Rae Sremmurd
Rae Sremmurd, consisting of Atlanta-based brothers Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi, rose to fame with their trap-based anthems that dominated the pop charts and achieved platinum certifications. The duo made their debut in 2013 with the energetic party track ‘We’ featured on producer Mike WiLL Made-It’s mixtape. Two years later, their official debut album ‘SremmLife’ propelled them to success with hits like ‘No Flex Zone’ and ‘No Type,’ both earning multi-platinum status. In 2016, their sophomore album ‘SremmLife 2’ continued their streak with the chart-topping single ‘Black Beatles.’ The release of the triple-disc album ‘SR3MM’ in 2018 showcased solo projects from each sibling before their reunion for the fourth duo album, ‘Sremm4Life’ in 2023.
Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi, born Khalif and Aaquil Brown respectively in Whittier, California, experienced a nomadic childhood due to their mother’s service in the United States Army. Their journey led them through Mississippi, Maryland, and Texas, shaping their diverse musical influences. During their early teens in Tupelo, they were part of Dem Outta St8 Boyz, eventually breaking away to form Rae Sremmurd with the support of producer Mike WiLL Made-It. The name ‘Rae Sremmurd’ is a play on ‘EarDrummers,’ Mike WiLL’s production alias read in reverse. The duo’s success soared with hits like ‘No Flex Zone,’ ‘No Type,’ and ‘Throw Sum Mo,’ leading to their major-label debut with Interscope and the release of their Billboard-charting albums ‘SremmLife’ and ‘SremmLife 2.’
With infectious tracks like ‘Black Beatles’ and ‘Powerglide,’ Rae Sremmurd continued to captivate audiences and expand their musical horizons. The trio-album ‘SR3MM’ in 2018 showcased the brothers’ individual artistry through Swaecation and Jxmtro, setting the stage for their third Top Ten album. During their hiatus, Swae Lee’s collaboration with Post Malone on ‘Sunflower’ garnered critical acclaim and topped the charts. The duo reunited for their fourth studio album ‘Sremm4Life’ in 2023, featuring collaborations with artists like Young Thug and Future and exploring themes ranging from celebratory moments to mental well-being, solidifying Rae Sremmurd’s position as a dynamic force in the music industry.
J-Kwon
J-Kwon’s journey to success included confrontations with industry figures like Arista head L.A. Reid and producer Jermaine Dupri, leading to a contract with So So Def, a subsidiary of Arista. Before this breakthrough, his life was marked by turmoil, being expelled from his mother’s home at 12, engaging in street activities like selling crack cocaine, and facing physical altercations. The turning point came with his label deal, propelling him to stardom by the age of 18 with his hit single ‘Tipsy.’ Supervised by Dupri and largely produced by the Track Boyz, his debut album ‘Hood Hop’ achieved platinum status in 2004. While maintaining a lower profile in the following years, he collaborated on successful tracks like Bow Wow’s ‘Fresh Azimiz’ and released independent albums like ‘Hood Hop 2’ and ‘Hood Hop 2.5.’ He continued his musical journey with a self-titled album in 2010 and targeted fellow artists with the diss track ‘Pushing the Odds’ in 2013.
J-Kwon’s impact on the music scene was undeniable, making a splash with his debut single that climbed the charts rapidly. His collaboration with renowned artists like Jermaine Dupri and the Track Boyz catapulted his career to new heights, culminating in the platinum success of his first album. Despite periods of relative quiet, J-Kwon remained active in the industry, showcasing his talent on tracks that resonated with audiences. His independent releases highlighted his artistic freedom and willingness to experiment with different styles, keeping his music fresh and engaging. The release of ‘Pushing the Odds’ exemplified his bold approach to addressing rival artists, showing his determination to carve his own path in the competitive world of hip-hop.
CKay
[Artist Name] is a talented and renowned artist known for their unique style and creativity. With a career spanning over two decades, [Artist Name] has captured the hearts of art enthusiasts worldwide. Their work reflects a deep passion for art and a strong dedication to craftsmanship.
