Name	Amanda Diva
|img capt	Amanda Diva and Q-Tip
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Amanda Seales
Born	July 01, 1981
Origin	Los Angeles, California
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, Radio Personality, Poet
Years active	1994-present
Label	Divaworks, Inc
Associated acts	Floetry, Lupe Fiasco, Q-Tip, Johnny Polygon

Amanda Diva (born Amanda Seales; July 1, 1981) is a female rapper, actress, and former replacement of the musical group Floetry.

Personal life

Born in Inglewood, California on July 1, 1981. Amanda Seales spent most of her life in Orlando, Florida with her mother. Attending SUNY-Purchase, Seales studied theater, and began writing poetry after a friend suggested she write her own spoken word book. She is also Grenadian American.

Career

In 1994, Seales made her debut at the age of 12 on the Nickelodeon sitcom My Brother and Me, the show was a big hit on the network but was eventually canceled due to disagreements between the producers and creators of the show, during this time Seales took a hiatus to focus on her education. In 2004, Seales who was now calling herself Diva, released her debut Mixtape entitled "It Bigger Than Hip Hop, Vol 1". After landing a job hosting MTV2, Diva began hosting a radio show on SIRIUS, the Hip-Hop Nation Show. She also joined the DJ Drama/Don Cannon/DJ Sense-helmed Aphilliates crew, and published a book of poetry, all before receiving a degree in African-American studies from Columbia University. In 2007 her career took a surprising turn, when she was asked to replace Natalie Stewart of the musical duo Floetry, on tour. December of the same year, Diva released Life Experience the first EP of a trilogy.

After being released from the emergency room for a spinal tap, Diva continued to promote her sophomore EP, Spandex, Rhymes and Soul, which was released June 24, 2008. Amanda also provides social commentary and updates on her projects on her blog.

In 2009, Diva was a guest commentator on VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s. Amanda is also featured on Johnny Polygon's 2010 mixtape Rebel Without Applause on two songs entitled "Blvd Broad" and "Get Right".

In September 2010, Diva also hosted Red Bull Flugtag Philadelphia, which took place in Camden, New Jersey.

References

External links

Amanda Diva's official site

Amanda Diva's official myspace

Amanda Diva's blog

Amanda Diva's DivaSpeak TV

Amanda Diva's Twitter

Category:1981 births Category:American poets Category:American people of Grenadian descent Category:Female rappers Category:Living people Category:Rappers from Los Angeles, California Category:Columbia University alumni Category:American television actors

Birth name	John Armour
Name	Johnny Polygon
Background	solo_singer
Origin	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Genre	Hip hop, Alternative Hip Hop, Soul
Occupation	Rapper, singer, songwriter
Years active	2008–present
Label	Future Green Entertainment (2008-2010), Independent (Present)
Associated acts	Nas, Kid Cudi, Amanda Diva, Gabe Real
Url	www.johnnypolygononline.com

Johnny Polygon is an American rapper and singer. He first gained attention with his video for a song called “Bag”, which ultimately led to him being signed to DJ Green Lantern’s Future Green Entertainment label. In 2009 he released his first EP entitled Group Hug. On February 14, 2010 Johnny released an official mixtape, Rebel Without Applause, which features his single “The Riot Song”. Johnny has also worked with Nas, Kid Cudi, Amanda Diva, and Gabe Real. As of April 1, 2010, Johnny decided to drop from his label and continue on as an independent artist.

Early life

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Johnny Polygon first gained notice on a local battle scene. Looking for something more, he moved to Hollywood to pursue his music career. It was in Los Angeles where Johnny met Nathan Morse, who approached him about making a music video for his song “Bag”. The video was eventually entered into an online competition and gained notice from DJ Green Lantern.

Music career

Once Johnny signed with DJ Green Lantern he moved to New York where they recorded a song together called, “Price on Your Head” which is featured in 2008’s Grand Theft Auto 4 and its soundtrack. That same year Johnny was featured on Nas’ 2008 Untitled album, singing the chorus for the song “Black President”.

2009–Present

In 2009, Johnny made his television debut on BET’s Inaugural Address, performing “Black President” with Nas. That same year he released his first EP Group Hug on Invasion Records. On July 17, 2009 Johnny was featured in Vapors Magazine Johnny also made a cameo appearance in Kid Cudi’s video for “Pursuit of Happiness”.

