# MediaItems

Name: Casual
SortName: Casual
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Name: Big Pun
SortName: Big Pun
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Overview:
Christopher Lee Rios (November 10, 1971 – February 7, 2000), better known by his stage name Big Pun (short for Big Punisher), was a Puerto-Rican American rapper who emerged from the underground rap scene in The Bronx in the late 1990s. He first appeared on albums from The Beatnuts, on the track "Off the Books" in 1997, and on Fat Joe's second album Jealous One's Envy in 1995, on the track "Watch Out", prior to signing to Loud Records as a solo artist. Pun's lyrics are notable for technical efficiency, having minimal pauses to take a breath, heavy use of alliteration as well as internal and multi-syllabic rhyming schemes. He died from a heart attack at age 28.

About.com ranked him #25 on its list of the 50 Greatest MCs of Our Time (1987–2007), while MTV2 ranked him #11 on its list of the "22 Greatest MCs." In 2012, The Source ranked him #19 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. An article from The Rolling Stones Magazine states, "Pun embodied all of the traits of a master wordsmith: melody, a unique flow, an unforgettable voice, humor, and lyrics that made other MCs go back to their black and white composition notebooks."

Images:
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Name: Tony Touch
SortName: Tony Touch
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Overview:
Tony Touch began as a B-boy during the rap music renaissance era of the early 1980s. Heavily influenced by pioneers like Crazy Legs and the Rock Steady Crew, Grandmaster Flash, Red Alert, Little Louie Vega and Jam Master Jay, he quickly shifted his interests towards the turntables. Tony is known for his mixtapes the 50 Mcs parts 1, 2 and 3. The mixtape's have featured guest appearances from Eminem, KRS-One, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Wyclef, M.O.P, Big L, Mos Def and many more.

Tony Toca evolved his mixtapes to album's. In 2000, Tony released his debut album The Piece Maker on Tommy Boy Records. This album sold 400,000 units worldwide and featured guest appearances from Big Pun, Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes, Eminem. Gang Starr and much more. In 2000 the single “I Wonder Why” featuring Total was released and the music video featured cameos from John Leguizamo, Rock Steady Crew, Grand Master Flash,The Awesome 2, Marley Marl, DJ Premier and more. Since then Tony Touch has released The Piece Maker 2 which featured guest appearances from P. Diddy, Fat Joe, Sean Paul, Snoop Dogg and legendary Ruben Blades. Tony Touch is also known to represent the urban Latino community with his Spanglish lyrics and Salsa roots. It was the result of him growing up with Salsa at home and Hip- Hop influence in his lifestyle. In 2005 Tony signed to EMI records releasing a Reggaeton album, ReggaeTony. The lead single “Play That Song,” featured Nina Sky and B-real of Cypress Hill. The CD included collaborations with artists such as Tego Calderon, Zion and Lenox, Pitbull, Ivy Queen, NORE, Voltio, Mexicano, Thirston Howl III and Soni. The album went gold and with that success, EMI moved quickly to release ReggaeTony 2. This CD featured Lumidee, Plan B, Joell Ortiz, Tru Life, Don Chezina, the Beatnuts and others. To this date Tony has sold over a million records worldwide.

On July 16, 2013, his sixth album The Piece Maker 3: Return of the 50 MC's was released and featured guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Reek da Villain, Roc Marciano, Lil Fame, Too Short, Xzibit, Kurupt, B-Real, Papoose, Uncle Murda, Black Thought, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Eminem, Twista, Bun B, Action Bronson, Prodigy, Joell Ortiz, Royce da 5'9", Krs-One, Crooked I, Redman, Method Man, N.O.R.E. and Erick Sermon among others.

Images:
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Name: Freddie Foxxx
SortName: Freddie Foxxx
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Name: The High & Mighty
SortName: High & Mighty
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Overview:
The High & Mighty are an underground rap duo from Philadelphia consisting of rapper Mr. Eon (“The High”, b. Eric Meltzer) and DJ Mighty Mi (“The Mighty”, b. Milo Berger). Their commercial debut was in 1999 on the underground rap label Rawkus with their album, Home Field Advantage, featuring rappers such as Mos Def, Kool Keith, What?What? (aka Jean Grae), Pharoahe Monch, Evidence of Dilated Peoples, Defari and Eminem. They later left Rawkus, distributing the records issued by their own record company Eastern Conference Records via Landspeed Records. They also established a group called Smut Peddlers with Cage and published an album called Porn Again.

The High and Mighty have a penchant for subjects that break the usual hip hop stereotypes. The titles of their albums and the name of their record label are both references to one of their favourite musical subjects, American professional team sports. Home Field Advantage, for example, features numerous sporting references, including the track Friendly Game of Football and mentions of the ‘69 New York Mets, Cris Carter and Jason Sehorn, among others. Another recurring source of lyrical fodder is the Star Wars film series, with Home Field Advantage including lines about Jedi Master Mace Windu, the bounty hunter Greedo, Anakin Skywalker and the shiny droid C-3PO. Also, one of the main background substances throughout album lyrics was THC and consumption of marijuana in various forms. The group sometimes touched on more or less political issues such as economy and music industry.

Images:
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Name: Adele
SortName: Adele
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Overview:
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (5. Mai 1988 in London), besser bekannt als Adele, ist eine britische Pop-, Soul-, Jazz- und R&B-Sängerin und Songwriterin sowie Oscar-, Golden Globe und neunfache Grammy-Gewinnerin. 2011 gelang ihr mit dem Album "21" der internationale Durchbruch. Sie verkaufte rund 50 Millionen Tonträger (Stand 2012).

Adele wuchs als Einzelkind bei ihrer Mutter in Tottenham auf. Ihr Vater verließ die Familie, als sie drei Jahre alt war. Seit Herbst 2011 ist sie mit dem 14 Jahre älteren Simon Konecki liiert, ein wohlhabender Geschäftsmann aus London, der bereits ein Kind aus erster Ehe hat. Im Januar 2012 gaben die beiden ihre Verlobung bekannt. Am 19. Oktober 2012 wurde der erste Sohn des Paars geboren.

Images:
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Name: War Angel LP
SortName: War Angel LP
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Name: The Stargazing Soundtrack
SortName: Stargazing Soundtrack
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Name: Andre 3000
SortName: Andre 3000
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Overview:
André Lauren Benjamin (born May 27, 1975), better known by his stage name André 3000 (formerly known as Dré), is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, best known for being part of hip-hop duo OutKast alongside fellow rapper Big Boi. As an actor, Benjamin has made appearances in a number of TV series and films, including Families, The Shield, Be Cool, Revolver, Semi-Pro, and Four Brothers. In addition to music and acting, Benjamin has also been an active entrepreneur. In the spring of 2008, he launched a clothing line called Benjamin Bixby. He has also been an advocate for animal rights. He is also known for his work on the Cartoon Network animated series Class of 3000.

Images:
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Name: Heisse Ware
SortName: Heisse Ware
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Name: Glasses Malone
SortName: Glasses Malone
PresentationUniqueKey: 85f0e2ef8d79442a9451791532c02799
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=479893|MusicBrainzArtist=93fae984-0b8a-45cc-8558-0f4e130249a5|AudioDbArtist=115008
Overview:
Charles Phillipivory Penniman (born December 10, 1978), better known by his stage name Glasses Malone, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California. Glasses Malone grew up in the Watts and Compton neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. His mother served a 25-year sentence in prison for selling narcotics, and Malone was a Crip gang member as a teenager. Traditionally associated with The Black Wall Street Records despite the fact that most the artists on the record label were affiliated with the Bloods, Malone signed with the record label, but later signed with Cash Money Records in 2011, turning down offers from many labels like Def Jam Records, Interscope Records, J Records and Atlantic Records. Glasses Malone was found by the same record executive that found The Game. Along with his signing, he was also given his own imprint, Blu Division. G. Malone debuted with mixtapes The Crack Mixtape (2003) and White Lightnin...Sticks (2005). White Lightnin...Sticks sold 50,000 copies and included the popular street single "Two Hunned".
Glasses Malone appeared in the music video for Tha Dogg Pound's single "Cali Iz Active' and also makes a cameo appearance in the Tech N9ne video "Like Yeah". He also appeared on the soundtrack to Madden 2007 with a song called "Right Now" which was produced by Scott Storch. On August 4, 2006 Glasses Malone appeared on MTV's You Hear It First.
Malone's first album, Beach Cruiser, was originally scheduled to come out on February 20, 2007. However, due to a change in record labels, Malone signed a new deal with Cash Money Records and Hoo-Bangin' Records and his album release scheduled tentatively for April 2008. Two singles from the album debuted in 2008: "Certified" featuring Akon and "Haterz" featuring Birdman and Lil Wayne. His album will now be release on Aug. 29th 2011. although it was leaked on the internet on Aug. 24. In his album G. Malone dedicated a song to American rapper T.I. called Call Me T.I. .
In late 2009, Malone accompanied Tech N9ne and hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse on the K.O.D Tour. Malone was featured on former Cash Money R&B singer TQ's 7th studio album Kind of Blue in 2010. Glasses Malone is also found in a specific version of Twiztid's 2012 album Abominationz.
He appeared on Big B new album Good Times & Bad Advice in a song titled "Live Your Life" http://www.myspace.com/hooliganbigb
He is currently touring with Tech N9ne, and E-40.

Images:
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Name: Kid Cudi
SortName: Kid Cudi
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Overview:
Im Jahr 2008 sind die Hosen mancher Rapper so eng geworden, dass man sogar als astreiner Hip Hopper den Indie-Traum leben kann. Alles was es braucht, ist ein hippes Habitat wie Brooklyn, dezidierte Inspirationsquellen wie Talking Heads oder Pink Floyd statt Scarface oder Biggie, zudem eine Stoner-Hymne wie "Day'n'Nite", die dank Crossover-Appeal neben klassischen Hip Hop-Heads auch Hipster der neuen Leggins-Generation begeistert.

Geschafft hat das der 1984 in Shaker Heights in Ohio geborene Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi. Unter seinem Künstlernamen KiD CuDi zeichnet er zwar nicht alleine für das hip in Hip Hop verantwortlich, aber die Trend-Blogs zwischen Tokyo und L.A. 
versetzt er in kollektiven Freudentaumel.

Im Klüngelkreis des Hipster Raps sorgt KiD CuDi neben The Cool Kids, Wale, The Knux und Mickey Factz für neue, meist elektronisch angehauchte Einflüsse und somit begeisterte Worte bei der Szene-Journaille zwischen URB und Fader.

Den Grundstein für die Karriere legt der Umzug von Ohio nach Brooklyn. Im kreativen Umfeld des New Yorker Stadtteils folgt CuDi seinen musikalischen Vorstellungen und lernt dort die DJs A-Trak und Nick Catchdubs kennen. Die beiden sind nicht nur in der Schnittmengenwelt von Electro und Hip Hop vernetzt. Gemeinsam touren sie sowohl mit Clipse und Ghostface Killah als auch mit M.I.A., Spank Rock, Diplo und Hollertronix durch Amerika. Sie haben zudem gerade ihr eigenes Label Fool's Gold gestartet.

Kurzerhand nehmen sie KiD CuDi in das Team auf und führen ihn in eine Szene ein, die sowohl von Lil Wayne und Young Jeezy als auch von Steve Aoki und Daft Punk nicht genug bekommen kann. Da passt es ja, dass A-Trak als offizieller Tour-DJ von Kanye West unterwegs ist. Kanye überzeugt zu diesem Zeitpunkt die breite Masse davon, dass man durchaus Hip Hop sein kann, auch wenn man Daft Punk samplet.

So zeigt sich der Star auch CuDis per freiem Download verfügbarem Mixtape "A Kid Named Cudi" schwer begeistert. Im Februar 2008 veröffentlicht Fool's Gold zwar noch die "Day'n'Nite EP", doch gleich darauf stibitzt Kanye CuDi und verpflichtet ihn für sein eigenes Label GOOD Music.

Ein weiser Schachzug: Der Track "Day'n'Nite" geht im Crookers-Remix durch die Decke, Kanye holt sich CuDis Hilfe für sein eklektisches Gesangsprojekt "808's & Heartbreaks", sowohl die Modelabels der Stunde, als auch diverse Magazine konkurrieren um Fototermine mit dem Rapper aus Ohio.

CuDi sichert sich den Titeltrack für den anstehenden "Transformers"-Blockbuster "Revenge Of The Fallen". Dazwischen tütet er noch irgendwie einen Deal über eine tragende Rolle in einer neuen HBO-TV-Serie ein.

Unterdessen tauchen etliche "Day'n'Nite"-Remixes, etwa von Jermaine Dupri, Jim Jones, Trey Songz und Pitbull, auf. Die Szene ist ohne Frage bereit für das Solo-Debüt des musikalisch aufgeschlossenen Jungspunds.

Mit Unterstützung von Ratatat, MGMT, Kanye West, Emile und den befreundeten Produzenten Dot Da Genius und Jomix XXIV erscheint "Man On The Moon: The End Of Day" im Sommer 2009. Dass es auch im Doppelpaket funktioniert, beweist das Kollaborationsalbum "The Almighty Gloryus" mit dem Cleveland-Rapper Chip Tha Ripper.

Viel Zeit lässt sich CuDi allerdings nicht, um bei seinem Solo-Projekt nachzulegen. Das zweite Album "Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager" erscheint ein gutes Jahr nach dem Vorgänger. Inspiriert vom Track "Maniac" dreht Shia LaBoef dazu sogar einen Kurzfilm.

Doch da sind Mescudis Gedanken wohl längst woanders: Gemeinsam mit seinem Produzenten Dot Da Genius zieht er das Alternative-Projekt WZRD auf. Nebenbei widmet er sich schon seinem dritten Album und ist auf Kollaborationen wie Travis Barkers "Give The Drummer Some" zu hören, Ehrensache.

Als die WZRD-Platte im Frühjahr 2012 erscheint, steht schon wieder das nächste Engagement im Raum: CuDi steuert ein Stück zum Soundtrack des Blockbusters "The Hunger Games" bei. 

Wer glaubt dem Amerikaner da noch, dass er während der Arbeit mit WZRD über fünf Monate mit einer Schreibblockade zu kämpfen hatte? Ein Grund dafür mag der Sorgerechts-Streit sein, den der New Yorker mit der Mutter seiner 2010 geborenen Tochter führt. Am Ende einigen sich die zerstrittenen Ex-Partner freundschaftlich.

So kündigt der Rapper getrost im Sommer desselben Jahres großspurig den Titel seines dritten Solowerks an: "Indicud". Nach einem gefeierten Auftritt beim South-By-Southwest-Festival 2013 in Austin steht das gute Stück dann in den Plattenläden, inzwischen veröffentlicht vom eigenen Label Wicked Awesome Records, einem Sublabel von Universal.

Images:
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Name: Raekwon
SortName: Raekwon
PresentationUniqueKey: 5e569f1a942348ed8ae35622df8dd335
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Overview:
Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded numerous solo albums, as well as continuing to work with Wu-Tang and providing an extensive number of guest contributions to other hip hop artist's works. He is the founder of his own label ICEH20 Records.

Raekwon is often cited as one of the pioneers of the Mafioso rap sub-genre.In 2007, the editors of About.com placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007). The Miami New Times described Raekwon's music as being "street epics" that are "straightforward yet linguistically rich universes not unlike a gangsta Iliad."

Images:
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Name: Kardinal Offishall
SortName: Kardinal Offishall
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Overview:
Kardinal Offishall (* 11. Mai 1976 in Toronto (Scarborough), Ontario; richtiger Name Jason Harrow) ist ein kanadischer Rapper.

Jason Harrow, dessen Eltern aus Jamaica nach Kanada eingewandert waren, wuchs in der Großstadt Toronto auf und begann bereits im Kindesalter mit dem Rappen. Mit 12 gewann er erste Wettbewerbe. Das „Kardinal“ in seinem Namen wählte er in Anspielung auf den französischen Kardinal Richelieu.

Mit 20 Jahren veröffentlichte er seine erste Single Naughty Dread, die ihm eine Nominierung für den kanadischen Juno Award in der Kategorie Rap einbrachte. Im Jahr darauf war er bei dem Hit Northern Touch der Rascalz vertreten, der eine große Bedeutung für den kanadischen Hip-Hop hatte.

2001 erschien das Album Quest for Fire: Firestarter, Vol. 1, das ihm den Durchbruch in seiner Heimat brachte. Es wurde mit Gold ausgezeichnet und brachte mehrere erfolgreiche Singles hervor. Auch grenzübergreifend konnte er sich mit dem Album und der Single BaKardi Slang in den US-amerikanischen Hip-Hop-Charts platzieren. Heute gehört Kardinal Offishall zu den populärsten Hip-Hop-Musikern Kanadas.

2003 hatte Jason Harrow seinen ersten Erfolg außerhalb von Nordamerika, als er auf der Single Carnival Girl der schottischen Band Texas rappte und europaweit bekannt wurde. 2008 intensivierte er dann seine internationale Karriere und begann seine Zusammenarbeit mit internationalen Musikern wie Shawnna, Tyree, T-Pain, Estelle und Akon. Mit Unterstützung von Letzterem gelang ihm 2008 auch sein erster eigener internationaler Erfolg mit dem Titel Dangerous, der in Europa und den USA in die Charts kam.

Images:
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Name: Cory Gunz
SortName: Cory Gunz
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Overview:
Peter Cory Pankey, Jr. (born June 22, 1987), better known by his stage name Cory Gunz, is an American rapper from The Bronx, New York City, New York. His father is Peter Gunz from the duo Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz. Gunz is currently signed to After Platinum Records, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Universal Republic Records.

At age 14 Gunz was first signed by Tommy Mottola to Casablanca Records and Def Jam Recordings. Jay-Z shepherded him into a joint venture through The Island Def Jam Music Group. He was featured on a remix of Rihanna's single "If It's Lovin' That You Want". Gunz mixtape The Apprentice 3 - Season Finale has amassed over 85,000 listens on the mixtape website DatPiff. He also contributed a verse to the original version of Lil Wayne's "A Milli" before it was replaced with new verses by Wayne for the album version.

In 2009 Gunz signed a contract with After Platinum Records. In early 2010, Gunz signed with Young Money Entertainment and Universal Motown. Gunz has worked with actor and musician Nick Cannon. In 2011, he was featured on Lil Wayne's single "6 Foot 7 Foot" from Tha Carter IV. In 2011 Gunz starred on MTV's "Son of A Gun" a reality show that follows Gunz after and before he got signed by Young Money. The show features appearances from close friend Nick Cannon and his father Peter Gunz. It was announced that Universal Republic Records was going defunct, all of the artists on the roster moved from the label including (Cory Gunz) was being moved to Republic Records making the label itself revived. On July 16, 2013 he released his first mixtape in two years with Datz WTF I’m Talkin Bout, it featured guest appearances by Busta Rhymes, Charlie Rock, Mack Maine, Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J among others. In March 2014, Gunz revealed he was working on an EP titled Kriminal Minded and following its release he would release his debut studio album.


Name: J Holiday
SortName: J Holiday
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Overview:
Nahum Grymes (born November 29, 1984), better known by his stage name J. Holiday, is an American recording artist and songwriter. He came into prominence in 2007 with his breakthrough hit "Bed", peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100.

J. Holiday was born Nahum Grymes, a named derived from a biblical figure because he is the son of a preacher, in Eritrea. He was raised alone by his mother in Washington D.C. after his father died when he was just eleven. Frances Grymes made sure her son completed his education and attended church. Holiday attended a local High School where he acknowledged a talent in singing during a showcase night. By then he was a frequent listener to Boyz II Men, Tupac Shakur and Jodeci records. Although he had the passion to go deep in music path, his mom sent him back to school to complete the education first. Upon the graduation, J. Holiday headed straight to studios where he began recording demo tapes.

Images:
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Name: Rakim
SortName: Rakim
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Overview:
William Michael Griffin Jr. (born January 28, 1968), known by his stage name Rakim, is an American rapper. One half of golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled MCs of all time.

Eric B. & Rakim's classic album Paid in Full was named the greatest hip hop album of all time by MTV in 2006, while Rakim himself was ranked #4 on MTV's list of the Greatest MCs of All Time. Steve Huey of Allmusic stated that "Rakim is near-universally acknowledged as one of the greatest MCs -- perhaps the greatest -- of all time within the hip-hop community." The editors of About.com ranked him #1 on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007). Rakim began his career as the emcee of the rap duo Eric B. & Rakim, who in 2011 were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2012, The Source ranked him #1 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.

Images:
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Name: Jay Sean
SortName: Jay Sean
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Overview:
Jay Sean (* 26. März 1981 in Southall, London als Kamaljit Singh Jhooti) ist ein britischer R&B- und Pop-Sänger. Seine Eltern kamen Ende der 1970er Jahre aus Indien nach England. Jay Sean gehört der Religion der Sikh an.

Kamaljit Singh Jhooti wuchs im Londoner Stadtbezirk Hounslow auf. Im Alter von 14 Jahren begann er in einer Rap-Gruppe namens Compulsive Disorder zu rappen, die später die Aufmerksamkeit lokaler Radiostationen gewann. Einziges Hindernis für Jay Sean war die größere Aufmerksamkeit, die seiner Nationalität zukam, anstatt seiner Musik. Da er in einem Land mit verschiedenen kulturellen Einflüssen wie dem Vereinigten Königreich aufwuchs, beeinflussten ihn seine schwarzen, weißen und asiatischen Freunde. Er besuchte die medizinische Schule QMW in London, verließ sie aber nach zwei Jahren, im Jahr 2003, um seiner Liebe, der Musik, zu folgen. Er begann mit den südasiatischen Musikproduzenten Rishi Rich und dem Punjabi Sänger Juggy D und mit DJ Chahal zu arbeiten. 

2004 produzierte Jay Sean sein erstes Album Me Against Myself und hatte damit große Chart-Erfolge. So wurde er mit Hits wie Dance with You, Eyes on You und Stolen bekannt. Er arbeitet an dem Nachfolger zu seinem mit Rishi Rich produzierten Album Me Against Myself

Jay Sean hat 2010 sein neues Album My Own Way (ursprünglicher Titel Deal with It) veröffentlicht. Seit 2009 ist er bei Birdmans und Lil Waynes Label Cash Money Records unter Vertrag. Im November 2009 veröffentlichte er sein Album All or Nothing.

Images:
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Name: Sean Paul
SortName: Sean Paul
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Overview:
"Wir haben ziemlich viel Gras geraucht. Und eine 'dutty' ist eine benutzte, schmutzige Weed-Pfeife." So beschreibt Sean Paul die Entstehung der Bezeichnung "dutty" für sein neues Album. Jemand anderes würde sich wohl kaum trauen, diese ausgelutschten Plattitüden über Jamaikaner breit zu treten, aber wenn es ein waschechter Jamaikaner tut ...

Trotz der vielen Kifferei kommt Paul vom Sofa hoch und schiebt seinem Superhit "Gimme The Light", der sich 30 Wochen in den US-Billboard-Charts hält, die nicht minder erfolgreiche Single "Get Busy" hinterher. Er avanciert zum erfolgreichsten Export der Karibikinsel.

Sean Paul Henriques kommt am 8. Januar 1975 in St. Stitchie zur Welt. Sein exotisches Aussehen verdankt er seinem außergewöhnlichem Stammbaum: Sein Vater ist portugiesischer Herkunft, seine Mutter hat afrikanische und chinesische Vorfahren. Auf Hänseleien reagiert Sean, indem er sich selbst als 'Copper Color Chinese Bwoy' (kupferfarbener Chinesenjunge) bezeichnet.

Nachdem sein Vater zu einer Gefängnisstrafe verurteilt wird, gibt der zehnjährige Sean seine bis dahin einigermaßen erfolgreiche Schwimmkarriere auf und widmet sich der Musik. Dancehall wird für ihn schnell zur Leidenschaft. Sean Paul definiert das Genre als "Sohn des Reggae und Bruder des Hip Hop". Schon 1993 arbeitet der DJ dann mit Größen wie Cat Coore, Bunny Rugs und Carrot Jarret zusammen.

Gemeinsam mit dem Produzenten Jeremy Harding gelingt Sean mit "Baby Girl" sein erster Riesenhit in Jamaika. 1998 landet Sean mit "Infiltrate" ebenfalls einen Knaller, der nicht nur auf der Karibikinsel ein großer Erfolg wird. Der Nachfolger "Deport Them" wird so erfolgreich, dass ihn der einflussreiche amerikanische Radiosender Hot 97 in sein Programm aufnimmt. Während "Deport Them" noch in den Playlisten steht, beschert "Hot Gal Today" im gelungenen Remix über den Punany-Riddim Paul den endgültigen Siegeszug in die USA.

Die ersten Erfahrungen bei Liveauftritten sammelt Sean Paul auf dem "Hot 97's Summer Jam", einem der wichtigsten Hip Hop-Events der Ostküste. Der Musiker erinnert sich begeistert: "Auf einmal stand ich auf der Bühne mit einigen meiner Mentoren. Ich habe da Big Daddy Kane, Snoop Dogg und auch Aaliyah getroffen. Es war absolut wahnsinnig."

Bei der Wahl zum populärsten Reggaekünstler im Jahre 2000 im Billboard Magazine belegt der Jamaikaner Platz drei. Sein Album "Stage One" schafft es auf Platz vier der Billboard-Jahrescharts. 2001 räumt der Dancehallstar den britischen MOBO Award für den "Best Reagge Artist of the Year" und den Doobie Award, den das Magazin High Times jedes Jahr für den besten Weed-Song verleiht, ab. Der ganz große Erfolg gelingt Sean Paul mit seinem zweiten Album. "Dutty Rock" geht mehr als fünf Millionen Mal über die Ladentheken: für eine Dancehall-Scheibe ziemlich rekord-verdächtig.

Mittlerweile kann Sean Paul auf Kollaborationen mit Künstlern wie Busta Rhymes, den Neptunes und Tony Touch zurück blicken. Der Grund, warum Sean Paul neben 50 Cent zum absoluten Hype im Rapgame aufgestiegen ist, liegt jedoch in der Melange aus catchigen R'n'B-Hooks und der unbestrittenen Hip Hop-Affinität. In bester Nate Dogg-Manier verleiht Sean den Refrains mit seinem variablen Gesang den nötigen Pop-Appeal, und die Neptunes, Busta Rhymes, Rhazel und Tony Touch repräsentieren die US-Szene. "Dancehall ist eben der Sohn des Reggae und der Bruder des Hip Hop", wie der Jamaikaner nicht müde wird zu betonen.

2005 veröffentlicht Sean Paul sein drittes Studioalbum "The Trinity", ein Jahr später steuert er den Soundtrack zum Tanzstreifen "Step Up" bei. Zwischendurch nimmt er an Mariah Careys 'Adventures Of Mimi'-Tour teil und ist verschiedentlich als Feature-Gast zu hören. Bei "Cry Baby Cry" vom Santana-Album "All That I Am" teilt er sich das Mikro mit Joss Stone, mit Rihanna nimmt er die Single "Break It Off" auf, die auch auf "A Girl Like Me" enthalten ist.

Nach mehrjähriger Pause entlässt Sean Paul im Juni 2009 eine neue Single in die Welt, die einen Vorgeschmack auf sein Album "Imperial Blaze" bietet. Keine Frage, der Mann weiß immer noch, womit sich Tanzflächen füllen lassen: Sex sells - und Pop, wie gut zwei Jahre später das Nachfolgealbum "Tomahawk Technique" vermuten lässt.

Obwohl sich Sean Paul ungebrochen als der Gralshüter des Dancehall fühlt, spricht seine Musik längst eine andere, weit kommerziellere Sprache. Mit Dancehall hat sein Schaffen zehn Jahre nach der Jahrtausendwende noch in etwa so viel zu tun wie die Black Eyed Peas mit Hip Hop.

Images:
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Name: Royce Da 5'9
SortName: Royce Da 5'9
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Overview:
Ryan Montgomery was born and raised on the West side of Detroit, Michigan on W. McNichols & Wyoming Ave. He moved to Oak Park, Michigan when he was 10 years old, later acquiring the nickname "Royce" during high school after wearing a Turkish link chain with an R pendant resembling the Rolls Royce symbol. He started rapping at age 18, influenced mainly by Ras Kass, Redman, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. and N.W.A.He signed his first deal in 1998 with Tommy Boy Records, after the label shut down, he signed a deal with Columbia where he started recording an album called Rock City, referring to Detroit's former status as home to Motown Records. When the project was heavily bootlegged, Royce left the label for Koch to re-record some of the album, eventually releasing it in 2002 as Rock City (Version 2.0). While the album did not sell very well, the DJ Premier-produced single "Boom" gained Royce some underground recognition and eventually resulted in the two working together more closely.
Through his manager, Royce was introduced to Eminem in 1997, and the two formed a working relationship; they formed up as a duo, Bad Meets Evil, and released several tracks together. Royce appeared on Eminem's major-label debut studio album The Slim Shady LP, in which he was featured on a song called "Bad Meets Evil". Royce and Eminem also released a track called "Renegades", from which Royce's vocals would later be replaced with Jay-Z's on the latter's The Blueprint. Through Eminem, Royce would also be introduced to both Dr. Dre and execs at Game Recordings. After his manager Kino stated: "I’ve seen Em sit Dre down like a pupil and coach him on rhymes" on a phone interview,Dr. Dre requested that Royce cut ties with his manager. Royce refused to fire his manager, thus his relationship with Dre ended.

Images:
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Name: Wyclef Jean
SortName: Wyclef Jean
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Overview:
Wyclef Jeanelle Jean (/ˈwaɪklɪf ˈʒɑːn/; Haitian Creole pronunciation: [wajklɛf ʒã]; born October 17, 1969) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning Haitian-American rapper, singer-songwriter, musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country. He first received fame as a member of the acclaimed New Jersey hip hop group the Fugees.
On August 5, 2010, Jean filed for candidacy in the 2010 Haitian presidential election, although the Electoral Commission subsequently ruled him ineligible to stand as he had not met the requirement to have been resident in Haiti for five years.
Although his birth date was widely given as October 17, 1972, papers filed for his run as a candidate for the presidency of Haiti, disclosed that he was, in fact, born in 1969. Born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, the son of a Nazarene pastor, Wyclef moved with his family to Brooklyn, New York, when he was nine before moving again to northern New Jersey. Jean has cited reggae artist Bigga Haitian as one of his early influences, as well as neighborhood heroes MC Tiger Paw Raw and producer Lobster v. Crab. Jean graduated from Vailsburg High School in Newark, briefly attended Eastern Nazarene College in Massachusetts, and finished one semester at Five Towns College in New York. Jean has been a resident of Saddle River, South Orange, and North Caldwell, New Jersey. In 2009, Jean enrolled in the Berklee College of Music.

Images:
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Name: Robin Thicke
SortName: Robin Thicke
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Overview:
Robin Charles Thicke (born March 10, 1977) is an American R&B singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. Thicke is a dual citizen, also holding Canadian citizenship through his father, actor and TV host Alan Thicke. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the name Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound. Thicke has written hits for popular artists such as Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Mary J. Blige. Thicke has also been acknowledged for his work in popular albums such as Confessions and Tha Carter III.
Thicke is a singer, mentor, and judge on the ABC show Duets. Thicke was born in Los Angeles, California. His mother is American actress-singer Gloria Loring (née Goff), who appeared on U.S. daytime drama Days of Our Lives, and his father is Canadian actor Alan Thicke, who is known for his role on the TV sitcom Growing Pains. They divorced when he was seven. Thicke has an older brother, Brennan, who worked as a voice actor in the mid-1980s. Thicke is a dual citizen, holding Canadian citizenship through his father and US citizenship by birth.

Images:
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Name: The Dream
SortName: Dream
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Overview:
The-Dream: Terius Youngdell Nash (born June 14, 1978 in Rockingham, North Carolina), better known by his stage name The-Dream, is is a Grammy Award winning American R&B singer-songwriter, producer and Executive Vice President of Island Def Jam Records. In 2007 he released his debut album Love/Hate which spawned three top 20 singles. In 2009 he released his second album, Love vs. Money , which reached #2 on the Billboard 200 and features guest appearances from artists such as Kanye West. In June 2010, his third album, Love King, was released. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200.

At the age of two he moved with his mother to Atlanta, Georgia where she raised him until her sudden death at the age of thirty-five. Afterwards, he was taken in by his grandfather, who was an avid music fan. It was through this relationship that he was introduced to many legendary artists that made up his grandfather’s record collection. As soon as he heard the soulful sounds of Sam Cooke and Al Green, The-Dream was hooked. In the third grade he began his musical venture by enrolling in introductory trumpet classes at Grove Park Elementary School. He continued playing the trumpet through high school and later learned to play the drums and guitar.

In junior high and high school his musical influences extended toward such artists such as Timbaland , Missy Elliott, Aaliyah and Tupac Shakur. His talents continued to naturally develop and eventually lead The-Dream to begin singing, rapping and song writing.

In addition, he is an accomplished artist and has created many paintings and sculptures, some of which have been shown at various art galleries throughout Atlanta.

Images:
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Name: Tyga
SortName: Tyga
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Overview:
Michael Ray Nguyen-Stevenson (born November 19, 1989), known by his stage name Tyga (an acronym for Thank You God Always), is an American rapper signed to Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Universal Republic Records. He first received recognition with his debut single "Coconut Juice", featuring his cousin Travie McCoy. Since then he has signed to Young Money and released his major label debut Careless World: Rise of the Last King. The album included the chart topping singles "Faded", "Far Away" and "Make It Nasty". He plans to release his third studio album in March 2013 entitled Hotel California.

Images:
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Name: Big Boi
SortName: Big Boi
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Overview:
Antwan André Patton (born February 1, 1975), better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, song-writer, record producer and actor, best known for being a member of American hip hop duo OutKast alongside André 3000. His work in the duo has produced six studio albums. During the duo's hiatus, he and André 3000 each announced plans to release a solo album. Big Boi's solo debut Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty was released in July 2010 to respectable sales and critical acclaim.