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Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em
Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way, is a multi-talented American rapper, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He gained widespread recognition and success with his debut single ‘Crank That (Soulja Boy)’ in 2007, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for several weeks. Soulja Boy’s unique style and innovative approach to music production have cemented his position as a pioneering figure in the hip-hop industry. Beyond music, Soulja Boy has diversified his career by venturing into various business opportunities and investments.
Throughout his career, Soulja Boy has continuously evolved his sound and artistic direction, earning critical acclaim for his ability to adapt to changing trends while remaining true to his creative roots. His discography includes a diverse range of music, showcasing his versatility and experimentation across different genres. Apart from his musical endeavors, Soulja Boy is also known for his entrepreneurial spirit, having launched his own fashion line and technology products. His influence extends beyond the music scene, as he actively engages with fans through social media and online platforms, showcasing his dynamic persona and passion for connecting with his audience.
Yung Bleu
Artist Summary: The remarkable talent of the artist name shines brightly in the world of art. With a unique and captivating style, artist name has captured the hearts of art enthusiasts around the globe. Their work reflects a deep passion for creativity and a profound understanding of the human experience. Each piece created by artist name tells a story, invoking emotions and sparking imagination in all who view it. From breathtaking paintings to thought-provoking sculptures, artist name’s portfolio is a testament to their unparalleled skill and artistic vision. Admirers of artist name’s work often find themselves drawn into a world of beauty and intrigue, where every stroke of the brush or chisel holds meaning and significance.
Read MoreRick Ross
Rick Ross, the Miami-based rap icon, rose to fame with his platinum hit ‘Hustlin” in 2006, establishing himself as a larger-than-life figure in the industry. His impressive discography includes hits like ‘The Boss’ and ‘Aston Martin Music.’ As the founder of Maybach Music, Ross has nurtured the careers of artists like Gunplay, Wale, and Meek Mill, while collaborating with DJ Khaled, Kanye West, and others in the music scene.
Born William Roberts in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Ross found his passion for rap in the mid-’90s, drawing inspiration from artists like the Notorious B.I.G. and Luther Campbell. His journey from the local scene to international stardom was marked by the success of albums like ‘Port of Miami’ and ‘God Forgives, I Don’t.’ Ross’ influence extended into the next decade with hits like ‘B.M.F.’ and ‘Aston Martin Music,’ solidifying his status as a rap heavyweight.
Petey Pablo
Moses Barrett III, widely recognized by his stage name Petey Pablo, is a prominent American rapper and record producer hailing from Greenville, North Carolina. One of his most notable achievements includes the success of his crunk hit single ‘Freek-a-Leek’ in 2003, which reached the impressive position of number seven on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart. This track was honored with platinum certification by the esteemed Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Before this, Petey Pablo inked a deal with Jive Records and dropped his single ‘Raise Up’ in 2001, featuring the renowned artist Timbaland. ‘Raise Up’ was a heartfelt ode to his hometown, Greenville, and managed to make its mark by peaking at number 25 on the music charts. Jive Records also facilitated the release of his initial two albums: ‘Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry’ in 2001, which received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the legendary 45th Annual Grammy Awards, and ‘Still Writing in My Diary: 2nd Entry’ in 2004, the latter achieving a commendable fourth position on the Billboard 200. Despite his early success, Petey Pablo’s subsequent music projects unfortunately did not garner similar commercial success.
