Kwamé: Difference between revisions

Kwamé
Kwamé
	Holland at a panel on hip hop and comics at the 2014 New York Comic Con
Background information
Birth name	Kwamé
Also known as	K-1 Million; K1 Mil;
Born	28 March 1973 (age 51); East Elmhurst, New York, United States
Genres	Hip hop; R&B; pop;
Occupation(s)	Rapper; singer; songwriter; record producer;
Years active	1987–1995, 2001–present
Labels	Wrap; Atlantic;

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Revision as of 12:38, 28 October 2023

Kwamé Holland (born 28 March 1973) is an American rapper and record producer from Queens, New York. Starting as a rapper in the late 1980s, he later saw success as a producer.

Biography

In 1989, aged 16, Kwamé released his debut album, Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning, which he produced with Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor. The title refers to his backing band, which was unusual for emcees at the time.^[1] The music videos featured a polka-dot motif in the costumes and production design. This became Kwamé's trademark and a hip hop fashion fad, as his fans began wearing it.^[2]^[3] In 1990, Kwamé released his second album A Day in the Life: a Pokadelick Adventure, a concept album^[1] about a day in the life of a high school student. The album spawned singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue.",^[2] the latter of which was part of the new jack swing genre.

In 1992, at the age 18, he released his third album, Nastee.^[4] This album was a departure for him, discarding the polka-dots and writing more sexually charged lyrics, in contrast to his previously playful, intellectual persona.^[1] The title track was a minor hit, but the album quickly fell from the chart.^[5] His fourth album, 1994's Incognito, failed to chart.^[2]^[5]

In 2000, Kwamé reemerged as a record producer, sometimes working under the name K-1 Million. He produced for artists such as LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera. In 2004, he co-produced (with Eminem) Lloyd Banks' hit song "On Fire."^[2] The single has been certified Gold by the RIAA. In 2005, he co-wrote and co-produced Tweet's single "Turn da Lights Off and Will Smith's single "Switch".^[2] As a producer, Kwamé has sold over 30 million records.

In 2012, Kwamé teamed up with Vin Diesel to help score his web series The Ropes. He also formed the boutique label Make Noise, and released an instrumental album, Break Beat Diaries.

Kwamé has also written scores and music for film and TV, including Drumline, Step Up 1 & 2, Freedom Writers, Coach Carter, and Fantastic Four and recently produced Vivian Green's fifth album Vivid. He has joined the hip hop group the Alumni, alongside Chubb Rock, Dana Dane, Special Ed, and Monie Love.

In 2015, Kwamé formed Make Noise Recordings. Distributed by Caroline / Capitol records, Kwamé signed R&B singer Vivian Green and released her fifth album, Vivid. Also garnered a top 2 R&B hit "Get Right Back To My Baby" & top 15 R&B Hit "Grown Folks Music (Work)" .

In 2016, TV One aired an episode of Unsung featuring Kwamé, in which he scored all the music for his episode.

In 2017, Make Noise released Vivian Green's sixth album VGVI reaching No. 38 on the Billboard R&B albums chart. The single "I Don't Know" reached the top 10 on the Billboard adult R&B chart. In 2018, Make Noise released "Vibes", the second single from VGVI. This reached No. 12 on the Adult R&B chart.

Personal life

Kwamé is a cousin of Vin Diesel, who danced in some of his early music videos.^[6]

Discography (as artist)

Albums

Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning (1989)
A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure (1990)
Nastee (1992)
Incognito (1994, Ichiban Records)
Break Beat Diaries (Instrumental Album) (2012, MAKE NOISE Recordings)

Singles

Year	Title	Chart positions		Album
Year	Title	US Hot R&B	US Hot Rap	Album
1989	"The Man We All Know and Love"	33	2	Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring A New Beginning
	"The Rhythm"	—	7
	"Sweet Thang"	—	20
1990	"Ownleeeue"	33	3	A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure
1990	"Oneovdabigboiz"	40	3
1991	"Hai Love"	94	17
1992	"Nastee"	68	16	Nastee
1992	"Can U Feel It"	—	—	Nastee
1994	"? It Like"	—	20	Incognito