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Name: Lloyd Banks
SortName: Lloyd Banks
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Overview:
Christopher Charles Lloyd (born April 30, 1982), better known by his stage name Lloyd Banks, is an American hip hop recording artist and member of East Coast hip hop group G-Unit along with childhood friends and fellow American rappers 50 Cent and Tony Yayo. Raised in South Jamaica, Queens, he dropped out of high school in 1998. G-Unit released two albums, Beg for Mercy in 2003 and T.O.S. (Terminate on Sight) in 2008. Banks released his first solo album The Hunger for More in 2004 with the top ten hit single "On Fire". He followed with Rotten Apple in 2006 and left Interscope Records 2009. In 2010 G-Unit signed with EMI  to distribute Banks third studio album H.F.M. 2 (Hunger for More 2), which was released on November 22, 2010. Banks was born in New Carrollton, Maryland and raised in Queens, New York City; he is of mixed Puerto Rican and African American descent. His father spent most of Lloyd's childhood in prison, leaving his mother to raise him and his two siblings. Lloyd attended August Martin High School but dropped out at age 16. For his stage name, he took his great, great-grandfather's name Banks, which was passed on by his uncles who also shared it.

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Name: 2 Pistols
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Overview:
Jeremy Lemont Saunders (born June 11, 1983), better known by his stage name 2 Pistols, is an American rapper. He hails from Tarpon Springs, Florida.

Saunders' first success in rapping had come with an independent record called "Dirty Foot," which he wrote while still in high school and distributed in the Tarpon Springs area, at the urging of his cousin. After hearing it played in a local dance club and then witnessing another rapper's performance, 2 Pistols had his first chance to perform on-stage. After taking the stage and performing his own single ("Dirty Foot"), 2 Pistols' confidence in his abilities grew to a point that he began to take his chances at making a career of music seriously.

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Name: Nate Dogg
SortName: Nate Dogg
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Overview:
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011), better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American rapper, singer and actor. He was noted for his membership in rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Warren G, Tupac Shakur, Westside Connection and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 in 1998, Music and Me in 2001 and Nate Dogg in 2003.
Nate Dogg died in 2011 in Long Beach, California of complications from multiple strokes. Nate Dogg was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He moved to Long Beach, California when he was 14 following his parents' divorce. He was friends with rappers Warren G, RBX, and Daz Dillinger and cousin of Butch Cassidy, Snoop Dogg, and Lil' ½ Dead. He began singing as a child in the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach and Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi where his father Daniel Lee Hale was pastor. At the age of 16 he dropped out of high school in Long Beach and left home to join the United States Marine Corps, serving for three years.

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Name: Twit One
SortName: Twit One
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Overview:
Twit One is a producer, DJ and bass-player from Cologne, Germany. Best known for his work with Fleur Earth, Hulk Hodn (Testiculo Y Uno), Retrogott (Echoman & 4 Trackboy) and Miles Bonny. He is also a member of the Hi-Hat Club and the creative brain behind Augenringe unter dem Dritten Auge Records (AUDDA).  .

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Name: Parliament
SortName: Parliament
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Overview:
Parliament was a soul funk band most prominent during the 1970s. Both Parliament and its sister act, Funkadelic, were led by George Clinton.

Parliament was originally The Parliaments, a doo-wop vocal group based at a Plainfield, New Jersey barbershop. The group was formed in the late 1950s and included George Clinton, Ray Davis, Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, and Grady Thomas. Clinton was the group leader and manager. The group finally had a hit single in 1967 with "(I Wanna) Testify" on Revilot Records. To capitalize, Clinton formed a backing band for a tour, featuring teenage barbershop employee Billy Bass Nelson on bass and his friend Eddie Hazel on guitar, with the lineup eventually rounded out by Tawl Ross on guitar, Tiki Fulwood on drums, and Mickey Atkins on organ.
During a contractual dispute with Revilot, Clinton temporarily lost the rights to the name "The Parliaments," and signed the ensemble to Westbound Records as Funkadelic, which Clinton positioned as a funk-rock band featuring the five touring musicians with the five Parliaments singers as uncredited guests. With Funkadelic as a recording and touring entity in its own right, in 1970 Clinton relaunched the singing group, now known as Parliament, at first featuring the same ten members. Clinton was now the leader of two different acts, Parliament and Funkadelic, which featured the same members but were marketed as creating two different types of funk.
The Parliament album entitled Osmium was released on Invictus Records in 1970, and was later reissued on CD with non-album tracks as both Rhenium and First Thangs. Osmium featured a mostly psychedelic soul sound that was more similar to the Funkadelic albums of the period than to the later Parliament albums. The song "The Breakdown" was released separately as a single, and reached #30 on the R&B charts in 1971. Due to continuing contractual problems and the fact that Funkadelic releases were more successful at the time, Clinton abandoned the name Parliament until 1974.
Following Osmium, the lineup of Parliament-Funkadelic began going through many changes and was expanded significantly, with the addition of important members such as keyboardist Bernie Worrell in 1970, singer/guitarist Garry Shider in 1971, and bassist Bootsy Collins (recruited from the James Brown backing band) in 1972. Dozens of singers and musicians would contribute to future Parliament-Funkadelic releases. Clinton relaunched Parliament in 1974 and signed the act to Casablanca Records. Parliament, now augmented by the Horny Horns (also recruited from James Brown's band) was positioned as a smoother R&B-based funk ensemble with intricate horn and vocal arrangements, and as a counterpoint to the guitar-based funk-rock of Funkadelic. By this point, Parliament and Funkadelic were touring as a combined entity known as Parliament-Funkadelic or simply P-Funk (which also became the catch-all term for George Clinton's rapidly growing stable of funk artists).
The album Up for the Down Stroke was released in 1974, with Chocolate City following in 1975. Both performed strongly on the Billboard R&B charts and were moderately successful on the Pop charts. Parliament began its period of greatest mainstream success with the concept album Mothership Connection (1975), the lyrics of which launched much of the P-Funk mythology. The subsequent albums The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein (1976), Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome (1977), and Motor Booty Affair (1978) all reached high on both the R&B and Pop charts, while Funkadelic was also experiencing significant mainstream success. Parliament scored the #1 R&B singles "Flash Light" in 1977 and "Aqua Boogie" in 1978.
The rapidly expanding ensemble of musicians and singers in the Parliament-Funkadelic enterprise, as well as Clinton's problematic management practices, began to take their toll by the late 1970s. Original Parliaments members Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, and Grady Thomas, who had been with Clinton since the barbershop days in the late 1950s, felt marginalized by the continuous influx of new members and departed acrimoniously in 1977. Other important group members like singer/guitarist Glenn Goins and drummer Jerome Brailey left Parliament-Funkadelic in the late 1970s after disputes over Clinton's management. Two further Parliament albums, Gloryhallastoopid (1979) and Trombipulation (1980) were less successful than the albums from the group's prime 1975-1978 period.
In the early 1980s, with legal difficulties arising from the multiple names used by multiple groups, as well as a shakeup at Casablanca Records, George Clinton dissolved Parliament and Funkadelic as recording and touring entities. However, many of the musicians in later versions of the two groups remained employed by Clinton. Clinton continued to release new albums regularly, sometimes under his own name and sometimes under the name George Clinton & the P-Funk All-Stars. The P-Funk All-Stars continued to record and tour into the 1990s and 2000s, and regularly perform classic Parliament songs.

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Name: The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein
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Name: Bernie Worrell
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Overview:
George Bernard "Bernie" Worrell, Jr. (born April 19, 1944) is an American keyboardist and composer best known as a founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic and for his work with Talking Heads. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.

Worrell was born in Long Branch, New Jersey and grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey. A musical prodigy, he learned to play the piano by age three and wrote a concerto at age eight. He went on to study at Juilliard and the New England Conservatory of Music.

As a college student around 1970, Worrell played with a group called Chubby & The Turnpikes (later to be known as Tavares). The drummer in that band was Joey Kramer, who left in October 1970 to be a founding member of the rock band Aerosmith. He then met George Clinton, then the leader of a doo wop group called The Parliaments. Soon, Worrell, Clinton, The Parliaments and their backing band (Funkadelic) moved to Detroit, Michigan, and became Parliament. During the 1970s the same group of musicians toured and recorded under both the Parliament and Funkadelic names as well as several others, collectively known as Parliament-Funkadelic. Worrell was a central figure in the group. He played the piano, keyboards and organ in both groups and co-wrote or did the arrangements for many of the bands' hits. He debuted the keyboard synthesizer bass in popular music on the Parliament song "Flash Light". He also recorded a 1978 album with the group, All the Woo in the World, under his own name.

While funk musicians traditionally utilized electric keyboards, such as the Hammond organ and Fender Rhodes electric piano, Bernie Worrell created Parliament’s distinctive riffs with a Minimoog synthesizer, and was the second recipient of the instrument created by Bob Moog. He used ARP Pro Soloist as well. Worrell’s synthesizer work is prominent on the majority of Parliament’s most popular (and most sampled) songs throughout the 1970s, most notably ”Mothership Connection (Star Child)” and “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker)” from Mothership Connection, "Flash Light" from Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome and "Aqua Boogie" from Motor Booty Affair.

After the original Parliament-Funkadelic stopped touring in the early 1980s, Worrell released several solo albums. He was recruited, along with other musicians from differing genres such as Adrian Belew, to perform and record with Talking Heads, a pioneering new wave act. Worrell's experience and feel for different arrangements enhanced the overall sound of the band. Though he never officially joined Talking Heads, he was a de facto member of the group for most of the '80s, appearing on one of their studio albums, several solo albums, and multiple tours until they officially disbanded in 1992. Worrell can be seen in the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense. Worrell was invited to perform with Talking Heads at their one-off reunion as part of their 2002 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Worrell also co-produced Fred Schneider's 1984 solo album Fred Schneider & the Shake Society, and played keyboards and synthesizers on some of the album's tracks.

Since the late 1980s, Worrell has recorded extensively with Bill Laswell, including Sly and Robbie's Laswell-produced Rhythm Killers and the 1985 Fela Kuti album Army Arrangement. Worrell has also performed with Gov't Mule. Through the beginning of the 21st century, he has become a visible member of the jam band scene, performing in many large summer festivals, sometimes billed as Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors. These new funk, groove, and rock bands have embraced Worrell's historical relevance and immense talent. He has appeared on many Jack Bruce albums, including A Question of Time, Cities of the Heart, Monkjack, and More Jack Than God.

In 1994, Worrell appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by Time Magazine.

Worrell has since joined the rock group Black Jack Johnson, with Mos Def, Will Calhoun, Doug Wimbish and Dr. Know. He appears with the band on Mos Def's 2004 release The New Danger.

Worrell joined forces with bass legend Les Claypool, guitarist Buckethead, and drummer Bryan Mantia to form the group Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains.

In 2005, Worrell collaborated with Bo Diddley producer and Original P guitarist/vocalist Scott "Skyntyte" Free, on the album BananAtomic Mass by "Munkeez Strikin' Matchiz". Worrell's presence is heard throughout, as each of the albums tracks contains an original classical-styled interlude performed by Worrell. He, Diddley and Public Enemy cofounder Chuck D are featured performers on the song "Wreck It", which is the last studio recording by Diddley.

His project Baby Elephant is a collaboration with Stetsasonic member/De La Soul producer Prince Paul and longtime Paul associate Don Newkirk. Released September 11, 2007, Turn My Teeth Up!, features George Clinton, Shock G, Yellowman, Reggie Watts, Nona Hendryx, David Byrne and Gabby La La. In 2009 he joined with longtime Parliament-Funkadelic guitarist and musical director DeWayne "Blackbyrd" McKnight, bassist Melvin Gibbs and drummer J.T. Lewis to form the band "SociaLybrium". Their album "For You/For Us/For All" was released on Livewired Music in January 2010.

Worrell appears in the 2004 documentary film Moog with synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog and several other Moog synthesizer musicians. In 2011, he toured with Bootsy Collins, another major figure of Parliament-Funkadelic.

Since 2011, Worrell has been performing with his group, the Bernie Worrell Orchestra. Known for special guest appearances, Bootsy Collins, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, Jimmy Destri, Mike Watt, Rah Digga and Gary Lucas are some of the artists who have sat in with the group during live performances.

As of 2012, Worrell is touring with Steve Kimock, Wally Ingram and Andy Hess.

Worrell has been a resident of Hampton, New Jersey.

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Name: Bootsy Collins
SortName: Bootsy Collins
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Overview:
William Earl "Bootsy" Collins (born October 26, 1951 in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States) is an American musician, and singer-songwriter.

Rising to prominence with James Brown in the early 1970s, and later with Parliament-Funkadelic, Collins's driving bass guitar and humorous vocals established him as one of the leading names in funk. Collins is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic.

With his elder brother Phelps "Catfish" Collins, Frankie "Kash" Waddy and Philippé Wynne, Collins formed a funk band called The Pacemakers in 1968.

In March 1970, after most of the members of James Brown's band quit over a pay dispute, The Pacemakers were hired as Brown's backing band and they became known as The J.B.'s. (They are often referred to as the "original" J.B.'s to distinguish them from later line-ups that went by the same name.) Although they worked for Brown for only 11 months, the original J.B.'s played on some of Brown's most intense funk recordings, including "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine", "Bewildered (1970)", "Super Bad", "Soul Power", "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing", and two instrumental singles, the much-sampled "The Grunt" and "These Are the J.B.'s".

After parting ways with James Brown, Collins returned to Cincinnati and formed House Guests with his brother Phelps Collins, Rufus Allen, Clayton "Chicken" Gunnels, Frankie Waddy, Ronnie Greenaway and Robert McCullough. The House Guests released "What So Never the Dance" and another single on the House Guests label, as well as a third as The Sound of Vision on the House Guests label.

Next Collins moved to Detroit, after Philippé Wynne suggested joining The Spinners, for whom Wynne had been singing. However, following the advice of singer and future Parliament member Mallia Franklin, Collins had another choice. Franklin there introduced both Collins brothers to George Clinton, and 1972 saw both of the Collins brothers, along with Waddy, join Funkadelic. Collins played bass on most of Funkadelic and all of Parliament's albums (with the exception of Osmium) through the early 1980s, garnering several songwriting credits as well.

In 1976 Collins, Catfish, Waddy, Joel Johnson, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper, Robert Johnson and The Horny Horns formed Bootsy's Rubber Band, a separate touring unit of Clinton's P-Funk collective. The group recorded five albums together, the first three of which are often considered to be among the quintessential P-Funk recordings. The group's 1978 album Bootsy? Player of the Year reached the top of the R&B album chart and spawned the #1 R&B single "Bootzilla".

Like Clinton, Collins took on several alter egos, from Casper the Funky Ghost to Bootzilla, "the world's only rhinestone rockstar monster of a doll", all as parts of the evolving character of an alien rock star who grew gradually more bizarre as time went on (see P-Funk mythology). He also adopted his trademark "space bass" around this time.
1980s–1990s

Collins released two 1980 albums, his first "solo" album "Ultra-Wave", and Sweat Band, on George Clinton's Uncle Jam label with a group billed as Bootsy's Sweat Band. He also was credited for producing the debut of P-Funk spinoffs Zapp and Roger.

In 1984, he collaborated with Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads to produce "Five Minutes", a dance record sampled and edited from Ronald Reagan's infamous "Five Minutes" speech. The record was credited to "Bonzo goes to Washington" (also referenced in the 1985 Ramones song "Bonzo goes to Bitburg", derived from Reagan's starring role as Professor Peter Boyd in the 1951 comedy film Bedtime for Bonzo).

After a nearly five-year hiatus, he had a comeback in 1988 (with some help from producer Bill Laswell). What's Bootsy Doin'? flaunted a new sound that foreshadowed the 1990s, such as the dance floor smash "Party On Plastic". Laswell introduced Collins to Herbie Hancock, resulting in Perfect Machine. The techno-funk they recorded featured turnables for scratch appeal, and the smoothly-stylized vocals of Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner of chart-topping Ohio Players.

In 1990, Collins collaborated with Deee-Lite on their massive hit "Groove Is in the Heart" where he contributed additional vocals. Although he also appeared in the music video playing the bass, the bassline in the song is actually a sample of a Herbie Hancock song called "Bring Down the Birds". Bootsy's Rubber Band became the defacto backing musicians for Deee-Lite during a world tour. The Rubber Band also recorded the EP "Jungle Bass", their first recording in 11 years.

In 1992, he joined with guitarist Stevie Salas and drummer Buddy Miles to form the funk-metal fusion group Hardware. The trio released one album, Third Eye Open, before disbanding.

Collins collaborated with Del McCoury, Doc Watson and Mac Wiseman to form the GrooveGrass Boyz. They produced a fusion of bluegrass and funk.

In 1994, he contributed to the Soup Dragons' last album, Hydroponic.

Bootsy's New Rubber Band formed this year, releasing Blasters of the Universe.

In 1995, Collins played in the remake of Jimi Hendrix's "If 6 Was 9," for Axiom Funk, a Funkadelic-like one-off supergroup produced by Bill Laswell and featuring (Funkadelic members) George Clinton, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins, (the guitar of the late) Eddie Hazel, Gary Shider and Bill Laswell. The group released only one album (Funkcronomicon), and the song also appeared in the soundtrack of the movie Stealing Beauty.

Bootsy's New Rubber Band put forth the live release "Keepin' dah Funk Alive 4-1995", recorded over two nights in Tokyo.

In 1996, Collins collaborated on George Clinton's album The Awesome Power Of A Fully Operational Mothership.
2000s

In 2000, Collins served as "Heineken's Amsterjam 2005" curator and master of ceremonies on Randall's Island, New York, and appeared with Madonna, Iggy Pop, Little Richard, and The Roots' Questlove, in an American TV commercial for the Motorola ROKR phone.

Collins has collaborated extensively with Bill Laswell and made appearances on two Fatboy Slim records Illuminati, as well as reading a poem at the end of FatBoy Slims's release in the LateNightTales DJ mix series. Collins provided "vocal spice" on the TobyMac album Welcome to Diverse City. He also appears on Nicole C. Mullens' latest album, Everyday People. He has also worked with the Lo-Fidelity Allstars on the album Don't be Afraid of Love, with Praxis, and with Buckethead on several occasions, for example on Buckethead's first album, Bucketheadland. Collins was featured in the 2002 film Standing in the Shadows of Motown. In 2004 he appeared on Snoop Dogg's Rhythm & Gangsta album and on the cover of "The Joker" on the Fatboy Slim album Palookaville.

He also performed a cover of the "Power of Soul" on the 2004 tribute album Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix'.

Since then, Collins has also frequently collaborated with fellow bassist Victor Wooten.

In October 2005, Collins co-wrote a song celebrating the resurgence of his hometown team, the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League called "Fear Da Tiger" which features "raps" written and performed by several Bengals players, including defensive end Duane Clemons, offensive tackle Stacy Andrews, and center Ben Wilkerson. An edited version of the song was made into a music video which features cameos by many other Bengals players. Collins appeared with Little Richard, Bernie Worrell, and other notable musicians as the band playing with Hank Williams, Jr. for the Monday Night Football opening during for the 2006 season. Collins was the only all star to return with Williams for the 2007 season.

He also sings "Marshal Law", the theme song of the Cincinnati Marshals indoor football team. He debuted the song on April 29,[year missing] at half time of a Marshals home game against the West Palm Beach Phantoms.

In 2006, ABC Entertainment / A Charly Films Release released a DVD/CD from Collins and the New Rubber Band's concert at the 1998 North Sea Jazz Festival. Soon after the release, Collins split from long-time friend and guitarist Odhran "The Bodhran" Rameriz, citing creative differences as the reason.

Later that same year, Collins released the holiday album Christmas Is 4 Ever. This represents the first Christmas-themed album made by any member of the P-Funk musical collective. The album features re-workings of Christmas standards as well as original compositions.

Also in 2006, Collins recorded music for the animated television series Loonatics Unleashed. Collins also voiced the character Bootes Belinda in the episode The Music Villain.

In April 2007, Collins announced plans to begin a restaurant/club with Cincinnati area restaurateur Jeff Ruby called "Bootsy's." The venue operated 2008-2010 before closing. It featured live musical acts, a museum dedicated to Collins' musical career and Spanish, Central and South American cuisine.

In June 2007, Collins, along with Phelps Collins, Clyde Stubblefield, John "Jabo" Starks, and Bernie Worrell, participated in the recording of the soundtrack for the movie Superbad. In December of that year they (sans Worrell) went on to perform the first tribute concert remembering James Brown.

In July 2007, Collins also told Billboard magazine that he was working on a project by the name of Science Faxtion and an album called Living On Another Frequency in which he serves as bassist and co-producer along with his lead vocalist Greg Hampton. The band also features guitarist Buckethead and drummer Brain. The album was released in November 2008.
Bootsy Collins and Fatboy Slim, 2008

Collins promoted Rock the Vote for its 2008 campaign together with Buckethead.

Collins produced Junkyard Waltz by funk band Freekbass from Ohio, which was released in October 2008.

He has been mentioned in the song "Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club in the line "Clinton's musicians such as Bootsy Collins raise expectation to a new intention", while "Got more bass than Bootsy Collins" is a line in the song "Rumble in the Jungle" by the Fugees. His influence in popular culture is seen in that he has been referenced by a number of television series. In The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode "Sooooooul Train", Geoffrey sneaks into the Soul Train tapings posing as Collins, while in The Mighty Boosh episode "The Legend of Old Gregg" an alien creature named 'The Funk' lands on Collins' house, giving him his ability to play the bass guitar "like some kinda delirious funky priest", as well as the ability to see around corners. His song I'd Rather Be With You, from the album Stretchin' Out In Bootsy's Rubber Band was featured in the movie Baby Boy and on January 26, 2007, Collins gave the commencement address at the graduation ceremony at The Art Institute of Ohio - Cincinnati. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who cited Collins as one of his primary influences, appeared in unmistakably Collins style clothing in the video for RHCP's "Dani California", and Collins' "What's a Telephone Bill?" was sampled for 2Pac's "Str8 Ballin'" track off the THUG LIFE album.

In 2009, Collins collaborated with Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek on the track "Internet Connection".

In October 2010, he was awarded a Bass Player Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award at the Key Club in Los Angeles.

In March 2011, Collins and his wife visited Franklin L. Williams M.S #7's Little Kids Rock program, donated a bass guitar, gave the children a bass lesson, and rapped with them while they played the blues. He is now an honorary board member of the organization.

On 15 April 2011, he appeared on Later... with Jools Holland, performing a memorable snippet of funk with Jools.

In June 2011, Collins played the 10th Annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

In the fall of 2011, Collins began being featured in a TV commercial for Old Navy, in which he is making "boots", made by boots, made by Bootsy to be sold at Old Navy.

Collins portrayed a radio DJ in the 2013 video game, Grand Theft Auto V, in which several of his own songs were featured.
Bass guitars

His original "Space Bass" and its replacement (before recovery from theft) was made in Warren, Michigan by Larry Pless of Gus Zoppi's music store. The first Space Bass had a mahogany body and maple neck, white finish, and mirror pick guard. This is the Space Bass on the cover of 1976 album Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band.

Collins' current signature instrument is a custom-built star-shaped bass guitar he calls the "Space Bass", built for him by Manuel "Manny" Salvador of GuitarCraft in 1998. In 2006 Collins made an agreement with Traben to make a signature Collins model bass called the "Bootzilla". During the 2010 NAMM Show, Collins' new signature bass guitar was released by Warwick, a customized Infinity Bass called "Bootsy Collins Black Star Signature Bass" or "Bootsy Collins Orange Star Signature Bass", depending on the color of the stars on it.
Bootsy Collins' Funk University

In July 2010, Collins, in partnership with former child actor Cory Danziger, launched Funk University ("Funk U"), an online-only bass guitar school in which he also serves as curator and lead professor. Funk University offers an intense curriculum tailored for intermediate to advanced bass players as well as anyone interested in a deeper understanding of funk. The curriculum is based on bass theory, history of funk, and Collins' own musical history given by Collins himself, augmented by lessons and exercises in bass and rhythm from guest bassist professors such as Les Claypool, Meshelle Ndegeocello, John B (Williams) and Victor Wooten. Enrolled students gain access to the virtual campus which, in addition to the multimedia lectures, includes a comprehensive subject library containing audio and multimedia music files, tablatures, and articles. Students participate in interactive questionnaires, polls, competitions (including track submissions), and are subjected to regular reviews by faculty members, who have designated "office hours" during which students can ask questions. Students and faculty can post or reply in the university's online forum (the Cafeteria). Eventually, the curriculum will be expanded to include other instruments.

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Name: George Clinton
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Overview:
George Clinton (born July 22, 1941) is an American musician, widely considered one of the forefathers of funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and was a solo funk artist as of 1981.

He was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina, grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey, and currently resides in Tallahassee, Florida. In Plainfield, he ran a barber salon, where he straightened hair, and soon formed a doo wop group, inspired by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, called The Parliaments. Despite initial commercial failures, The Parliaments eventually found success under the names Parliament and Funkadelic in the seventies (see also p-funk). This article focuses on Clinton’s solo efforts after 1981.

Beginning in the early 1980’s, Clinton recorded several nominal “solo” albums, although all of these records featured contributions from P-Funk’s core musicians. The primary reason for recording under his own name was legal difficulties, due to the complex copyright and trademark issues surrounding the name “Parliament” (primarily) and Polygram’s purchase of his former label (as part of Parliament), Casablanca Records. In 1982, Clinton signed to Capitol Records as a solo artist and as the P-Funk All-Stars, releasing Computer Games that same year. “Loopzilla” hit the Top 20 R&B charts, followed by “Atomic Dog,” which reached #1 R&B, but peaked at #101 on the pop chart. In the next four years, Clinton released three more studio albums (You Shouldn’t-Nuf Bit Fish, Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends and R&B Skeletons in the Closet) as well as a live album, Mothership Connection (Live from the Summit, Houston, Texas) and charting three singles in the R&B Top 30, “Nubian Nut,” “Last Dance,” and “Do Fries Go with that Shake.” This period of Clinton’s career was marred by multiple legal problems (resulting in financial difficulties) due to complex royalty and copyright issues. In 1985 he was recruited by the Red Hot Chili Peppers to produce their album Freaky Styley, because the bandmembers were huge fans of George Clinton and funk in general. Though Clinton’s popularity had waned by the mid 1980s, he experienced something of a resurgence in the early 1990s, as many rappers cited him as an influence and began sampling his songs. Alongside James Brown, George Clinton is considered to be one of the most sampled musicians ever.

In 1989, Clinton released The Cinderella Theory on Paisley Park, Prince’s record label. This was followed by Hey Man… smell my Finger. Clinton then signed with Sony 550 and released T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. (The Awesome Power of a Fully Operational Mothership) in 1996, having reunited with several old members of Parliament and Funkadelic.

In the 1990s, Clinton appeared in films such as Graffiti Bridge (1990), Good Burger (1997) and PCU (1994). Most recently he appeared as the voice of The Funktipus, the DJ of the Bounce FM station in the 2004 video game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Rapper Dr. Dre sampled most of his beats to create his g-funk music era.

“You’re Thinking Right” - the theme song for The Tracey Ullman Show, was written by Clinton.

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Name: Azymuth
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Overview:
Brazilian electrified trio Azymuth called their music samba doido, which means "crazy samba." The actual sounds, though, were not so crazy: the intelligent, high-voltage blend of Brazilian rhythms, jazz, and funk with occasional acoustic episodes gained a sizable following in the 1980s. 

The members of the group included José Roberto Bertrami (born February 21, 1946, in Tatui; died July 8, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro) on acoustic piano and keyboards, Alex Malheiros (born August 19, 1946, in Niteroi) on bass, and Ivan Conti (born August 16, 1946, in Rio de Janeiro) on drums.

Classically trained and originally influenced by pianists Bill Evans and Luíz Eça (of the Tamba 4), Bertrami worked with Flora Purim and Robertinho Silva before meeting Conti at a Rio nightclub. Upon a visit to a bowling alley/club in 1972, they heard Malheiros and decided to join forces to form Azymuth. Their first album, the soundtrack for the film O Fabuloso Fittipaldi, was released in Brazil in 1973. 

After spending a number of years as session men in Rio recording studios and touring South America, a successful appearance at the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival led to a 1978 U.S. tour with Airto and Purim. A contract with Milestone in 1979 resulted in a long string of eclectic and influential albums that established the group in the American and European markets. All three members also recorded solo albums for Milestone.

Bertrami left the group around 1988, after which Malheiros and Conti carried on for a while with keyboardist Jota Moraes. In the '90s, Bertrami rejoined Azymuth permanently. They signed to Far Out Recordings and issued a long string of albums including Carnival, 1997; Woodland Warrior, 1998; Pieces of Ipanema, 1999; Before We Forget, 2000; and Partido Novo, 2002. 

In 2007, their self-titled debut album was reissued by the label in a deluxe package. It was completely remastered, and contained an additional disc of remixes by some of the world's best-known dance music producers. In 2008, Azymuth continued their tireless display of creativity with the universally acclaimed Butterfly, which they followed with Aurora in 2011. 

Sadly, José Roberto Bertrami died in Rio during July of the following year; he was 66 years old.

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Name: Aguia nao come mosca
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Name: Milton Nascimiento
SortName: Milton Nascimiento
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Overview:
Milton Nascimento (* 26. Oktober 1942 in Rio de Janeiro, Brasilien) ist ein brasilianischer Musiker, der als eine der prägenden Persönlichkeiten der Música Popular Brasileira gilt. 

Nascimento wuchs in Laranjeiras und Tijuca auf. Im Alter von wenigen Monaten wurde er von einem Ehepaar adoptiert, für das seine Mutter arbeitete. Die Pflegeeltern waren Josino Brito Campos, ein Bankangestellter, Mathematiklehrer und Elektrotechniker, und Lília Silva Campos, eine Musiklehrerin. Als er achtzehn Monate alt war, starb seine leibliche Mutter, und er zog mit seinen Pflegeeltern nach Três Pontas in Minas Gerais.

Am Beginn seiner Karriere spielte Milton Nascimento in den Samba-Gruppen Evolussamba and Sambacana. 1963 ging er nach Belo Horizonte. Seine Freundschaft mit den Brüdern Lô und Márcio Borges brachte ihn in Kontakt mit der Clube da Esquina-Bewegung zu der auch der Schriftsteller Fernando Brant gehörte, mit dem zusammen Nascimento über die folgenden Jahrzehnte über 200 Lieder schrieb. Schon die erste gemeinsame Komposition „Travessia“ erhielt einen zweiten Preis auf einem Liederwettbewerb. Das Lied fand Eingang auf Nascimentos selbstbetiteltes Debütalbum 1967 (welches 1978 als Travessia wiederveröffentlicht wurde).

Der Pianist und Arrangeur Eumir Deodato empfahl Nascimento dem Jazz-Produzenten Creed Taylor, der auf seinem Label CTI schon Antônio Carlos Jobim und die Tamba 4 veröffentlichte. Schon sein zweites Album Courage, 1969 auf CTI veröffentlicht (und weltweit über A&M Records vertrieben), stellte ihn erstmals einem US-amerikanischen und internationalen Publikum vor. An den Aufnahmen im Studio von Rudy Van Gelder in New Jersey mit einem von Deodato arrangierten und dirigierten Orchester war auch prominent Herbie Hancock am Klavier beteiligt.

Der internationale Durchbruch kam durch seine Auftritte mit dem Jazzsaxophonisten Wayne Shorter. 1974 spielten die beiden Musiker das Album Native Dancer ein, welches zwar unter Shorters Namen auf dessen Label Columbia erschien, doch stammte über die Hälfte der Kompositionen von Nascimento. Auch hier saß Herbie Hancock am Klavier. Ihn, wie auch Shorter, lud Nascimento später immer wieder zu Gastauftritten bei seinen Alben ein, so 1976 für Milton, 1987 für Yauaretê und Angelus 1993. Mit dem Pianisten kam es 1988 zu einer sehr intimen Begegnung auf dem Album Miltons von 1988, bei der neben Stimme, Gitarre und Klavier kaum mehr als die Perkussion von Naná Vasconcelos hinzutritt.

Im Laufe seiner Karriere trat Nascimento außerdem mit Jorge Ben, Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil und internationalen Stars wie Paul Simon, James Taylor, Peter Gabriel, Quincy Jones und Pat Metheny auf. Durch seine Freundschaft mit dem Gitarristen Warren Cuccurullo kam es 1993 zu einer Zusammenarbeit mit Duran Duran. Milton Nascimento wurde 1991, 1995 und 1998 für einen Grammy nominiert. 1998 gewann er ihn in der Kategorie Best World Music Album.

Seine Musik basiert auf der Bossa Nova. Nascimento ist berühmt für seinen Falsettgesang und den großen Tonumfang seiner Stimme. In Brasilien steht er für so populäre Lieder wie „Canção da América“ und „Coração de Estudante“. Der Text von „Coração de Estudante“ erinnert an das Begräbnis des Studenten Edson Luís, der 1968 von einem Polizeioffizier getötet wurde. Das Lied wurde 1984 zur Hymne der Bewegung für demokratische Wahlen in Brasilien und es wurde beim Begräbnis von Tancredo Neves, dem ersten frei gewählten Präsidenten Brasiliens nach der Militärdiktatur, gespielt.

Ebenfalls spielte Nascimento eine kleine Rolle als Türsteher eines Opernhauses in Fitzcarraldo (1982) von Werner Herzog. 
(Wikipedia)

Images:
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Name: Aguia nao come mosca
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Name: The Cougars
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Overview:
The Cougars were a short-lived band, formed in Bristol, England, in 1961. They specialised in rock music, mostly instrumental versions of pop and classical pieces.
The band, comprising Keith Owen (lead guitar), Dave Tanner (rhythm guitar), Adrian Morgan (bass guitar) and Dave Hack (drums), signed a recording contract with Parlophone in 1963, after having been spotted at a talent contest by EMI's A&R man, Norrie Paramor.
Their single "Saturday Nite at the Duck-Pond" uses music from Swan Lake by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The song achieved some notoriety for been banned by the BBC, despite which it spent eight weeks in the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #33. Their songs "Red Square" and "Caviare and Chips" also borrowed themes from Tchaikovsky. The Cougars' final session for Parlophone was on 16 December 1963, when they recorded "Caviare and Chips", "While The City Sleeps" and "Sausage Roll", although the latter track remains unreleased. Only a small part, I think about four bar of "Crying for the Carolines" is the opening for "Our Man in Siberia". After recording three singles and an EP, The Cougars disbanded in 1964.


