranberry (2010)
• Pabst & Jazz (2011)

EPs[link]

• Just Listen (2005)
• The Rawth EP (With Nottz) (2010)

Awards[link]

• MTV Video Music Awards
  • Best New Artist ("I Love College") [Nominated]
  • Best Hip Hop Video ("I Love College") [Nominated]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Office page at Facebook

Kardinal Offishall
Kardinal Offishall at eTalk in 2008.
Background information
Birth name	Jason D. Harrow
Born	(1976-05-12) May 12, 1976 (age 36)
Origin	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Canadian hip hop, Dancehall
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter, record producer
Years active	1994-present
Labels	MCA Records, Kon Live Distribution, Geffen Records, Konvict
Associated acts	Akon, Black Jays, Sean Paul, Colby O'Donis, Rihanna, 50 Cent, T-Pain, Nottz

Jason D. Harrow^[1] (born May 12, 1976),^[2] better known by his stage name Kardinal Offishall ( /kɑrdɨˈnæl oʊfɨˈʃæl/),^[3] is a Canadian rapper and record producer. He is often credited as Canada's "hip-hop ambassador", and is best known for his distinctive reggae and dancehall-influenced style of hip-hop.^[4][5]

In 1997, Kardinal released his debut album, Eye & I, on independent label Capitol Hill Music, to critical acclaim.^[6] In 2000, he released the EP, Husslin', also independently on Figure IV Entertainment, which helped establish him as one of Canada's best hip-hop producers.^[7][8] The same year, Kardinal signed with major label MCA Records, and released his second album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 in 2001. The lead single, "BaKardi Slang", became his first single to appear on a U.S. Billboard chart.^[9] After releasing the single "Belly Dancer" in 2003, he left MCA Records after it was absorbed by Geffen Records.^[10]

In 2005, Kardinal released his third album, Fire and Glory, on the Canadian division of Virgin Records.^[8] The single "Everyday (Rudebwoy)" became a top twenty hit in Canada. In 2008, his fourth album Not 4 Sale was released on Kon Live Distribution, a subsidiary of Geffen Records. The album was a critical success, spawning the hit single "Dangerous".^[8] The single was his first to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number five.^[9] Kardinal will release his fifth album—his second under Kon Live Distribution—Mr. International in 2012.

Biography[link]

Early life and career beginnings[link]

Harrow was born in Scarborough, Ontario,^[11][12] in Toronto's east end, and raised by Jamaican immigrant parents. From the ages of 2 to 13, he lived in the city's Flemingdon Park neighbourhood. He moved back to Scarborough for two years, before finally settling in Oakwood–Vaughan, in the city's west end.^[13][14][15] While in high school, he would throw parties at the Alexandra Park Community Centre.^[14] He also is a former York University student but did not complete his degree.^[16]

He started rapping at the age of eight and was winning competitions by the time he was 12. Also at the age of 12, he performed live and on stage for the first time, with Nelson Mandela in attendance during Mandela's first visit to Toronto.^[8] By 1993, he decided to change his alias "KoolAid", and went by the moniker "Kardinal Offishall" after being inspired by the great 17th century French politician Cardinal Richelieu.^[17]

[edit] 1996-1999: Eye & I

Kardinal was signed to a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music Canada at the age of 20.^{[citation needed]} In 1996, he released his first single "Naughty Dread", which was featured on the Rap Essentials Volume One compilation and earned him a Juno Award nomination for Best Rap Recording. In 1997, Kardinal released his debut album Eye & I on Capitol Hill Music. The only single from the album, "On wit da Show", had considerable video play on MuchMusic. The album received rave reviews from music critics.^[18][19] Allmusic stated that Kardinal "blended soul, dancehall, reggae, hip-hop, and a wholly inventive approach to beats on his 20-track debut album, Eye & I."^[20] Unfortunately, the album was poorly distributed in Canada, and a lack of radio support resulted in the album receiving limited commercial attention.^[18][21] Over 4,000 copies of the album were sold in its first three months of release.^[8] In 1998, he was featured on the Juno-winning single "Northern Touch" with the Rascalz, Choclair, Checkmate and Thrust.