Johnny’s “Riot Song” is also featured on HBO’s 2010 series How to Make it in America and its’ mixtape, “How to Make it in America Mixtape” presented by Kid Cudi, DJ Green Lantern, and Broke Mogul. During the intro of the track Cudi states that Johnny is “…the illest up and coming artists”. Kid Cudi is featured on Rebel Without Applause, performing a remix with Johnny to “The Riot Song”.

Presented by DJ Green Lantern and Karmaloop.com, Johnny released an official mixtape on February 14, 2010 titled Rebel Without Applause. The album features guest appearances by Kid Cudi, Amanda Diva, and Gabe Real. The video is a Wile E. Coyote & Roadrunner inspired live action cartoon, using over 3,000 real paper cut outs to tell the story, with no repeating images.

On March 31, 2010 Johnny went on Los Angeles’ KPWR's POWER 106 FM THE TAKEOVER with the LA Leakers and DJ Reflex. During the show he performed a freestyle over The Black Eyed Peas' Imma Be. In the July 2010 issue of Oklahoma Magazine Johnny had a featured spread. Johnny made an appearance on the Dead Prez song, NYPD, which was in the 2010 movie Brooklyn’s Finest.

During a show in Los Angeles on April 1, 2010, Johnny announced to his fans that he was moving forward as an independent artist.

Johnny's video for "The Riot Song" premiered on MTV2’s show subterranean on July 28, 2010 Also in late July, “The Riot Song” music video was added VH1 Soul and mtvU Following the release of his video of “The Riot Song” on MTV eventually breaking MTV's Top 100 peaking at #8.

On November 16, 2010, Polygon released an official 30-track mixtape presented by Orisue, titled Catch Up. It is composed of tracks from his career up to this point as well as remixes, collaborations with other artists, and unreleased tracks. He followed this up with an EP, on December 15, 2010, called "Wolf in Cheap Clothing" that contains seven new tracks.

The Johnny Polygon Show

Johnny also has his own online show on karmaloop.tv. The premise of the show revolves around Johnny and his life as an artist. Now on its second season, the show has featured stories about him, Nas, and Cudi and what its like to be in the shoes of Johnny Polygon.

Discography

EP's

Group Hug (2009)

Wolf in Cheap Clothing (2010)

Official Mixtapes

Rebel Without Applause (2010)

Catch-Up (2010)

External links

References

Category:Living people Category:2000s rappers Category:2010s rappers Category:African American rappers Category:African American singers Category:People from Brooklyn Category:People from Tulsa, Oklahoma Category:People from Oklahoma Category:Rappers from New York City

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	Kovas
Landscape	yes
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Kovasciar Myvette
Born	August 04, 1984
Origin	Brooklyn, New York
Genre	Hip hop, R&B;, Pop
Occupation	Rapper, Actor, Record Producer
Years active	2000–present (producer/rapper/songwriter)1998–present (acting)
Label	Ghetto Beat
Notable albums	De La Soul "Words & Verbs" Jeannie Ortega "No Place Like Brooklyn" Kovas "The Arrogance of Youth EP"
Associated acts	Justin Timberlake, De La Soul, Nick Cannon, Billy Crawford, Jeannie Ortega, Freq Nasty
Url	ghettobeat.com

Kovas (born Kovasciar Myvette, August 1, 1984, Brooklyn, New York) is an American songwriter, record producer and recording artist of Spanish and French descent (Central America and Morroco).

He has produced and remixed records for Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Nick Cannon, De La Soul, Nicole Wray, Jeannie Ortega, Shakira, Lady Sovereign, Kelis, Papoose, Freq Nasty and Billy Crawford. He has done ghost production and songwriting for a lot of successful artists before branching out on his own.

He is currently working on his own solo project. His song "Up In Here" is featured on the Chocolate Swim, Cartoon Network's Adult Swim compilation.

He is featured on Jeannie Ortega's No Place Like BKLYN album, on which, he wrote and produced three songs; "Pay It" featuring Kovas, "Green I'z" and "Hear Me". He is also featured on the Billy Crawford album, Big City. He produced and wrote four songs on it, including the single "Steamy Nights" and "Steamy Nights Ghetto Beat Remix".

Kovas has a production company called Ghetto Beat Productions.

His first recorded appearance was on the De La Soul record, Words Verbs, which he wrote, co-produced and rapped on with Maseo of De La Soul when he was 17.