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 191. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Hall, Rashaun (2004-10-07). "Lloyd Banks, Eminem Help Kwame Set The Polka Dots 'On Fire'". MTV.com. Archived from the original on 2005-02-05. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
^ The Fly Guy (2007-07-20). "Express Yourself: The Genius Of Kwamé". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
^ "Nastee - Kwamé & A New Beginning". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
^ ^a ^b Paine (2004-07-07). "Kwame: Nobody's Laughing". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2008-05-05.
^ "In Tha Background: Kwame - Once dissed by Biggie... But Now?". HipHopDX.com. 2002-09-06. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012.

External links

Media related to Kwame Holland at Wikimedia Commons

[LarkinDM-1] Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 191. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.

[mtv-2] Hall, Rashaun (2004-10-07). "Lloyd Banks, Eminem Help Kwame Set The Polka Dots 'On Fire'". MTV.com. Archived from the original on 2005-02-05. Retrieved 2023-09-24.

[express-3] The Fly Guy (2007-07-20). "Express Yourself: The Genius Of Kwamé". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2009-07-10.

[4] "Nastee - Kwamé & A New Beginning". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 October 2018.

[nobody-5] Paine (2004-07-07). "Kwame: Nobody's Laughing". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2008-05-05.

[HipHopDX-6] "In Tha Background: Kwame - Once dissed by Biggie... But Now?". HipHopDX.com. 2002-09-06. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|American rapper}}
 {{For|Australian rapper|Kwame (Australian rapper)}}
 {{Other uses|Kwame (disambiguation)}}
-{{BLP sources|date=October 2014}}
 {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
 | name                = Kwamé
-| Img                 = 10.12.14KwameHollandByLuigiNovi1.jpg
+| image                 = 10.12.14KwameHollandByLuigiNovi1.jpg
 | caption             = Holland at a panel on hip hop and comics at the 2014 [[New York Comic Con]]
 | background          = solo_singer
-| birth_name          = Kwamé Holland
+| birth_name          = Kwamé
-| origin              = [[East Elmhurst, Queens]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S
+| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1973|3|28}}
-| birth_date          = 3/28/1973
+| alias               = {{hlist|K-1 Million|K1 Mil}}
-| alias               = {{hlist|K-1 Million| K1 Mil}}
+| genre               = {{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]|[[Pop Music|pop]]}}
+| occupation          = {{flatlist|
-| genre               = {{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]|[[R&B]]| [[Pop Music|pop]]}}
+* Rapper
-| occupation          = {{flatlist|Record producer|songwriter|rapper}}
+* singer
-| years_active        = 1988–1994, 2001–present
+* songwriter
+* record producer
+}}
+| years_active        = 1987–1995, 2001–present
+| birth_place         = [[East Elmhurst]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[United States]]
 | label               = {{hlist|[[Ichiban Records|Wrap]]|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]}}
 | associated_acts     = {{flatlist|
-*The Invincibles
+* The Invincibles
-*A New Beginning
+* A New Beginning
-*[[Kid 'n Play]]
+* [[Kid 'n Play]]
-*[[Skillz]]
+* [[Skillz (rapper)|Skillz]]
-*[[Sweet Tee]]}}
+* [[Sweet Tee]]
+}}
 | website            =
 }}
-'''Kwamé Holland''' (born 1973) is an American [[rapping|rapper]] and [[record producer]] from [[Queens, New York]]. Originally starting out as a rapper in the late 1980's, Holland later sought greater success with behind the scenes work as a producer.
+'''Kwamé Holland''' (born 28 March 1973) is an American [[rapping|rapper]] and [[record producer]] from [[Queens, New York]]. Starting as a rapper in the late 1980s, he later saw success as a producer.
 ==Biography==
