Tragedy Khadafi

Percy Chapman IV (born August 13, 1971, in Queens, New York, USA), known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge Housing Projects in Queens, New York, who helped spawn other hip hop artists such as Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga, Nas and many others both through production and influence. His name is a reference to the former leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi. According to an editorial review on Amazon.com, he was responsible for coining the term "illmatic" in 1988, nearly 6 years before Illmatic, multi-platinum rapper Nas's debut album.

Biography

He began his career as half of the duo Super Kids, along with DJ Hot Day, releasing the single "Go, Queensbridge" in 1985. It was this output that caught the attention of Marley Marl, who produced in 1986 the duo's next single "The Tragedy (Don't Do It)", with Chapman also being made a junior member of the Juice Crew alongside artists such as Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, and MC Shan. In 1987, he appeared as MC Percy in the B side of the 12" "Juice Crew All Stars" and also on the last Super Kids single, "Hot Day Master Mix". After a conviction that year (he was only 16 years old) for robbery charges followed by serving time in the Elmira Correctional Facility, Chapman became a Five Percenter and began working under the alias "Intelligent Hoodlum".

The War Report

The War Report is the influential debut album by rap duo Capone-N-Noreaga (C-N-N for short). The album features the songs "L.A., L.A."; "T.O.N.Y."; "Neva Die Alone"; "Driver's Seat"; "Illegal Life"; "Capone Bone"; "Bloody Money"; "Closer"; "Iraq (See The World)"; and Noreaga's dedication to Capone, "Live on, Live Long." Tragedy Khadafi was in many ways the mastermind behind the project and was at the time considered an unofficial third member. He appears on more than half of the album's songs. Other guest appearances include Imam T.H.U.G., who appeared on the track "Driver's Seat"; Castro; Mussolini; Mendosa; Troy Outlaw; Mobb Deep. Despite its strong underground overtones, the album was, surprisingly, a commercial success, making 1997's Hip Hop/R&B Top Five.

Significance and impact

Considered a street classic by fans and critics , The War Report's signature sound was distinctively underground and hardcore for its time, a trademark that garnered street credibility for the group. The unique chemistry of Noreaga's unorthodox lyrical delivery, combined with Capone's streetwise slang and Five Percenter references, established the duo as a household name within the hardcore hip hop community. Furthermore, the album created a large and devoted cult following for the group and launched the solo career of Noreaga, who subsequently went on to achieve significant mainstream success (most notably with the Neptunes-produced club anthem "Superthug").

The War

The War may refer to:

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In music:

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See also

Driver's Seat

"Driver's Seat" is a 1978 song by the British band Sniff 'n' the Tears that appears on their debut album, Fickle Heart. The band is considered a one-hit wonder as "Driver's Seat" was their only hit.

The genesis of the song dates back to 1973 and a demo tape recorded for a French record label by singer/guitarist Paul Roberts for the band Ashes of Moon. However, that band broke up and, at the suggestion of drummer Luigi Salvoni, Roberts re-formed it as Sniff 'n' the Tears with guitarists Laurence "Loz" Netto and Mick Dyche and bassist Nick South. They shopped the demo tape and signed with the small Chiswick label in 1977.

According to Paul Roberts, "Driver's Seat" isn't about driving, but rather "fragmented, conflicting thoughts and emotions that might follow the break-up of a relationship". One of the key decisions in arranging the song was to start with drums and additively bring in other instruments.

"Driver's Seat" reached number 15 on the American Billboard Pop Singles chart in the fall of 1979, and reached the top 10 in The Netherlands in November 1980. It reappeared at number 1 on the Dutch Top 40 eleven years later as a result of use of the song in a Pioneer commercial.

Illegal Life

"Illegal Life" is a song by American hip hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga, released as the first single from their debut album, The War Report (1997). The song features guest appearances from fellow American rappers Havoc and Tragedy Khadafi, both of which also produced the song.

Charts

Peak positions

References

External links