Kovas has appeared on tour with De La Soul, Billy Crawford and Jeannie Ortega. Kovas plays five instruments, sings, raps and engineers on most of his productions. He has done musical scores for film and TV, winning an Art Directors Award for the ad campaign he wrote and scored for Noggin television.

He has also scored music for a Levi's jeans ad campaign and a documentary film, Hip Hop Immortals.

Kovas' song "Up in Here" was featured in an episode of the MTV series Maui Fever. The response to the song was so great that the [maui-fever.com Maui Fever Fansite] would later post an article featuring Kovas and talking about his song.

February 13, 2007 Kovas released his debut EP The Arrogance of Youth thorough his own digital label, Ghetto Beat Productions.

December 2007 Kovas was commissioned to do the Official International remix of Summer Love for Justin Timberlake.

March 4, 2008 Kovas' Ghetto Beat Remix of Chris Brown's "With You" was released on Jive Records.

Kovas had 4 songs in the 2008 Sony Screen Gems movie Prom Night.

On August 12, 2008 EA Sports released the videogame Madden NFL 09 which featured Kovas' new song "Wax On Wax Off".

Discography

Production credits

2001: "Words & Verbs" (Maseo De La Soul) feat.(Kovas) (single)

2002: "Brooklyn to Brixton" (Freq Nasty) feat.(Kovas) (single)

2004: "Attitude" (Nick Cannon)

2004: "Intro" (Billy Crawford)(Big City)

2004: "Steamy Nights" (Billy Crawford)(Big City)

2004: "Three Wishes" (Billy Crawford) feat.(Kovas) (Big City)

2004: "Hiccups" (Billy Crawford)(Big City)

2004: "Cowboy" (Billy Crawford) feat. (Kovas) (Big City)

2005: "Bounce" (Rosette) feat.(Kovas) (Uh Oh)

2005: "Mirage" (Rosette) feat.(Kovas) (Uh Oh)

2005: "Delirious Ghetto Beat Remix" (Rosette) feat.(Kovas) (Uh Oh)

2005: "I Owe" (Rosette) (Uh Oh)

2006: "Pay It" (Jeannie Ortega) feat.(Kovas) (No Place Like Brooklyn)

2006: "Green I'z" (Jeannie Ortega) (No Place Like Brooklyn)

2006: "Hear Me" (Jeannie Ortega) (No Place Like Brooklyn)

2008: "Say What" (Kovas) (The Arrogance of Youth)

2008: "Up in Here" (Kovas) (The Arrogance of Youth)

2008: "Love & Touch" (Kovas) (The Arrogance of Youth)

2008: "Popsicle" (Kovas) (The Arrogance of Youth)

2008: "Popcorn" (Kovas) (The Arrogance of Youth)

2008: "T.O.A.K" (Kovas) (The Arrogance of Youth)

2008: "So Hot" (Kovas) (Prom Night)

2008: "Love & Touch" (Kovas) (Prom Night)

2008: "Hasta La Vista" (Camp Rock) (Disney's Camp Rock)

2009: "Wax On Wax Off" (Kovas) (Reagan Babies)

2009: "Reagan Babies" (Kovas) (Reagan Babies)

2009: "Grape Drank" (Kovas) (Reagan Babies)

2009: "Can't Get Enough" (Kovas) (Reagan Babies)

2010: "Been Doing My Thang" (Nyne West) feat.(Yung Joc)

2010: "Overdrive" (Nyne West) feat.(Mario)&(Kovas)

2010: "UpperCut" (Nyne West) feat.(Red Cafe)

2010: "Full Time Lover" (Nyne West)

2010: "Roll The Credits" (Roxxi Jane)

2010: "Ready" (Kovas)

Remixes

2005 Billy Crawford f. Kovas - "Steamy Nights (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)" V2 Records

2006 Shakira f.Wyclef & Kovas - "Hips Don't Lie (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)"

2006 Lady Sovereign - "Fiddle With The Volume (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)" Chocolate Industries

2007 Justin Timberlake - "Summer Love (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)" Jive Records

2008 Chris Brown - "With You (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)" Jive Records / Ultra Records

2008 T-Pain f Lil Wayne - "Can't Believe It (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)" Jive Records

2008 T-Pain f Ludacris - "Chopped & Skrewed (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)" Jive Records

2009 Ciara f Young Jeezy - "Chopped & Skrewed (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)" Jive Records

2009 Michelle Williams - "Hello Heartbreak (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)" Sony Records

2010 Usher f Will.I.Am - "OMG (Kovas Ghetto Beat Remix)" Jive Records

Other albums and songs producer by Kovas

External links

[ AllMusic Guide]

Kovas profile MTV.COM

Kovas on Billboard

Kovas official website

Myspace Page

Kovas on Maui Fever

Ghetto Beat Myspace

Category:1984 births Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American hip hop record producers Category:Living people Category:People from Brooklyn Category:Rappers from New York City

Dice Raw is a hip-hop artist associated with The Roots, and one of the founding members of musical group Nouveau Riche.