-In 1989, aged 16, Kwamé released his debut album, ''[[Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning]]'', which he also produced with the aid of [[Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor]]. The 'A New Beginning' of the title refers to his backing band, which was unusual amongst emcees of the time. The album spawned the singles "The Man We All Know and Love" and "The Rhythm." The accompanying [[music videos]] featured a [[polka-dot]] [[Motif (art)|motif]] in the costumes and [[production design]]. This was to become Kwamé's [[trademark]] and a [[hip hop fashion]] trend, as fans of his began wearing polka-dotted clothing.<ref name="mtv">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1492009/20041007/story.jhtml|title=Lloyd Banks, Eminem Help Kwame Set The Polka Dots 'On Fire'|author=Hall, Rashaun|publisher=[[MTV.com]]|date=2004-10-07|accessdate=2009-07-10}}</ref><ref name="express">{{cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/lifestylefashion/archive/2007/07/20/18293163.aspx|title=Express Yourself: The Genius Of Kwamé|author=The Fly Guy|publisher=[[AllHipHop]]|date=2007-07-20|accessdate=2009-07-10}}</ref>
+In 1989, aged 16, Kwamé released his debut album, ''[[Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning]]'', which he produced with [[Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor]]. The title refers to his backing band, which was unusual for emcees at the time.<ref name="LarkinDM">{{cite book |title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music]] |date=1998 |publisher=[[Virgin Books]] |isbn=0-7535-0252-6 |editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]] |edition=First |page=191}}</ref> The [[music videos]] featured a [[polka-dot]] [[Motif (art)|motif]] in the costumes and [[production design]]. This became Kwamé's [[trademark]] and a [[hip hop fashion]] fad, as his fans began wearing it.<ref name="mtv">{{cite web |author=Hall |first=Rashaun |date=2004-10-07 |title=Lloyd Banks, Eminem Help Kwame Set The Polka Dots 'On Fire' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1492009/20041007/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205145029/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1492009/20041007/story.jhtml |archive-date=2005-02-05 |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=[[MTV.com]]}}</ref><ref name="express">{{cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/uncategorized/express-yourself-the-genius-of-kwam/|title=Express Yourself: The Genius Of Kwamé|author=The Fly Guy|publisher=[[AllHipHop]]|date=2007-07-20|access-date=2009-07-10}}</ref> In 1990, Kwamé released his second album ''A Day in the Life: a Pokadelick Adventure'', a [[concept album]]<ref name="LarkinDM"/> about a day in the life of a high school student. The album spawned singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue.",<ref name="mtv"/> the latter of which was part of the [[new jack swing]] genre.
-In 1990, Kwamé released his second album ''A Day in the Life: a Pokadelick Adventure'', a [[concept album]] about a [[Day in the life (genre)|day in the life of]] a [[high school]] student. The album spawned the hit singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue.",<ref name="mtv"/> the latter of which was a contribution to the [[new jack swing]] genre.
-In 1992, aged 18, he released his third album, ''Nastee''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nastee - Kwamé & A New Beginning |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/nastee-mw0000611925 |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=27 October 2018}}</ref> This album marked a departure for him, discarding the polka-dots and writing more sexually charged lyrics, in contrast to his previously playful, [[intellectual]] persona. The title track was a minor hit but the album quickly fell from the charts.<ref name="nobody">{{cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2004/07/07/18133024.aspx|title=Kwame: Nobody’s Laughing|author=Paine|publisher=[[AllHipHop.com]]|date=2004-07-07|accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> His fourth album, 1994's ''Incognito'' failed to chart.<ref name="mtv"/><ref name="nobody"/>