Name: Johnnie Osbourne
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Overview:
Johnny Osbourne (born Errol Osbourne, 1948) is one of the most popular Jamaican reggae and dancehall singers of all time, who rose to success in the late 1970s and mid-1980s. His album Truths and Rights was a roots reggae success, and featured "Jah Promise" and the album's title track, "Truths and Rights".
Johnny also enjoyed big hits with covers of U.S. soul tunes like Ready Or Not and Earth Wind and Fire's Reasons. In addition, he's had many songs with the phrase Rub A Dub in the title, the most acclaimed of these is To The Rub A Dub Session. Osbourne is also the most in-demand vocalist for dubplates due to the amount of dancehall classics he's had. This has resulted in the nickname Dancehall Godfather.
He is probably best known for his mid-1980s dancehall reggae hits "Buddy Bye" (based on King Jammy's Sleng Teng riddim), "Ice Cream Love" and "Water Pumping".
Johnny Osbourne attended the Alpha Boys School, an orphanage in Kingston, Jamaica that also was home to Yellowman, founding members of the Skatalites, Leroy Smart and Leroy Horsemouth Wallace as well as Jazz men Dizzy Reece and Joe Harriott.
During 1967 Osbourne became lead vocalist of The Wildcats, and recorded for producer Winston Riley, although nothing was issued. The Wildcats' manager then financed a session at Coxsone Dodd's Studio One, from which his debut single, "All I Have Is Love", was released. In 1969 he recorded an album, Come Back Darling, again for Riley. On the day that he completed the album, Osbourne emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to join his family. After singing with various soul and reggae groups, he became lead vocalist for Ishan People, and recorded two albums with them. The group broke up in 1979, and Osbourne decided to return to Jamaica.
Shortly after returning, he recorded "Forgive Them" and "Jealousy, Heartache And Pain" for the Studio One label. Through late 1979 and early 1980 he recorded extensively for Dodd, with these sessions culminating in Truths And Rights. In 1979 he also had a hit for King Jammy (then Prince Jammy) with "Folly Ranking", and an album of the same name followed in 1980. The success of these recordings made him one of the most in-demand vocalists on the island, and a glut of material was released, including Fally Lover, Warrior, Innah Disco Style and Never Stop Fighting, between 1980 and 1982. In 1983, he began the year with two big hits, "Yo Yo" and "Lend Me A Chopper", and later in the year enjoyed further success with "Water Pumping", an adaptation of Hopeton Lewis' "Take It Easy", which had also served as the basis for Johnny Clarke's 1976 hit "Rockers Time Now".
The hits continued with "Get Cracking", "Check For You", "Rewind" (1984), "Buddy Bye", "No Sound Like We" and "In The Area" (1985). In the late 1980s he was particularly successful when recording for Bobby Digital, and had hits with "Good Time Rock" (1988) and "Rude Boy Skank" (1988), both of which are included on his 1989 album, Rougher Than Them. Throughout the 1980s he continued to record for Coxsone Dodd, and singles included "Keep That Light", "Unity" and "A We Run Things", but a long-promised second album from Dodd has not materialized.
In 2012, his track "Mr. Marshall" was sampled in Major Lazer's single "Jah No Partial".

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Name: Jackie Mittoo
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Overview:
Jackie Mittoo (Donat Roy Mittoo, Browns Town, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, 3 March 1948 -- Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 16 December 1990) was a Jamaican organ, piano and keyboard player, songwriter and musical director.   Keyboard virtuoso Jackie Mittoo was among the true legends of reggae -- a founding member of The Skatalites and an extraordinarily prolific songwriter, he was perhaps most influential as a mentor to countless younger performers, primarily through his work as the musical director at the famed Studio One.  Born Donat Roy Mittoo in Browns Town, Jamaica on March 3, 1948, he began playing keyboards at the age of four, and was rarely far from a piano through his teen years, performing professionally in groups including the Vagabonds and the Vikings. He frequently skipped school to play with the house band at nearby Federal Studios, and it was there that he met producer Coxsone Dodd, who recruited Mittoo for recording sessions when the scheduled pianist failed to appear on time. While attending Kingston College, he began jamming with fellow student Augustus Pablo, and they eventually formed a trio -- the Jackie Mitree -- which performed his original compositions.  By 1962, Mittoo was earning attention across the island for his work in the band the Sheiks, one of Jamaica's most sought-after club attractions. Despite rechristening themselves the Cavaliers Orchestra, their popularity continued to soar without missing a beat. When Dodd opened Studio One in Kingston in 1963, he tapped Mittoo to serve as musical director; in the years to follow he played on virtually every disc the studio produced, arranging much of the material and helping develop new songs until they were sufficiently polished to meet standards. By the early months of 1964, he set about forming a new band with Studio One session regulars Tommy McCook, Lloyd Brevette and Lester Sterling, as well as the Cavaliers' Lloyd Knibb and Johnny Moore. Dubbing themselves the Skatalites, they were to become the quintessential ska band of the period; also featuring the legendary trombonist Don Drummond, the group lasted just 14 months -- from June 1964 to August 1965 -- but their influence on music worldwide remains incalculable.   After the Skatalites split, Mittoo began a solo career, scoring a major hit with his rendition of the Heptones "Fatty Fatty." The instrumental smash "Ram Jam" followed in 1967, and resulted in a series of instrumental LPs, among them In London, Evening Time, Keep On Dancing, Now and Macka Fat. At the same time, Mittoo continued his relentless pace at Studio One -- according to the terms of his basic arrangment with Dodd, he received payment upon delivering five new rhythms a week, which over the years resulted in literally thousands of compositions which he both produced and arranged. Among Mittoo's greatest contributions of the mid-to-late 1960s were "Darker Shade of Black" (the basis for Frankie Paul's "Pass the Tu Sheng Peng"), Freddie McGregor's "Bobby Babylon," Alton Ellis' "I'm Still in Love with You," the Cables' rock steady anthem "Baby Why" and "Feel Like Jumping," Marcia Griffiths' first hit. In 1970, his "Peanie Wallie" was also versioned by the Wailers, becoming the hit "Duppy Conqueror."  Mittoo relocated from Jamaica to Toronto, Ontario in 1968, one of many reggae performers who found a home among the clubs lining the city's Yonge Street area. He returned to Kingston regularly, however, and was closely aligned with Dodd and Studio One throughout the decades to follow. In Toronto, Mittoo also accepted a day job working for the Canadian Talent Library, an organization which worked to ensure that a sufficient amount of Canadian music was broadcast over national radio airwaves. By 1972, he had lived there for four years, and as such his work now qualified as "Canadian content," so for the CTL he recorded the album Reggae Magic, which launched the hit 'Wish Bone." During the mid-1970s, Mittoo also traveled to England to record a series of LPs with Bunny Lee; during the next decade, he worked regularly with Sugar Minott as well. In 1989, Mittoo joined the reunited Skatalites, but health problems soon forced him to bow out; he died of cancer on December 16, 1990


Name: Noel Ellis
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Overview:
Born in 1958 in Kingston, Jamaica, Noel Ellis spent his early childhood in that city's infamous Trenchtown district. The son of reggae-soul singer Alton Ellis, the younger Ellis turned out to have a pretty good voice of his own, and even recorded an unreleased song, "It Has Been a Long Time," backed by the Gladiators, at Channel One while he was still a teenager. Alton left Jamaica and relocated to Toronto, and Noel eventually joined his father there, but soon after Noel's arrival, Alton moved on to England, where he had a significant fan base, and Noel stayed on in Toronto with his aunt and uncle, attending Castle Frank High School. Luckily, Toronto had a lively West Indian population and several record shops that catered to the émigré market, so Ellis was able to keep up on the latest 45s from Jamaica. Toronto developed its own nascent reggae scene by the mid-'70s, much of it based around Jerry Brown's Summer Records.   Recognizing Ellis' talent, Brown released Noel's "Reach My Destiny" as one side of a split disco 45 in 1978. The song didn't generate much interest, but 1979's "Rocking Universally," recorded at Summer with help from Jackie Mittoo, did, even charting in Europe as a 12" single. Four years later, in 1983, Summer released a full-length album by Ellis, simply called Noel Ellis, which featured "Rocking Universally" and five other solid roots reggae tracks in extended versions. The album didn't achieve any commercial success at the time, but has since become somewhat of a lost cult classic. Ellis left Summer and began working a series of odd jobs to support himself, occasionally tracking sides for small independent labels, eventually relocating, like his father, to London. Seattle's Light in the Attic Records rescued the excellent Noel Ellis LP from obscurity in 2006 when the label reissued it on CD.

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Name: Charles Hamilton
SortName: Charles Hamilton
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Overview:
Musician. Producer. Songwriter. Lyricist. Genius. Psycho. Hippie. Sonic the Hedgehog. These words all connect through one name: Charles Hamilton.  Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Charles Hamilton was exposed to music at an early age. "My mother was an entertainment journalist for the Cleveland Call and Post, so she would take me with her to events when I was just a baby."  His mother always made sure he had an instrument around him. She put different kinds of instruments in the basement of their Cleveland home, but he naturally gravitated to the keyboard. "At first, I was just playing the rhythm of the songs I would hear," says Hamilton. "The older I got, the more proficient I got at hearing the notes." For most of his life, he was self taught, picking up the lead and bass guitar in his teenage years, as well as the drums and harmonica. He says listening to other genres of music, being exposed to different cultures and experiencing life helped mold his musical sound.  Most of his music is sample-driven. Though he catches quite a bit of heat for his sampling, he insists it is for the good of music:  "When I sample, I'm not just doing it to sound good. I'm trying to tell a story. To convey an emotion. If I sampled it, there is a reason I sampled it. I believe that music is based on moments, and that there are some moments that people may have missed back in the day. They may have even missed it a year ago. When I sample, I'm giving the artist their respect, while simultaneously creating something new."  His influences read like a Lollapalooza bill.  "I'm a HUGE Incubus fan. I love Incubus, Eminem, N*E*R*D, Jay-Z, Modest Mouse, Korn, Dr. Dre, Thelonius Monk, Aerosmith, 50 Cent, Mariyln Manson, Alchemist, The Isley Brothers, Kanye West, Nine Inch Nails, Hi-Tek,... I just love good music. Good music that tells a story."  Utilizing a studio built in Frederick Douglass Academy (also in Harlem), Charles Hamilton spends countless hours in the studio, perfecting his craft and his signature sound. "The Lab (FDA's studio) means so much to me because when I literally didn't have anywhere else to go in the world, I can just go into my beloved alma mater and purge myself creatively." In this studio is where most (if not all) of Charles Hamilton's music is made. "Don't get me wrong," continues Hamilton. "I can do my thing in other studios. It's just something about home that makes my music breathe."  All the people that worked with Charles Hamilton or have seen him in the studio all say the same thing: phenomenal. Ted Wheeler, manager for hard-core rapper C Nellz (of whom Charles Hamilton produces for) affectionately calls him "Charles Grammy-ton". "It has always been my dream to win a Grammy," says Hamilton. "I study the categories, I study the winners and try to figure out how and why they won. If they won it, they deserved it." As a producer, he is currently working on several different projects, ranging from spoken word, to blues, to alternative, to hip-hop, to his own project, "The Pink Lavalamp." "I want to show the world that I, a Black kid from the hood, can connect the whole world through music. I also want to show the world that my hood is Harlem, the home of the Harlem Renaissance, which gave birth to most, if not all of modern-day art. Harlem is where art lives. The Greek god of Apollo was the god of entertainment. Where's the Apollo theatre?"  At his July 19th, 2007 show at the Bowery Poetry Club dubbed "Night of the Living Lavalamp", Charles Hamilton was on stage with his DJ (producer/turntablist Halo), alternative/blues band Mad Cow, hip-hop producer Black, and live painter Sarah Kolker. All of which are personal friends of Charles Hamilton.  "My man Halo and I met at a cookout me and my man Sciryl threw in the summer of 2007. That's like my twin. We had only known each other for a few weeks before we did the show. That's how much we hit it off on a creative level. I actually met Viktor from Mad Cow in the summer of 2006 when I was in a rap duo. We had been talking about working together for ages, and we finally did it at my show. I grew up with Black. He was the first person I knew when I moved to Harlem. Ironically enough, I taught him how to play the piano. And Sarah, I met her through my poet friend Aja-Monet. We hit it off very well" Aja-Monet also performed at "Night of the Living Lavalamp". "I hope to make 'Night of the Living Lavalamp' an ongoing thing at the Bowery. The Bowery is where I got my start when it comes to on stage experience when doing hip-hop. I love them for that."  It was at "Night of the Living Lavalamp" that Charles Hamilton met Rainmaker, spoken word artist and President of VinylPop (Charles Hamilton's company). "Rainmaker is just off the chain. We vibed at the show, but I was doing my Charles Hamilton thing on stage so I didn't get a chance to have a serious conversation. I met him again at an open house that Abiodun (from The Last Poets) has every Sunday. We just talked for hours about everything from music race relations to relationships. He exposed me to the most profound spoken word artists in the world. I am thankful to God for introducing me to him, among other things I thank God for."  His debut solo album, "The Pink Lavalamp," is his way of illustrating his ideas for the future of music. "It is, without question, a hip-hop album," says Hamilton. "At the same time, I embody different genres of music to express different feelings and emotions that I feel in my everyday life. My music is ALWAYS based on my life. My happiness, my sins, my heartbreak, my anger, my quirkiness, my everything is given in my music. The music I grew up listening to told a story. So I'm taking the music I grew up with, as well as my story, AS WELL as my musicianship, to bring about a new sound. I don't want to sound redundant and talk about myself all the time, but I hope my story can help someone else's life. If my life were to be a movie, it would be the Antoine Fisher story all over again, but with a killer soundtrack and without a military background."  For more information on Charles Hamilton, VinylPop, and upcoming projects, call le'Roy Benros at (518) 469-9886 or LeRoy.Benros@gmail.com


Name: B.R.M.C.
SortName: B.R.M.C.
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Overview:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC) is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, now based in Los Angeles. BRMC is known for their garage rock, blues, folk revival, neo-psychedelia sound. They are influenced by bands such as: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Verve, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, T. Rex, The Velvet Underground and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club formed in 1998, taking its name from Marlon Brando's motorcycle gang in the 1953 film The Wild One. Bassist Robert Levon Been and guitarist Peter Hayes met at high school in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Lafayette and quickly formed a band; Hayes having recently left The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Looking for a drummer, they met Nick Jago, from Devon, England, who had moved to California to be with his parents after spending some time at Winchester School of Art, where he was studying fine art.The band was originally called The Elements, but after discovering that another band had the same name, they changed the name to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The vocals are shared between Been and Peter Hayes.
The band's first two records were indebted to classic hard rock influenced by Led Zeppelin and also encompassed slower paced psychedelic rock, space rock, and noise pop influences from bands such as The Verve, Loop, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Their second album Take Them On, On Your Own (recorded with Coldplay/Kasabian producer Rik Simpson) has several songs such as "Generation" and "US Government" that are critical of the United States government.
Been used the pseudonym 'Robert Turner' on the first two records, in an attempt not to be linked to his father (Michael Been of The Call.) He later dropped this identity when promoting Howl. The senior Been later toured with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as part of their sound crew.
In 2003, a concert in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England had to be cancelled half way through the set, after Leeds City Council officials suspected the 150 year old floor of Leeds Town Hall might collapse. This led to the band sometimes being referred to as 'the band who broke the floor'. Problems with drummer Nick Jago began surfacing publicly at the 2003 NME Awards, when Jago remained on stage for nine minutes, completely silent, while accepting an award.

Images:
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Name: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
SortName: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
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Overview:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC) is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, now based in Los Angeles. BRMC is known for their garage rock, blues, folk revival, neo-psychedelia sound. They are influenced by bands such as: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Verve, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, T. Rex, The Velvet Underground and The Jesus and Mary Chain.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club formed in 1998, taking its name from Marlon Brando's motorcycle gang in the 1953 film The Wild One. Bassist Robert Levon Been and guitarist Peter Hayes met at high school in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Lafayette and quickly formed a band; Hayes having recently left The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Looking for a drummer, they met Nick Jago, from Devon, England, who had moved to California to be with his parents after spending some time at Winchester School of Art, where he was studying fine art.The band was originally called The Elements, but after discovering that another band had the same name, they changed the name to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The vocals are shared between Been and Peter Hayes.
The band's first two records were indebted to classic hard rock influenced by Led Zeppelin and also encompassed slower paced psychedelic rock, space rock, and noise pop influences from bands such as The Verve, Loop, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Their second album Take Them On, On Your Own (recorded with Coldplay/Kasabian producer Rik Simpson) has several songs such as "Generation" and "US Government" that are critical of the United States government.
Been used the pseudonym 'Robert Turner' on the first two records, in an attempt not to be linked to his father (Michael Been of The Call.) He later dropped this identity when promoting Howl. The senior Been later toured with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club as part of their sound crew.
In 2003, a concert in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England had to be cancelled half way through the set, after Leeds City Council officials suspected the 150 year old floor of Leeds Town Hall might collapse. This led to the band sometimes being referred to as 'the band who broke the floor'. Problems with drummer Nick Jago began surfacing publicly at the 2003 NME Awards, when Jago remained on stage for nine minutes, completely silent, while accepting an award.

Images:
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Name: The Chakachas
SortName: Chakachas
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Overview:
The Chakachas were a Belgian based group of Latin soul studio musicians. Also known as 'Les Chakachas' or 'Los Chakachas', they were formed by bandleader Gaston Bogaert, ex-Los Juano Boengs and The Continentals, percussion (conga and tumba); Tito Puente's singer wife Kari Kenton, vocals and maracas; Vic Ingeveldt (a Dutchman from Liege), saxophone; Charlie Lots, trumpet; Christian Marc, piano; Henri Breyre, guitar and backing vocals; and Bill Raymond, bass guitar. All were native to Schaarbeek (a district of Brussels), or nearby Charleroi, Willebroek and Liege.

They started out in the late 1950s, and had a Belgian #1 in 1958 with "Eso es el amor", which was sung in Spanish. In 1959 they recorded "Rebecca" (a.k.a. "Rebekka"), featured in the film The Battle of Algiers. In 1962, they crept into the UK Singles Chart for the first time with "Twist Twist", which reached #48. Although they issued numerous recordings, they are best remembered as a one-hit wonder for their hit disco single "Jungle Fever" from 1972, which sold over one million copies in the United States, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in March 1972. It also reached #8 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK it fared less well: despite some airplay soon after release it was later pulled from airplay by the BBC, which took exception to the song's moaning and heavy breathing. It peaked at #29.

The song was featured in the movie Boogie Nights. It was sampled on the song "Put Her in the Buck" on the As Nasty as They Wanna Be album by 2 Live Crew, Ambassador's "Honor and Glory", Antoinette's "I Got an Attitude", Beatnuts' "Story 2000", CEO's "Hit Me with the Beat", Public Enemy's "Cold Lampin' with Flavor"; and featured on the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas soundtrack, being played on fictional radio station Master Sounds 98.3. More recently, Louie Vega used the track as the basis for a remix incorporating new vocals by American poet Ursula Rucker on "The Elements of Life" (2004).

The Chakachas song "Yo Soy Cubano" was sampled in the Mighty Dub Katz' song "Magic Carpet Ride" ("Son of Wilmot Mix") in 1995. More recently, the 'ah-ring-ting-ting' vocal was sampled as the hook in the 2012 Kendrick Lamar song "Backseat Freestyle".

The Chakachas also recorded under the name Los Chicles.

Images:
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Name: Chakachas
SortName: Chakachas
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ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=354147|MusicBrainzArtist=c9c0e1aa-fc6c-4deb-a0df-f81f0e958684|AudioDbArtist=129655
Overview:
The Chakachas were a Belgian based group of Latin soul studio musicians. Also known as 'Les Chakachas' or 'Los Chakachas', they were formed by bandleader Gaston Bogaert, ex-Los Juano Boengs and The Continentals, percussion (conga and tumba); Tito Puente's singer wife Kari Kenton, vocals and maracas; Vic Ingeveldt (a Dutchman from Liege), saxophone; Charlie Lots, trumpet; Christian Marc, piano; Henri Breyre, guitar and backing vocals; and Bill Raymond, bass guitar. All were native to Schaarbeek (a district of Brussels), or nearby Charleroi, Willebroek and Liege.

They started out in the late 1950s, and had a Belgian #1 in 1958 with "Eso es el amor", which was sung in Spanish. In 1959 they recorded "Rebecca" (a.k.a. "Rebekka"), featured in the film The Battle of Algiers. In 1962, they crept into the UK Singles Chart for the first time with "Twist Twist", which reached #48. Although they issued numerous recordings, they are best remembered as a one-hit wonder for their hit disco single "Jungle Fever" from 1972, which sold over one million copies in the United States, and was awarded a gold disc by the R.I.A.A. in March 1972. It also reached #8 in the US Billboard Hot 100. In the UK it fared less well: despite some airplay soon after release it was later pulled from airplay by the BBC, which took exception to the song's moaning and heavy breathing. It peaked at #29.

The song was featured in the movie Boogie Nights. It was sampled on the song "Put Her in the Buck" on the As Nasty as They Wanna Be album by 2 Live Crew, Ambassador's "Honor and Glory", Antoinette's "I Got an Attitude", Beatnuts' "Story 2000", CEO's "Hit Me with the Beat", Public Enemy's "Cold Lampin' with Flavor"; and featured on the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas soundtrack, being played on fictional radio station Master Sounds 98.3. More recently, Louie Vega used the track as the basis for a remix incorporating new vocals by American poet Ursula Rucker on "The Elements of Life" (2004).

The Chakachas song "Yo Soy Cubano" was sampled in the Mighty Dub Katz' song "Magic Carpet Ride" ("Son of Wilmot Mix") in 1995. More recently, the 'ah-ring-ting-ting' vocal was sampled as the hook in the 2012 Kendrick Lamar song "Backseat Freestyle".

The Chakachas also recorded under the name Los Chicles.

Images:
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Name: Captain Beefheart And His Magi
SortName: Captain Beefheart And His Magi
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Overview:
Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band were an American band who created music that has occasionally been dubbed “avant garde-blues”. Their music was characterized by bluesy melodies, shambolic instrumentation, idiosyncratic, unbound timings, the growls and shrieks of Beefheart’s vocals and his surreal, poetic lyrics. Throughout their career, the band’s musical direction was tightly controlled by Don van Vliet (1941 - 2010), aka Captain Beefheart, who subjected the band to intense regimes of rehearsal; this tension combined with poor salary contributing to the break-up of the original Magic Band.  Beefheart reformed a new band of musicians under the name, but left the music industry for good in 1982 to pursue his career as a painter.

 With the exception of British disc jockey John Peel, they saw little critical endorsement or recognition in their years active, but their influence was highly significant; to later avant-garde artists such as The Residents and Tom Waits, as well as to the punk movement, which appreciated both their stripped-down sound and Van Vliet’s unleashed, expressive vocal delivery. In recent years their importance has been acknowledged by the mainstream music press, with Trout Mask Replica (1969) reaching number 58 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list (beating albums like Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti and John Lennon’s Imagine). In 1988 Fast N Bulbous: A Tribute to Captain Beefheart, was released, featuring such diverse artists as XTC, Sonic Youth and The Mock Turtles.

Images:
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Name: Ramones
SortName: Ramones
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Overview:
Ramones war eine amerikanische Musikgruppe aus dem Stadtbezirk Queens in New York City. Sie gilt als Prototyp der Punkband, obwohl der Begriff Punk als Genrebezeichnung erst später im Zusammenhang mit einer britischen Subkultur populär wurde. Sie schuf Mitte der 1970er eher ungewollt eine neue Musikrichtung, da sie eine Abneigung gegen die damals produzierte Rockmusik im Zeitalter von Pink Floyd und Led Zeppelin hatte.
Ihre Musik orientierte sich an wenigen Vorbildern wie The Who, den Kinks, den Beach Boys, den Stooges, MC5 und dem amerikanischen Rock ’n’ Roll der 1950er-Jahre. Typisch waren einfache Harmonien und Strukturen sowie das völlige Fehlen von Soli, Intros oder Übergängen. Sie bilden damit die totale Antithese zu Stilrichtungen wie Artrock, Progressive Rock oder Fusion. Dafür waren die Songs durch extreme Geschwindigkeit und Lautstärke gekennzeichnet. Ebenso simpel wie die Komposition waren auch die Texte gehalten, die oft an Kinderreime erinnerten, in ihrer Thematik aber explizit auf die sozialen Probleme und Fragestellungen der 1970er Jahre eingingen.
2001 starb Joey Ramone nach langer Krankheit an Lymphdrüsenkrebs; vorher hatte er noch Gelegenheit, seine Solo-Platte Don't Worry About Me fertigzustellen, die posthum erschien. 2012 erschien von Joey Ramone ein weiteres "Lost Album" namens "...Ya Know!", für das Demoaufnahmen verwendet wurden. Dee Dee Ramone bekam seine langjährige Drogenabhängigkeit nicht in den Griff und starb 2002 an einer Überdosis Heroin (Chinese Rock). Johnny Ramone starb 2004 an Prostatakrebs. Tommy Ramone ist der letzte noch lebende Ramone aus der Zeit der Gründungsformation.

Images:
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Name: Ready For The Weekend
SortName: Ready For The Weekend
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Name: Summertime (The Mixtape)
SortName: Summertime (The Mixtape)
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Name: David Guetta
SortName: David Guetta
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Overview:
David Guetta [ˌdeɪvɪt ˈgɛ̝tɐ] (* 7. November 1967 in Paris als Pierre David Guetta[1] [ˌpjɛːʁ daˌviːd gɛˈta]) ist ein französischer House-DJ und Musikproduzent.
Musikalische Anfänge und Leben
David Guetta begann im Alter von 16 Jahren als Mixer und DJ in Pariser Diskotheken zu arbeiten. Nach der Veröffentlichung einiger Mix-CDs Ende der 1980er-Jahre wurde er zunächst Besitzer eines Nachtclubs in der französischen Hauptstadt. 1992 heiratete David Guetta Cathy Bardan. 1994 veröffentlichte er die Single Up & Away auf Dance Pool. Nach eher kleineren Erfolgen verschwand Guetta vorerst aus der Dance-Szene. Anfang der 2000er Jahre begann er ein Comeback.

2002–2008: Erste Erfolge
2002 erschien sein Debütalbum Just a Little More Love, auf dem einige Titel in Zusammenarbeit mit Chris Willis entstanden. Mit den Singleauskoppelungen Just a Little More Love und Love Don’t Let Me Go schaffte Guetta seinen internationalen Durchbruch. 2004 erschien sein zweites Studioalbum Guetta Blaster. 2005 hatte er mit The World Is Mine einen Hit, der durch die Clubs ging. Seine erfolgreichste Single ist eine Mischung aus seinem 2002er Hit Love Don’t Let Me Go und dem Tocadisco Remix von The Eggs Walking Away. Dieser Mix war 2006 einer der größten Hits in den Clubs Europas.

Danach folgten Love Is Gone, Baby When The Lights, Delirious, Tomorrow Can Wait und Everytime We Touch, alle auf dem Album Pop Life zu finden. Des Weiteren betreibt er zusammen mit Joachim Garraud das Musiklabel Gum Records, ein Sublabel von Virgin Music in Frankreich. Sein Album Pop Life wurde im Sommer 2007 veröffentlicht. 2007 wurde Guetta bei den World Music Awards in London mit dem Preis des besten Discjockeys der Welt ausgezeichnet.

In der Nacht vom 5. Juli 2008 trat er gemeinsam mit seiner Frau Cathy, Tiësto, Joachim Garraud, Martin Solveig und Carl Cox vor 40.000 Zuschauern im Stade de France auf. Dies war das erste Mal, dass ein solches Event in dieser Größenordnung in Frankreich stattfand. Als Vorbild diente die Veranstaltung Sensation White, bei welcher Guetta schon mehrmals als DJ teilnahm. Die zweite Ausgabe dieses Events fand am 4. Juli 2009 erneut im Stade de France statt. Neben Guetta spielten Armin van Buuren, Sven Väth, Axwell sowie Steve Angello. Auf der Abschlusskundgebung der Loveparade 2008 in Dortmund spielte Guetta außerdem ein DJ-Set.

Im Juli 2008 erschien ein neues Album F*** Me I’m Famous – International. F*** Me I’m Famous steht auch für eine der bekanntesten House-Partys in Europa, die von vielen Veranstaltern unter ähnlichen Namen kopiert werden. Seit April 2009 hat David Guetta seine eigene Radiosendung beim Internetradio RauteMusik.FM. Zusammen mit dem Frankfurter Label BigCityBeats strahlt der Sender die Show jeden Samstagabend um 21 Uhr aus. Außerdem ist er seit Januar 2009 jeden Samstag mit seiner Sendung F*** me I’m Famous auf dem italienischen Radiosender m2o zu hören.

Images:
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Name: Forever
SortName: Forever
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Name: Sex Therapy: The Session
SortName: Sex Therapy: The Session
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Name: Young Money
SortName: Young Money
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Overview:
Young Money are a rap group affiliated with Lil Wayne who made their commercial debut in 2009 after years of mixtape appearances. Led by Lil Wayne and fairly fluid in membership, the group includes Drake, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, Mack Maine, Nicki Minaj, Lil Chuckee, and Lil' Twist, among others. Young Money released their debut single, "Every Girl," in 2009 in association with Universal Music. In prior years, the group was a mainstay of Lil Wayne's mixtapes, and some of the group members, Mack Maine and Nicki Minaj in particular, released mixtapes of their own

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Name: Pricele$$
SortName: Pricele$$
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Name: Tim Mosley
SortName: Tim Mosley
PresentationUniqueKey: 1bd37b208f0d4b1e97fcb6c0ebc5bb41
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=610304|MusicBrainzArtist=daa09819-5da5-4c7a-8bef-eb372bb27ff1|AudioDbArtist=112401
Overview:
"Spieglein, Spieglein an der Wand, wer ist der beste Produzent im Land?"

Darf man ruhig fragen. Da Spiegel aber im Allgemeinen relativ schweigsame Zeitgenossen sind, zieht man besser andere Hilfsmittel zu Rate. Im Falle eines Produzenten liegt es nahe, einen Blick auf die veröffentlichten Platten, sowie die damit erreichten Awards zu werfen. Wer das bei Timbaland tut, dem sollte klar werden, dass es sich hier um einen Meister des US-Hip Hops der 90er handelt. Sieben Din-A4 Seiten voller Veröffentlichungen, auf denen der Name Tim Mosley prangt. Gold, Platin, Doppelplatin, Multi-Platin versammeln sich zu einem lustigen Stelldichein.

Den Grundstein zu seinem Erfolg legt der aus Cesapeake stammende Tim schon in den 80er Jahren. Von eintöniger Musik im Radio genervt, widmet er sich dem ultimativen "back to the roots"-Hobby eines Beatbauers: Beatboxing. So landen seine ersten Erzeugnisse, wie so oft, mittels eines kleinen Kassettenrecorders auf Band.

Einmal vom Hip Hop-Fieber gepackt, lässt sich die Entwicklung nicht mehr stoppen: Timbaland schafft sich zwei Turntables an und widmet sich fortan der hohen Kunst des DJing. In der Zeit lernt er durch einen Schulfreund den Rapper Magoo kennen, und die beiden bleiben aneinander kleben. Gemeinsam hängen sie ab, schreiben Texte, produzieren, hören Musik.

Mit neunzehn Jahren bekommt Tim die Chance, mit einem Produzenten von 2 Pac namens De Vante Swing ein Studio zu besuchen. Das Ergebnis: Im folgenden Jahr krallt er sich bis auf vier Tage dort fest. So viel Übung bleibt nicht ohne Wirkung. Mit Timbaland und seinen neuen Freunden Magoo, Ginuwine, Missy Elliot und Playa entsteht die "Da Bassment" Crew.

Für Timbaland bricht eine neue Zeit an: Ab 1996 verdient sich die Crew mit – fast komplett von ihm produzierten – Platten den Respekt der Hip Hop–Szene. Sein innovativer, elektronisch angehauchter Sound verdrängt teilweise sogar die Westcoast-Piano-Samples. Leider beibt dem Duo Timbaland and Magoo der große Erfolg der Teamkollegen Missy E. und Aaliyah verwehrt: Ihr Debütalbum "Welcome To Our World" verdient sich "nur" Platin. Das bessert sich weder mit dem Solowerk des Meister-Produzenten, "Tim’s Bio", noch mit dem zweiten Anlauf mit Magoo, "Indecent Proposal".

Als Konsequenz aus diesem "Misserfolg" gibt Timbaland Ende 2001 bekannt, keine eigenen Platten mehr zu veröffentlichen. Statt dessen arbeitet er am Aufbau seines eigenen Labels Beat Club. Kein Problem, schließlich gilt er als einer der teuersten Produzenten der späten 90er, - Rap-Größen wie Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg oder Nas stehen bei ihm Schlange.

Den erste Release auf Beat Club stellt Bubba Sparxxx "Dark Days, Bright Nights". Für das Debüt von Tweet steuert er drei Songs bei, frickelt für Scott Storch und Lil' Kim.

Seine Producer-Fähigkeiten sind aber nicht nur im Rapgame gefragt. Für Limp Bizkit steuert er einen Remix zu "New Old Songs" bei, den kommerziell erfolgreichsten Track fährt Timbaland aber mit einem komplett Hip Hop-unverdächtigen Künstler ein. Für Justin Timberlake produziert er dessen Übersingle "Cry Me A River" und macht den Ex-N Sync-Sänger damit auf einen Schlag auch abseits der Boyband-Klientel hoffähig.

Nach diesem Hit schraubt er 2003 an Bubbas zweitem Album "Deliverance", ehe er im Verbund mit Magoo doch wieder eine Scheibe an den Start bringt ("Under Construction II"). Beide Releases erhalten zwar positives Medienecho, reißen aber auf der kommerziellen Seite nichts Entscheidendes.
2004 steht Timbaland für LL Cool J, Xzibit, Fatman Scoop, erneut Jay-Z und Brandy an den Reglern. 2005 darf sich Jennifer Lopez glücklich schätzen, für ihr maues "Rebirth" die Dienste des Wizards in Anspruch zu nehmen.