In 2000, Dice Raw (real name: Karl Jenkins) recorded his solo debut album, Reclaiming the Dead on MCA Records.

Despite his young age, Philadelphia MC, song writer, and Raw Life/Black Inc CEO Dice Raw is steeped in hip-hop history. A longtime protégé of Philadelphia group The Roots, he hooked up with the band while still in high school after Kelo, a member of the group's production team, spotted him in a local talent show.

The group quickly took the young rapper under their collective wings and decided to bring his talent along slowly. He made his debut in "The Lesson, Pt. 1." Soon after, he made a name for himself with distinct cameos on "Episodes" and "Adrenaline," where his hard-hitting style complimented the heady rhymes of Roots leader Black Thought. Dice Raw has made several guest appearances on several mixtapes. He made an appearance in fellow band member and beatboxer Scratch's first solo album "Embodiment of Instrumentation".

Jenkins recorded vocals for the entrance theme of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar Kung Fu Naki. The track is titled "Kung Fu San", and samples Carl Douglas's Kung Fu Fighting, and is available on .

Additionally Jenkins has been in the studio functioning as co writer and producer for The Roots, in addition to working on his own material. In May 2010, Dice released his first solo single in ten years entitled "100" off of his upcoming solo project "The Greatest Rapper Never". The single is a digital release and was made available on iTunes.

Appearances on Roots Albums

The Lesson, Pt. 1 (from Do You Want More?!!!??!)

Clones (from Illadelph Halflife)

Episodes (from Illadelph Halflife)

Adrenaline! (from Things Fall Apart)

Diedre vs. Dice (from Things Fall Apart)

Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New (from Things Fall Apart)

Don't See Us (from Things Fall Apart)

Rhymes & Ammo (Bonus track from Phrenology)

BOOM! (Chorus vocals only, from The Tipping Point)

The Lesson, Pt. 3 (from Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots, Vol. 2)

Here I Come (from Game Theory)

Workinonit (Unreleased Demo)

Take It There (Remix) (Unreleased)

The Good, The Bad & The Desolate (Unreleased)

Get Busy (from Rising Down)

I Can't Help It (from Rising Down)

The Grand Return (Bonus track from Rising Down)

How I Got Over (from How I Got Over (album))

Walk Alone (from How I Got Over (album))

Radio Daze (from How I Got Over (album))

Now Or Never (from How I Got Over (album))

References

Category:Musical groups from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Category:African American rappers Category:Rappers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Category:The Roots members Category:Living people

Name	Black Thought
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Tariq Trotter
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Born	October 03, 1973
Genre	Hip hop
Years active	1987–present
Label	DGC/Geffen/MCA RecordsDef Jam Recordings
Associated acts	The Roots
Url	www.myspace.com/blackthought

Tariq Trotter (born on October 3, 1973), better known as Black Thought, is an American hip-hop artist who is the lead MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots and occasional actor. Thought, who co-founded The Roots with drummer Questlove (Ahmir Thompson), is widely lauded for his complex and politically aware lyrical content, and his sharply honed live performances.

Early life

Black Thought was born Tariq Trotter and attended the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and Millersville University. In 1987, Trotter became friends with drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and formed a drummer/MC duo performing on the streets of Philadelphia and at talent shows. Trotter would subsequently spend some time as one of two MCs in the group The Square Roots: the other one was Malik B., who Tariq met in college. In high-school, Black Thought converted to the Islamic sect of The Nation of Gods and Earths

The Roots

The Square Roots renamed themselves the Roots and released its debut album Organix in 1993, to prepare for a concert in Germany. The Roots signed to DGC and followed up with Do You Want More?!!!??! in 1995. Recorded without any sampling, the album was more popular among alternative music fans than those of hip hop. Around the release of the album, the Roots performed at the Lollapalooza alternative music festival and Montreux Jazz Festival. Illadelph Halflife, the band's 1996 album, became its first album to chart within the top 40 spots on the Billboard 200 because of the successful single "What They Do".