[edit] 2000-2003: Husslin' and Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1

Husslin' was an EP, released April 11, 2000. It was released independently on Figure IV Entertainment and distributed by Fat Beats Records in the United States. The title track, "Husslin'", was one of the hottest 12" singles of 2000.^[22] "And What?", featuring Saukrates, was released as a single in 1999. "Husslin'" and "Mic T.H.U.G.S." also appear on Kardinal's second studio album, Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1. An updated version of "U R Ghetto When", known as "U R Ghetto 2002", is on the Quest for Fire album. In 2000, Kardinal signed with MCA Records. He released the album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 in 2001, which spawned the hits "BaKardi Slang" and "Ol' Time Killin'".One year after its release, 25,000 copies of the album were sold in Canada.^[23] It received generally favorable reviews from music critics. The Source gave the album 3½ out of 5 mics.^[23] RapReviews.com gave it a 7/10 rating, calling it a "mixed bag," and stating "there are also some perfect 10's to be found here."^[24] The A.V. Club gave the album a favorable review, praising it's "impressive musical and lyrical consistency."^[25] Allmusic gave it 2½ out of 5 stars, noting that Kardinal "displays only flashes of promise here."^[26] The album was nominated for Best Rap Recording at the 2002 Juno Awards.

After MCA folded in 2003, Kardinal's highly anticipated follow up album Firestarter Vol. 2: The F-Word Theory was shelved along with the single/video for "Belly Dancer" featuring Pharrell, and Kardinal eventually found himself without a label. Had the album been released, there would have been production from Timbaland and The Neptunes, among others. He released an independent mixtape titled Kill Bloodclott Bill

[edit] 2004-2007: Fire and Glory & Not 4 Sale

in 2004 with his production company, Black Jays, and he also released his second major-label album titled Fire and Glory on November 15, 2005, through Virgin Records in Canada only. Hits on Fire and Glory include "Everyday (Rudebwoy)" and "Heads Up". RapReviews.com gave the album an 8.5/10 rating, stating "Fire and Glory is a better album than Firestarter Vol. 1," and "aside from having better lyrics than most of his counterparts, Kardinal's unique style also sets him apart."^[27] The album was nominated for Rap Recording of the Year at the 2006 Juno Awards.

Not 4 Sale is the fourth studio album by Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall, released September 9, 2008 on Kon Live/Geffen Records. Its his second international major-label album, after 2001's Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1. It was a critical success, spawning the top 5 Billboard Hot 100 single "Dangerous", and the minor hit "Numba 1 (Tide Is High)". 11,869 copies of the album were sold in the United States, in its first week of release. It debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 40. As of February 15, 2009, the album has sold 34,822 copies. In Canada, it debuted at number 8 on the Canadian Albums Chart, with 4,247 copies sold in the first week. The album received generally favorable reviews from music critics. Allmusic gave it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "an entirely solid album", also stating "this freedom fighting and socially conscious writing is tempered with hooky club tracks that never fail."[14] USA Today gave it 3 out of 4 stars, noting "his potent blend of hip-hop and dancehall gives him a flavor all his own."PopMatters gave the album a 6/10 rating, writing "although many of the tracks here are glossy pop productions, Kardinal has not really changed since he was first heard in the '90s."The album won the award for Rap Recording of the Year at the 2009 Juno Awards.

[edit] 2008-present: Mr International

In 2008, he was featured on Just Dance (RedOne Remix) by Lady Gaga, part of the EP "Just Dance (Remixes, Pt. 2)". In 2010, he was included in the Young Artists for Haiti's version of "Wavin' Flag" in an effort to raise money for disaster relief. He starred along with many Canadian stars. Also in 2010, he was featured in Raghav's single "So Much".