Im selben Jahr bringt Timbaland mit der Mosley Music Group, die aus Beat Club Records hervorgeht, ein neues Label an den Start. Auf diesem sind Künstler wie Nelly Furtado und Justin Timberlake unter Vertrag. 2006 gibt er bekannt, an einem neuen Koop-Album zu arbeiten, für das sich die gewohnt protzige Feature-Liste wie ein Who Is Who des Musikbusiness liest: Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Nelly Furtado, Ludacris, Chris Martin, Missy Elliott. Desweiteren fummelt er noch für Björk, Duran Duran im Studio und auch Britney Spears möchte sich von ihm Tracks zimmern lassen.

2006 ist Timbaland mit satten sieben Singles in den Charts vertreten. Drei stammen aus dem weitgehend von ihm produzierten Timberlake-Album "FutureSex / LoveSounds". Nelly Furtados "Loose" hält sogar gleich viermal her, sorgt aber auch für einigen Wirbel: Im Januar werden Vorwürfe laut, Timbaland habe sich für die Melodie von "Do It" ungefragt bei dem finnischen Musikerkollegen Janne Suni bedient.

Das größtenteils via YouTube ausgetragene Drama übersteht Timbaland weitgehend unbeschadet. 2007 steuert er erst einmal Vocals zu "Wait A Minute" von den Pussycat Dolls bei. Dann kracht mit "Put It Down" die erste Single aus "Red Gone Wild", dem lang erwarteten Album Redmans aus den Boxen.

Sein nächster eigener Streich "Shock Value" erscheint im April. Neben nahezu allen bereits im Vorjahr angekündigten Mitwirkenden sind auch die auf Mosley Music Group unter Vertrag stehende Sängerin Keri Hilson, Pussycat Dolls-Frontfrau Nicole Scherzinger, Tony Yayo, The Hives, Fall Out Boy und Elton John zu hören - unter anderem. Die Single "Give It To Me" landet nach anfangs zögerlichen Verkäufen doch noch auf Platz 1 der US-Charts.

Was fehlt noch? Richtig, ein Videospiel. Dies entsteht in Zusammenarbeit mit Rockstar Games und lässt ab Sommer 2007 die Playstation zum Mischpult mutieren. Das Album für Madonna ist dann anschließend fällig.

Images:
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Name: Timothy Mosley
SortName: Timothy Mosley
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Overview:
"Spieglein, Spieglein an der Wand, wer ist der beste Produzent im Land?"

Darf man ruhig fragen. Da Spiegel aber im Allgemeinen relativ schweigsame Zeitgenossen sind, zieht man besser andere Hilfsmittel zu Rate. Im Falle eines Produzenten liegt es nahe, einen Blick auf die veröffentlichten Platten, sowie die damit erreichten Awards zu werfen. Wer das bei Timbaland tut, dem sollte klar werden, dass es sich hier um einen Meister des US-Hip Hops der 90er handelt. Sieben Din-A4 Seiten voller Veröffentlichungen, auf denen der Name Tim Mosley prangt. Gold, Platin, Doppelplatin, Multi-Platin versammeln sich zu einem lustigen Stelldichein.

Den Grundstein zu seinem Erfolg legt der aus Cesapeake stammende Tim schon in den 80er Jahren. Von eintöniger Musik im Radio genervt, widmet er sich dem ultimativen "back to the roots"-Hobby eines Beatbauers: Beatboxing. So landen seine ersten Erzeugnisse, wie so oft, mittels eines kleinen Kassettenrecorders auf Band.

Einmal vom Hip Hop-Fieber gepackt, lässt sich die Entwicklung nicht mehr stoppen: Timbaland schafft sich zwei Turntables an und widmet sich fortan der hohen Kunst des DJing. In der Zeit lernt er durch einen Schulfreund den Rapper Magoo kennen, und die beiden bleiben aneinander kleben. Gemeinsam hängen sie ab, schreiben Texte, produzieren, hören Musik.

Mit neunzehn Jahren bekommt Tim die Chance, mit einem Produzenten von 2 Pac namens De Vante Swing ein Studio zu besuchen. Das Ergebnis: Im folgenden Jahr krallt er sich bis auf vier Tage dort fest. So viel Übung bleibt nicht ohne Wirkung. Mit Timbaland und seinen neuen Freunden Magoo, Ginuwine, Missy Elliot und Playa entsteht die "Da Bassment" Crew.

Für Timbaland bricht eine neue Zeit an: Ab 1996 verdient sich die Crew mit – fast komplett von ihm produzierten – Platten den Respekt der Hip Hop–Szene. Sein innovativer, elektronisch angehauchter Sound verdrängt teilweise sogar die Westcoast-Piano-Samples. Leider beibt dem Duo Timbaland and Magoo der große Erfolg der Teamkollegen Missy E. und Aaliyah verwehrt: Ihr Debütalbum "Welcome To Our World" verdient sich "nur" Platin. Das bessert sich weder mit dem Solowerk des Meister-Produzenten, "Tim’s Bio", noch mit dem zweiten Anlauf mit Magoo, "Indecent Proposal".

Als Konsequenz aus diesem "Misserfolg" gibt Timbaland Ende 2001 bekannt, keine eigenen Platten mehr zu veröffentlichen. Statt dessen arbeitet er am Aufbau seines eigenen Labels Beat Club. Kein Problem, schließlich gilt er als einer der teuersten Produzenten der späten 90er, - Rap-Größen wie Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg oder Nas stehen bei ihm Schlange.

Den erste Release auf Beat Club stellt Bubba Sparxxx "Dark Days, Bright Nights". Für das Debüt von Tweet steuert er drei Songs bei, frickelt für Scott Storch und Lil' Kim.

Seine Producer-Fähigkeiten sind aber nicht nur im Rapgame gefragt. Für Limp Bizkit steuert er einen Remix zu "New Old Songs" bei, den kommerziell erfolgreichsten Track fährt Timbaland aber mit einem komplett Hip Hop-unverdächtigen Künstler ein. Für Justin Timberlake produziert er dessen Übersingle "Cry Me A River" und macht den Ex-N Sync-Sänger damit auf einen Schlag auch abseits der Boyband-Klientel hoffähig.

Nach diesem Hit schraubt er 2003 an Bubbas zweitem Album "Deliverance", ehe er im Verbund mit Magoo doch wieder eine Scheibe an den Start bringt ("Under Construction II"). Beide Releases erhalten zwar positives Medienecho, reißen aber auf der kommerziellen Seite nichts Entscheidendes.
2004 steht Timbaland für LL Cool J, Xzibit, Fatman Scoop, erneut Jay-Z und Brandy an den Reglern. 2005 darf sich Jennifer Lopez glücklich schätzen, für ihr maues "Rebirth" die Dienste des Wizards in Anspruch zu nehmen.

Im selben Jahr bringt Timbaland mit der Mosley Music Group, die aus Beat Club Records hervorgeht, ein neues Label an den Start. Auf diesem sind Künstler wie Nelly Furtado und Justin Timberlake unter Vertrag. 2006 gibt er bekannt, an einem neuen Koop-Album zu arbeiten, für das sich die gewohnt protzige Feature-Liste wie ein Who Is Who des Musikbusiness liest: Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Nelly Furtado, Ludacris, Chris Martin, Missy Elliott. Desweiteren fummelt er noch für Björk, Duran Duran im Studio und auch Britney Spears möchte sich von ihm Tracks zimmern lassen.

2006 ist Timbaland mit satten sieben Singles in den Charts vertreten. Drei stammen aus dem weitgehend von ihm produzierten Timberlake-Album "FutureSex / LoveSounds". Nelly Furtados "Loose" hält sogar gleich viermal her, sorgt aber auch für einigen Wirbel: Im Januar werden Vorwürfe laut, Timbaland habe sich für die Melodie von "Do It" ungefragt bei dem finnischen Musikerkollegen Janne Suni bedient.

Das größtenteils via YouTube ausgetragene Drama übersteht Timbaland weitgehend unbeschadet. 2007 steuert er erst einmal Vocals zu "Wait A Minute" von den Pussycat Dolls bei. Dann kracht mit "Put It Down" die erste Single aus "Red Gone Wild", dem lang erwarteten Album Redmans aus den Boxen.

Sein nächster eigener Streich "Shock Value" erscheint im April. Neben nahezu allen bereits im Vorjahr angekündigten Mitwirkenden sind auch die auf Mosley Music Group unter Vertrag stehende Sängerin Keri Hilson, Pussycat Dolls-Frontfrau Nicole Scherzinger, Tony Yayo, The Hives, Fall Out Boy und Elton John zu hören - unter anderem. Die Single "Give It To Me" landet nach anfangs zögerlichen Verkäufen doch noch auf Platz 1 der US-Charts.

Was fehlt noch? Richtig, ein Videospiel. Dies entsteht in Zusammenarbeit mit Rockstar Games und lässt ab Sommer 2007 die Playstation zum Mischpult mutieren. Das Album für Madonna ist dann anschließend fällig.

Images:
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Name: Jay - Z
SortName: Jay - Z
PresentationUniqueKey: 9ccb714060ad49bb879bae2f6939a455
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=447899|MusicBrainzArtist=f82bcf78-5b69-4622-a5ef-73800768d9ac|AudioDbArtist=111357
Overview:
Früher nannte er sich "Jazzy", doch als er heraus findet, dass es einfach zu viele mit diesem Namen gibt, macht er daraus kurz und bündig Jay-Z. Doch das ist nicht das Einzige, was den Rapper charakterisiert und ihn von der Masse abhebt.

Während sich viele Künstler ihre Lyrics von Experten verfassen lassen oder einfach richtig mies covern, schreibt Jay-Z seine Texte nicht einmal mehr auf. "I don't write Songs, they just form" - es gibt eben Orte, an denen
Stift und Papier nicht am Start sind. Deshalb speichert Jay seine Texte im Kopf ab, geht ins Studio und macht einen Song daraus.

Zusammen mit Damond Dash und Kareem Burke gründete er 1996 das Label Roc-A-Fella Records. Die ersten Singels des Labels etablieren Jay-Z als innovativen Künstler im Rap-Buisness, sein Album "In My Lifetime, Volume 1" sahnt gleich Platin ab. Die erste richtig kommerzielle Single ist "Sunshine" mit Foxy Brown und Babyface.

Sein zweites Album featuret viele bekannte Gesichter wie DMX oder erneut Foxy Brown. Das Instumental der Ghetto-Hymne "It's A Hard Knock Life" von Kid Capri muss Jay unbedingt auf seinem Album haben, natürlich mit seinen eigenen Lyrics versehen. Der Refrain stammt jedoch ursprünglich aus "Annie", einem Broadway-Musical.

Ende 1999 erscheint mit "Vol. 3 ... The Life And Times Of S. Carter" das vierte offizielle Album, unterdessen allerdings macht Jay-Z eher durch rüpelhaftes bis gewalttätiges Benehmen auf sich aufmerksam. Wegen Körperverletzung erwartet ihn bereits ein Verfahren, nun aber kommt es noch dicker.

Nach einer Messerstecherei im New Yorker Kit Kat Club, bei der Labelchef Lance Rivera schwer verletzt wird, gilt Jay-Z als Hauptverdächtiger. Obwohl er seine Unschuld beteuert, wird Jay-Z zunächst verhaftet, kommt aber nach der Anklageerhebung und gegen eine Kaution von 50.000 Dollar wieder auf freien Fuß. Eine Verurteilung kann er vermeiden - somit auch bis zu 25 Jahre Haft wegen schwerer Körperverletzung.

Trägt "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000" eher die Handschrift seines Labelumfeldes, ist das im September 2001 erscheinende sechtse Studioalbum "The Blueprint" wieder ganz auf Jay-Zs eigenem Mist gewachsen. Die Gastkünstler, darunter Slick Rick, Q-Tip und Biz Markie, sind Gäste im Wortsinn und keine Hauptdarsteller. Die Texte drehen sich in erster Linie um den Meister selbst: "Ich wollte einfach nur all das festhalten, das ich erlebt habe", sagt er. "Alles, das mich zu dem gemacht hat, das ich bin. In diesem Album geht es um mich selbst."

Und um andere, wie die Dissattacken gegen Nas und Mobb Deep im Song "Takeover" beweisen. Mitte Dezember werden auch The Roots in den Beef mit hinein gezogen, denn die Live-Hip Hopper zocken mit Jay-Z bei MTV-Unplugged. Die grandiose Session wird auf CD veröffentlicht. Doch Jay-Z bleibt auch im Frühjahr 2002 in den Charts. Mit "Chapter One" steht das erste Best Of-Werk des Rap-Superstars in den Läden.

Im Jahr 2003 kündigt der mit Beyoncé Knowles liierte Jay-Z seinen Abschied vom aktiven Rap und ein letztes Album an. "It's all said and done", er habe keinen Lust mehr, erklärt Jigga (Gerüchte über einen möglichen Rücktritt vom Rücktritt machen trotzdem bald die Runde).

Die Veröffentlichung des 'letzten' Albums "The Black Album" steht unter einem schlechten Stern. Die Tracks kursieren schon Anfang November im Netz, Jay-Z zieht den Release um zwei Wochen vor. Um die Fans dazu zu bewegen, das Album trotzdem auf legale Weise zu erwerben, senkt Roc-A-Fella Records sogar den Handelspreis und bringt "The Black Album" als Low Price-CD auf den Markt.

Die Maßnahme fruchtet, das schwarze Album verkauft sich in den ersten beiden Wochen über 600.000 mal. Als ein Zukunftsprojekt plant Jay-Z unter anderem, sich in ein Basketball-Team einzukaufen (bevorzugt die New Jersey Nets). Doch der Business-affine Rapper betritt erst einmal wieder die Bühne, um die lang angekündigte "The Best Of Both Worlds"-Tour durch 40 Städte mit R. Kelly durchzuziehen. Das zweite Kollabo-Album "Unfinished Business" (nach dem 2001-Release "The Best Of Both Worlds") ergattert parallel zwar die Poleposition der Billboard-Charts (einen Monat später folgt das Linkin Park/Jay-Z-Bastard-Mixalbum "Collision Course"), trotzdem lassen sich die persönlichen Animositäten zwischen den beiden Black Music-Stars nicht mehr verheimlichen.

Anfang November 2004 endet die Zusammenarbeit unrühmlich im New Yorker Madison Square Garden, als Kelly von der Bühne stürmt und Jay-Z die Tournee vorzeitig für beendet erklärt. Kelly reicht daraufhin eine 75-Millionen-Dollar-Klage wegen Vertragsbruchs und Toursabotage ein. Jigga antwortet Ende Januar 2005 zwar mit einer Gegenklage, doch hat er mit dem Fall Kelly innerlich abgeschlossen und Wichtigeres im Sinn.

Ab 2005 darf er sich Präsident des berühmten Rap-Labels Def Jam nennen. Dafür gliedert er Roc-A-Fella in die Island-Def Jam-Group ein und sorgt mit einigen außergewöhnlichen Businessentscheidungen für Aufsehen. Erst verpflichtet er The Roots für Def Jam, was bei einigen Fans der Truppe für schlechte Stimmung sorgt. Immerhin hatten sich die Roots seit jeher gegen die Kommerzialisierung ihres Genres gewehrt. Dass die Okayplayer sich mit dem Schritt zum Major keinen Deut von ihrer Kompromisslosigkeit entfernen, zeigen sie aber im Sommer 2006 auf ihrem bis dato dunkelsten und politisch eindeutigsten Album "Game Theory".

Viel mehr noch überrascht Jigga die Hip Hop-Welt mit der Nachricht, dass zukünftig sein ehemaliger Erzrivale Nas unter seinen Fittichen steht. Der jahrelange Beef wird publikumswirksam bei Jiggas sogenanntem "I Declare War"-Konzert beigelegt, bald steht auf der Def Jam-VÖ-Liste Nas' neuester Streich "Hip Hop Is Dead" ganz oben.

Anscheinend sogar mit einem Auftritt des Chefs persönlich, der sich nach seinem Ausstieg aus dem Game hinter dem Mikrofon rar macht. Wenn er es jedoch nach seinem Rücktritt in die Gesangskabine schafft, dann stets mit einem durch und durch erfolgreichen Ergebnis. Das Jahr 2005 gehört Def Jam-Sprössling Young Jeezy, dank des von Jay-Z veredelten Remix von "Go Crazy". 2006 tanzt ganz Amerika zum "Hustlin'"-Remix des neuen Miami-Aushängeschildes Rick Ross.

Zeichen für den Rücktritt vom Rücktritt? Kann es Hova doch nicht ohne das Mikro aushalten? Im Spätsommer platzt die Bombe: Erst begibt sich Jay-Z auf Welttournee und bestätigt tatsächlich die Veröffentlichung eines neuen Albums für November. Auf der Produzentenliste für "Kingdom Come" stehen unter anderem Timbaland, Kanye West, Dr. Dre und sogar Chris Martin von Coldplay. Die Hip Hop-Welt steht Kopf, obwohl eigentlich nach Jiggas "Black Album" niemand so wirklich an seinen Abgang geglaubt hat.

Da ihm das anscheinend immer noch nicht ausreicht, begibt er sich bald wieder ins Studio. Bereits im November 2007 kommt "American Gangster" in die Regale der Plattenläden und setzt sich bald an die Spitze der US-Charts. Es ist Jay-Zs zehntes Album auf Platz eins, damit zieht der Rapper mit dem bisher alleinigen Rekordhalter Elvis Presley gleich.

Auch eine kleine Tour steht auf dem Plan. Wie groß das Interesse an Jay-Z nach wie vor ist, beweist auch der Vorverkaufgsstart für die Gigs. Ganze 15 Sekunden dauert es, bis seine Fünf-Städte US-Tour zum neuen Album komplett ausverkauft ist.

Mit Kollegen Kanye West, mit dem er bereits auf "The Blueprint" den ersten gemeinsamen Song veröffentlichte, arbeitet Jay-Z über die Jahre immer wieder zusammen. 2011 endlich ist es an der Zeit, Nägel mit Köpfen zu machen und gemeinsam zuzuschlagen. Die Supergroup bekommt den kaum größenwahnsinnigen Namen The Throne verpasst. Eine geplante EP wächst sich zum Album in voller Länge aus.

Images:
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Name: Pharcyde
SortName: Pharcyde
PresentationUniqueKey: c3feb3d4014e47c98b6a163dff4a2b69
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Overview:
The Pharcyde /ËˆfÉ‘rsaÉªd/ is an alternative hip hop group based in South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani (Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3 (Trevant Hardson), Bootie Brown (Romye Robinson) and Fatlip (Derrick Stewart). DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla. The group is best known for the hit singles "Drop", "Passin' Me By" and "Runnin'", as well as their first album, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde.
Pharcyde group members Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, and Imani met as dancers in the late 1980s and dancing was their main ambition as late as 1990. Around this time, Imani and Slimkid3 were in a group called "As Is" and later a group called the "Play Brothers", whilst Bootie Brown was a backup dancer for Fatlip (Fatlip being the last member to join the group). Bootie Brown recalls that their earlier dancing careers influenced their rapping - "sometimes the way I rap is almost like the way I used to dance". The group met Reggie Andrews, a local high-school music teacher who worked with the Dazz Band and Rick James, and who was a major musical influence on their debut album. The group also met producer J-Swift around this time, as he was Reggie Andrews's "star pupil" according to the book Check the Technique.

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Name: Audio Two
SortName: Audio Two
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Overview:
Audio Two were the Brooklyn, New York hip hop duo of emcee Kirk "Milk Dee" Robinson and DJ Nat "Gizmo" Robinson, most famous for its first hit, the classic "Top Billin'."

The duo’s debut single, "Make it Funky," was released in 1987, but it was the b-side, "Top Billin'," that hit, making not only the group instant stars but also making a deep cultural impact on hip hop. The beat by Daddy-O of Stetsasonic and Milk Dee's lyrics would be sampled and referenced time and time again, even by the group itself: both the group's full-length debut, 1988's What More Can I Say? and its 1990 follow-up, I Don't Care: The Album, were titled after lines from the song. However, the duo would never recapture its initial success. The singles of its second album, "I Get the Papers" and "On the Road Again," were only moderate hits. It was a time of rapid change in the hip hop market; gangsta rap was rising in popularity, and Audio Two found itself unsuccessfully struggling to maintain recording contracts and a fanbase. A third album, First Dead Indian, due for release in 1992, was canceled before it was released even though it had an assigned catalog number. Because of its downfall, the duo disbanded.

Audio Two did, however, pave the way for the duo's labelmate MC Lyte, who would launch her career with the hit single "I Cram To Understand You (Sam)," which went to #1 on the Billboard Hip-Hop chart in 1989. Lyte's 1998 album Seven & Seven would feature a remake of "Top Billin'"—with the original instrumental—this time a duet between her and Milk. In 1994, Milk released a solo EP titled Never Dated on Rick Rubin's American Recordings. While the EP was notable for its single "Spam," a duet with the Beastie Boys' Adrock with drum programming by Mike D, aside from the devoted Beastie Boys fanbase the album generated little interest. Milk would eventually rediscover success by producing singer Eamon, who recorded the 2004 hit "Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)."

In 2007, Milk Dee recorded a verse for a remix of "I Get Money" by 50 Cent, thanking all the music artists that sampled "Top Billin'," which earned him royalties.

Images:
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Name: Black Moon
SortName: Black Moon
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Overview:
Black Moon is an American hip hop group, composed of members Buckshot, 5 ft and DJ Evil Dee (of Da Beatminerz). The group was most notable for their debut album Enta da Stage, and their affiliation with the Boot Camp Clik.

Black Moon (backronymed as Brothers who Lyrically Act and Combine Kickin Music Out On Nations) debuted in 1992, with the release of the single "Who Got Da Props?". The song became an underground phenomenon, and charted on the Billboard Hot 100. With the help of DJ Chuck Chillout, the group landed a record deal with Nervous Records and released its debut album, Enta da Stage, in late 1993. The album included "Who Got Da Props?" as well as the singles "Son Get Wrec", "How Many MC's...", "Buck ’Em Down", and another Hot 100 Hit, "I Got Cha Opin (Remix)". Enta da Stage went on to sell over 350,000 copies in the U.S. and is now regarded as an underground hip hop classic. Following the album's release, the group temporarily broke up.

During the group's hiatus, DJ Evil Dee continued his production career with Da Beatminerz, and Buckshot headed out and formed his own group called the Boot Camp Clik, featuring fellow Brooklyn locals Smif-n-Wessun, Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C.. Following the releases of the debuts of Smif-n-Wessun (Dah Shinin'), Heltah Skeltah (Nocturnal), and O.G.C. (Da Storm), Black Moon reunited on Duck Down Records. In late 1996, Nervous Records released a Black Moon compilation album titled Diggin' In Dah Vaults, which featured a number of remixes and b-side tracks. After the group's split with Nervous Records, Black Moon became entangled in a legal battle over the licensing rights of their group name, which lasted for a number of years. The case was finally settled in 1998, and the group was able to license its name through Nervous.

In 1999, the group released its long awaited second album War Zone. The album saw a change in the group's musical style, with a more mature Buckshot showing off a calmer, more serious lyrical delivery,and the noticeably more vocal 5 ft.making appearances with M.O.P ("Annihilation") and Heather B ("For All Y'all"), and also featured a new lo-fi production sound from Da Beatminerz. The album's singles "Two Turntables & a Mike" and "This is What it Sounds Like (Worldwind)" made small impact, and the group wasn't able to properly capitalize on its hype. Despite the somewhat disappointing sales, the album received good reviews. 1999 also saw the solo debut album from Buckshot, titled The BDI Thug, which was seen as a major disappointment. The album was met with very mediocre reviews and little sales. Black Moon was largely missing from the hip hop scene between 2000 and 2001.

Black Moon returned in 2003 for the release of its third album Total Eclipse, which featured the underground hit "Stay Real"'' and "Pressure is Tight", as well as two music videos, shot for the singles "Stay Real" and "This Goes Out to You". The album, like the group's previous efforts, received good reviews, but it wasn't able to reach outside the underground hip hop audience. DJ Evil Dee continued production work with Da Beatminerz, and Buckshot continued to work with the Boot Camp Clik while 5ft is working on a solo project. In 2005, Buckshot released a collaboration album with producer 9th Wonder titled Chemistry. In 2006, DJ Evil Dee and his brother Mr. Walt released a mixtape titled Alter the Chemistry, which paired Buckshot's vocals from the Chemistry album with classic Black Moon beats.

In 2007, 5 ft recorded the song "BK All Day" with Boot Camp Clik, for the BCC album of the same year, Casualties of War. In 2008, Buckshot released with 9th Wonder their second collaboration album titled The Formula.
5 ft is working in his solo album debut. He was featured on General Steel's solo album of the Group Smif-n-Wessun on Duckdown records, "Welcome To Bucktown", on the song "Made me do it". 5 ft is featured on the new compilation CD called Moment of Clarity, which was Released August 2009 on Coalmine Records, Produced by Grant Parks. His song is "The God in You". It was recently confirmed by the group in 2011 that it started recording its fourth album together called Dark Side of the Moon and to be fully produced again by Da Beatminerz, with possible new members to its production team.

Images:
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Name: Shabba Ranks
SortName: Shabba Ranks
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Overview:
Shabba Ranks (born Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon; January 17, 1966, Sturgetown, St. Ann, Jamaica) is a Jamaican dancehall musician.

He was one of the most popular dancehall artists of his generation. He was also one of the first Jamaican deejays to gain worldwide acceptance, and recognition for his 'slack' lyrical expressions and content, when "ridin' di riddim". His gravel toned, rough-sounding voice made him instantly recognized worldwide.

Ranks gained his fame mainly by toasting (or rapping) rather than singing, similarly to his dancehall contemporaries in Jamaica. A protégé of deejay Josey Wales, he arrived on the international stage in the late 1980s, along with a number of fellow Jamaicans including reggae singers Cocoa Tea and Crystal. Ranks also worked with Chuck Berry and American rappers KRS-One and Chubb Rock.

He secured a major record deal with Epic Records in 1991. Having released five albums for a major label, Ranks remains one of the most prolific dancehall artists to break into the mainstream.

The stylistic origins of the genre reggaeton may partially be traced back to the 1991 song "Dem Bow", from Ranks' album Just Reality. Produced by Bobby "Digital" Dixon, the Dem Bow riddim became so popular in Puerto Rican freestyle sessions that early Puerto Rican reggaeton was simply known as "Dembow". The Dem Bow riddim is an integral and inseparable part of reggaeton, so much so that it has become its defining characteristic.

His biggest hit single outside of Jamaica was the reggae fusion smash "Mr. Loverman" (memorable for bringing the cry "Shabba!" to the music world). Other tracks include "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailer Load A Girls", "Wicked inna Bed", "Caan Dun", and "Ting A Ling".

In 1993, Ranks scored another hit in the Addams Family Values soundtrack to which he contributed a rap/reggae version of the Sly and the Family Stone hit "Family Affair". His third album for Epic, "A Mi Shabba", was released in 1995, however it fared less well. He was eventually dropped by the label in 1996. However, he won two Grammy Awards for previous work, and Epic went on to release a 'Greatest Hits' album, entitled Shabba Ranks and Friends in 1999.

In 2002, Ranks fulfilled one of his lifetime ambitions by dueting with his boyhood hero Alan Price, the keyboardist from 1960s band The Animals. He sang "Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear" the Randy Newman song with Price at Reggae Sumfest, Montego Bay. Ranks is credited with bringing the popularity of Alan Price to Jamaica.

Images:
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Name: Super Cat
SortName: Super Cat
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Overview:
Super Cat (born William Maragh in Kingston, Jamaica, 1966) is one of the originators of the late 80’s and early 90’s dancehall movement. A reggae musician who came to prominence in the late 1980s and even more so in the early 1990s, Super Cat is of Jamaican and Indian descent. His nickname, the “Wild Apache” was given to him by his mentor Early B.

His first single as was entitled ‘Mr. Walker’ and was a hit in Jamaica. His song ‘Boops’ came soon after with the release of his debut album ’ Si Boops Dey’ and was a massive hit that spawned hundreds of responses and cemented him a place in reggae history. He put his name in the history books and knotched a place in US music scene with the album Don Dada. The album featured heavyweights in the Hip Hop arena such as Heavy D and Notorious B.I.G. Songs like Don Dada, Dolly My Baby and Ghetto Red Hot are considered classics. Controversy has always surrounded his career. For example with the death of the popular reggae artist Nitty Gritty, killed in a murky incident in New York City, where Super Cat was accused but denied any involvement. He also had an infamous shooting incident in a Sting stage show performance with then rival Ninjaman.

Super Cat had a number of hit singles in the early 1990s, including “Don Dada” and “Ghetto Red Hot,” “Dem No Worry Me” with Heavy D and “Alright” with Kris Kross. These hits made him The Source magazine dancehall artist of the year in 1993. He was also an early collaborator with The Notorious B.I.G., featuring the then unknown artist (along with Mary J. Blige and Puff Daddy) on the B-side remix of “Dolly My Baby” in 1993. The title song, ‘Don Dada’ was a reply to many jabs made by Ninjaman.

Super Cat was featured on the number one hit “Fly”, a 1997 single by Sugar Ray from their platinum album. He collaborated with India Arie on her hit song “Video” in 2001 and with Jadakiss and the Neptunes on “The Don Of Dons” in 2003. Following the death of his long time road manager Fred ‘The Thunder’ Donner in 2004, Super Cat released a multi-cd tribute album entitled “Reggaematic Diamond All-Stars” that featured contributions from Yami Bolo, Michael Prophet, Linval Thompson, Nadine Sutherland and Sizzla among others.

Images:
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Name: Buju Banton
SortName: Buju Banton
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Overview:
Buju Banton, mit bürgerlichem Namen Mark Anthony Myrie, wurde am 15. Juli 1973 in Kingston, Jamaika, geboren und ist ein prominenter jamaikanischer Dancehall-, Ragga- und Reggae-Sänger. Aufgewachsen in den Slums von Salt Lane, startete er seine musikalische Laufbahn in den 1980er Jahren und erlangte mit seinem 1992 veröffentlichten Album "Mr. Mention" rasch Bekanntheit in Jamaika. Während seiner Karriere produzierte er zahlreiche Hits wie "Browning" und "Love Black Woman" und arbeitete mit internationalen Größen wie John Legend zusammen. Sein 1995 erschienenes Album "Til Shiloh" zeichnet sich durch tiefgründigere und spirituellere Texte aus. Trotz seines Erfolgs war Bantons Karriere von Kontroversen geprägt, insbesondere wegen einiger als homophob kritisierten Texte. 2009 wurde er in den USA wegen Drogenbesitzes festgenommen und zu einer zehnjährigen Haftstrafe verurteilt. Nach seiner Entlassung im Jahr 2018 setzte er seine musikalische Karriere fort und brachte das Album "Upside Down 2020" heraus. Heute gilt er als eine der prägenden Figuren der jamaikanischen Musikszene und hat sich einen festen Platz als einer der größten Reggae-Künstler aller Zeiten gesichert.

Images:
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Name: Ninja Man
SortName: Ninja Man
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Overview:
Ninjaman, alias Don Gorgon, (born Desmond John Ballentine on January 20, 1966, in Annotto Bay, Jamaica) is a popular dancehall deejay and actor, known for his controversial and pro-gun lyrics and his stuttering and melodramatic style. Ninjaman is currently out on bail awaiting trial for a murder that was committed in Kingston, Jamaica. 

Biography:
After moving from his birthplace Annotto Bay to Kingston at the age of 12, he launched his deejay career with the Black Culture Sound System at age 12 as "Double Ugly". In 1980, he joined Killamanjaro, there got the chance to learn from established deejays Super Cat and Early B, and released his debut single as "Uglyman". Yet another name change made him the now well known Ninjaman. In 1987, Ninjaman recorded - and produced himself - his first hit single "Protection", a duet with Courtney Melody. The following years brought many prolific collaborations with producers like King Jammy, Witty, Xterminator, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, Redman, Ini Kamoze, Bobby Digital, Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, and Steely & Clevie and Henry "Junjo" Lawes. It has been said that Ninjaman comes up with all of his lyrics on the spot in the recording studio, in a freestyle manner. 
His hits over the years 1989-1992, like "Murder Dem", "Permit to Bury" and "Above the Law" reinforced Ninjaman's image of a violent rude boy. One of his most infamous rivalries (besides the ongoing quarrels with Flourgon and Super Cat) was the one with Shabba Ranks, leading to a number of clashes. 
In 1993, criticism of Ninjaman's violent and pro-gun lyrics arose, leading to a decline in performing gigs and chances to record. 
By 1997, Ninjaman had changed his name once again, now performing gospel reggae songs as "Brother Desmond". He sought help to fight his crack cocaine addiction in born again Christianity. 
In March 2009, Ninjaman, along with his son Janiel, was arrested and charged in connection with a murder of Ricardo Johnson on Marl Road, Kingston, Jamaica. He was granted bail for the sum of JD$2,000,000 in March 2012, and was scheduled to appear in court 15 July 2012. At least 58 jurors were needed for the start of the trial but only 15 showed up. The trial is now scheduled to start in April 2015.

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Name: Admiral Bailey
SortName: Admiral Bailey
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Overview:
Admiral Bailey (born Glendon Bailey, Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican dancehall deejay who enjoyed his greatest success between the mid-1980s and the early 1990s. He now lives in Jamaica. He has been described as "the hottest dancehall star of the late 1980s"

Images:
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Name: Buccaneer
SortName: Buccaneer
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Overview:
Buccaneer (eigentlich Andrew Bradford; * 1974 in Jamaika) ist ein jamaikanischer Dancehall-Musiker.
Andrew Bradford wuchs in Havendale, einem Vorort von Kingston auf. Seine Mutter ließ ihn zu der Zeit Piano und klassische Musik lernen. Die Familie musste später nach Waltham Park umziehen, einem der ärmeren Viertel Kingstons. Dort begann Bradford, sich bei lokalen Soundsystems als Deejay zu versuchen. Ein Freund gab ihm, angeregt durch ein buntes Piratenkostüm, das Bradford bei einem Auftritt trug, den Spitznamen Buccaneer (deutsch: Bukanier), der zu seinem Künstlernamen wurde.