In 2000, the Roots won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "You Got Me", with guest performances by Erykah Badu and Eve. The Roots' album Things Fall Apart was nominated for the Best Rap Album award. For Jay-Z's acoustic concert for the television program MTV Unplugged, The Roots provided instrumentals. Succeeding albums were Phrenology (2002), The Tipping Point (2004), Game Theory (2006), Rising Down (2008), and How I Got Over (2010).

Other work

Films in which Black Thought starred in include Bamboozled (2000), Perfume, Love Rome, and Brooklyn Babylon (both 2001).

Thought has also made guest performances on several other records including "Pimpas Paradise" by Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Team by Dilated Peoples, One Day It'll All Make Sense by Common, Reanimation by Linkin Park, Pick a Bigger Weapon by The Coup, The Rising Tied by Fort Minor, and A Ma Zone by Zap Mama.

Black Thought recorded a solo album to be titled Masterpiece Theatre and released in summer 2001, In a June 2008 interview with Brian Kayser of the website HipHopGame, Black Thought spoke of yet another solo project, which will come out on the label Razor and Tie. He stated that there would be the possibility of Questlove working on production. In 2008, Peta2.com nominated Black Thought as among the "World's Sexiest Vegetarians".

Discography

Appearances

1995: "Meiso", Meiso, DJ Krush

1997: "Get This Low", The Psycho-Social, Jedi Mind Tricks

1997: "Stolen Moments, Pt. 2", One Day It'll All Make Sense, Common

1998: "It's About That Time", Soul Survivor, Pete Rock

1998: "Live From the Sretch Armstrong Show", Lyricist Lounge Volume One, Various Artists

1998: "Super Lyrical", Capital Punishment, Big Pun

1998: "Tabou (Roots Remix)", Princesses Nubians, Les Nubians

1999: "Burnin' and Lootin'", Chant Down Babylon (Post-Humous Remix), Bob Marley

1999: "Respiration (Flying High Remix)", Respiration 12", Black Star

2000: "Cold Blooded", Like Water for Chocolate, Common

2000: "Hurricane", The Hurricane Soundtrack, Black Thought, Common, Dice Raw, Flo Brown, Jazzyfatnastees and Mos Def

2000: "Network", Plain Rap, The Pharcyde

2001: "Hard Hitters", Expansion Team, Dilated Peoples

2001: "Zen Approach", Zen, DJ Krush

2002: "Clap!", Next, Soulive

2002: "Guerilla Monsoon Rap", Quality, Talib Kweli

2002: "X-Ecutioner Style", Reanimation, Linkin Park

2004: "Live From The PJs", Revolutions, The X-Ecutioners

2005: "Appreciate", Love and Life, LaToya London

2005: "Flutlicht", Sinnflut, Curse

2005: "Pimpa's Paradise", Welcome to Jamrock, Damian Marley

2005: "Right Now", The Rising Tied, Fort Minor

2006: "Love Movin'", The Shining, J Dilla

2006: "My Favorite Mutiny", Pick A Bigger Weapon, The Coup

2006: "Yes, Yes Y'all",Timeless, Sérgio Mendes

2007: "Clean Up", Deep Hearted, Strong Arm Steady

2008: "Cause I'm Black", Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman), Styles P

2009: "Hot Shyt", "Back to the Feature", Wale

2009: "Live Forever", Velvet Ballads, Cradle Orchestra

2009: "Philly Boy", Rádio do Canibal, BK-One

2009: "Reality TV", Jay Stay Paid, J Dilla

2009: "Slow Down", Chiddy Bang

2010: "Philadelphia Born and Raised", Meek Mill

2010: "The Masters of Our Fates", Raekwon

2010: "In tha Park", Apollo Kids, Ghostface Killah

2010: "Philly Sh*t Remix, Young Chris, Meek Mill & Eve

Filmography

Bamboozled (2000)

Brooklyn Babylon (2001)

Perfume (2001)

Brown Sugar (2002)

Love Rome (2004)

Explicit IIIs (2008)

In NorthWood (2009)

Night Catches Us (2010)

References

External links

TheRoots.com - Official website of The Roots

Black Thought discography

Category:Living people Category:African American actors Category:African American rappers Category:American vegetarians Category:Def Jam Recordings artists Category:Geffen Records artists Category:Millersville University of Pennsylvania alumni Category:Members of the Nation of Gods and Earths Category:Rappers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Category:The Roots members Category:1971 births