Discography[link]

• Eye & I (1997)
• Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1 (2001)
• Fire and Glory (2005)
• Not 4 Sale (2008)
• A.M.T.R.I.M. (Allow Me To Re-Introduce Myself) (with Nottz) (2012)
• Mr. International (2012)

Awards[link]

• 1999: Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year for Rascalz' "Northern Touch"
• 2000: Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year for producing Choclair's "Let's Ride"
• 2000: SOCAN Award for "Husslin'"
• 2001: MuchMusic Video Award - Best Rap Video for "Money Jane"
• 2002: SOCAN Award for "Money Jane"
• 2004: Canadian Urban Music Award for "Empty Barrel"
• 2006: 3 MuchMusic Video Awards - Best Video, Best Director (RT!) and VideoFACT Award for "Everyday (Rudebwoy)"
• 2009: Juno Award for Single of the Year for "Dangerous"; Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year for Not 4 Sale
• 2009: SOCAN Urban Music Award for "Dangerous"

See also[link]

32x28px	Music of Canada portal
	Hip hop portal

• Canadian hip hop
• Music of Canada

References[link]

External links[link]

• Kardinal Offishall on Myspace
• Kardinal Offishall's channel on YouTube
• Kardinal Offishall on Twitter
• Kardinal Offishall at the Internet Movie Database
• Kardinal Offishall interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' February 2009
• Border Block - Canadian Hip Hop vs. America
• Interview with DJ Stallion
• Kardinal Offishall RBMA video lecture session

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Black Milk
Background information
Birth name	Curtis Cross
Born	(1982-08-14) August 14, 1982 (age 29)
Origin	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Genres	Midwest hip hop Detroit hip hop
Occupations	Record producer, rapper
Instruments	Drums, Turntable, Sampler, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Fender Rhodes, Drum Machine
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Fat Beats Records / Decon
Associated acts	Danny Brown, B.R. Gunna, Slum Village, J Dilla, Random Axe, Royce da 5'9", Elzhi, Bishop Lamont, Jack White, Name Tag, Phat Kat, Guilty Simpson

Curtis Cross, (born August 14, 1982) better known as Black Milk, is a hip hop producer and MC from Detroit, Michigan.^[1][2]

Biography[link]

Performing in Toronto in 2012

In 2004, he formed B.R. Gunna, with Young RJ, and Fat Ray, and together they released Dirty District: Vol. 2, a follow up to a compilation released in 2001 by Slum Village, which he had contributed production to. Black Milk released a solo album, Sound of the City, Vol. 1, the following year and in 2006 he signed a record contract with Fat Beats Records (Fat Beats is currently distributed by Koch Entertainment, the largest independent distributor in the U.S.). In the fall of 2006, he released an EP, entitled Broken Wax. March 13, 2007 he released a second album, Popular Demand.^[1]

In addition to Slum Village, Black Milk has worked with J Dilla,^[3] Elzhi, Phat Kat, Frank-N-Dank, Lloyd Banks, Canibus, and Pharoahe Monch, and handled most of the production on T3's Olio mixtape of 2006.

In the Winter of 2007/2008 Black Milk paired with Aftermath recording artist Bishop Lamont to release a mixtape entitled Caltroit, which was nominated for Best Hip Hop Mixtape at Justo's Mixtape Awards.^{[citation needed]}

Black Milk released an album with Fat Ray entitled The Set Up on March 4, 2008 and his third official solo release "Tronic" on October 28, 2008. He also handled the majority of production^[4] on Elzhi's album The Preface, released August 12.

Elzhi's "The Leftovers Unmixedtape" was released on December 11, 2009. Black Milk produced four of the tracks on it.

On December 25, 2009, he leaked the first single from his upcoming album Album Of The Year. The song is called "Keep Going". He also released two more singles named "Welcome (Gotta Go)" and "Deadly Medley" featuring Royce Da 5'9" and Elzhi.

On August 22, 2010, he released the music video for "Deadly Medley". The video features Black Milk, Royce da 5'9" and Elzhi.

Album Of The Year was released on September 14, 2010 through Fat Beats and Decon. Black Milk has announced he has already started work on his 5th studio album which he aims to finish and release some time in Summer 2012.