+In 1992, at the age 18, he released his third album, ''Nastee''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nastee - Kwamé & A New Beginning |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/nastee-mw0000611925 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=27 October 2018}}</ref> This album was a departure for him, discarding the polka-dots and writing more sexually charged lyrics, in contrast to his previously playful, [[intellectual]] persona.<ref name="LarkinDM"/> The title track was a minor hit, but the album quickly fell from the chart.<ref name="nobody">{{cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2004/07/07/18133024.aspx|title=Kwame: Nobody's Laughing|author=Paine|publisher=[[AllHipHop.com]]|date=2004-07-07|access-date=2008-05-05}}</ref> His fourth album, 1994's ''Incognito'', failed to chart.<ref name="mtv"/><ref name="nobody"/>
-In 2000, Kwamé reemerged as a [[music producer]], sometimes working under the name K-1 Million. He has produced for many artists, such as [[LL Cool J]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Keyshia Cole]], [[Missy Elliott]], and [[Christina Aguilera]]. In 2004, he had a major success as the co-producer (with [[Eminem]]) of [[Lloyd Banks]]' smash hit song "[[On Fire (Lloyd Banks song)|On Fire]]."<ref name="mtv"/> In 2005, he had more success with co-writing and co-producing [[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]]'s single "[[Turn da Lights Off]] and [[Will Smith]]'s single "[[Switch (Will Smith song)|Switch]]".<ref name="mtv"/> As a producer, Kwamé has sold over 30 million records.
+In 2000, Kwamé reemerged as a [[record producer]], sometimes working under the name K-1 Million. He produced for artists such as [[LL Cool J]], [[Mary J. Blige]], [[Keyshia Cole]], [[Missy Elliott]], and [[Christina Aguilera]]. In 2004, he co-produced (with [[Eminem]]) [[Lloyd Banks]]' hit song "[[On Fire (Lloyd Banks song)|On Fire]]."<ref name="mtv"/> The single has been certified Gold by the RIAA. In 2005, he co-wrote and co-produced [[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]]'s single "[[Turn da Lights Off]] and [[Will Smith]]'s single "[[Switch (Will Smith song)|Switch]]".<ref name="mtv"/> As a producer, Kwamé has sold over 30 million records.
-In 2012, Kwamé teamed up with [[Vin Diesel]] to help score his web series ''The Ropes''. He also formed the boutique label Make Noise, with signees including Beyond Belief, and released an instrumental album, ''Break Beat Diaries''.
+In 2012, Kwamé teamed up with [[Vin Diesel]] to help score his web series ''The Ropes''. He also formed the boutique label Make Noise, and released an instrumental album, ''Break Beat Diaries''.
-Kwamé has also written scores and original music for film and TV., including ''[[Drumline (film)|Drumline]]'', ''Step Up 1 & 2'', ''Stomp the Yard'', ''Freedom Writers'', ''The Comebacks'', ''Coach Carter'', and ''Fantastic Four'' and recently produced [[Vivian Green]]'s fifth album ''Vivid''. He has also joined the hip hop group the Alumni, alongside [[Chubb Rock]], [[Dana Dane]], [[Special Ed]], and [[Monie Love]].
+Kwamé has also written scores and music for film and TV, including ''[[Drumline (film)|Drumline]]'', ''Step Up 1 & 2'', ''Freedom Writers'', ''Coach Carter'', and ''Fantastic Four'' and recently produced [[Vivian Green]]'s fifth album ''Vivid''. He has joined the hip hop group the Alumni, alongside [[Chubb Rock]], [[Dana Dane]], [[Special Ed]], and [[Monie Love]].
-In 2015, Kwamé formed Make Noise Recordings. Distributed by Caroline / Capitol records, Kwamé signed R&B singer-songwriter [[Vivian Green]]. Make Noise released Vivian's 5th album [[Vivid (Vivian Green album)|Vivid]] produced entirely by Kwamé. Also garnered a top 2 R&B hit "Get Right Back To My Baby" & top 15 R&B Hit "Grown Folks Music (Work)" .
+In 2015, Kwamé formed Make Noise Recordings. Distributed by Caroline / Capitol records, Kwamé signed R&B singer [[Vivian Green]] and released her fifth album, ''[[Vivid (Vivian Green album)|Vivid]]''. Also garnered a top 2 R&B hit "Get Right Back To My Baby" & top 15 R&B Hit "Grown Folks Music (Work)" .
-In 2016 [[TV One (U.S. TV network)|TV One]] aired an episode of [[Unsung (TV series)|Unsung]] featuring Kwamé and unlike any other artist in the shows history, Kwamé scored all the music for his episode.
