Kwamé: Difference between revisions
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'''Kwamé Holland''' (born 28 March 1973) is an American [[rapping|rapper]] and [[record producer]] from [[Queens, New York]]. |
'''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. |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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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,<ref name="LarkinDM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1998|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0252-6|page=191}}</ref> which was unusual amongst emcees of the time. |
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,<ref name="LarkinDM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1998|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0252-6|page=191}}</ref> which was unusual amongst emcees of the time.<ref name="LarkinDM"/> 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|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|access-date=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|access-date=2009-07-10}}</ref> |
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In 1990, Kwamé released his second album ''A Day in the Life: a Pokadelick Adventure'', a [[concept album]]<ref name="LarkinDM"/> about a |
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 the hit singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue.",<ref name="mtv"/> the latter of which was part of the [[new jack swing]] genre. |
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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 |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 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 |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"/> |
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Revision as of 03:31, 11 October 2022
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 |
|
| Born | 28 March 1973 East Elmhurst, New York, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer
|
| Years active | 1988–1994, 2001–present |
| Labels | |
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,[1] which was unusual amongst emcees of 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 the hit singles "Oneovdabigboiz" and "Ownlee Eue.",[2] the latter of which was part of the new jack swing genre.
In 1992, aged 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 has produced for many artists, such as LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliott, and Christina Aguilera. In 2004, he was the co-producer (with Eminem) of Lloyd Banks' hit song "On Fire."[2] 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-songwriter Vivian Green and released Green's 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot R&B | US Hot Rap | |||
| 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 |
| "Oneovdabigboiz" | 40 | 3 | ||
| 1991 | "Hai Love" | 94 | 17 | |
| 1992 | "Nastee" | 68 | 16 | Nastee |
| "Can U Feel It" | — | — | ||
| 1994 | "? It Like" | — | 20 | Incognito |
References
- ^ a b c d 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. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ 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
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
- African-American male rappers
- American hip hop record producers
- Atlantic Records artists
- Cold Chillin' Records artists
- Five percenters
- Living people
- People from Queens, New York
- Rappers from New York City
- 1973 births
- 21st-century American rappers
- Record producers from New York (state)
- 21st-century American male musicians
- 21st-century African-American musicians
- 20th-century African-American people
- 20th-century African-American men
- 21st-century African-American men