In March 2011, Black Milk released a 7" single entitled 'Brain'. The single was the result of a collaboration between, Black Milk and his band (AB, Daru Jones and Malik Hunter) and Jack White of the White Stripes. A B Side, entitled Royal Mega, was also released.
As the buzz of many of hip hop’s young leaders-to-be evolves from loud commotion into hushed whispers, Black Milk has stayed relevant by remaining focused on creating music that endures. He’s achieved recognition from fans, critics, and his peers as one of the best producers around, and when coupling that talent with his sharp lyricism and stylish delivery as an emcee, Black has proven to be one of the most vital hip hop artists of his generation.

This is already clear to those who heard his 2008 album Tronic, which capped a successful and astonishingly prolific year (in which he also released collaborative full-length releases with rappers Bishop Lamont and Fat Ray, as well as producing the acclaimed solo album from Slum Village’s Elzhi). Tronic showcased a growth in production technique that few expected from a beatmaker best-known for chopping samples, as his signature drums were now peppered with live instrumentation and richer arrangements.

2009 looked to be another year of tremendous progress for Black Milk’s career. After touring Europe with his newly-formed band, consisting of drummer Daru Jones and keyboardist/singer AB, he returned home to Detroit ready to launch efforts on his next album. The year took an unexpected turn as his mentor Baatin of Slum Village–who Black credits with launching his professional career–died. Only weeks later, Black’s manager HexMurda fell into a coma and was paralyzed with a rare pontine stroke. The quick succession of these events eerily mirrored the abrupt deaths of Detroit legends J Dilla and Proof in 2006, stunning the close-knit hip hop community in the Motor City. Things only got worse for Black as he dealt with additional deaths within his family over the next few months. 2009 had become the most difficult year of his life.

As the year came to a close, he returned to recording, and announced that his next release would be audaciously titled Album of the Year. Black quickly explained that the title was referring to the course of events from the previous 12 months. Many fans and critics discounted that explanation, expressing either excitement or objection that he was brashly proclaiming that his work would be the year’s best before the year had even started.

Far from a melancholic work, Album of the Year once again sees Black Milk working to break new ground in hip hop production, and to both refine and redefine his sound. While continuing to construct the skeletons of the tracks on his same trusted AKAI MPC-2000 XL that he’s been using for years, he now employs a team of studio musicians and session players to add new layers of fat and muscle to his songs, with most of the players’ parts composed by the artist himself. A broad range of influence shines through in the tracks, with tinges of rock, reggae, and afrobeat joining his trademark hip hop bangers.

Other than the heavy contributions from both members of his live band (vocalist/keyboardist AB and drummer Daru Jones), the album exclusively features players and vocalists from his hometown of Detroit, including vocalist Melanie Rutherford, bassist Tim Shellabarger, and the versatile horn player and string arranger Sam Beaubien (who arranged horns and strings on Mayer Hawthorne’s A Strange Arrangement). The few guest raps are provided by Royce Da 5’9″, Elzhi, and newcomer Danny Brown.

Few artists in hip hop are able to create music that can rise above expectations and defy categorization. Black Milk welcomes the challenge to accomplish what others cannot, and he’s doing it not only with his acclaimed recordings but also with an electrifying live show. Performing with Daru and AB, the tracks are taken to another level on stage. Both Album of the Year and exciting live performances across the globe are sure to elevate Black Milk that much closer to the star status many have predicted.

Musical style and influences[link]

Cross cites some of his main musical influences as J. Dilla, Easy Mo Bee, Pete Rock, Questlove, A Tribe Called Quest, and De La Soul. His music is very soulful, as he was raised on the sounds of the latter two in the 80s and 90s. The late producer J. Dilla had a large impact on him with his soul-influenced, jazzy beats.