Buccaneer entwickelte Anfang der 1990er eine Freundschaft zum Musiker und Produzenten Danny Browne und verbrachte einige Zeit in King Jammys Studio, wo er auch mit anderen Produzenten zusammenarbeitete. Im Jahr 1995 erschien Buccaneers Debütalbum Now There Goes The Neighbourhood. Es dauerte aber noch bis zum darauffolgenden Jahr, bis mit der Single Skettel Concerto der Durchbruch zum Erfolg in Jamaika gelang. Der Song bot mit Samples klassischer Musik und Buccaneers dramatischem Singjay-Stil eine eigenwillige Mischung. Das Stück erschien 1997 zusammen mit weiteren Songs in ähnlichem Stil, aber auch mit ganz direkten Dancehall-Stücken, die ebenso zu Buccaneers Repertoire gehören, auf dem nächsten Album Classic. Im Jahr 1998 folgte mit Da Opera Buccaneers drittes Album.

In der Folge betätigte Buccaneer sich auch als Musikproduzent, nahm aber auch weiter eigene Songs auf oder in Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Dancehall-Künstlern, wie beispielsweise Bounty Killer, Mr. Vegas und der Scare Dem Crew.


Name: Elephant Man
SortName: Elephant Man
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Overview:
Overly large ears as a child earned him the nickname "Dumbo Elephant" from his classmates in the Seaview Gardens area of Kingston, Jamaica. Shabba Ranks and Bounty Killer were Seaview residents at the time, and with King Jammy's studio not so far away, Elephant Man had an early exposure to dancehall culture. While singing at the gates of Ranks and Jammy's studios, Bounty Killer heard him and suggested forming a group with other Seaview teens. The group was originally called the Seaview Family, but after Bounty Killer had a massive hit with "Big Guns Scare Dem," the name changed to Scare Dem Crew. Scare Dem Crew only released one album but played multiple festivals around Jamaica, giving Elephant Man a chance to refine his on-stage persona. Dancehall night at 1998's Reggae Sumfest was a highlight, with Elephant Man climbing up a television camera crane and delivering his energetic rhymes high above the audience.

The rest of Scare Dem started to question the DJ's ability to be a team player and Elephant Man left the group feeling disrespected. Solo, he was able to incorporate the hip-hop rhythms he loved on his full-length debut, Comin' 4 You, released by Greensleeves in 2000. The title cut from his second release, Log On, was a huge hit and the album's WTC attacks commentary attracted a wealth of attention from the press. A duet with one of Elephant Man's favorite rappers, Busta Rhymes, appeared on a remix of Lil Jon's "Get Low," and Mariah Carey recruited the DJ for an appearance on her Charmbracelet album. Atlantic Records took note of his growing popularity and released his major-label debut, Good 2 Go, in late 2003 while his "Pon di River, Pon di Bank" single was taking urban radio by storm. In 2008 the Let's Get Physical album appeared on the VP label in partnership with P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records. It featured the single "Five-O" with Wyclef Jean, while Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes appeared elsewhere on the album. Featuring the Jamaican hit “Nuh Linga,” the 2011 effort Dance & Sweep! Adventures of the Energy God found him back on VP proper. ~ David Jeffries

Images:
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Name: Mr Vegas
SortName: Mr Vegas
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Overview:
He catapulted to the top of the Jamaican charts in 1997 with the dancehall boomshots "Heads High" and "Nike Air", his distinctive vocals fusing melodious singing with precision deejaying (rapping). Since then he has built an international fan base with hit singles like "Pull Up", "Tamale" and "Hot Gal Today" but it is on his latest CD "Constant Spring" that Mr. Vegas' spectacular sing-jay approach and cleverly crafted lyrics dazzle with the intensity of an evening in, well, Las Vegas.  Born Clifford Smith in Kingston, Jamaica, he was given the nickname Mr. Vegas by his cousin for the neon pink shorts he wore on the football field; in addition to his athletic skills Mr. Vegas also demonstrated musical talents early on. However an unfortunate dispute over the ownership of a DAT resulted in Vegas being hit in the jaw with an iron pipe; after the assault Vegas' mouth was wired shut so he was forced to create a unique method of vocalizing through his teeth. That style was first heard on "Nike Air", the song that initially positioned Vegas on the dancehall charts. Characterized by uplifting lyrics aimed (especially) at young women, he followed "Nike Air" with another affirming and very appealing tune "Heads High" which reached number one in Jamaica, hit the British Top Ten and found its way onto several urban stations across America.  Vegas' 1997 debut album "Heads High" (Greensleeves Records) further displayed his captivating vocal capabilities on songs like "Jacket", "Sweet Pineapple" and "Everywhere I Go"; it also earned him a British Mobo Award as Best Reggae artist, while establishing his fan base beyond the Jamaican dancehall.  However Vegas demonstrated even greater versatility on his 2001 sophomore release "Damn Right" (Greensleeves) which featured a stronger R&B and hip-hop flavor on the hits "Girls Time" and "She's A Ho", sensitive singing on the roots rocking "Rise" and a sensational duet with Sean Paul "Hot Gal Today".  With his move to the Los Angeles based independent label Delicious Vinyl Vegas released his third CD "Pull Up". The title track was recorded on Scatta Burrell's wildly popular Coolie Dance riddim, entered the Billboard charts and took Vegas' music into previously uncharted territory. Another single from "Pull Up" "Tamale" also did well, particularly in Europe.  Vegas has just completed his fourth and finest CD so far "Constant Spring" which presents an amalgam of styles including reggaeton productions by the red hot duo Luny/Tunes on the tracks "Johnny" and "Papito" and Latin tinged duets with Don Omar ("Pobre Diablo") and El Medico ("Penicilin"). Another scorching combination "Burnin" features soca sensation Kevin Lyttle. Vegas' long time associate Jamaica's Richard "Shams" Browne produced several tracks including "Million Dollar Baby" and "Slow Wine" while veteran dancehall hit makers Steely and Clevie's Sleepy Dog riddim scampers under Vegas' current Jamaican chart topper, the CDs title track "Constant Spring". Another Jamaican hit that is currently finding popularity throughout Europe is Vegas' self-produced, uncharacteristically contemplative "More Love", his emotive singing lamenting Jamaica's upwardly spiraling crime rate but the song's lyrics are applicable to many troubled territories throughout the world:  "I walk these Kingston streets, everyday a bare a beat/I can't get no sleep all I hear is AKs when they speak/ I walk Spanish town all I hear is people get gunned down, when I look around all I see is bodies on the ground. My shadow's afraid to even walk beside me, my shadow's afraid to even walk this city gun dawg and his friend full the morgue in Kingston city/too many guns in town."  "Crime, violence, war, it affects everyone," Vegas says, "and there is nothing in that song that doesn't relate to what is going on everywhere, especially Kingston. We want this album to be versatile so a Latino person a hip hop person, urban kids or all nationalities will listen to it."  Reflecting the ongoing changes within the music industry, Vegas and his manager Leslie Cooney of the Los Angeles based company Addict Management will be taking a very different approach regarding the release of "Constant Spring": they will not be signing to just one label. "We have found that as an independent artist Vegas can better exploit his appeal in every territory without the expectations and limitations of being signed to one label," says Ms. Cooney. "Instead, we will directly supply his fans with music worldwide and will seek licenses with different labels in their respective territories. Whether by an actual record or digital distribution, if there is a demand for Vegas it can now be met without waiting for the record label machinery to spring into action. We are taking matters in our own hands and Vegas is planning his own future."  And for Mr. Vegas the future appears to be shining even brighter than the flashing neon lights that abound in the Nevada city that is his namesake. www.mr-vegas.com

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Name: Mavado
SortName: Mavado
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Overview:
David Constantine Brooks (born 30 November 1981), better known by his stage name Mavado, is a Jamaican dj, singer and songwriter, who is signed to We the Best Music Group and formerly to Cash Money Records.

Biography
David Constantine Brooks was raised in Kingston, Jamaica's Cassava Piece community.

He cites the music of Bounty Killer as an early influence. The boyhood idol became his mentor when at the age of 15, Bounty took him under his wing to show him the ropes of the music industry and introduced him to his manager, dancehall music business legend Julian Jones-Griffith, who would go on to manage Mavado's illustrious career. He decided to name himself "Mavado" after the Swiss watch company Movado, with his manager altering the spelling.

Mavado's first single, "Real McKoy", was released in 2004 and was his breakthrough single. He further established himself with the follow-up record "Weh Dem a Do", on the Red Bull & Guinness riddim, that had the distinction of hitting Billboard. After a string of hits in 2005 and 2006, Mavado released the album Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks 10 July 2007 on VP Records. "Weh Dem A Do" and "Dying", two singles from the album, were featured heavily on R&B/hip-hop radio in the US and around the world.

That same year brought Mavado off-stage controversy, as he was unlawfully detained by Jamaican police. While in police custody, the singer claims he was thrown through a glass window, slicing three fingers in the process, which were sewn up at a local hospital. Police claimed Mavado escaped from custody, even though they let him walk out of the police station and go to the hospital with his manager. He was later arrested and charged with shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm in relation to an event occurring 27 July 2007. He was later freed of all charges.

In March 2008, Mavado was featured performing a rendition of his song "Real McKoy" for Grand Theft Auto IV Trailer #4 "Everyone's a Rat". "Real McKoy", along with "Last Night" (both from the album Gangsta for Life), were also featured in the game on the radio station "Massive B Radio".

Mavado was also featured on the G-Unit track 'Let It Go' along with Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks for the album: T.O.S: Terminate on Sight in 2008. He was the only non-G-Unit feature on the album.

In 2008 Mavado was given the prestigious UK MOBO Award for Best Reggae Act.

In April 2010, Mavado starred as a gangster in Drake's song Find Your Love for Drake's album Thank Me Later

He has also collaborated with Busta Rhymes, Wyclef, Ludacris, Birdman, Fabolous, Ace Hood, Akon, 50 Cent's G-Unit, Snoop Dogg and JAY Z.

Mavado formed his own label, Mansion Records, in 2011, which debuted with the single "Delilah" that was given mainstream US radio rotation. Along with Bounty Killer, he has cited 2Pac as a childhood idol, comparing the late rapper's life to his own.

In 2011, Mavado recorded with U.K. grime artist Chipmunk on the track "Every Gyal".

On 1 September 2011, Mavado appeared on the Angie Martinez show on New York's Hot 97 radio station to announce that he had signed a deal with DJ Khaled's record label We the Best Music Group. Mavado released three singles "Emergency" featuring Ace Hood, Soulja girl and "Survivor" featuring Akon on We the Best Music Group.

In May 2012 he was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious destruction of property after a driving incident, and was fined a total of $100,000. An appeal against the sentence was unsuccessful.

In 2012, it was announced that Mavado will feature in the upcoming "Shottas 2" a sequel to the Shottas movie, which starred Ky-Mani Marley and Spragga Benz

In 2016, Mavado's song "Progress" on The Mineral Boss Records Produced "Money Boss Riddim" was featured in DJ Khaled's "Major Key" album. a 14 track album. The album was nominated for the 2017 Grammy Awards on the "best rap" album category.

In 2017, Mavado, Alkaline and Jahmiel formed a camp known as MVP, the biggest and hottest thing in Jamaica in the recent years.

in 2018, Mavado collaborated with Sean Paul for an inspirational song called "I'm Sanctify".

Here is Mavado's Vevo Channel on YouTube.

Personal life
Mavado married his wife Monique McKenzie in a secret wedding in 2012 in the USA. They have two children, Vuitton and Daisy. Mavado also has three children from other previous relationships, Danielle and Dante (siblings), and Gavyn.

Images:
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Name: The Jacka
Overview: The Jacka is a rapper from Pittsburg, CA
SortName: Jacka
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Images:
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Name: Blue Scholars
SortName: Blue Scholars
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Overview:
Blue Scholars is an American hip hop duo based in Seattle, Washington, created in 2002 while the members, DJ Sabzi (Saba Mohajerjasbi) and MC Geologic (George Quibuyen), were students at University of Washington.

The name "Blue Scholars" is a play on the term "blue collar," which is an idiom for workers who often earn hourly wages for manual labor. Their music and lyrics frequently focus on struggles between socioeconomic classes, challenging authority and youth empowerment. These themes are often specifically addressed in relation to the Seattle region ("Southside Revival", "North by Northwest", "50 Thousand Deep", "Joe Metro", "Slick Watts" and "The Ave"), and heavily draw upon Geologic's history as an activist within the Filipino American community dealing with issues of immigration, racism, and U.S. neo-imperialism in the Philippines. Recent music has begun to extend even further outward, reflecting the group's greater West Coast and Pacific roots including an album devoted to exploring Geo's Hawaiian heritage on the OOF! EP.

Images:
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Name: Juicy J
SortName: Juicy J
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Overview:
Juicy J (* 5. April 1975 in Memphis, Tennessee; eigentlich Jordan Michael Houston) ist ein US-amerikanischer Rapper und Musikproduzent. Er ist der Bruder des Rappers Project Pat.

Juicy J und DJ Paul waren als DJs in Memphis tätig und begannen Anfang der 1990er zusammenzuarbeiten. Sie starteten 1991 als Triple 6 Mafia und nannten sich später Three 6 Mafia: Es entstand eine Hip-Hop-Crew, die dem Rap aus dem Süden der Vereinigten Staaten zum Durchbruch verhalf. Als Produzent und Rapper war Juicy J an zahlreichen Alben der Crew und ihrer Mitglieder beteiligt. Um 2000 hatten sie ihren Durchbruch in den amerikanischen Charts.

Im Jahr 2001 unternahm Juicy J erstmals einen Ausflug ins Filmgeschäft und nahm in Direktproduktion den Film Choices auf, an dem die meisten Crewmitglieder beteiligt waren. Im Jahr darauf veröffentlichte er dann sein erstes Soloalbum. Chronicles of the Juice Man wurde ein Achtungserfolg und kam in die Top 20 der R&B-Charts.

In den folgenden Jahren war Juicy J wieder mit Three 6 Mafia erfolgreich. Daneben schrieb er zusammen mit DJ Paul den Song It's Hard out Here for a Pimp für den Film Hustle & Flow. Darin geht es um einen Rapper in Memphis, der mit diesem Lied seinen Durchbruch schafft. Das Lied wurde bei der Oscarverleihung 2006 als bester Filmsong ausgezeichnet.[1] Es war der erste Hip-Hop-Song, der bei einer Verleihungsveranstaltung aufgeführt wurde.[2]

2009 startete Juicy J seinen zweiten Soloanlauf und verließ 2010 Three 6 Mafia. Mit dem Album Hustle Till I Die blieb er jedoch bei dem Erfolg des Vorgängeralbums stehen. Erst ein Labelwechsel brachte ihn in den folgenden Jahren vorwärts: Er schloss sich der Taylor Gang von Wiz Khalifa an. Mit Bandz a Make Her Dance, bei dem er von Lil Wayne und 2 Chainz unterstützt wurde, hatte er 2012 seinen ersten Singlehit und kam damit bis auf Platz 29. Für die nächste Albumveröffentlichung unterschrieb er bei Columbia Records.[3] Es folgten zwei weitere Chartsingles, bevor im Spätsommer 2013 sein drittes Album Stay Trippy erschien. Dank der vorherigen Erfolge stieg das Album auf Platz 4 der US-Charts ein und erreichte Platz 1 bei den Rap-Alben.

Danach wirkte er bei Singles mit, an denen auch Popgrößen wie Miley Cyrus und Justin Bieber beteiligt waren. Seinen größten Hit hatte er Anfang 2014 bei einer Zusammenarbeit mit Katy Perry. Deren Single Dark Horse erreichte Platz 1 der US-Charts und war darüber hinaus ein internationaler Hit.

Images:
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Name: Adam Levine
SortName: Adam Levine
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Overview:
Maroon 5 lead vocalist and guitarist Adam Levine was born on March 18, 1979, in Los Angeles, CA. He began playing music with junior-high friends guitarist Jesse Carmichael and bassist Mickey Madden under the influence of groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, and after the final 1994 addition of Ryan Dusick on drums, the alternative rock band Kara's Flowers were born. The quartet scored a record deal with Reprise, released a mediocre album, and was released from its contract all in a matter of years. Following the termination of its deal, the band went on hiatus and Levine headed to New York with Carmichael to attend Five Towns College on Long Island. While there, he was exposed to a whole new music scene and absorbed new influences like hip-hop, soul, gospel, and R&B that changed Levine's whole perspective on songwriting, even altering the way in which he sang -- from a deeper, grunge-inspired delivery to a higher and more expressive one. Levine and Carmichael dropped out of school after a semester and headed back to California rejuvenated and inspired to add a new groove-based element to their band's rock template. Hooking back up with the rest of the Kara's Flowers guys, Levine began writing a bunch of songs that were directly inspired by his recently failed relationship, which was imploding as the band was entering the studio to record. After adding in new guitarist James Valentine (moving Carmichael over to keyboards) and scoring a new deal with Octone Records, the newly christened Maroon 5 were officially up and running; their debut album, the aptly titled Songs About Jane, was soon completed. Released in June 2002, the album sold steadily over the next couple of years and was certified platinum by 2004. Maroon 5 scored several hit singles, won two Grammy Awards, and toured constantly in support. During their rise in popularity, the pop/rockers managed to stir up a little bit of controversy when the music video for "This Love" included scenes of Levine and his then real-life girlfriend (not Jane) engaging in simulated sex.

Images:
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Name: Ray Charles
SortName: Ray Charles
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Overview:
Die Geschichte von Ray Charles Robinson, einer der bedeutensten Rhythm And Blues- und Soul-Musiker, beginnt am 23. September 1930 in Albany, Georgia, USA. Er wächst in ärmlichen Verhältnissen zusammen mit seiner Mutter und seinem jüngeren Bruder in der Kleinstadt Greenville, Florida, auf.

Wo sich der Vater herumtreibt, ist unklar, auf jeden Fall sorgt er nicht für seinen Sohn. Schon mit drei Jahren fängt der kleine Ray an, sich für Musik zu interessieren. Gegenüber auf der anderen Straßenseite gibt es die einzige Kneipe im Ort, in der ein Klavier und eine Jukebox steht. Der Besitzer spielt das Piano.

Ray Charles findet sich oft bei seinem Nachbarn ein und hört entweder bei den aktuellen Boogie Woogie- und Bluessongs zu oder darf selber, auf dem Schoß sitzend, ein wenig rumklimpern. Im Alter von fünf Jahren erlebt RC, wie er oft genannt wird, die erste große Tragödie in seinem Leben.

Sein Bruder ertrinkt vor seinen Augen beim Spielen in einem Kessel. Ray ist nicht in der Lage ihm zu helfen, da er noch zu klein und schwach ist. Die Mutter, die er verzweifelt ruft, kommt wenige Augenblicke zu spät. Ein paar Monate später bahnt sich der zweite Schicksalsschlag an. RCs Augen beginnen zu tränen. Eine eigenartige Flüssigkeit tritt aus und verklebt die Augenlieder. Er hat grünen Star. Innerhalb von zwei Jahren verschlechtert sich sein Sehvermögen bis zur völligen Blindheit.

Seine Mutter hat Sorge, dass er wegen seiner Behinderung zu sehr von anderen Menschen abhängig ist. Um dem entgegen zu steuern, muss der Junge bei allen Hausarbeiten helfen. Er darf sich auch in dem kleinen Ort ohne seine Mutter frei bewegen. Mit der Zeit trainiert er sich Techniken an: hauptsächlich auf sein Gehör gestützt, kann er sich orientieren. Sogar Fahrrad fahren ist so für ihn möglich.

Später schickt Miss Robinson ihren Sohn in eine Blindenschule, die vom Staat finanziert wird. Diese befindet sich aber nicht in der ländlichen Gegend, in der RC wohnt, und so muss er im Alter von sieben Jahren von zu Hause weg, ca. 300 km nach St. Augustine. In der Schule lernt er neben den üblichen Dingen die Blindenschrift und bekommt Klavierunterricht.

Zwar hat er schon von seinem Nachbarn ein paar Bluesriffs erlernt, aber nun wird seine Technik anhand von klassischen Stücken richtig ausgebildet. Doch Abends, wenn kein Unterricht mehr ist, treffen sich die Kinder in den Übungsräumen zu Sessions, bei denen sie ihre Musik spielen. Das heißt, die Musik der Schwarzen, denn natürlich gibt es in der Blindenschule die Rassentrennung.

Neben Klavier erlernt Ray Charles auch Klarinette spielen und bringt sich selber das Spielen des Altsaxophons bei. Weiterhin singt er in kleiner Besetzung mit anderen Schülern Gospels. Nach ein paar Jahren hat er die ersten Auftritte. Seine Klavierlehrerin verschafft ihm die Möglichkeit auf Kaffeekränzchen ein paar Stücke zum Besten zu geben. Als Lohn bekommt er ein Stück Kuchen.

Im Mai 1945 stirbt seine Mutter. Er hat das Gefühl nun Erwachsen werden zu müssen. RC verlässt die Schule und siedelt nach Jacksonville über, die damals die größte Stadt in Florida ist. Er kann dort bei Bekannten wohnen, ist aber gewillt, jetzt selber seinen Lebensunterhalt zu verdienen. Das versucht er mit Musik. Ray geht zu der örtlichen Musikergewerkschaft und beginnt sich bekannt zu machen, in dem er bei jeder Jamsession dabei ist.

Auch kann er so von seinen Mitmusikern Licks abschauen, wodurch er gelegentlich Unmut auf sich zieht. Ray Charles Robinson will alles spielen können, damit er möglichst viele Jobs annehmen kann. Blues, Jazz, Boogie Woogie und Swing sind die Stile mit denen er sich beschäftigt. Die Zeiten sind hart, denn es sind viele Musiker in der Stadt, die alle Geld verdienen möchten.

Außerdem sind die Vierziger Jahre die Zeit des Bebop und das damit einhergehende Virtuosentum lässt es nicht zu, dass ein junger Bursche sich nur mit ein paar Blueschanges über Wasser hält. Doch er versucht nicht nur sein Klavierspiel zu verbessern, immer wichtiger wird für ihn sein Gesang.

In dieser Phase bemüht er sich seine Idole Nat Cole und Charles Brown möglichst gut zu imitieren. Nach einiger Zeit bekommt er die ersten Aushilfsjobs angeboten. In verschiedenen Big Bands oder Combos darf er mitmachen und sogar ein paar Lieder singen. Nach einem Jahr will RC noch mehr Unabhängigkeit, da er ja noch bei Bekannten wohnte. Er geht nach Orlando. Dort kennt er niemanden mehr und muss vollständig für sich selber sorgen.

Die Folge ist, dass Ray Charles Robinson zu Beginn in der neuen Stadt fast verhungert. Händeringend sucht er nach einer Möglichkeit, irgendwo für Geld zu musizieren. Er findet eine Big Band, bei der er gelegentlich mitspielt. Als der Bandleader merkt, dass RC arrangieren kann, was er sich in der Schulzeit schon beigebracht hat, kann er dort noch ein wenig mehr arbeiten. Als die landesweit bekannte Big Band von Lucky Millinder in Orlando Station macht, spielt er bei ihr vor. Doch er wird nicht genommen. Der Bandleader speist ihn mit den Worten ab: "Bist nicht gut genug, Kid!"

Nach kurzer Zeit verlässt Ray Charles Robinson Orlando und geht nach Tampa, dort kann er schneller Fuß fassen. Er kommt gleich bei einer Combo unter, doch auch hier bleibt er nicht lange, da er meint noch weiter von zu Hause weggehen zu müssen. So geht der achtzehnjährige RC nach Seattle. Seine erste große Liebe, Luise, kommt nach. Sie gebärt eine Tochter von ihm, kurz nachdem sie sich trennen.

Musikalisch stellt sich langsam ein Erfolg ein. Mit seinem ersten eigenen Trio, das sich McSon Trio nennt, nimmt er die erste Platte bei dem Swingtime Label auf. "Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand", das er im Stil von Charles Brown singt, wird ein kleiner Hit, der sich in den Race Charts platzieren kann. Er beschließt nun, das Robinson in seinem Namen wegzulassen, da damals der Boxer Sugar Ray Robinson sehr bekannt ist und er Verwechsellungen vorbeugen möchte.

Durch den speziellen Lebensstil als Musiker kommt er zunehmend in Kontakt mit Drogen. Neben den üblichen Mitteln Alkohol und Gras fängt er an, Heroin zu spritzen, damals vielleicht ein- oder zweimal in der Woche.

1950 siedelt Ray Charles nach Los Angeles über. Sein Trio nimmt zwar bei Swingtime noch ein paar Stücke auf, doch in L.A. bekommen sie keine Auftrittsmöglichkeiten, so dass sie die Band auflösen. Er selbst erhält zum ersten Mal bei einem großen Musiker ein Arrangement. In der Bluesband von Lowell Fulson ist er Gaststars, bei dem er seinen ersten Hit zum Besten geben darf.

Nach einiger Zeit wird er musikalischer Leiter und schreibt die Charts. Zwischen durch nimmt RC immer wieder eigene Sachen auf. Anfang der fünfziger Jahre beginnt er, seinen Stil zu ändern. Zwar lobt man ihn oft für seine guten Imitationen von Nat Cole und Charles Brown, doch er verspürt den Drang, nach sich selbst zu klingen. Das Bedürfnis, seine eigenen musikalischen Vorstellungen umzusetzen, wächst immer mehr.

So trennt er sich 1952 von Lowell, kommt bei einer New Yorker Agentur unter und wechselt zu dem Label Atlantic. Seine ersten Stücke, die er dort aufnimmt, sind zum Beispiel "Mess Around" und "It Should Have Been Me". Stilistisch bewegen sie sich zwischen Swing und Rhythm'n'Blues. Der Gesang ist dreckig und das Klavierspiel treibt ungemein. Sein Repertoire umfasst zwar auch Jazz, doch nimmt er solche Sachen nicht auf, da er immer populäre Musik für die Leute machen will und auch ganz einfach Geld verdienen muss.

Er begibt sich dann alleine auf Tournee mit immer wechselnden örtlichen Begleit-Bands. Dies ist sehr riskant. Brother Ray, wie er sich selber gerne nennt, hat noch keinen großen Namen. Außerdem ist für Schwarze nicht viel Geld zu verdienen, im Gegensatz zu den weißen Musikern. Sie covern die R'n'B-Stücke, nennen es Rock'n'Roll und machen den großen Reibach damit.

1954 hat Ray Charles die Nase voll, immer mit wechselnden Bands zu spielen. Die Musiker fabrizieren ihm zu viele Fehler. So beginnt er sich seine eigene siebenköpfige Combo zusammen zu stellen. Dies ist vielleicht der entscheidende Schritt, der es Ray ermöglicht, das zu schaffen, was man später als Soul bezeichnet. In der Umgebung seiner eingespielten Band traut er sich, alles auszuprobieren und zu vermischen, was sein musikalischer Hintergrund darstellt: Blues, Rhythm'n'Blues und Gospel.

Er nimmt alte Kirchenlieder der Schwarzen, auf die es kein Copyright gibt und unterlegt sie mit einem harten R'n'B-Groove. Der erste große Hit ist "I Got A Women". Es gibt zwar einige Kirchenvertreter, die sich aufregen, RC würde die geistliche Musik entweihen, da sie nun zum Tanzen verwendet wird. Doch aufhalten können sie den Erfolg nicht. Der zweite stilistische Coup ist, die Raeletts, einen weiblichen Backgroundchor, in seine Band zu integrieren. Die Folge ist ein starker Kontrast zwischen dem rauen, männlichen Lead-Gesang und dem Chor. Das gibt es damals noch nicht, die Sänger sind sonst ausschließlich männlich.

Während dieser Zeit heiratet er zum zweiten Mal. (Die erste Ehe dauert nur wenige Monate.) Mit seiner zweiten Frau bleibt er dreizehn Jahre zusammen. Sie haben drei Söhne. Die Ehe ist aber über weite Strecken unglücklich. Ray Charles ist neun Monate im Jahr auf Tournee. Wenn er weg ist, hat er immer andere Frauen.

Dies zieht einige Vaterschaftsklagen nach sich, die er auch regelmäßig verliert. Ein anderer Grund ist sein Heroinkonsum. Ende der fünfziger Jahre muss er jeden Tag ein bis zweimal fixen. So gibt sich RC auch zu 80% die Schuld am Scheitern der Ehe und sieht, dass seine Frau sehr viel ertragen musste.

1959 bei einer Session während einer Zugabe entsteht "What'd I Say". Vielleicht das bekannteste Stück von RC. In ihm tritt die Verbindung von R'n'B und Gospel sehr deutlich hervor. Das Stück übernimmt mit seinem Call-and-Response direkt die Kommunikationsform zwischen Prediger und Kirchengemeinde. Das Lied wird ein Riesenhit und verkauft sich an Schwarze und Weiße.

In den folgenden Jahren erweitert Charles immer mehr seine musikalische Bandbreite. Zwar ist er schon immer in den verschiedensten Stilrichtungen zuhause, doch unter seinem Namen veröffentlichte er bisher nur R'n'B. Mit "The Genius Of Ray Charles" erscheint eine Big Band-Platte, auf der er Streicher einsetzt. Ihm und einem breitem Publikum gefällt der zuckersüße Klang.

1962, mittlerweile ist er bei ABC unter Vertrag, erscheint "Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music". Dies ist ein Stilbruch. In der Zeit als die Rassentrennung noch Fakt ist, singt ein schwarzer Musiker auf seine Art die Musik der Weißen. Doch die LP ist ein großer Erfolg.

Keiner rechnet damit, doch als der Country-Musiker Tap Hunter "I Can't Stop Loving You" im gleichen Stil wie RC herausbringt, zieht ABC sofort nach und sie können Hunters Single unten halten. Der absolute Durchbruch bei beiden ethnischen Gruppen ist geschafft. Ein weiteres Country-Album schiebt Ray Charles nach.

1964 geht es RC finanziell sehr gut. Er hat sich ein eigenes Haus gebaut, in dem sich sein Studio und seine Plattenfirma befindet. Zu den Auftritten fliegt er mittlerweile mit dem eigenen Flugzeug. Doch dann findet die Drogenfahndung bei ihm eine größere Menge Heroin. Um den sozialen Abstieg zu verhindern, nicht ins Gefängnis zu müssen und auf Rücksicht auf seine Familie beginnt er mit dem Entzug in einer psychiatrischen Klinik.

Ein Jahr lang steht er nicht mehr auf der Bühne. Er arbeitet zwar in seinem Studio, doch für die Leute ist er nicht mehr präsent. Nach der Verurteilung zu fünf Jahren auf Bewährung kehrt er auf die Bühne zurück. Der Erfolg stellt sich sofort wieder ein. "Crying Time" ist ein großer Hit und mit "Let's Get Stoned" kommentiert er die für ihn verlogene Gesetzgebung.

In der Rassenproblematik, die in den sechziger Jahren die gesellschaftliche Diskussion in den USA beherrscht, kämpft Charles nicht in vorderster Front. Doch er hat eine feste Meinung, schließlich ist er im Süden groß geworden, wo es getrennte Busse, öffentliche Toiletten und Lokale gibt und die Polizisten einen Schwarzen verhaften und zusammen schlagen, nur weil ihnen seine Frisur nicht passt.

So duldet er bei seinen Konzerten keine Trennung zwischen schwarzen und weißen Publikum, was ihm einmal ein Prozess beschert. Vor Martin Luther King hat er großen Respekt und unterstützt ihn immer wieder mit finanziellen Mitteln. In den siebziger Jahren ist RC weiter permanent in der ganzen Welt auf Tournee. Seine musikalische Bandbreite verbreitert sich dadurch weiter.

So nimmt er zum Beispiel ein paar französische Chansons auf. Doch die Zeit, an musikalischen Revolutionen beteiligt zu sein, ist vorbei. Ray glänzt zwar immer noch mit seinen großen Fähigkeiten als Entertainer und modernisiert seinen Sound etwas, indem er neue elektronische Instrument einsetzt und sich an zeitgemäßen Beats orientiert (z.B.: "I'll Be Good To You"), doch neue Akzente setzen andere.

Die achtziger Jahre sind die Zeit der Ehrungen. Er bekommt den Grammy Life Time Music Award, seine Version von "Georgia On My Mind" wird zur Nationalhymne von Georgia erklärt, 1986 wird er im Kennedy Center von Reagan ausgezeichnet und bei "We Are The World" (Der Wohltätigkeitssong) singt er den Abschluss-Chorus, um nur eine Auswahl zu nennen.

Die Neunziger sind in der Wahrnehmung des Publikums durch die Pepsiwerbung geprägt, für die Ray Charles sich einspannen lässt. "You Have Got The Right One, Baby" heißt das Stück für die Getränkefirma. Nebenher steht Brother Ray weiterhin auf der Bühne und unterhält die Leute. Nicht nur seine enormen Fähigkeiten als Entertainer beeindrucken dabei, sondern auch seine seit einigen Jahren vorhandene Vorliebe für bunte Jacketts.

Selbst im neuen Jahrtausend ist "The Genius" noch auf Tournee. Doch im Dezember 2003 wird bei ihm ein Leberleiden diagnostiziert, dem er am 10. Juni 2004 in seinem Haus in Beverly Hills im Kreise seiner Familienangehörigen erliegt. Die Leistungen und Persönlichkeit des 73 Jahre alten Charles würdigen im Gefolge seines Todes zahlreiche Kollegen.

"Eine echte Legende - ein amerikanisches Kleinod", nennt ihn Michael Jackson. "Er brachte dem Globus den weltlichen Soul", erinnert Aretha Franklin an den einflussreichen Musiker, der sich im April 2003 zum letzten Mal in der Öffentlichkeit zeigt.

Am 8. Oktober 2004 findet ihm zu Ehren im Staples Center in Los Angeles ein Tribute-Konzert vor 8.000 geladenen Gästen statt. Mary J. Blige, Elton John, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Norah Jones, Jamie Cullum, B.B. King und Al Green verbeugen sich vor dem 'Godfather Of Soul', indem sie zwölf seiner größten Songs interpretieren. Die Show wird u.a. moderiert von Quincy Jones, Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman und Jamie Foxx.