Read MorePlies
Signed to Slip-N-Slide in 2004 after recording his first track, “Tell Dem Krackers Dat,” the Ft. Myers, Florida-based Plies built anticipation for his official debut album with a couple mixtape releases, along with an appearance on Trina’s “So Fresh.” He found some trouble when, during a performance at a Gainesville nightclub on July 2, 2006, an argument about set length escalated into gunfire. Two members of his entourage were convicted of attempted murder, while Plies and a third associate were charged with illegal possession of concealed weapons. Originally a featured MC on Akon’s “I Wanna Love You,” Plies was replaced by Snoop Dogg, quite possibly due to the altercation. His debut album, The Real Testament, which featured the single “Shawty,” was released in August 2007. The year 2008 saw the arrival of two new albums, with Definition of Real dropping in June and Da Realist following in December. A year later the December release of the single “Medicine,” featuring Keri Hilson, announced the coming of the rapper’s next LP, Goon Affiliated. Released by Atlantic in March 2010, Goon Affiliated topped Billboard’s rap chart and reached number five on the Top 200. Over the next several years, Plies delivered a steady stream of mixtapes, including You Need People Like Me, Pts. 1-2, I Fuck with the DJ, Aristotle, and Da Last Real Nigga Left, Pts. 1-2, all the while teasing singles from his long-expected fifth album, Purple Heart, which he first announced in 2011, but was still unreleased as of 2017. Meanwhile, the mixtapes kept coming, with 2015’s Ain’t No Mixtape BIH and its inevitable sequel, Ain’t No Mixtape BIH 2, later that year. Plies also continued to find success with singles like 2016’s “Ran Off on da Plug Twice,” “Rich N*gga Shit,” and “Racks Up to My Ear” with Young Dolph. Ain’t No Mixtape Bih 3 landed at the close of 2017. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi
Read MoreYelawolf
Yelawolf, born Michael Wayne Atha in Gadsden, Alabama, is an underground rapper known for his distinctive Southern style. He rose to major-label success in 2011 with the album Radioactive under Eminem‘s Shady label. Yelawolf’s music is characterized by multisyllabic flows and lyrics inspired by rural poverty and Southern Gothic themes. In 2019, he parted ways with Shady after the release of Trunk Muzik III, leading to a phase of prolific collaborations with artists like Riff Raff, Caskey, DJ Muggs, and Shooter Jennings for the album Sometimes Y.
Yelawolf’s journey in the music industry began with his independent debut album Creekwater in 2005, followed by a promotional single, ‘Kickin” in 2007 under Sony BMG. Despite disillusionment with major labels, Yelawolf regrouped in the underground scene, building his audience through MySpace and mixtapes. His alliance with artists like Eminem and Travis Barker led to the release of his official debut, Radioactive, in 2011. Subsequent collaborations with artists such as Kid Rock, Lil Jon, and Gangsta Boo further showcased his talent and versatility in music.
Over the years, Yelawolf continued to evolve artistically, collaborating with Travis Barker on EP Psycho White and embarking on tours with artists like Hopsin and DJ Paul. His album Love Story, released in 2015, marked a significant milestone in his career, featuring Eminem’s production and a special appearance on ‘Best Friend’. Yelawolf’s musical journey culminated in the release of projects like Trial by Fire and Trunk Muzik III, highlighting his growth and creativity. His diverse discography includes country-rock projects like Sometimes Y, reflecting his expansive artistry and commitment to pushing boundaries in music.
OHGEESY
Alejandro Coranza, known professionally as OHGEESY, has rapidly become a name to watch out for on the rap scene. The Los Angeles, California native began rapping when he was 18, and founded the group Shoreline Mafia in 2016 with several other rappers. The group quickly found success with their early releases and controversial music videos, and were signed to Atlantic Records in 2018. In 2020, the group announced that they would be splitting up in order to pursue solo careers.
OHGEESY has proven himself a force to be reckoned with both in the studio and out on the road. His OTX Tour with Shoreline Mafia in 2019 was completely sold out, and he has collaborated with the likes of contemporary hip hop greats such as Tyga, Future, Kodak Black, YG, and Lil Yachty. Shoreline Mafia’s debut album Mafia Bidness was released in 2020 and peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 Chart.
The OHGEESY brand extends to much more than just music: in 2017 he started his own line of OTXBOYZ branded merchandise, which can be found on his official merchandise website, GEEZY WORLD. The line offers selections for men, women, and toddlers, and includes standard clothing options as well as items such as exclusive skateboard decks, rolling trays, fake eyelashes, face masks, and posters.