+In 2016, [[TV One (U.S. TV network)|TV One]] aired an episode of ''[[Unsung (TV series)|Unsung]]'' featuring Kwamé, in which he scored all the music for his episode.
-In 2017 Make Noise released [[Vivian Green]]'s 6th Album ''[[VGVI]]'' reaching 38 on Billboards R&B albums chart . The single [[I don't Know]] reached top 10 on Billboards adult R&B chart.
+In 2017, Make Noise released [[Vivian Green]]'s sixth album ''VGVI'' reaching No. 38 on the ''Billboard'' R&B albums chart. The single "I Don't Know" reached the top 10 on the ''Billboard'' adult R&B chart. In 2018, Make Noise released "[[Vibes (Vivian Green song)|Vibes]]", the second single from ''VGVI''. This reached No. 12 on the Adult R&B chart.
-In 2018, Make Noise released "[[Vibes (Vivian Green song)|Vibes]]", the second single from ''VGVI''. This reached #12 on Billboards Adult R&B charts
 ==Personal life==
-Kwamé is a cousin of [[Vin Diesel]], who danced in some of his early music videos.<ref name="HipHopDX">{{cite news|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.149/title.in-tha-background-kwame--once-dissed-by-biggie-but-now| title=In Tha Background: Kwame - Once dissed by Biggie... But Now?|publisher=HipHopDX.com|date=2002-09-06|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614025557/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.149/title.in-tha-background-kwame--once-dissed-by-biggie-but-now|archivedate=June 14, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
+Kwamé is a cousin of [[Vin Diesel]], who danced in some of his early music videos.<ref name="HipHopDX">{{cite news|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.149/title.in-tha-background-kwame--once-dissed-by-biggie-but-now| title=In Tha Background: Kwame - Once dissed by Biggie... But Now?|publisher=HipHopDX.com|date=2002-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614025557/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.149/title.in-tha-background-kwame--once-dissed-by-biggie-but-now|archive-date=June 14, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 ==Discography (as artist)==
 ===Albums===
-*''[[Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning|Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring a New Beginning]]'' (1989)
+*''[[Kwamé the Boy Genius: Featuring a New Beginning]]'' (1989)
 *''A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure'' (1990)
 *''Nastee'' (1992)
@@ Line 68: / Line 70: @@
 !width="40"|<small>US [[Hot Rap Tracks|Hot Rap]]</small>
 |-
-| rowspan="4"|1989
+|rowspan="3"|1989
 | "The Man We All Know and Love"
 | align="center" | 33
 | align="center" | 2
-|rowspan="4"|''Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring A New Beginning''
+|rowspan="3"|''Kwamé the Boy Genius featuring A New Beginning''
 |-
 | "The Rhythm"
@@ Line 82: / Line 84: @@
 | align="center" | 20
 |-
-| rowspan="2"|1990
+|rowspan="2"|1990
 | "Ownleeeue"
 | align="center" | 33
 | align="center" | 3
-| rowspan="2"|''A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure''
+|rowspan="3"|''A Day in the Life: A Pokadelick Adventure''
 |-
 | "Oneovdabigboiz"
@@ Line 92: / Line 94: @@
 | align="center" | 3
 |-
-|rowspan=“1”|1991
+|rowspan="1"|1991
 | "Hai Love"
 | align="center" | 94
@@ Line 101: / Line 103: @@
 | align="center" | 68
 | align="center" | 16
+| rowspan="2"|''Nastee''
 |-
 | "Can U Feel It"
@@ Line 124: / Line 127: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Kwame}}
 [[Category:African-American male rappers]]
+[[Category:American male rappers]]
 [[Category:American hip hop record producers]]
 [[Category:Atlantic Records artists]]
@@ Line 129: / Line 133: @@
 [[Category:Five percenters]]
 [[Category:Living people]]
-[[Category:People from Queens, New York]]
+[[Category:Rappers from Queens, New York]]
-[[Category:Rappers from New York City]]
 [[Category:1973 births]]
 [[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
 [[Category:Record producers from New York (state)]]
 [[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
+[[Category:21st-century African-American musicians]]
+[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]