Letzterer spielt auch die Hauptrolle in Ray Charles filmischer Biografie "Ray", die im Januar 2005 bundesweit in die Lichtspieltheater kommt. Zeitgleich zum Kinostart veröffentlicht Universal Pictures den Konzertmitschnitt auf der DVD "Genius: A Night For Ray Charles". Im selben Jahr erscheint auch der "Genius Loves Company"-Nachfolger "Genius & Friends". Ray Charles erfüllt sich damit posthum den Wunsch, seine Duo-Aufnahmen aus den späten 90ern als Compilation zu veröffentlichen.

Ebenfalls posthum vereint er sich mit dem Count Basie Orchestra. Produzent John Burk hatte ein Band mit einem Live-Mitschnitt aus den 1970er-Jahren entdeckt, auf dem Ray Charles mit Big Band agierte. Der Klang des Genius war zwar brillant, die Big Band ging soundtechnisch jedoch unter.

Die moderne Studiotechnik machts möglich und so spielt die Count Basie Big Band in der Besetzung des Jahres 2006 die Songs neu ein. "Ray Sings, Basie Swings" zeigt einen bestens gelaunten Ray Charles und ein präzises Orchester, das sein Handwerk versteht.

Images:
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Name: Jayceon Taylor
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Overview:
Jayceon Terrell Taylor (born November 29, 1979 in Compton, California, United States), better known by his stage name Game, formerly known as The Game, is an American Grammy Award winning gangsta rapper signed to Aftermath Entertainment through his own label Black Wall Street Records, with which he founded with his half brother Big Fase 100. He rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, and his two Grammy nominations. Since then he has released several other critically acclaimed albums, 2006’s Doctor’s Advocate and 2008’s LAX, which he claimed to be the final album he would release, but in mid-2009 he started recording The RED Album, which was released August 23, 2011. In the near future he also plans to focus on acting and other business ventures. All of his four albums debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 100, and he is widely considered to be a driving force in bringing back the West Coast hip hop scene and competing with many of his East Coast counterparts.

Studying various influential rap albums, Game developed a strategy to become a rapper himself and with help from Big Fase, they founded The Black Wall Street Records. The label originally featured such artists as Glasses Malone, Vita, and Nu Jerzey Devil, along with Game himself. His stage name was coined by his grandmother.

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Name: R. Rodgers
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Overview:
Wikipedia

Richard Charles Rodgers (* 28. Juni 1902 in New York City, New York; † 30. Dezember 1979 ebenda) war ein US-amerikanischer Komponist. Durch den Gewinn des Emmys 1962 wurde er der erste Mensch, der alle vier großen Preise der amerikanischen Unterhaltungsindustrie gewinnen konnte.

Richard Rodgers wuchs in einer musikalischen New Yorker Familie auf. Seine Großeltern, die die Oper liebten, nahmen ihren Enkel oft mit zum Broadway. Er wurde in diesen frühen Jahren von den Operetten von Victor Herbert und den Liedern von Jerome Kern beeinflusst.
1919 lernte er Lorenz Hart an der Columbia University kennen, wo ihre langjährige Zusammenarbeit mit der Produktion von Studentenshows begann. Der erste Broadway-Erfolg war die Revue The Garrick Gaieties (1925) mit dem Hit Manhattan. Danach entwickelten sich Rodgers und Hart zu einem der produktivsten und erfolgreichsten Teams am Broadway. Von 1931 bis 1935 arbeiteten sie in Hollywood für den Film. Blue Moon (aus Manhattan Melodrama (1934)) ist einer der populärsten Songs aus dieser Zeit. Nach ihrer Rückkehr nach New York schrieben sie einen Musical-Hit nach dem anderen – angefangen bei Jumbo und On Your Toes bis Pal Joey und By Jupiter. Anfang der 1940er Jahre kam es zu beruflichen Differenzen zwischen den beiden, zudem hatte Hart große gesundheitliche Probleme. 1943 endete ihre Zusammenarbeit durch Harts frühen Tod.
Schon im selben Jahr begann Rodgers’ Zusammenarbeit mit Oscar Hammerstein an dem Musical Oklahoma!. Viele der von Rodgers und Hammerstein geschaffenen Musicals gehören zu den bedeutendsten der Broadway-Geschichte: Carousel, das eines ihrer bekanntesten Lieder You’ll Never Walk Alone enthält, dann South Pacific, The King and I, Flower Drum Song und – ihr erfolgreichstes Musical The Sound of Music mit Liedern wie The Sound of Music, My Favorite Things oder Climb Every Mountain. Überdies gründeten sie eine Produktionsfirma, die außer den eigenen auch Stücke anderer produzierte wie z. B. Irving Berlins Annie Get Your Gun.
Nach dem Tode Hammersteins 1960 fuhr Rodgers fort, für die Bühne zu schreiben, allerdings mit unterschiedlichen Liedtextern. Insgesamt waren die Stücke in dieser Periode jedoch weniger erfolgreich, was einerseits an einem gewandelten Musikgeschmack lag, andererseits daran, dass Rodgers keinen ihm entsprechenden Partner mehr fand.
In seinen letzten Jahren erkrankte der Komponist an Kehlkopfkrebs, der ihm die Stimme nahm. Richard Rodgers starb 1979 im Alter von 77 Jahren in seiner Heimatstadt. Seine Tochter Mary Rodgers (1931–2014) war ebenfalls eine namhafte Musical-Komponistin.

1955 wurde er in die American Academy of Arts and Letters gewählt.

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Name: J.J. Barry
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Overview:
John Barry OBE (* 3. November 1933 in York, England als John Barry Prendergast; selten benutztes Pseudonym Michael Angelo; † 30. Januar 2011 in Glen Cove, NY, USA) war einer der erfolgreichsten Filmkomponisten und Arrangeure des 20. Jahrhunderts und Träger zahlreicher Filmpreise, darunter fünf Oscars (zwei für Frei geboren – Königin der Wildnis, je einen für Der Löwe im Winter, Jenseits von Afrika und Der mit dem Wolf tanzt). Besondere Popularität erlangten seine Kompositionen für die James-Bond-Filmreihe. 
(Wikipedia)

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Name: Dedication 3
SortName: Dedication 3
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Name: Jerry Lee Lewis
SortName: Jerry Lee Lewis
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Overview:
Jerry Lee Lewis (* 29. September 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana; † 28. Oktober 2022 im DeSoto County, Mississippi[1]) war ein US-amerikanischer Rock-’n’-Roll- und Country-Musiker. Er wurde vor allem durch sein aggressives Klavierspiel und seine legendäre Bühnenpräsenz bekannt.

In den 1950er Jahren hatte er mit Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, Great Balls of Fire und Breathless einige bedeutendere Hits im Rock-’n’-Roll-Genre. Nach einem Skandal gegen Ende des Jahrzehnts konzentrierte er sich verstärkt auf Country-Musik, mit der er sich in den 1960er und 1970er Jahren an die Spitze der Country-Charts hocharbeitete.

Images:
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Name: Charlie Rich
SortName: Charlie Rich
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Overview:
Charles Allan „Charlie“ Rich (* 14. Dezember 1932 in Forrest City, Arkansas; † 25. Juli 1995 in Hammond, Louisiana) war ein US-amerikanischer Country-Sänger.

Charlie Rich wurde in frühester Jugend von Jazz und Blues beeinflusst. Seine erste Band, The Velvetones, gründete er während seiner US-Airforce-Zeit in Oklahoma. Leadsängerin war seine Verlobte und spätere Ehefrau, Magaret Ann. Nach seiner Militärzeit arbeitete er für Judd Phillips, den Bruder des Sun-Records-Eigentümers Sam Phillips.
Sam Phillips forderte den jungen Musiker auf, ein paar Demotapes zu produzieren, die allerdings keinen Anklang fanden. Sie waren für eine kommerzielle Verwertung zu jazzorientiert. Charlie Rich bekam ein paar alte Rock’n’Roll- und Country-Singles mit auf den Heimweg und wurde aufgefordert, ähnliches zu schreiben. Und er schaffte es tatsächlich. Einige seiner Lieder wurden von etablierten Stars wie Jerry Lee Lewis oder Johnny Cash interpretiert.

Ab 1958 begann Rich selbst Singles aufzunehmen, die bei Phillips International, einem Sub-Label von Sun, erschienen. Nach zwei erfolglosen Singles 1958 und 1959 schaffte es Lonely Weekends auf Platz 22 der US-Single-Charts zu kommen. Die nächsten Platten floppten erneut, und Charlie Rich wechselte 1963 zu Groove, einer Tochtergesellschaft von RCA. Aus dieser Zusammenarbeit resultierte sein bekanntes Lied Big Boss Man. 1965 unterschrieb Rich einen Plattenvertrag bei Smash, einem Tochterlabel von Mercury, und hatte als Einstieg den Hit Mohair Sam, der auf Platz 21 der Single-Charts kam. Aber dieser bescheidene Erfolg konnte nicht wiederholt werden. Er wechselte erneut das Label, nahm 1966 bis 1967 insgesamt drei Singles für Hi auf und landete schließlich 1967 bei Epic Records, wo er von dem einflussreichen Produzenten Billy Sherrill betreut wurde.

Bei Epic wurden einige durchaus beachtliche Platten produziert. Der Durchbruch kam 1973 mit Behind Closed Doors, das die Spitze der Country-Charts erreichte, mit Gold ausgezeichnet wurde und sogar in die Pop-Top-20 eindrang. Das Album gleichen Namens wurde mit 4-fach Platin ausgezeichnet. Rich erhielt 1974 einen Grammy für das Lied Behind Closed Doors als Best Male Country Vocal Performance. Noch übertroffen wurde dieser Erfolg mit der nächsten Single, die weltweit Spitzenplätze erreichte, eine Goldene Schallplatte erhielt und zum Klassiker wurde: The Most Beautiful Girl. 1974 sang Rich das Titellied I Feel Love aus dem Film Benji, das für den Oscar nominiert wurde.

Seine Erfolge hielten an bis Mitte der 1970er Jahre, als Rich bei der Verleihung der CMA Awards den „Entertainer of the Year“ präsentieren sollte. Sturzbetrunken zündete er vor laufenden Kameras den Umschlag mit dem Namen des Gewinners (John Denver) an. Charlie Rich war erledigt. Aber er schaffte zwei Jahre später ein Comeback und platzierte sich noch mehrfach in den Hitparaden. Seinen letzten Nummer-eins-Hit, On My Knees, produzierte er 1978 gemeinsam mit Janie Fricke. Anfang der 1980er Jahre beendete er seine Karriere.

Charlie Rich starb 1995 an einer Lungenembolie. Er war mit seinen in heiserer Stimme vorgetragenen Country-Balladen ein Jahrzehnt lang erfolgreich. 
(Wikipedia)

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Name: Thomas
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Overview:
Thomas Jacob Bergersen (born July 4, 1980) is a Norwegian composer, multi-instrumentalist, and the co-founder of the production music company, Two Steps From Hell. He is best known for writing music for high profile theatrical trailers.

Bergersen started his musical career as a demoscener, writing tracked modules under the name Lioz in the group Index. The release of a 2007 trance-genre single titled "Remember September" saw Bergersen team with fellow Norwegian artist Boom Jinx.

In May 2010, Bergersen and his business partner, Nick Phoenix, released an debut public Two Steps From Hell album titled Invincible, featuring some of their most popular tracks, including "Freedom Fighters", "Moving Mountains", "Heart of Courage", and others. Several additional commercial album releases have since followed, including Archangel and SkyWorld. Bergersen also performed in a 2013 live concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall alongside Phoenix, confirming at least one future concert planned for Europe, intending to begin touring at some point in 2015.

In 2010 Bergersen composed the original music for the movie The Human Experience. The Soundtrack CD was released on March 29, 2011.

2011 saw the release of a solo-produced soundtrack from Thomas Bergersen, titled Illusions. His next public album called Sun is set for an October 2014 release. He has also released several commercial singles since 2011, including "Heart" and "The Hero in Your Heart," which were intended to provide disaster relief in the wake of the Tōhoku earthquake and Typhoon Haiyan, respectively.

A concert featuring Bergersen's music alongside that of Hans Zimmer took place in Romania on the 28th of June 2014.

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Name: Hank Williams
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Overview:
Hiram „Hank“ King Williams Sr. (* 17. September 1923 in Mount Olive, Alabama; † 1. Januar 1953 in Oak Hill, West Virginia) war ein US-amerikanischer Country-Musiker und Songwriter. Er hat zahlreiche Musiker, beispielsweise Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan oder David Allan Coe beeinflusst.

In den meisten Umfragen nach dem besten Sänger, den das Genre jemals hervorgebracht hat, belegt Hank Williams einen der vorderen Ränge – wenn nicht Platz eins. Eine vergleichbare Position nimmt Williams ein, wenn nach dem Autor des besten bzw. wichtigsten Songs der Country-Geschichte gesucht wird – oder ganz allgemein bei der Suche nach der einflussreichsten Figur in der Geschichte der Country-Musik. Der Rolling Stone führt Williams in seiner Liste der 100 größten Sänger aller Zeiten auf Platz 27, in der Liste der 100 größten Künstler aller Zeiten auf Platz 74 und in der Liste der 100 besten Songwriter aller Zeiten auf Platz 13.

Hank Williams wurde 1923 in einfachen Verhältnissen als Sohn von Jessie Lillybelle „Lillie“ Skipper (1898–1955) und des Holzarbeiters Elonzo Huble „Lon“ Williams (1891–1970) in Alabama geboren. Er hatte eine 1922 geborene Schwester; ein älterer Bruder war kurz nach der Geburt gestorben. Seine ersten Akkorde auf der Gitarre lernte Williams vom schwarzen Straßenmusiker Rufus „Tee Tot“ Payne. Als Teenager trat er in Alabama mit der Band The Drifting Cowboys auf, nachdem seine Familie 1937 in die Stadt Montgomery gezogen war. Die Drifting Cowboys, in der Originalbesetzung mit Braxton Schuffert, Freddie Beach und Smith „Hezzy“ Adair, blieben auch später in anderen Besetzungen seine Begleitband. 1939 verließ Williams die High School ohne Abschluss und begann für den lokalen Radiosender WSFA zu arbeiten. Bald hatte er dort aufgrund seiner Popularität eine eigene Sendung, die zweimal wöchentlich mit einer Sendezeit von fünfzehn Minuten ausgestrahlt wurde.

1941 verschlechterte sich mit dem Eintritt der Vereinigten Staaten in den Zweiten Weltkrieg die Lage von Williams und seiner Band zusehends. Alle ursprünglichen Mitglieder der Drifting Cowboys wurden zur Armee eingezogen, und die Ersatzleute nahmen starken Anstoß an Williams’ immer offensichtlicher werdenden Alkoholproblemen. Sein großes Vorbild Roy Acuff wird mit dem Ausspruch zitiert: „Junge, deine Stimme ist Millionen wert, aber Verstand hast du nicht für zehn Cent.“ Williams erschien zu den Sendeterminen seiner Show oft volltrunken, so dass ihn die WSFA im August 1942 wegen gewohnheitsmäßiger Trunksucht hinauswarf. 1943 lernte er Audrey Mae Sheppard kennen, die er noch im selben Jahr heiratete. Sie wurde auch seine Managerin.

Karriere:
Gefördert vom einflussreichen Songwriter und Produzenten Fred Rose machte Williams 1946 seine erste Aufnahme für Sterling Records, Never Again. 1947 folgte Honky Tonkin. Beide Singles waren erfolgreich und brachten ihm einen Vertrag mit MGM Records ein. Seine erste Single beim neuen Label Move It On Over wurde zu einem Country-Hit. Im August dieses Jahres wurde Williams ständiges Mitglied der Radioshow Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana. Aufgrund der Popularität der Show und der großen Reichweite des Senders wurde er im gesamten Südosten der Vereinigten Staaten bekannt. Seine Coverversion des Emmett-Miller-Songs Lovesick Blues von 1949 wurde sein nächster großer Hit, der auch in den Pop-Charts erfolgreich war.

Im selben Jahr wurde sein Sohn Randall Hank Williams geboren und er trat erstmals in der bekanntesten Country-Show, der Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, auf. Als erster Künstler der seit 1925 bestehenden Live-Radiosendung gab er sechs Zugaben. Mit einer Gruppe von Grand-Ole-Opry-Musikern kam Williams im November 1949 zur Truppenbetreuung auch nach Deutschland, wo er unter anderem im Berliner Titania-Palast auftrat. 1950 bis 1952 folgten weitere Hits und er nahm auch unter dem Pseudonym Luke The Drifter auf. Cold, Cold Heart, die B-Seite seiner 1951 veröffentlichten Single Dear John, wurde zu einem seiner bekanntesten Songs.

1952 scheiterte die Ehe mit Audrey und er heiratete im Oktober Billie Jean Jones Eshlimar. Aus der Hochzeit wurde ein Showspektakel. 14.000 Menschen kauften sich ein Ticket für das im New Orleans Municipal Auditorium zelebrierte Ereignis. Im selben Monat wurde er aus der Grand Ole Opry ausgeschlossen, weil er aufgrund seines Alkoholkonsums unzuverlässig geworden war. Er kehrte daraufhin zum Louisiana Hayride zurück.

Krankheit und Tod:
Zu Williams’ Alkoholsucht kam gegen Ende seines Lebens noch eine Morphinabhängigkeit. Zudem litt er zeitlebens unter schweren psychischen und gesundheitlichen Problemen. Seine schwierigen Lebensumstände hat Williams immer wieder in seinen Liedtexten verarbeitet. Zwei seiner berühmtesten Zeilen stammen aus dem letzten Song, der noch zu seinen Lebzeiten veröffentlicht wurde:
    „No matter how I struggle and strive,
    I’ll never get out of this world alive“

Am 1. Januar 1953 wurde Hank Williams bei einer Polizeikontrolle tot in einem Auto aufgefunden, das ihn zu einer Show in Canton, Ohio, bringen sollte. Als Todesursache des 29-Jährigen wurde Herzinfarkt angegeben, der auf Medikamenteneinnahme zusammen mit übermäßigem Alkoholkonsum zurückgeführt wurde.

Familie:
Sein Sohn Hank Williams Jr. wurde ebenfalls ein bekannter Country-Musiker. Auch dessen Kinder Hank Williams III und Holly Williams arbeiten als Musiker. Ein Großneffe von Williams ist der Comiczeichner J. H. Williams III. Hank Williams’ außereheliche Tochter Jett Williams wurde fünf Tage nach seinem Tod geboren. Seine Vaterschaft wurde erst 1985 gerichtlich anerkannt. 
(Wikipedia)

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Name: Radric Davis
SortName: Radric Davis
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Overview:
Radric Davis (born February 12, 1980), better known by his stage name Gucci Mane, is an American rapper. He debuted in 2005 with Trap House, followed by Hard to Kill in 2006, Trap-A-Thon, and Back to the Trap House in 2007. In 2009, his second studio album The State vs. Radric Davis was released. The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted was released in 2010, and is his highest charting album so far. Gucci Mane has released many other mixtapes and independent albums as well. On May 21, 2013 he released his eighth studio album Trap House III.

While serving a six-month jail term for assault in late 2005, Davis was charged with murder, though the charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence. In 2009, he served a year-long county jail sentence for violating probation for his 2005 aggravated assault conviction.

Images:
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Name: Aubrey Drake Graham
SortName: Aubrey Drake Graham
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Overview:
Aubrey Drake Graham (* 24. Oktober 1986 in Toronto, Ontario) ist ein kanadischer Schauspieler, Rapper und R&B-Sänger afroamerikanischer Abstammung. Er ist ein bekannter Newcomer in der Hip-Hop-Szene. Seine Lieder veröffentlicht er unter seinem Zwischennamen Drake, wobei er auch unter seinem Pseudonym Drizzy bekannt ist. Erste Bekanntheit erlangte Graham als Schauspieler in der Fernsehserie Degrassi: The Next Generation, in der er Jimmy Brooks spielte. 2006 trat er dann auch als Rapper in Erscheinung, als er eine Reihe von Mixtapes veröffentlichte. Sein erster Erfolg als Musiker war schließlich die Single Replacement Girl, die er zusammen mit Trey Songz einspielte und die vom Fernsehsender BET in dessen Show 106 & Park als Joint of the Day (zu deutsch: Lied des Tages) vorgestellt wurde. Er blieb dennoch – trotz Auftritten auf zahlreichen Mixtapes und Remixen und der Unterstützung von Kanye West, Jay-Z und Lil Wayne – ohne Plattenvertrag. 2009 veröffentlichte er dann die Single Best I Ever Had, die sich zum Hit in den Vereinigten Staaten entwickelte. Als Folge davon entwickelte sich ein Bieterwettstreit zwischen mehreren Major-Labels[1], an dessen Ende schließlich ein Kooperationsvertrag zwischen Cash Money Records und Young Money Entertainment stand. Als Vertriebslabel dient Universal Records. Drake ist bekannt für seine einzigartige Mischung aus Hip-Hop und R&B.

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Name: Bobby Brown
SortName: Bobby Brown
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Overview:
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown (born February 5, 1969) is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer.
Brown started his career as one of the frontmen of the pop group New Edition, from its inception as The Bricks in 1978 until his forced exit from the group in 1986 following a period of misbehavior on his part. Starting a solo career, he became a hit success with his second album, Don't Be Cruel, which spawned a number of hit singles including the co-self penned "My Prerogative", which became his signature hit. Brown had a string of top ten hits on various Billboard charts between 1986 and 1992, and is a recipient of a Grammy Award. Brown is noted as a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a fusion of hip-hop and R&B.
Brown was most noted in recent years as the ex-husband of pop singer Whitney Houston. Brown and Houston later gained notoriety co-starring in the reality show, Being Bobby Brown. He has a daughter named Bobbi Kristina with her.

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Name: Milli Vanilli
SortName: Milli Vanilli
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Overview:
Milli Vanilli war ein von Frank Farian produziertes Discopop-Duo, das aus Fab Morvan und Rob Pilatus bestand. Der anfangs große Erfolg des Duos endete 1990 in einem Skandal, als bekannt wurde, dass sie keines ihrer Lieder selbst gesungen hatten. Ihr Part bestand lediglich darin, die per Playback abgespielten, von anderen Künstlern gesungenen Lieder, tänzerisch zu begleiten und synchron die Lippen zu bewegen.

Die in der Diskografie genannte Single Dansez erschien 1987/88 unter dem Bandnamen Empire Bizarre. Für diese Band wurden Pilatus und Morvan von Ralph Siegel engagiert. Der Titel war kein kommerzieller Erfolg.

Später bot Frank Farian den beiden Interpreten die Mitarbeit an seinem Projekt Milli Vanilli an.

1988 hatten Milli Vanilli einen Gastauftritt in der ZDF-Serie Das Erbe der Guldenburgs. In der letzten Folge der zweiten Staffel („Das späte Glück“) sangen sie Girl You Know It´s True und Baby Don´t Forget My Number. Die Erstausstrahlung erfolgte am 17. Februar 1990.

Das erste Album All or Nothing (1988) war europaweit erfolgreich. In den USA stand es unter dem Albumtitel Girl You Know It's True sieben Wochen auf Platz 1 der Billboard-Charts, was zuvor noch keiner anderen Formation aus Deutschland gelungen war. Der gleichnamige Titelsong war eine Coverversion der Formation „Numarx“ aus dem Jahre 1987. Milli Vanillis weltweiter Erfolg wuchs auch weiter, als einer der eigentlichen Sänger, der Rapper Charles Shaw, einem Reporter die Wahrheit über die Playback-Band erzählte. Shaw zog aber später seine Aussage zurück, als Farian ihn ausbezahlte.

Für ihr zweites Album wurden Milli Vanilli 1990 mit dem Grammy Award als „Best New Artist“ ausgezeichnet. Dabei verglich sich Pilatus mit Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger und Bob Dylan.

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Name: Soul II Soul
SortName: Soul II Soul
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Overview:
Soul II Soul are a British group formed in London in 1988. They are best known for their 1989 UK chart-topper and U.S. Top 5 hit, "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)".

The group initially attracted attention as a sound system, playing records at house and street parties (where their clothing style, dubbed "Funki Dred," started a line of clothing). Founded by Jazzie B and featuring a changing roster of other musicians - notably Nellee Hooper, Simon Law, Phillip 'Daddae' Harvey and Caron Wheeler - Soul II Soul's experiments in music-making of their own resulted in the dub plate "Fairplay," which secured them a recording contract with Virgin Records.
Their first singles in 1988 failed to make the UK Top 40, but the group went on to commercial success in 1989 with the singles "Keep on Movin'" and "Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)", which topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks, and was the fifth best-selling single in the UK that year. Both tracks, which featured Wheeler on vocals, were taken from their debut album Club Classics Vol. One which reached number 1 in the UK Albums Chart and was certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry. In July 1989, the British music magazine, NME, reported that Soul II Soul had to pull out of their scheduled live appearance on BBC Television's Top of the Pops programme, following a dispute with the programme's producer.
The group also had some success in the United States, where "Back To Life" reached the Top 10 and was certified platinum, and the album (renamed as Keep On Moving for the US market) reached the Top 20 and sold over two million copies. The group also won two Grammy Awards; Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for "Back To Life", and Best R&B Instrumental for "African Dance".
Their follow-up album, Vol. II: 1990 - A New Decade, yielded two Top 10 hits, "Get A Life" and "A Dream's A Dream", the latter featuring vocals by Victoria Wilson James. This album also reached number 1, and was certified platinum by the BPI, and reached the Top 30 in the US where it was certified gold. In April 1990, Soul II Soul got three US Soul Train awards. The band had one more Top 10 in 1992 with "Joy", taken from their third album Vol. III: Just Right, which itself peaked at number 3 and was certified gold by the BPI. However, by this time the band's commercial success was in decline.
Their greatest hits compilation album, Volume IV: The Singles 88-93, was released in late 1993 and peaked at number 10. Soul II Soul reached Volume V of their series of albums for Virgin in 1995, which peaked at number 13. They then moved to Island Records and released two more albums in 1997, Volume VI Time for Change and the remix album @REMIX.or.jp, but these failed to chart. The group then virtually disbanded for some years, but reformed for various live dates in the 2000s.
In 2002, Doreen Waddell, a former singer with Soul II Soul living in Hove, died after being hit by three cars while fleeing from a shoplifting incident. The 36-year-old, who left a 4-year-old son, sang lead vocals on Feel Free and Happiness (Dub), and backing vocals on other tracks, on the album Club Classics Vol. One.
The daughter of former member Melissa Bell, Alexandra Burke, was the winner of the 2008 series of the UK television talent contest The X Factor and has since gone on to a successful music career of her own. On 2 December 2008, a radio programme about Soul II Soul was broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
The Soul II Soul Sound System featuring Caron Wheeler toured Australia nationally in February 2009. They played the Playground Weekender Festival near Sydney, New South Wales. Soul II Soul performed live at the Yasalam free concerts in conjunction with the 2009 Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebrations in October 2009.

Images:
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Name: New Edition
SortName: New Edition
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Overview:
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. The group recorded mostly as a quintet.
At the height of their early popularity in 1983, the group consisted of Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ralph Tresvant. Early hits included songs like 1983's "Candy Girl" and 1984's "Cool It Now" and "Mr. Telephone Man". Brown left in late 1985 to embark on a successful solo career. The group continued for a time with four members, but eventually recruited singer Johnny Gill to record their 1988 album Heart Break. The group went on hiatus in 1990, while its various members worked on side projects, such as the group Bell Biv Devoe. Gill and Tresvant also recorded successful solo albums.
All six members of the group reunited in 1996-1997 for the album Home Again, but during the ill-fated follow-up tour both Brown and Bivins quit the group, and the tour had to be canceled. Various reunions have occurred since, usually with the 1987-1990 lineup, though occasionally also including Bobby Brown. Their last studio release was 2004's One Love. As of 2010, two New Edition descendants were recording and touring: Bell Biv Devoe, and Heads of State, featuring Brown, Tresvant, and Gill.
On May 3, 2011 New Edition issued a press release on their official website announcing that all six members were reuniting as New Edition to kick off the 30th anniversary celebration of "Candy Girl" with their fans.

Images:
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Name: Mc Hammer
SortName: Mc Hammer
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Overview:
Stanley Kirk Burrell (born March 30, 1962), known professionally as M.C. Hammer (or simply Hammer), is an American hip-hop recording artist, dancer, entrepreneur, spokesman and actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the late 1990s. Remembered for his rapid rise to fame, Hammer is known for hit records (such as "U Can't Touch This" and "2 Legit 2 Quit"), flashy dance movements, choreography and eponymous Hammer pants. Hammer's superstar-status and entertaining showmanship made him a household name and hip hop icon. He has sold more than 50 million records worldwide.

A multi-award winner, M.C. Hammer is considered a "forefather/pioneer" and innovator of pop rap (incorporating elements of freestyle music), and is the first hip hop artist to achieve diamond status for an album. Hammer was later considered a sellout due in part to overexposure as an entertainer (having live instrumentation/bands, choreographed dance routines and an impact on popular culture being regularly referenced on television and in music) and as a result of being too "commercial" when rap was "hardcore" at one point, then his image later becoming increasingly "gritty" to once again adapt to the ever-changing landscape of rap. Regardless, BET ranked Hammer as the #7 "Best Dancer Of All Time". Vibe's "The Best Rapper Ever Tournament" declared him the 17th favorite of all-time during the first round.

Burrell became a preacher during the late 1990s with a Christian ministry program on TBN called M.C. Hammer and Friends. Additionally, he starred in a Saturday morning cartoon called Hammerman in 1991 and was executive producer of his own reality show called Hammertime which aired on the A&E Network during the summer of 2009. Hammer was also a television show host and dance judge on Dance Fever in 2003, was co-creator of a dance website called DanceJam.com, and is a record label CEO while still performing concerts at music venues and assisting with other social media, ministry and outreach functions. Prior to becoming ordained, Hammer signed with Suge Knight's Death Row Records by 1995.

Throughout his career, Hammer has managed his own recording business. As a result, he has created and produced his own acts including Oaktown's 3.5.7, Common Unity, Special Generation, Analise, One Cause One Effect, Teabag, Dom Kimberley, Geeman, DRS, Pleasure Ellis, B Angie B, Stooge Playaz, Ho Frat Hoo! and Wee Wee, among others. A part of additional record labels, he has associated/collaborated/recorded with VMF, Tupac Shakur, Teddy Riley, Felton Pilate, Tha Dogg Pound, The Whole 9, The Hines Brother (Andra Hines & Dunkin Hines), Deion Sanders, Big Daddy Kane, BeBe & CeCe Winans and Jon Gibson, as well as others. In 1992, Doug E. Fresh was signed to M.C. Hammer's Bust It Records label. In late 2012, Hammer appeared with Psy at the 40th American Music Awards and during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest performing a mashup of "Gangnam Style" and "2 Legit 2 Quit" together which was released on iTunes.

Images:
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Name: Salt N Pepa
SortName: Salt N Pepa
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Overview:
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl James ("Salt"), Sandra Denton ("Pepa") and Deidra Roper ("DJ Spinderella"), was one of the first all-female rap crews.

Images:
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Name: Color Me Badd
SortName: Color Me Badd
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Overview:
Color Me Badd is an R&B vocal group that was formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. The original members of the group were Bryan Abrams (born November 16, 1969); Mark Calderon (born September 27, 1970); Sam Watters (born July 23, 1970) and Kevin Thornton (born June 17, 1969). The group sold 12 million records in the United States. The group has been well known in Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, parts of East Asia, Thailand, United Kingdom and New Zealand besides the United States. The group has been on T.V. shows, commercials and their songs have been in movies like New Jack City and No Strings Attached.

Images:
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Name: Monie Love
SortName: Monie Love
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Overview:
Monie Love (born Simone Johnson; 2 July 1970) is an English rapper and radio personality in the United States. She is a well-respected figure in British hip hop, and made an impact with American hip-hop audiences as a protégé of American emcee Queen Latifah, as well as through her membership in the late-1980s/early-1990s hip-hop group Native Tongues. Love was one of the first BritHop artists to be signed and distributed worldwide by a major record label. Love was born in the Battersea area of Wandsworth, London. She is the daughter of a London-based, jazz musician father.
Love began her musical career as an emcee in the British Jus Bad crew, which featured DJ Pogo, Sparki, and MC Mell'O'. The group released the single "Free Style/Proud" on the independent Tuff Groove record label in 1988. Manager Steve Finan was introduced to her by Rodney P. Steve Finan signed Monie Love to Danny D and Peter Edge at Cooltempo Records in the UK, and then Benny Medina at Warner Brothers in the United States. Monie Love first gained critical and commercial notice in the United States in 1989 for her cameos on Queen Latifah's Grammy Award-winning and pro-feminist single "Ladies First", on Adeva's "Ring My Bell", on the Jungle Brothers' single "Doin' Our Own Dang" and on De La Soul's hit single "Buddy". The acclaim led her to a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records, making Love one of the few British hip-hop efforts released by a major label. She also has a place in hip-hop history as a member of the Native Tongues, a collective that included Queen Latifah, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, the Jungle Brothers, and a number of other acts. Her versatility was demonstrated with her involvement in the emerging popularity of house music with her own single "Grandpa's Party" as well as providing rap vocals for the Dancin' Danny D Remix of Adeva's house hit "Respect".
Love's debut album, Down To Earth, spawned two Grammy-nominated hits, "Monie in the Middle" (a track dealing with a woman's right to determine what she wants out of a relationship) and "It's a Shame (My Sister)" (which sampled the (Detroit) Spinners' "It's a Shame", written for the band by Stevie Wonder) and featured house-music vocalist and then-labelmate Ultra Naté. The album reached #26 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Love also appears on the song titled "United" from Inner City's third album, Praise.
Love was featured on the LA Reid & Babyface remix of Whitney Houston's R&B hit "My Name Is Not Susan" in 1991, and appeared in the music video alongside Houston. Love's 1992 single "Full-Term Love", from the Class Act movie soundtrack, reached #7 on the Hot Hip-Hop Singles chart.
Love collaborated with Marley Marl on her second album, In a Word or 2 (1993), which featured the Prince-produced single "Born To B.R.E.E.D." (which reached #1 on the Hot Dance Music chart and #7 on the Hot Rap Singles chart), as well as a re-release of "Full-Term Love". The same year, Prince asked her to write lyrics for a few songs on a side-project, Carmen Electra's eponymous album, Carmen Electra. Love's last release as lead artist was the single Slice of Da Pie in 2000. In 2013, she was featured on the track "Sometimes" by Ras Kass, from his album Barmageddon.