Discography[link]

Solo[link]

• 2005: Sound of the City
• 2006: Broken Wax
• 2007: Popular Demand
• 2008: Tronic (US R&B: #76)
• 2010: Album of the Year (US: #136, US R&B: #28)

Collaborations[link]

• 2004: Dirty District Vol. 2 (with Young RJ as B.R. Gunna)
• 2008: Caltroit (with Bishop Lamont)
• 2008: The Set Up (with Fat Ray)
• 2008: The Preface (with Elzhi)
• 2011: Random Axe (with Sean Price and Guilty Simpson as Random Axe)
• 2011: "Brain" b/w "Royal Mega"(with Jack White)
• 2011: Black & Brown EP (with Danny Brown)^[5]
• 2012: Searching for Sanity (with Melanie Rutherford)

Production[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Black Milk

• Black Milk on Myspace
• Official website
• Template:Http://blackmilk.biz/bio/
• Black Milk RBMA lecture

Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg performing at the Snoop Dogg Supafest in April 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.
Born	(1971-10-20) October 20, 1971 (age 40)
Origin	Long Beach, California, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Death Row, No Limit, Priority, Star Trak, Geffen, Doggystyle
Associated acts	Tha Dogg Pound, Tha Eastsidaz, 213, Dr. Dre, Warren G, Nate Dogg, 2Pac, Pharell, R. Kelly, Ice Cube, Akon, Game, Brandy Norwood, Eminem, Wiz Khalifa
Website	snoopdogg.com

Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. (born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg (formerly known as Snoop Doggy Dogg), is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school. Shortly after graduation, he was arrested for cocaine possession and spent six months in Wayside County Jail. His music career began in 1992 after his release when he was discovered by Dr. Dre. He collaborated on several tracks on Dre's solo debut, The Chronic and on the titular theme song to the film Deep Cover.

Snoop's debut album Doggystyle, was released in 1993 under Death Row Records making a debut at No.1 on both the Billboard 200 and R&B charts. Selling almost a million copies in the first week of its release, Doggystyle quickly became certified 4× platinum in 1994 and spawned several hit singles, including "What's My Name" and "Gin & Juice". In 1994, Snoop released a soundtrack on Death Row Records for the short film Murder Was The Case, starring himself. In early 1996, Snoop Dogg was cleared of charges over his bodyguard's 1993 murder of Philip Woldemariam. His second album, late 1996's Tha Doggfather, also debuted at No.1 on both charts with "Snoop's Upside Ya Head" as the lead single. The album sold only half as well, being certified double platinum in 1997.

Tha Doggfather was his last release for Death Row before he signed with No Limit Records, where he recorded his next three albums. Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told in 1998, No Limit Top Dogg in 1999 (making it his last album of the 90s), and Tha Last Meal in 2000, which was his last No Limit Records album. Snoop then signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in 2002, where he released his album Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss. Then he signed with Geffen Records in 2004 for his next three albums R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece, Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, and Ego Trippin'. Malice 'n Wonderland (2009) and Doggumentary (2011), his most recent release, were on Priority.

In addition to music, Snoop Dogg has starred in motion pictures and hosted several television shows: Doggy Fizzle Televizzle, Snoop Dogg's Father Hood and Dogg After Dark. He also coaches a youth football league and high school football team. He has run into many legal troubles, some of which caused him to be legally banned from the UK and Australia, although the UK ban was later reversed after a long legal battle.^[1] He is the cousin of Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger, RBX and Lil' ½ Dead and the cousin of R&B singers Brandy and Ray J. Starting September 2009, Snoop was hired by EMI as the chairman of a reactivated Priority Records.^[2]

Life and career[link]

Early life[link]

Named after his stepfather, Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Sr. (December 10, 1948 – November 9, 1985, Los Angeles), Calvin Broadus was born October 20, 1971 at the Los Altos Hospital in Long Beach, California, the second of three sons of Beverly Broadus (née Tate; born April 27, 1951, McComb, Mississippi).^[3][4][5] His father, Vernall Varnado (born December 13, 1949, Magnolia, Mississippi),^[3] was a Vietnam veteran, singer, and mail carrier who was said to be frequently absent from his life.^[6] Broadus' parents nicknamed him "Snoopy" as a child because of his appearance, but usually addressed him as Calvin at home.^[7][8] His mother and stepfather divorced in 1975. At an early age, Broadus began singing in Golgotha Trinity Baptist Church and playing piano; when he was in sixth grade, he began rapping.^[9][10] He attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, and was convicted for cocaine possession, serving six months at the Wayside County Jail.^[7]