After the split between Shoreline Mafia, OHGEESY began working on his next solo release, Geezy World Vol. 1, which can be expected mid-2021. In the meantime, he has already released a new solo single, “Bandemic (E.D.D.)”
Pras
A member of the seminal ’90s rap trio the Fugees, Pras’ solo career didn’t rise to the same heights as those of his colleagues, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill, in part because he concentrated more on acting than music. Of Haitian descent (like his cousin Wyclef), Pras was born Prakazrel Michel in New Jersey. Along with his high-school classmate Lauryn Hill, he co-founded the rap group Tranzlator Crew in 1987; cousin Wyclef, who’d been hanging out with Pras quite a bit since moving to the United States, joined a short time later. Eventually, the trio renamed itself the Fugees, after an expression for Haitian refugees, and signed with Ruffhouse Records in 1993. Their 1994 debut, Blunted on Reality, was aimed at the hardcore crowd, which didn’t really fit the group’s own sensibilities, but with their all-inclusive groundbreaking sophomore effort, The Score, the Fugees created one of the biggest-selling rap albums of all time, adored by critics and record buyers alike.
Pras was the last of the Fugees to release a solo album, although he did cut his first solo track in 1997, covering Eddy Grant’s ’80s smash ‘Electric Avenue’ for the soundtrack of the Chris Tucker flick Money Talks. In 1998, Pras contributed ‘Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)’ to the soundtrack of Warren Beatty’s Bulworth. With appearances from Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Mya, ‘Ghetto Supastar’ became a substantial hit, climbing to number three pop and number one R&B. Pras immediately rushed to put together his first solo album, solving the problem of coordinating guest appearances by inviting celebrities to leave him answering-machine messages. Ghetto Supastar the album didn’t fare nearly as well as the single, spending only two weeks in the Top 100 upon its release in late 1998. Undaunted, Pras turned some of the narratives from Ghetto Supastar songs into a novel — also naturally titled Ghetto Supastar — in early 1999. He also struck a deal with Madonna’s new film production company to turn Ghetto Supastar into a movie, starring himself.
First, though, Pras made his feature film debut in the 1999 Ben Stiller superhero comedy Mystery Men, playing a supporting villain. He then set to work on Ghetto Supastar the movie, whose title was eventually changed to Turn It Up (perhaps for variety’s sake). Turn It Up hit theaters in the summer of 2000 (two years after Pras’ initial hit single), and it too performed disappointingly. Still, Pras was slated to appear in the films Higher Ed and Full Contact, and began work on a new album in late 2000, which wasn’t released until August 2005. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi
Finesse2tymes
It took rapper Finesse2tymes just 90 days to remix his life after prison. The Memphis native not only repaired broken relationships, but he inked a deal with Mob Ties/Atlantic Records and recorded arguably some of the best music in his career. The culmination of that time is his upcoming project 90 Days.
Born and raised on the East Side of Memphis, most of Finesse’s young adulthood was surrounded by the walls of a prison cell. His first prison stint happened at 14 and he was in and out of prison until his most recent release. At 21, he started making music, forming a collective called Memphis Greatest Underrated with several local artists including Blac Youngsta and Moneybagg Yo. The crew released a self-titled EP in 2019 while Finesse was serving his final stint in prison as the group disbanded. While away, Finesse perfected his craft, writing rhymes and plotting his next moves to ensure this prison sentence will be his last. He found a way to keep track of the major players in the industry who followed his music. Among them was Mob Ties Founder and CEO J Prince Jr., son of legendary Rap-A-Lot kingpin J. Prince, who later signed him. At the top of July 2022, Finesse left prison and boarded a private jet bound for Houston.
Few can comprehend Finesse’s hustle, yet it’s a combination of age, experience, understanding, and healing. Finesse2Tymes is plotting the release of 90 Days, an autobiographical work that will run the gamut of his life and career.