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Name: Naughty By Nature
SortName: Naughty By Nature
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Overview:
Naughty by Nature ist ein US-amerikanisches Hip-Hop-Duo, das ursprünglich aus den drei Mitgliedern Treach, Vin Rock und DJ Kay Gee bestand. Die Gruppe wurde im Jahr 1988 gegründet, 2000 trennte sich DJ Kay Gee wegen finanzieller Differenzen von der Gruppe.

Die Mitglieder stammen aus East Orange, New Jersey (umgangssprachlich auch „Illtown“ genannt). Zu ihren größten Hits gehören O.P.P. (Other People’s Property) (1991), Ghetto Bastard (Everything’s Gonna Be Alright) (1992) und Hip Hop Hooray (1993). Treach war ein guter Freund des verstorbenen Tupac Shakur und hat ihm einen Song namens Mourn You Til I Join You gewidmet. O.P.P. (Other People’s Property) gehörte zum Soundtrack des im Jahre 2005 erschienenen Kriegsdramas Jarhead – Willkommen im Dreck. Das Album Poverty’s Paradise erhielt bei den Grammy Awards 1996 den Preis in der neu eingeführten Kategorie Best Rap Album.

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Name: Soul For Real
SortName: Soul For Real
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Overview:
Soul for Real (also known as Soul 4 Real and Soul IV Real) is an R&B group from Wheatley Heights, New York, made up of brothers Andre (born April 4, 1974), Brian (born December 14, 1975), Christopher (born April 30, 1973), and Jason Dalyrimple (born May 10, 1980). The group is best known for its three albums and various singles released in the 1990s.

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Name: Zhane
SortName: Zhane
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Overview:
Zhané (pronounced Jah-Nay) was an American R&B/hip hop soul duo, best known for their 1993 hit "Hey, Mr. D.J." Other popular hits include "Groove Thang" and "Sending My Love," both released in 1994. The group was part of Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit collective.  They released the follow up album Saturday Night in 1997. The release featured the hit single "Request Line." A remix with different lyrics and raps by Queen Latifah followed.  Given a high-profile spot on the all-star compilation Roll Wit tha Flava as their first recording opportunity, Zhané lived up to the pressure and came away with one of the hip-hop party anthems of all time, "Hey, Mr. DJ." Jean Norris and Renee Neufville initially met while both were studying music at Philadelphia's Temple University (Norris is originally from Rhode Island, Neufville from Jamaica). After meeting Naughty by Nature member Kay Gee, Zhané impressed the producer enough to go right into the studio to record for Roll Wit tha Flava. When "Hey, Mr. DJ" was released as a separate single as well, it hit number six on the pop charts and earned the group a contract with Motown in 1994. Their debut album, Pronounced Jah-Nay, produced two further Top 40 hits ("Groove Thang," "Sending My Love") and went gold by the end of the year. Zhané kept busy during 1995-1996 with spots on tracks by Busta Rhymes and De La Soul as well as new songs of their own on the NFL Jams and NBA 50th Anniversary compilations and the soundtracks to Higher Learning and A Low Down Dirty Shame -- the latter, "Shame," became their fourth Top 40 hit. Norris and Neufville returned with a new LP in 1997, co-produced by Kay Gee, Eddie F., and themselves. It peaked just outside the Top 40.

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Name: Jodeci
SortName: Jodeci
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Overview:
Jodeci (sometimes stylized as JoDeCi) is an American band, whose repertoire includes R&B, soul music, and new jack swing. The group consists of two pairs of brothers from Hampton, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina: Cedric & Joel Hailey and Donald & Dalvin DeGrate, all respectively known by their stage names: K-Ci & JoJo, DeVante Swing and Mr. Dalvin. The group's name is a combination of the names from all four members: Jo-Jo, DeGrate, and K-Ci.

The group had a successful string of hit singles and platinum albums until the members went on hiatus after 1998. The Hailey brothers continued to perform together under the pseudonym K-Ci & JoJo, and had success on the pop charts beyond that of the original band. In 2009, the group rebanded for H-Town's song, "Knockin' Boots".

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Name: R.Kelly
SortName: R.Kelly
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Overview:
Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967), better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. Often referred to as the King of R&B, Kelly is recognized as one of the most successful R&B artists of all-time. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play. He is known for a collection of major hit singles including "Bump n' Grind", "Your Body's Callin'", "I Believe I Can Fly", "Gotham City", "Ignition (Remix)", "If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time", "The World's Greatest", "I'm a Flirt", and the hip-hopera "Trapped in the Closet". In 1998, Kelly won three Grammy Awards for "I Believe I Can Fly".
Kelly has written, produced, and remixed songs for many artists including The Winans, The Isley Brothers, Charlie Wilson, Quincy Jones, K-Ci & JoJo, Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Hi-Five, Nivea, Ciara, Mary J. Blige, Luther Vandross, Gerald LeVert, Raheem DeVaughn, Ruben Studdard, Jaheim, Kelly Price, Tamia, Maxwell, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Usher, B2K, Twista, Tyrese, Jennifer Lopez, Trey Songz, and others in the U.S. and abroad.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), has recognized R. Kelly as one of the best-selling music artists in the United States with 38.5 million albums sold as well as only the fifth Black artist to crack the top 50 of the same list. In March 2011, R. Kelly was named the most successful R&B artist of the last 25 years by Billboard. Kelly has released 10 studio albums, sold 38.5 million albums in the U.S., 15 million singles, and over 55 million albums worldwide making him the most successful R&B male artist of 1990s.

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Name: Aaliyah
SortName: Aaliyah
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Overview:
Wikipedia

Aaliyah Dana Haughton (* 16. Januar 1979 in Brooklyn, New York City; † 25. August 2001 in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas) war eine US-amerikanische R&B-Sängerin und Schauspielerin. Ihren Durchbruch hatte sie mit Try Again, dem Titellied des Films Romeo Must Die, in dem sie die weibliche Hauptrolle spielte. Mit weltweit über 30 Millionen verkauften Tonträgern gehört sie zu den erfolgreichsten R&B-Sängerinnen der letzten 30 Jahre. Im Alter von 22 Jahren kam sie bei einem Flugzeugabsturz ums Leben.

Images:
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Name: Kp & Envyi
SortName: Kp & Envyi
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Overview:
K.P. & Envyi (born Kia Phillips and Susan Hedgepeth) is an American contemporary R&B and Hip Hop duo from Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina, known for the 1998 single "Swing My Way"; which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #14 on the UK Singles Chart, #14 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and #54 on the Dutch Single Top 100 and was certified Gold by the RIAA The two solo artists were merged in a duo by Lil Jon's label, BME Recordings to record what would be a hit record for the Atlanta based compilation, Rhythm & Quad. K.P. is the sister of the label's co-founder and entertainment attorney, Vince Phillips. The duo often perform together and also make appearances at various events however both women run separate business ventures outside of the music industry.

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Name: TLC
SortName: TLC
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Overview:
TLC ist ein amerikanisches Trio, dessen Repertoire R & B, Hip Hop, Soul, Funk und New Jack Swing umfasst. Ursprünglich bestehend aus der Sängerin Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, der Rapperin Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes und der Sängerin Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, hatte die Gruppe in den 1990er Jahren beispiellosen Erfolg und ertrug gleichzeitig eine Reihe von Übergriffen mit dem Gesetz, einander und das Plattenlabel der Gruppe. Zunächst erzielte TLC nach der Veröffentlichung ihres Debütalbums Ooooooohhh ... On the TLC Tip, das weltweit 6 Millionen Mal verkauft wurde, kommerziellen Erfolg. Es war jedoch ihr zweites Album, CrazySexyCool, das die Gruppe zum Superstar katapultierte. CrazySexyCool wurde von der RIAA als Diamant zertifiziert - eine Premiere für eine weibliche Gruppe und verkaufte sich schließlich weltweit 23 Millionen Mal. Fünf Jahre später veröffentlichte die Gruppe ihr drittes Album FanMail, das als erstes Album der Gruppe auf Platz eins debütierte und weltweit mehr als 11 Millionen Mal verkauft wurde. Die anschließende Tour nach der Veröffentlichung von FanMail wurde von einer weiblichen Band zur umsatzstärksten Tour aller Zeiten. Im Jahr 2002 starb Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes bei einem Autounfall in Honduras. Sieben Monate später veröffentlichten T-Boz und Chilli das vierte 3D-Album der Gruppe, das weltweit 2 Millionen Mal verkauft wurde und unveröffentlichte Vocals von Left Eye enthielt. Das Billboard Magazin stufte TLC als eines der größten musikalischen Trios ein. Zwischen 1992 und 2003 sammelte die Band zehn Top-Ten-Singles, vier Nummer-1-Singles, vier Multi-Platin-Alben und vier Grammy Awards. Ende 1999 wurde TLC von Billboard als siebt erfolgreichster Act der 90er Jahre eingestuft. Im Jahr 2008 wurde die Gruppe von derselben Zeitschrift auf Platz 56 in die All Time Hot 100 Artist Hall of Fame aufgenommen. In diesem Jahr wurde es auch als # 25 R & B / Hip-Hop-Künstler der letzten 25 Jahre aufgeführt. TLC hat weltweit mehr als 65 Millionen Platten verkauft und sie sind die zweitbeste weibliche Gruppe aller Zeiten und die meistverkaufte weibliche R & B-Gruppe aller Zeiten. Im Jahr 2012 belegte TLC den 12. Platz unter den 100 größten Frauen in der Musik von VH1 und war damit die Nummer eins aller Mädchengruppen auf dieser Liste.

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Name: Mary J Blige
SortName: Mary J Blige
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Overview:
Mary J. Blige ( /ËˆblaÉªÊ’/; born January 11, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B.
Blige started her musical career in 1992, releasing her debut album, What's the 411? on MCA Records and Uptown. With her tenth album, My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) (2011), she had ten consecutive albums debut in the top 10 on the Billboard 200. Blige's work has defined the course of R&B/Hip-Hop music. My Life, in particular, is considered among the greatest albums ever recorded according to Rolling Stone (279/500), Time, and Vibe. For her part in combining hip hop and soul in the early 1990s and its subsequent commercial success, Blige received the World Music Awards "Legends Award". In 2007 the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awarded her its "Voice of Music" Award. ASCAP official Jeanie Weems stated that " music has been the voice of inspiration to women worldwide in both struggle and triumph." That same year, Time included her in its "Time 100" list, a collection of the year's 100 most influential individuals around the world. In a documentary by BET television, Mary J. Blige said that when she hears music, she sees colors. In other words she has Synesthesia.
As of 2011, Blige has sold over 50 million albums and 15 million singles worldwide. Billboard Magazine ranked Blige as the most successful female R&B artist of the past 25 years. The magazine also lists her 2006 song "Be Without You" as the top R&B song of the 2000s, as it spent an unparalleled 15 weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In 2011, VH1 ranked Blige as the 80th greatest artist of all time. Moreover, she is ranked number 100 on the list of "100 greatest singers of all time" by Rolling Stone magazine. In 2012, VH1 ranked Blige at number 9 in "The 100 Greatest Woman in Music."
Blige also earned high remarks for her work in film and fragrance. She starred in the 2009 Tyler Perry box-office hit I Can Do Bad All By Myself and played a role in the film Rock of Ages, which was released to theaters in 2012. She is a recipient of two Golden Globe Awards nominations for her musical contributions to the films Bobby and The Help. She is named to play music icon Nina Simone in the upcoming biopic Nina. In partnership with the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and Carol's Daughter, Blige released her "My Life" perfume. The perfume broke HSN records by selling 65,000 bottles during its premiere. The scent went on to win two FiFi Awards, including the prestigious "Fragrance Sales Breakthrough" award.

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Name: Tracie Spencer
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Overview:
Tracie Monique Spencer (born July 12, 1978) is an American multiracial pop/R&B singer. She released her self-tited debut album when she was 11. Her biggest hits  were "This House" and "Tender Kisses", both of which were released from her sophomore album, Make the Difference.   Biography:  She was born and raised in Waterloo, Iowa. her parents were mixed of African- American, Caucasian,  Polynesian, Asian, Spanish and Louisiana Creole descent. She began singing at the age of three and inspiration came courtesy of her father Malvin Spencer. Mr. Spencer was a singer with his own group The Cavaliers who opened for legendary singer Jackie Wilson. Preparing for a full time career in music, she would spend hours listening to musical legends like Billie Holiday and making home videos of herself singing tunes made popular by her idols Diana Ross and Mel'isa Morgan. At age five, Spencer began modeling in pageant competitions and in 1987 she won the syndicated television talent show Star Search  singing Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know" and a song from her debut album entitled "Lullaby Child". Shortly afterwards, she became the youngest female artist to sign a record deal with a major label, Capitol Records, and went on to release her self-titled debut album. She found success with singles "Hide and Seek", "Symptoms of True Love" and her remake of [John Lennon's "Imagine". Her second album, "Make the Difference" was released on August 27, 1990. The first single, "Save Your Love", showed an impressive standing at #7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. Her following single, "This House" became her biggest hit to date reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Tender Kisses", one of her best known ballads, hit #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks and made her the youngest female artist to receive the ASCAP songwriter of the year award. The other singles, "This Time Make It Funky" and "Love Me", charted relatively well on The Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. She attended Columbus High School in Waterloo, Iowa. She also served on the board of the Children's Defense Fund as a teen and was given Martin Luther King Christian Leadership Award for being a positive role model for youth and she also traveled across the U.S. and abroad as part of a "Stay In School" program. In 1993, she made a guest appearance on the hit ABC sitcom, Family Matters and recorded the song "I'll Be There for You" for the 1997 film, "Good Burger", "The Rain" for "A Smile Like Yours" starring Lauren Holly and Greg Kinnear, "Down In The Delta" and "Girlfight" starring Michelle Rodriquez. She also modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, Chanel and Dollhouse, which lead to her being a part of New York and Los Angeles' fashion weeks in 1999-2000, being styled by Derek Khan, being signed to "NEXT" modeling agency and appearing in numerous magazines. On June 29, 1999, she made a comeback to released "Tracie" and found success with the hit singles "It's All About You (Not About Me) peaking in the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and "Still In My Heart", the latter showcasing her elastic soprano vocals. In the 2000s, she started singing background vocals on the Hip-Hop songs for rappers such as hip-hop artist Kanye West, 50 C and Eve as well as songwriting for other artist's projects. In 2004, she acted in the short film, "A Tale of Two Sisters and in 2006, she performed in a play called "Choices in Los Angeles. As of 2007, Ms. Spencer  has taken a hiatus from music but still models and is also pursing other interests while living on both the west coast and working abroad, but there is talk of her working on a couple of different projects and a new album. As of 2008-09 Ms. Spencer started writing with producer Julian Bunetta who has produced hits for country artist Big and Rich and pop acts such as Natasha Bedingfield and Leona Lewis.


Name: Michael Jackson
SortName: Michael Jackson
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Overview:
Michael Joseph Jackson (* 29. August 1958 in Gary, Indiana; † 25. Juni 2009 in Los Angeles, Kalifornien) war ein US-amerikanischer Sänger, Komponist, Tänzer und Entertainer. 

Um dem musikgeschichtlichen Stellenwert des siebten Kindes der Familie Joseph Jackson gerecht zu werden, kann man entweder brav chronologisch Edelmetall-Auszeichnungen auflisten oder den absoluten Höhepunkt seines Schaffens mit einem Superlativ auf den Punkt bringen: "Thriller".

1982: Michael Jackson ist junge 23 und schon ein Star. Bereits '79 distanziert er sich mit seinem Debüt "Off The Wall" vom Motown-Soul der Jackson 5-Ära. Die Scheibe schlägt kometenhaft ein und scheint mit knapp zehn Millionen verkauften Einheiten kommerziell unschlagbar.

Doch dann kommt "Thriller": Zusammen mit Produzentenlegende Quincy Jones gelingt 1982 das Unfassliche. 43 Minuten pralle Tanzflächenhypnotik voll schwarzem Soul, beharrlichem Funk und massig Vokalsex ("Oooh, Aahh, Yeah, C'mon"). Die halbe Welt steht Kopf, Michael ist am Ziel, er ist der unumstrittene King of Pop.

Die Schwestern La Toya und Janet singen damals noch brav in des Bruders Backgroundchor, und Eddie Van Halen spendet das Gitarrensolo für "Beat It". Das Album führt in Jackos Heimat USA geschlagene neun Monate die Charts an und verkauft sich dort satte 25 Millionen Mal (zum Vergleich: "Bad" kaufen acht Millionen, "Dangerous" sechs Millionen US-Amerikaner). Anfang 2006 registriert das Guiness-Buch der Rekorde weltweit 104 Millionen verkaufte Exemplare.

Nebenbei kultiviert Jackson mit dem Videoclip zum Track "Thriller" bei seinen Fans klassische Friedhofsängste in Form eines Mini-Musikfilms, ein Genre, das maßgeblich durch ihn Gestalt annimmt. Vielleicht würde MTV auch Jahrzehnte später noch ausschließlich Heavy Metal-Clips zeigen, hätte Michael damals nicht mit den "Thriller"-Singles bewiesen, dass auch R'n'B-Pop visuell aufregend und massenkompatibel umzusetzen ist.

1984 und 1985 pausiert Jackson notgedrungen, da er praktisch jedes Wochenende zu einer Award-Verleihung düst. Die Single "We Are The World" mit Lionel Richie knallt noch rein und beschert ihm einen weiteren Grammy, ansonsten tüftelt der "Thriller"-Star 1986/87 am neuen Paukenschlag "Bad". Das Album mit einem mittlerweile schwer gesichtschirurgisch veränderten Jackson in Ledernietenjacke auf dem Cover hält den Hype aufrecht. Schwindelerregende acht Songs aus dem elf 
Songs starken Album erscheinen als Single.

Auch die Welt-Tournee verläuft im gewohnten Superstar-Ausmaß und sogar Lady Di echauffiert sich öffentlich über den Song "Dirty Diana". Doch wer einmal "Thriller" aufnimmt, darf sich nicht wundern, wenn der Glanz alter Tage irgendwann erlischt.

In den 90ern nennt er sich erstmals nostalgisch "King Of Pop", in die Schlagzeilen kommt er nun allerdings häufiger durch Promo-Hochzeitsgezeter und Anschuldigungen wegen sexuellen Missbrauchs. Vertraute des Stars nennen diese Vorwürfe stets absurd. Fest steht aber auch, dass nicht nur eine Menge Legenden gesponnen werden, sondern Jackson tatsächlich mitunter ein wenig die Bodenhaftung verloren hat. "Er lebt in einer Traumwelt", sagt Quincy Jones, und der müsste es wissen.

Was danach kommt, ist die Verwaltung des eigenen Erbes und der Kampf gegen Angriffe von außen. An erster Stelle ist hier natürlich der Prozess wegen angeblichen Kindesmissbrauchs zu nennen, der Jacko zwischen 2003 und 2005 an den Rand des (finanziellen) Abgrunds bringt. Nach siebentägiger Beratung spricht ein Geschworenengericht Jackson, zu dem Zeitpunkt 46 Jahre alt, in allen Anklagepunkten frei und befindet ihn für nicht schuldig.

In der Folge beschließt der Musiker, seinem Vaterland den Rücken zu kehren und zieht mit seinen Söhnen in das Königreich Bahrain. Seine leerstehende Neverland Ranch findet derweil keine Käufer. Diese Szenerie steht sinnbildlich für den tiefen Fall einer Legende, dem vielleicht größten lebenden Mythos der Musikgeschichte.

Einmal bäumt er sich noch auf. Im März 2009 tritt Jackson mit geballter Faust und Victoryzeichen bei einer Pressekonferenz in der Londoner O2-Arena auf wackligen Beinen ans Rednerpult. "Das ist es. Ich will nur sagen, dass dies meine letzten Auftritte in London sein werden", verkündet der wie betäubt 
wirkende 50-Jährige mit brüchiger Stimme.

50 Konzerttermine sind ruckzuck ausverkauft, und nicht nur Kritiker fragen sich, ob Michael Jackson eine derartige Mammut-Serie wirklich durchsteht. Am 25. Juni 2009 erleidet der King of Pop in seiner Villa in Los Angeles einen Herzstillstand. Aus seiner Umgebung heißt es, er habe versucht, sich mit Medikamenten für das Comeback fit zu machen.

Eineinhalb Jahre nach seinem Tod erscheint mit "Michael" das erste posthume Album, an dem zahlreiche prominente Namen (Akon, 50 Cent, Lenny Kravitz) beteiligt sind.

So steht der Name Michael Jackson auch nach seinem Tod für den aus dem Paradies vertriebenen Sohn, für ein unwirkliches Phantom, das in tragischster Art und Weise die Kehrseite des American Dream in sämtlichen Ausprägungen verkörpert.

Images:
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Name: The Whispers
SortName: Whispers
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Overview:
The Whispers is an R&B/dance vocal group formed in 1964 in Los Angeles, California. The original members included the twin brothers Scotty and Wallace Scott, along with Gordy Harmon, Marcus Hutson and Nicholas Caldwell. In 1973, Harmon was replaced by former Friends of Distinction member Leaveil Degree. The group scored many hits on the R&B and Billboard Hot 100 charts throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and they hit #1 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1980 with “And the Beat Goes On/Can You Do the Boogie/Out the Box”.
The group’s sound was marked by Scotty Scott’s fluid, melodic voice which featured on virtually all of their hits. Scotty’s sound was so distinctive and likeable that, in his heyday, he was as recognizable as such noted R&B lead singers as Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers.
In 1987, they enjoyed a career resurgence when “Rock Steady” hit #1 on the R&B charts, and it became their first Top 10 success on the Hot 100, reaching #7. The Whispers also founded the Black Tie record label.
In the 1990s, The Whispers joined the Capitol Records family releasing more favorites. Expanding their creative horizons, brothers Walter and Scotty cut “My Brothers Keeper”, a critically-acclaimed duet album in 1993, scoring another R&B hit with a cover of the Intruders’ “I Wanna Know Your Name.” The 1995 release “Toast to the Ladies” featured a collection of love songs dedicated to women all over the world. In 1997, the group moved to Interscope Records where they featured the works of Baby face once again with their album, “Songbook, Vol. 1: The Songs of Babyface”. Both albums charted on Billboard’s top 100 albums.
Marcus stopped performing with the group in 1989 due to ill health and the Whispers vowed never to replace him when he died in 2000. In the new millennium, the group still performs around the world to thousands of loyal fans. The group has not made any personnel changes and still consists of Walter Scott, Wallace Scott, Nicholas Caldwell, and Leaveil Degree. They have taken the world by storm, selling out in various casinos and hotels, music venues, and they have a tremendous following throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, they still find time for charity work with youth education, cancer organizations, 100 Black Men, and Domestic violence charities.
On September 23, 2003, The Whispers’ four decades of accomplishments were acknowledged when they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. On June 12, 2005, The San Francisco Chapter of the Grammy Awards presented the Whispers with the prestigious Governors Award, the highest honor bestowed by an Academy Chapter. They were also inducted into the Bay Area Blues Society Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2007, The Black Music Academy of America selected the Whispers to receive their “Living Legends” award.
They are one of only a few “old school” groups that can boast of having over 40 years in the industry with a worldwide fan base. The Whispers waited almost a decade to produce a new CD in 2005. This independent product, the first venture of their newly formed corporation Satin Tie Entertainment is a masterpiece entitled, “For Your Ears Only”. According to Walter, “This title was a way of saying to our fans that while we want everyone’s support, we very much want the support of our fans, who have been with us for many, many years.” It made its way up the Billboard chart immediately. In 2007, they release a DVD of their live concert entitled “The Whispers Live From Las Vegas”, the first of its kind. A CD soundtrack of the same concert was also released.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Seven Gold Albums, Two Platinum Albums, 12 Top Twenty Singles, 40 Charted Hits Since 1970, Four Decades of Pop & R & B FavoritesAmerican Music Award Nominees, Soul Train Award Nominees, Grammy Award Nominees
2003 Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees, 2005 S.F. Regional Grammy Governors Award

Images:
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Name: Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam
SortName: Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam
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Overview:
Lisa Lisa (born Lisa Velez, January 15, 1966) and her band Cult Jam are an urban contemporary band and one of first freestyle music groups to emerge from New York City in the 1980s. Cult Jam consisted of guitarist/bassist Alex "Spanador" Moseley, and drummer and keyboardist Mike Hughes. They were assembled and produced by Full Force. 

History:
Velez is of Puerto Rican descent and grew up in New York City and attended Julia Richman High School in Manhattan, NY. The group released their debut album Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force in 1985. She was signed by Columbia Records and the label released their single "I Wonder If I Take You Home" to the European division of CBS Records for the compilation album Breakdancing. Stateside club DJs began playing the single from the import LP, and thus the U.S. division of CBS, Columbia Records, released the record. It quickly became a chart-topper on Billboard's Hot Dance/Disco chart. It then crossed over to the R&B chart where it peaked at #6, and then to the pop chart, peaking at #34 in summer 1985. The single eventually went gold. 
"I Wonder If I Take You Home" was followed by another club hit, "Can You Feel the Beat", which also went to #40 on the R&B chart in late 1985. A sampling of the lyrics of this song would later be used by Nina Sky for their hit single "Move Ya Body" in 2004. Their third single, the ballad "All Cried Out", also went gold, going to number #3 R&B and #8 pop in summer 1986. "All Cried Out" was later covered by Allure in 1997 and was a hit in 1998. Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force went platinum. 
Their second album, Spanish Fly, was a huge success in 1987. It spawned two #1 pop hits, "Head to Toe" and "Lost in Emotion", both of which went gold and both of which sported a retro Motown flavor mixed with the Freestyle sound they were known for. "Head to Toe" also parked at #1 R&B for two weeks and stayed in the pop top 5 nearly three months. Lost In Emotion's video went on to become the 4th most played video of 1987 on MTV. Spanish Fly went platinum, peaking at #7 on the album chart. Other singles from the album were the ballad "Someone to Love Me for Me" b/w "Spanish Fly" (#7 R&B), "Everything Will B-Fine" (#9 R&B). 
In between albums they recorded "Go For Yours," which was featured in the movie Caddyshack II and is found on its soundtrack exclusively. 
1989's Straight to the Sky was a moderate hit that included the Top 30 pop/#3 R&B single, "Little Jackie Wants to Be a Star", as well as the club hit "Just Git It Together". Two decades later, their hit song would inspire the name of the group Little Jackie. 
Their fourth and final album, Straight Outta Hell's Kitchen, was less of a commercial success, though it did include a hit with "Let the Beat Hit 'Em", which reached the pop Top 40 and was a #1 hit on both the R&B and club charts. The group disbanded in 1991. Velez pursued both solo and acting careers, and Moseley and Hughes went on to do other projects. 
Lisa Lisa released a solo album called LL77 in 1994, which included the moderate club hit "When I Fell In Love" (which was remixed by Junior Vasquez) and the notable single "Skip To My Lu", which hit #38 on the R&B chart. She resurfaced circa 2001 on the Nickelodeon series Taina, in which she played the title character's mother. 
On June 24, 2008, Lisa Lisa presented an award at the BET Awards sparking interest that she may be plotting a comeback. 
In 2009, Lisa Lisa released Life 'n Love, a full length album of new material on Mass Appeal Entertainment featuring the single "Can't Wait" with guest rapper Pitbull. The album also features a cover version of the song "Stand" which was originally performed by Taylor Dayne on her 1998 album "Naked Without You". The song "Que Locura" was also released as an iTunes single.

Images:
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Name: Shannon
SortName: Shannon
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Overview:
Shannon Brenda Greene (born May 2, 1958), better known by the mononym Shannon, is an American recording artist and singer of Freestyle music and dance-pop music and songwriter. She is best known for her million-selling record single "Let the Music Play". Often she is considered the "International Queen of Freestyle."

Her albums include Let the Music Play, released in 1984, followed by Do You Wanna Get Away in 1985 and Love Goes All the Way in 1986. In 1999, Shannon appeared in a segment of VH1's One-Hit Wonders, and returned to music with her fourth album, The Best is Yet to Come, which was released in 2000. The album was followed by a compilation album released in 2004, Let The Music Play: The Best of Shannon. Shannon's most recent album is A Beauty Returns, released in 2007.

In 1983, Shannon was enrolled at York College[disambiguation needed] and toured with the New York Jazz Ensemble. Quintin Hicks, an associate of the production team of Mark Liggett and Chris Barbosa, later saw Shannon singing with a live band in her cousin's recording studio. Shannon auditioned for Liggett and Barbosa with the song "She Can't Love You Like I Do". They introduced her to the selection "Fire and Ice," which would later evolve into Shannon's signature song, "Let The Music Play;" its unique sound, called "The Shannon Sound," would later come to be known as "freestyle." Let The Music Play would also be the title of Shannon's debut album, which she released in 1984.

In September 1983, "Let The Music Play" was released, and Shannon was invited back to record more songs with Liggett and Barbosa. The single reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard R&B and Hot Dance Club Play charts. It also was ranked at #49 of Billboard's Top 100 songs of 1984. It was later ranked #23 among Billboard's best dance songs of all-time.

Her debut album, Let The Music Play, was released on February 1, 1984. "Give Me Tonight", the follow-up single, reached the number-one spot on the R&B and Hot Dance Club Play charts. It was one of Billboard's top 30 dance songs for the year of 1984. In the United States, the third single was "My Heart's Divided."[17] The single, featuring Jimi Tunnell as one of the back up vocalists,[18] became a moderate hit on the Dance Chart.[19] "Sweet Somebody," a mid-tempo soul effort, made the Top 20 in a few European nations.[20]

Shannon's album Let the Music Play went on to sell approximately 1.5 million worldwide, with 500,000 of those sold in the United States, earning gold certification. Shannon was nominated for a Grammy Award and received numerous other awards, including the Dinah Washington (Jack the Rapper) Award, the Hall of Fame Award, the Gold Ampex Reel Award, a certified gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America, and the Best Billboard Top 10 female R&B vocalist.

In 1985, Shannon released her second album, Do You Wanna Get Away. The title track was the first single and it became her third single to appear on the Hot 100, and it reached #1 on the Dance Chart. She scored three more dance hits, including "Stronger Together," a cover of "Urgent" by Foreigner, and "Stop the Noise," with a video sponsored by Pepsi and Black Angus. Love Goes All the Way, Shannon's third album, was released in 1986.

Shannon asked to be released from her recording contract with Atlantic Records in 1987. She recorded soundtracks, jingles, and the track "Criminal," for the movie Fatal Beauty. While touring the world, Shannon attended and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

In 1998, she co-wrote and sang on multi tracks produced by Todd Terry, Tony Moran, and Germany's Sash! and Les Rythmes Digitales. In 1999, Shannon appeared in a segment of VH1's One-Hit Wonders. Entertainment Tonight also taped a special about her life. Was managed for a period of time by Eric Vega producer of shows and events.

Shannon's fourth studio album, The Best Is Yet to Come, was released on March 28, 2000. She is credited as 50% writer of the album. Chris Barbosa served as a producer, along with Andy "Panda" Tripoli and Tony Moran. Shannon later released a compilation album, Let The Music Play: The Best of Shannon, in 2004.

On April 20, 2006, Shannon participated in the Freestyle Extranvaganza concert along with artists Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, The Cover Girls, Coro, and Stevie B.. The event was sponsored by WKTU, WSKQ, and WCAA in New York.

A fifth studio album, A Beauty Returns, was released in 2007.

Today, Shannon is a voting member of the Grammys (Recording Academy), and she occasionally performs shows around the world.

Images:
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Name: New Kids On The Block
SortName: New Kids On The Block
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Overview:
New Kids on the Block (also initialized as NKOTB) is an American boy band from Dorchester, Massachusetts, United States. The band consists of brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and early 1990s and have sold more than 70 million records worldwide. They won two American Music Awards in 1990 for Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group and Favorite Pop/Rock Album. The group disbanded in 1994, and publicly reunited in 2008.

After secretly reuniting in 2007 and recording a new record, the group released that new album and embarked on a concert tour in 2008. The album, entitled The Block, was released on September 2, 2008. New Kids on the Block was listed as number 16 on Rolling Stone's Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments. The group was on tour with the Backstreet Boys in 2011–12 as NKOTBSB. This collaboration first performed live together on November 21, 2010 at the American Music Awards on ABC and again on 2011 New Year's on ABC's Dick Clark/Ryan Seacrest show. The group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 9, 2014.

Images:
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Name: Will Smith
SortName: Will Smith
PresentationUniqueKey: 0edf072b7a394080aa4943851de5361c
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Overview:
Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), briefly known as The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper. He has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards. As of 2023, his films have grossed over $9.3 billion globally, making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars.

Smith began his acting career starring as a fictionalized version of himself on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996). He first gained recognition as part of a hip hop duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff, with whom he released five studio albums and the US Billboard Hot 100 top 20 singles "Parents Just Don't Understand", "A Nightmare on My Street", "Summertime", "Ring My Bell", and "Boom! Shake the Room" from 1984 to 1994. He released the solo albums Big Willie Style (1997), Willennium (1999), Born to Reign (2002), and Lost and Found (2005), which contained the US number-one singles "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" and "Wild Wild West". He has received four Grammy Awards for his rap performances.

Smith achieved wider fame as a leading man in films such as the action film Bad Boys (1995), its sequels Bad Boys II (2003) and Bad Boys for Life (2020), and the sci-fi comedies Men in Black (1997), Men in Black II (2002), and Men in Black 3 (2012). After starring in the thrillers Independence Day (1996) and Enemy of the State (1998), he received Academy Award for Best Actor nominations for his portrayal as Muhammad Ali in Ali (2001), and as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006). He then starred in a range of commercially successful films, including I, Robot (2004), Shark Tale (2004), Hitch (2005), I Am Legend (2007), Hancock (2008), Seven Pounds (2008), Suicide Squad (2016) and Aladdin (2019).

For his portrayal of Richard Williams in the biographical sports drama King Richard (2021), Smith won the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor. At the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony, shortly before winning, Smith faced public backlash for slapping and shouting at Oscar presenter Chris Rock after Rock made an unscripted joke referencing Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith subsequently resigned from the Academy and was banned from attending all Academy functions, including the Oscars, for ten years.

Images:
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Name: Ghost Town Dj's
SortName: Ghost Town Dj's
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Name: Dialated Peoples
SortName: Dialated Peoples
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Overview:
Dilated Peoples is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. They achieved notability in the underground hip hop community, although they have had little mainstream success in the US, with the exception of the song "This Way", a 2004 collaboration with Kanye West, Xzibit, and John Legend appearing in the music video. They reached the Top 40 of the UK Singles Chart with two tracks, "This Way" and "Worst Comes to Worst." Their members include DJ Babu (producer/DJ), Evidence (emcee-producer) and Rakaa Iriscience (emcee) The group also received a publicity spike after their track "Who's Who" appeared on the racing video game, Need for Speed: Underground in 2003.

Images:
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Name: Nu Jerzey Devil
SortName: Nu Jerzey Devil
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Overview:
Anthony Torres (born January 10th in Bronx, New York), better known by his stage name Nu Jerzey Devil, is an American rapper, DJ and head producer for The Game's Black Wall Street label. He released his debut mixtape, From the Block to the Yacht, in 2008 and his second, Art of the Devil, in March of 2009. His debut album, Mr Red Karpet, was released in August 2009, and features the hit single Different Girls and guest appearances from Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Clyde Carson, Teedra Moses and Dominic.   On January 10th Anthony Torres aka "Nu Jerzey Devil" was born where his family lived on a street called Cedar Avenue, ironically, as he now resides in Compton, California on Cedar Block.  At the age of 4 his mother moved the family, consisting of 5 sons and 1 daughter, to New Jersey where it soon became his new hometown. Being the youngest of the 5 brothers and sister, he followed in the path of his brothers who were heavy into the rap life.  At the age of 7 Nu Jerzey Devil began rapping and knew he was destined to be in the music game. At the age of 18 he traded a friend a .45 calliber gun for a DJ set up. After rapping over others' beats Nu Jerzey Devil bought himself a Dr. Rhythum beat machine & a Yamaha DJX keyboard and started making his own beats. About 2 years later after supplying the whole hood with beats he received a 2way email from Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins of Darkchild Productions. Rodney, impressed by what he heard in Nu Jerzey Devil's music initiated a few meetings in Miami where they worked on a few projects. As soon as Nu Jerzey Devil got back he became a part of the Darkchild team. From that point they scored the movie "Honey" and laced the soundtrack. Since that went well, the two moved out to L.A. to work on "My Baby's Daddy". In the midst of working, Rodney told Nu Jerzey Devil he was beyond impressed. Phat Rat who has joined the Darkchild team was close with Game and was able to link the two in the studio to record. Their first recording was "The Black Wall Street Anthem" most notable on The Black Wallstreet's Official Website's intro page. After that initial recording, the two continued to record numerous songs as their chemistry between beats and rhymes grew.  Game told Nu Jerzey Devil about future plans with his own Black Wall Street label; and asked Nu Jerzey Devil to be a part of his label. As Nu Jerzey Devil saw a brighter future with The Black Wall Street, he opted in on the offer and was flown back out to Compton, California where he resides with the rest of the BWS family.


Name: Rihanna
SortName: Rihanna
PresentationUniqueKey: 3a3ee15fa7e04144b125af48021feee5
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=321128|MusicBrainzArtist=73e5e69d-3554-40d8-8516-00cb38737a1c|AudioDbArtist=111305
Overview:
2010 ist Rihanna-Jahr. Mit "Rude Boy", "Love The Way You Lie", "What’s My Name?" und "Only Girl (In The World)" platziert die Sängerin vier Titel an der Spitze der US-amerikanischen Billboard Charts. Damit sichert sie sich ihren zweiten Eintrag ins Guinnesbuch der Rekorde. Niemand anderem gelangen so viele Nummer 1-Hits innerhalb eines Jahres.

Die Ehre wurde ihr schon zuvor in der Kategorie "Best-Selling Download Female Artist in the U.K." für "Umbrella" zuteil. Das Stück von Rihannas drittem Studioalbum "Good Girl Gone Bad" frisst sich 2007 durch alle Äther des Erdballs und markiert den endgültigen Durchbruch der Sängerin. Rihanna ist zu diesem Zeitpunkt 19 Jahre alt.

Ihr Debüt feiert die Schönheit von der Urlaubsinsel Barbados zwei Jahre zuvor. Jay-Z hat gerade erst den Chefsessel der legendären Def Jam Recordings erklommen, als er Rihanna als sein erstes Signing unter Vertrag nimmt. Aufgeregt sei sie gewesen, sie habe arg gezittert, berichtet die Sängerin später von ihrem Vorsingen. Um Jay-Z zu überzeugen, reicht es. In Zusammenarbeit mit Universal baut er Rihanna in den folgenden Jahren zu einem der größten Popstars der Welt auf.

Dahinter steckt eine massive Werbestrategie, die Rihanna über die Jahre als Sexikone stilisiert. Galt sie zu Beginn noch als lebendige und lockere Karibikschönheit, die mit Reggae und Dancehall gespickten, gut gelaunten R&B-Pop produziert, mutiert sie spätestens mit "Good Girl Gone Bad" zum Vamp, das mit viel nackter Haut und sexueller Offenheit alle Verkaufsrekorde bricht. Zum Zeitpunkt der Veröffentlichung von "Talk That Talk" hat Rihanna weltweit mehr als 30 Millionen Einheiten verkauft. Die Absatzzahlen ihrer unzähligen Single-Auskopplungen pendeln sich sogar im dreistelligen Millionenbereich ein. Alleine in Deutschland gingen über 1,3 Millionen Alben und mehr als drei Millionen Singles über die Ladentheke und Internetleitungen.

Ein solch durchschlagender Erfolg war kaum abzusehen, als die kleine Robyn Rihanna Fenty vor einem Spiegel in Bridgetown auf Barbados in eine Haarbürste singt. Gemeinsam mit zwei Klassenkameradinnen gründet sie eine Mädchenband, Sängerinnen wie Mariah Carey, Madonna, Janet Jackson und Beyoncé sind die Vorbilder des Trios. Evan Rogers wird während seines Urlaubs zufällig auf die Truppe aufmerksam, besonders Rihanna tut es dem Produzenten an. Wenig später spielen sie in New York erste Demos ein, die Rogers an alle Labels des Landes verschickt. Später nehmen sich klingende Namen wie Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Chase & Status und David Guetta ihrer an. Aus dem R&B mit karibischen Einflüssen wird nach und nach tanzbarer Discopop.

Mit steigendem Erfolg und ihrem wachsenden Status als Sexsymbol avanciert Rihanna zum gefragten Werbeträger. So räkelt sich die Sängerin beispielsweise nur mit Dessous bekleidet in einer Limousine – um für Jeans der Designermarke Armani zu werben. Auch andere Firmen wie Nivea, Nike und verschiedene Parfümhersteller greifen auf Rihanna zurück.

Skandale aus ihrem Privatleben steigern das Interesse an Rihanna nur. Im Februar 2009 kursieren Bilder, die Rihanna mit Blessuren und Prellungen im Gesicht zeigen. Ihr damaliger Lebensgefährte Chris Brown hatte sie geschlagen, ein Gericht verurteilt ihn später zu fünf Jahren auf Bewährung. Nach einer mehrmonatigen Auszeit nutzt Rihanna den bedauernswerten Vorfall im Rahmen der Promotion zu ihrem Album "Rated R", auf dem sich die zuvor von Brown Erniedrigte als Domina präsentiert.

Schon vorher schlachtet das Boulevard das Verhältnis der Sängerin zu ihrem Vater aus, von dem sich ihre Mutter kurz vor Rihannas Durchbruch nach 14 Jahren Ehe scheiden lässt. Ronald Fenty war süchtig nach Crack, Alkohol und Marihuana, im Rahmen der Tour zu "Good Girl Gone Bad" tauchte er bei einem ihrer Konzerte betrunken auf und demolierte den Tourbus. Sie hätten die Unstimmigkeiten zwar ausgeräumt, eine Beziehung zwischen Vater und Tochter besteht nach Aussagen Rihannas jedoch nicht.

In der Regel macht die Sängerin jedoch mit konstruierten Skandälchen auf sich aufmerksam. So leckt sich das Boulevard die Finger als sie sich 2011 in einem Sex-Shop in Paris erwischen lässt. Oder als der Bauer, in dessen Feld Teile des Videos zu "We Found Love" entstanden, die Dreharbeiten abbricht, weil sich Rihanna zu offenherzig für den Geschmack des gläubigen Christen gezeigt hat. Für die Verkaufszahlen sind solche Schlagzeilen Gold wert. Nach 2010 dürften noch einige Rihanna-Jahre mehr folgen.

Images:
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Name: Swollen Members
SortName: Swollen Members
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ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=35536|MusicBrainzArtist=7ff86f63-f50b-45ca-8eb6-c391926e022d|AudioDbArtist=124215
Overview:
Kaum eine Hip Hop-Band hat einen so charismatischen und unverwechselbaren Sound wie die Swollen Members. Den verdankt die kanadische Kombo mit Basislager in Vancouver vor allem dem nasalen Organ von Shane Bunting, der als Mad Child den weißen Part des MC-Duetts stellt.

Anfang der Neunziger jobbt er im Bomb Hip Hop-Store in San Francisco und schlägt sich nebenbei als Solo-Artist mehr schlecht als recht durch. Mit der Zeit sammelt er im Bay Area-Umfeld erste fruchtbare Untergrund-Punkte bei DJ Q-Bert, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien und seinen Hieroglyphics.

Bei einer kurzen Rückkehr in seine Heimatstadt Vancouver lernt er 1995 den für seine Freestyles berüchtigten Rapper Prevail (Kiley Hendriks) und dessen langjährigen Sidekick Moka Only (Daniel Denton) kennen. Zusammen veröffentlichten die beiden unter dem Namen Splitsphere bereits 1992 das Album "Delve Into My Realm".

Es bleibt nicht beim Meet-and-Greet: Die Chemie stimmt, der Gedanke an eine gemeinsame Band schwillt an. Die drei Mitglieder sind sich einig: Die Swollen Members sind geboren. Prevail erklärt den Bandnamen in einem Interview: "Im Hip Hop bedeutet 'Swollen' einfach 'Phat'. Und die einzelnen Mitglieder passen aufeinander auf, wie die Mitglieder einer Familie – wir sind Brüder!"

Kurz nach dem Start entschließt sich Moka Only jedoch, das Trio wieder zu verlassen und sich auf seine gesangslastigere Solo-Karriere zu konzentrieren. Er bleibt der Band in den Folgejahren aber als treuer Feature-Gast verbunden.

Bei einem Trip zum B-Boy Summit 1996 in San Diego beeindruckt Mad Child bei einem Battle dann dermaßen, dass sich die legendäre Rock Steady Crew entschließt, das Duo neben den Dilated Peoples und den Arsonists in ihre honorige Verwandtschaft aufzunehmen.

Zusammen mit der Hieroglyphics-Connection ebnet das den Weg für die ersten 12"-Veröffentlichungen auf Mad Childs eigenem Indielabel Battle Axe Records: Neben Produzenten wie Joey Chavez, Evidence und Del Tha Funkee Homosapien gewinnen die Swollen Members Aceyalone von Project Blowed und den Puerto Rico-Styler Son Doobie als Features. Das trägt ihnen in der Szene viel Kredibilität fernab des boomenden Westcoast-Hypes ein.

Eher düsterer, unterschwellig aggressiver und sehr puristischer Hip Hop findet 1999 in "Balance" sein Debüt auf Album-Länge. Honoriert wird der Sound mit dem Juno-Award, der kanadischen Entsprechung des Grammys.

Zwei Jahre später folgt mit "Bad Dreams" die konsequente Weiterentwicklung dieser Struktur: Produzenten wie Alchemist, DJs wie Babu und Features wie Chali 2Na und Planet Asia erweitern Mad Childs teilweise psychopathische Selbstreflexionen und Prevails lyrische Finesse im klanglichen Umfang. Das bringt neben neuerlichen Award-Lorbeeren Kanada endgültig auf die internationale Rap-Landkarte.

Seit dem ersten Album sind die Swollen Members nonstop auf Tour. Sie spielen zig kleine Gigs, die sich im Laufe der Zeit zu riesigen Shows auswachsen. Ihre Musik landet in Filmen und Extremsport-Clips, in Videospielen und natürlich im Musikfernsehen.

Im Jahr 2002 wird Rob The Viking, langjähriger Weggefährte hinter den Reglern, offizielles drittes Mitglied und Hausproduzent der Swollen Members.

Nachdem die B-Seiten- und Remix-Veröffentlichung "Monsters In The Closet" den musikalisch eingeschlagenen Pfad nur selten, z.B. zugunsten eines Nelly Furtado-Features, verlässt, macht das dritte Album "Heavy" im Jahr 2003 einen schweren Schnitt: Als hätten die Swollen Members nie etwas anderes abgeliefert, prägen hier massive Elektronik, spürbar mehr Tempo und ein deutlich unbeschwerterer Flow das Gesamtbild. Die Reaktionen zu "Heavy" gehen weit auseinander.

Mit "Black Magic", auf dem neben anderen Everlast und Ghostface Killah vertreten sind, finden sie 2006 wieder zurück zur goldenen, weil schwärzeren Mitte:

"Wir haben von den hellen und dunklen Aspekten des Lebens ein Bild vor Augen", erklärt Prevail recht treffend den Eindruck, den der eingangs beschriebene, typische Swollen-Sound hinterlässt: Sie holen sich Inspiration am linken und rechten Ende der Graustufenskala des Lebens und transformieren diese in mal bedrückende, mal mitreißende akustische Interpretationen.

Die Zeit zieht an den Swollen Members nicht spurlos vorüber. Battle Axe Records streicht die Segel. Insbesondere Mad Child bekommt schwer zu kämpfen. Neben schwerer Tablettenabhängigkeit und Fressattacken kommt er mit dem Gesetz in Konflikt.

Sein Kontakt zu den Hell's Angels und anderen Motorradgangs befördert ihn ins Visier der Behörden. Polizisten in voller Kampfmontur fallen in Mad Childs Haus ein und führen eine Razzia durch. Auch danach steht er einige Zeit auf Schritt und Tritt unter Beobachtung.

"Ich hatte Glück, dass meine Crew hinter mir stand", erinnert er sich später an diese Phase. 2009 jedoch hat er das Schlimmste hinter sich gebracht: Die Swollen Members starten wieder durch.

"Armed To The Teeth" heißt das Album, das in den USA im Herbst, in Europa im Frühjahr darauf, in den Regalen steht. Tech N9ne, Talib Kweli und Slaine und Everlast von La Coka Nostra leisten Beistand - neben dem inzwischen zum Dauergast avancierten Tre Nyce.

Von einer Rückkehr auf die Bühnen der Welt will man bei den Swollen Members jedoch nichts wissen: "Don't call this a comeback", stellen sie unmissverständlich klar. "We never left."

Images:
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Name: London
SortName: London
PresentationUniqueKey: d371b33d4dc74b48971a5233ac3f36bc
ProviderIds: MusicBrainzArtist=2df26979-0928-49fc-98e8-063d42bfbba1|AudioDbArtist=164990
Overview:
London ist eine amerikanische Heavy-Metal-Band, die 1978 in Hollywood, Kalifornien, gegründet wurde. Die Band umfasste mehrere Mitglieder, die später in berühmteren Bands wie Mötley Crüe, Guns N' Roses, W.A.S.P. und Cinderella spielen sollten.
London wurde 1978 von Lizzie Grey, Nikki Sixx und Dane Rage (eigentlicher Name Dane Scarborough) gegründet. Die drei lernten sich kennen, als Sixx und Rage rekrutiert wurden, um Bass und Schlagzeug für Sister zu spielen, die Band, in der Grey mit Blackie Lawless spielte. Diese Besetzung hielt nicht lange und bald verließen Grey, Sixx und Rage die Band, um London zu gründen.

London wurde kurzzeitig von Michael White als Sänger unterstützt, der sowohl von der Stimme als auch vom Image her Ähnlichkeit mit Robert Plant hatte. Nach Unstimmigkeiten mit der Band verließ White die Band, um sich auf seine eigene Band, The White, zu konzentrieren. Jahrelang versuchte London, einen Plattenvertrag zu bekommen, aber die Formel funktionierte nicht bis 1984, als Nadir D'Priest und Brian West der Band beitraten.

Bis 1979 war White durch den Sänger Henri Valentine und den Keyboarder John St. John ersetzt worden. Nigel Benjamin, ein englischer Sänger, der für die Glam-Rock-Band Mott (früher Mott the Hoople) und English Assassin gesungen hatte, trat der Band bei, nachdem Valentine die Band verlassen hatte. Henri Valentine ist inzwischen verstorben. Nigel Benjamin starb 2019 im Alter von 64 Jahren.

Sixx und Benjamin waren die nächsten, die die Band verließen, da sie von den vielen Mitgliederwechseln genervt waren und weiterziehen wollten. Sixx traf sich bald mit dem Schlagzeuger Tommy Lee und gründete das, was Mötley Crüe werden sollte und zu einem massiven internationalen Erfolg wurde. Auf ihrem Debütalbum Too Fast for Love veröffentlichten Mötley Crüe einen Song, den Sixx und Grey geschrieben, aber nie mit London aufgenommen hatten, mit dem Titel "Public Enemy No.1" .Benjamin schloss sich Satyr an und nahm später den Soundtrack für den Horrorfilm Rocktober Blood with Sorcery auf. Blackie Lawless wurde in die Band geholt, um Sixx am Bass zu ersetzen, aber das hielt nicht sehr lange an, und Lawless gründete später W.A.S.P.Nachdem sich die ursprüngliche Londoner Gruppe aufgelöst hatte, beteiligte sich die Gründerin Lizzie Grey an einer Reihe anderer Gruppen, darunter 1983 die Hardrocker St. Valentine mit Nigel Itson (Ruby Slippers) und Desi Rexx (D'Molls). Rage rekrutierte Scott Free, Paul Hanson und Bobby Blitz, um die Brooklyn Brats zu gründen. Später kehrte Rage zu seinem richtigen Namen zurück und wurde nach seinem Abschluss am Santa Monica College of Design, Art and Architecture im Jahr 1992 Erfinder und gründete schließlich 2005 die Spielzeugfirma Überstix LLC.
1984 sah die Wiedergeburt von London, obwohl es nun ein anderes Biest war. Das neue Lineup bestand aus Grey, Itson, einem englischen Sänger namens John Ward und einem Bassisten namens Donny Cameron.

1985 bestand das Lineup aus Grey und Izzy Stradlin, dem Sänger Nadir D'Priest, dem Schlagzeuger Bobby Marks und dem Bassisten Brian West (TKO). Marks verließ die Band bald, um das erste Lineup von Keel zu gründen, und Fred Coury wurde als sein Ersatz geholt.Stradlin verließ die Band dann, um sich Hollywood Rose/Guns N' Roses mit seinem engen Freund Axl Rose anzuschließen. Steven Adler war ebenfalls in der Besetzung, spielte auf einigen frühen Demos mit, während er mit Nadir, Brian, Lizzie und dem ehemaligen Fleetwood Mac-Gitarristen Bob Welch zusammenspielte. Adler verließ die Band und schloss sich schließlich Guns N' Roses an.

Non-Stop Rock, Londons Debütalbum, wurde zu diesem Zeitpunkt aufgenommen und im November 1985 veröffentlicht. Kurz nach der Fertigstellung des Albums verließ Coury die Band und wurde schließlich Teil von Cinderella. Wailin' Jennings Morgan ersetzte ihn. Bevor das zweite Album Don't Cry Wolf (produziert von Kim Fowley) aufgenommen wurde, traten zwei neue Mitglieder, Schlagzeuger Derek Shea und Gitarrist Frankie Jones, der Band bei.

1988 traten London passenderweise in dem Penelope Spheeris-Film The Decline of Western Civilization II: The Metal Years auf, in dem sie ihre Band als "Trainingsschule für Rockstars" beschrieben.

Nach einem Jahrzehnt, zwei Alben, 19 verschiedenen Mitgliedern und sehr wenig kommerziellem Erfolg verließ Gründungsmitglied und Gitarrist Lizzie Grey London 1988. Er spielte fortan bei den Gruppen Ultra Pop und Spiders and Snakes. Obwohl die Band nun keine Originalmitglieder mehr hatte, machte London noch zwei Jahre lang in Los Angeles weiter. Brian West und der Sänger Nadir D'Priest wurden von den Gitarristen Amos Sanfilippo und Sean Lewis unterstützt und spielten Shows in der Gegend von Hollywood und San Fernando Valley. London hatte auch einen Auftritt in dem Film Hollywood Boulevard II von 1989 mit Ginger Lynn in der Hauptrolle, wobei die Plattenfirma der Band zu den Produktionskosten beigetragen hatte, um im Gegenzug ein Werbevideo als Teil der Dreharbeiten zu drehen.

D'Priest zog für eine kurze Zeit nach Arizona, um in der Erwachsenenfilmindustrie zu arbeiten, kehrte aber zurück, um mit West und Sean Lewis weiterzuarbeiten. Sie veröffentlichten ein drittes und letztes Album, Playa Del Rock im Jahr 1990, aber zu diesem Zeitpunkt einigte sich die Band mit dem neuen Label Noise International darauf, die Band in D'Priest umzubenennen. Einige Versionen des Albums hatten den neuen Bandnamen, aber viele wurden als London veröffentlicht. Zu dieser Zeit wurde die Band von Eric Greif gemanagt, der zufällig ein früher Assistent des Managers von Mötley Crüe war. Der Schlagzeuger Alan Krigger, früher bei Ike and Tina Turner und Giuffria, ersetzte Yasui, und Sanfilippo wurde durch den gelegentlichen Keyboarder von The Cult Vince Gilbert ersetzt.  Ein letzter Schub an Publicity durch ein von MTV gespieltes und von David Bellino gedrehtes Video zur Single "Ride You Through the Night" und eine begleitende Tour verpuffte schnell, und die Band löste sich Ende 1991 nach internen Streitigkeiten und einer Auflösung des Labels auf. London/D'Priest schafften es in die Z-Rock "Z-50"-Charts sowie auf MTV und tourten in den Jahren 1990-1991 ausgiebig bei Z-Rock-Partnern und Abonnenten.

D'Priest arbeiteten anschließend mit den Rolling Stones an deren Voodoo Lounge Tour CD-ROM.

Cleopatra Records veröffentlichte 2008 außerdem London The Metal Years, eine Zusammenstellung von Demos, die in den American Recording Studios aufgenommen wurden.

Images:
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Name: Max B
SortName: Max B
PresentationUniqueKey: 7197275a2263412482b3f48a16bf7a6a
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Images:
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Name: Gudda Gudda
SortName: Gudda Gudda
PresentationUniqueKey: 6dd23fe18c7b4610ba5da13c41e7af5e
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=3216768|MusicBrainzArtist=2833c498-bc1c-4f2b-8417-00636f600479|AudioDbArtist=125561
Overview:
Carl Lilly (born March 11, 1983), better known by his stage name Gudda Gudda, is an American rapper from New Orleans. He was originally a member of Squad Up with Kidd Kidd and Lil Wayne. After forging a long-time friendship with Wayne, he signed to Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and later Republic Records.

Gudda Gudda was born Carl Lilly on March 11, 1983 in San Jose, California. When he was still a baby he moved to New Orleans. He grew up in the 9th Ward, where he befriended Lil Wayne at the age of fifteen, who he met at a dice game. This was much before he had ever thought of rapping as a career. As he begun to rap Wayne would mentor and inspire him, and actually wrote Gudda's first rap. Together they formed the group Squad Up with rappers Dizzy and Kidd Kidd. Throughout 2002 and 2003, Gudda was featured on the seven mixtapes that Squad Up released over the time period.

Gudda Gudda would be one of the first artists signed to Wayne's Young Money Entertainment upon its officially founding in 2005. Gudda had been present the day Wayne had came up with the idea for Young Money. That woulld shortly after result in a deal with Cash Money Records and Republic Records. On May 26, 2009, Gudda released Certified a collaboration album with fellow rapper Lil Flip on Real Talk Entertainment. The album was met with generally positive reviews. On September 28, 2009, Gudda released his first official solo mixtape Guddaville, which featured guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Drake, Tyga, Lil Twist, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Shanell, Mack Maine, Lil Flip, Tity Boi, Bow Wow, and Ya Boy among others. He described the mixtapes theme to MTV saying, "I'm taking people on a walk through my eyes. Every time you heard me been a group project. Guddaville is just me expressing how I feel about a lot of different things, taking you in my world."

Gudda was featured on Birdman's album Pricele$$ on the track "Hustle" and prominently featured on the Young Money group album We Are Young Money being featured on the hit singles "Every Girl" and "BedRock", along with another eight tracks. Both singles were very huge chart success', both peaking in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. He was also featured on the track "I Don't Like the Look of It" on Lil Wayne's album I Am Not a Human Being. On June 7, 2010, Gudda released the sequel to his first mixtape titled, Back 2 Guddaville. His second official mixtape featured guest appearances from Waka Flocka Flame, Mack Maine, Jay Rock, Lil Wayne, Vado, Ya Boy and Jae Millz, among others. Then for two years Gudda remained quiet recording music without releasing any. He was featured on the remix to "I'm On" along with Big K.R.I.T., Jadakiss, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, B.o.B, Tyga, and Bun B. On November 5, 2012, Gudda released the tracklist to his third official mixtape Guddaville 3. The tracklist revealed guest appearances from Wiz Khalifa, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, Mystikal, Crooked I, Trae tha Truth, Ace Hood, Future, Jae Millz, Birdman, Kevin Gates, Tyga, and Mack Maine. Two days later on November 7, 2012, Gudda released Guddaville 3. Around the time he formed the group Loyalty Amongst Thieves, featuring Kevin Gates, Flow and T-Streets, which he said planned to release a self-titled mixtape.

On March 11, 2013, Gudda released his fourth official mixtape Redrum. The mixtape featured guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, Jae Millz, Cory Gunz, Boo, and Charlie Rock among others. Production was handled by Cardiak, Young Chop, I.N.F.O., and Jahlil Beats among others. The mixtape was mainly a compilation of songs that did not make the final tracklist of Guddaville 3. Following its release, Gudda announced in an interview that he was working on his debut studio album Guddaville: The Album, later confirmed for release in 2014. He also said that he would release another mixtape Guddaville 4 prior to the album's release. Additionally he revealed he was starting his own production company Gudda Music and the Loyalty Amongst Thieves mixtape had already been completed. Billboard praised his verse on Lil Wayne's I Am Not a Human Being II track "Gunwalk" as "show stealing". Gudda and Mack Maine would be the only rappers to be featured on The H a mixtape by Rick Ross and Birdman. He was also featured on two tracks on the 2013 YMCMB compilation album Rich Gang, including "Panties To The Side" with Bow Wow, French Montana and Tyga. He confirmed guest appearances on Guddaville: The Album to come from Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, and Drake, while also saying his dream collaborations would be with Kool G Rap or Dr. Dre.

Images:
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Name: Method Man
SortName: Method Man
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Overview:
Clifford Smith (born April 1, 1971), better known by his stage name Method Man, is an American Grammy Award winning hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man & Redman. He won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" with Mary J. Blige. In 2007, the writers of About.com placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007). In 2012, The Source placed him on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. He is also the only MC to be featured on Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album Ready to Die.
Method Man appeared in the motion pictures Belly, How High, Garden State as well as a minor role in The Wackness. More recently, he appeared as a crewman in George Lucas' film Red Tails. On television, he and hip-hop collaborator Redman co-starred on the short-lived Fox sitcom Method & Red, and he had a recurring role on HBO's Oz as Tug Daniels and as Calvin "Cheese" Wagstaff on the HBO drama series The Wire.

Images:
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Name: Freekey Zekey
SortName: Freekey Zekey
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Overview:
Ezekiel Giles (born October 13, 1975), better known by his stage name Freekey Zekey, is an American rapper and music executive best known as a founding member of The Diplomats, a group he helped form in Harlem in 1997 alongside his childhood friend Jim Jones and cousin Cam'ron. Freekey also serves as the owner/CEO of 730 Dips Records.
Aside from The Diplomats, he is also a member of fellow rapper Jim Jones' ByrdGang, and has made a habit of yelling his name in songs; it is his signature on tracks, whether he is featured or the solo artist.

Images:
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Name: Xzibit
SortName: Xzibit
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Overview:
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner (born September 18, 1974), better known by his stage name Xzibit (pronounced â€œexhibitâ€), is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success. Before hosting the show, he achieved fame in the West Coast hip-hop scene as a rapper, debuting with his acclaimed At the Speed of Life and gathering chart success with his follow-up albums Restless, Man vs. Machine and Weapons of Mass Destruction, working with high-profile artists such as Eminem, Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Alice Cooper, Game and 50 Cent, as well as being one of the few American hip hop artists to branch out internationally, working with overseas acts such as Raptile from Germany, Bliss N Eso from Australia and Adil Omar from Pakistan. After his sixth studio album Full Circle, his rap career was put on hold. He also built himself a second leg as an actor, starring in Hollywood blockbusters such as 8 Mile, xXx: State of the Union, Hoodwinked, Gridiron Gang, The X-Files: I Want to Believe and The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans.

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Name: Sade
SortName: Sade
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Overview:
Sade (pronounced “shah-day”) is a Grammy-winning British smooth jazz band named after their lead singer Sade Adu. The band’s music features elements of jazz, funk, soul and rnb.

Sade was formed in 1982, when members of a Latino-soul band Pride — Sade Adu, (real name Helen Folasade Adu - born 16 January 1959 in Ibadan, Nigeria) Stuart Matthewman and Paul Spencer Denman — together with Paul Cook formed a splinter group and began to write their own material. Sade made their debut in December 1982 at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London, England, in support of Pride. Later, in 1983, Andrew Hale joined Sade. In 1984 Paul Cook left the band.

Sade Adu, the band’s singer, is the daughter of a Nigerian father and an English mother. After her mother returned to England, Sade grew up on the North End of London. Developing a good singing voice in her teens, Sade worked part-time jobs in and outside of the music business. She listened to Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, and Billie Holliday. Sade studied fashion design at St. Martin’s School of Art in London while also doing some modeling on the side.

Around 1980, Adu started singing harmony with a latin funk group called Arriva. One of the more popular numbers that the group would perform was a Sade original co-written with bandmember Ray St. John, “Smooth Operator,” that would later become Sade’s first stateside hit. The following year Adu joined the eight-piece funk band Pride as a background singer. The band included future Sade band members guitarist/saxophonist Stuart Matthewman (a key player in ’90s urban soul singer Maxwell’s success) and bassist Paul Denman. The concept of the group was that there could shoot-offs. In essence, a few members within the main group Pride formed mini-groups that would be the opening act. Pride did a lot of shows around London, stirring up record company interest. Initially, the labels wanted to only sign Adu, while the group members wanted a deal for the whole band. After a year, the other band members told Adu, Matthewman, and Denman to go ahead and sign a deal. Adding keyboardist Andrew Hale, the group signed to the U.K. division of Epic Records.

In May 1983, Sade performed at Danceteria Club in New York, NY, United States. It was the first US Sade show. They received more attention from the media and record companies and separated finally. On 18 October 1983 Sade Adu signed with Epic Records. The rest of the band signed in 1984. All Sade albums were released through this label.

Their debut album, Diamond Life (with overall production by Robin Millar), went Top Ten in the U.K. in late 1984. January 1985 saw the album released on CBS’ Portrait label and by spring it went platinum off the strength of the Top Ten singles “Smooth Operator” and “Hang on to Your Love.” The second album, Promise (November 1985), featured “Never As Good As the First Time” and arguably her signature song, “The Sweetest Taboo,” which stayed on the U.S. pop charts for six months. Sade was so popular that some radio stations reinstated the ’70s practice of playing album tracks, adding “Is It a Crime” and “Tar Baby” to their play lists. In 1986, Sade won a Grammy for Best New Artist.

Sade’s third album was 1988’s Stronger Than Pride and featured their first number one soul single “Paradise,” “Nothing Can Come Between Us,” and “Keep Looking.” A new Sade album didn’t appear for four years. 1992’s Love Deluxe continued the unbroken streak of multi-platinum Sade albums, spinning off the hits “No Ordinary Love,” “Feel No Pain,” and “Pearls.” While the album’s producer Mike Pela, Matthewman, Denman, and Hale have gone on to other projects. The new millennium did spark a new scene for Sade. She issued Lovers Rock in fall 2000 and incoporated more mainstream elements than ever before. Debut single “By Your Side” was also a hit among radio and adult-contemporary listerners. The following summer, Sade embarked on their first tour in more than a decade, selling out countless dates across America. In early 2002, Sade celebrated their success of the tour by releasing their first ever live album and DVD, Lovers Live.

Sade made a great contribution to development of modern music. They dismantled many of the old music business ways and quite promptly became a fully functioning autonomous unit with a firm grip on every aspect of the recording process.

Sade is first and foremost a live act. Sade Adu said in one of her interviews: “When we play I know that the people love the music. I can feel it.” Throughout their history, Sade have always attracted a diverse, multi-racial audience who are drawn by the band’s open-minded approach to music. “And that’s the best thing we’ve achieved.”

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Name: Brandy
SortName: Brandy
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Overview:
"Brandy trinkt man am stilvollsten aus dem Flachmann." Uuups, da hat wohl jemand was falsch verstanden ... Denn die Brandy, von der hier die Rede ist, ist eher ein Goldkehlchen als ein Rachenputzer.
Einen ersten Höhepunkt ihrer bisherigen Karriere bildet 1998 das Duett "This Boy Is Mine" mit Monica. Ein Grammy folgt und kurz darauf der große Streit. Perfekt inszeniert, so dass die, die als Siegerin daraus hervor geht garantiert einen immensen Anstieg ihres Bekanntheitsgrades zu erwarten hat. Monica zieht den Kürzeren und so ist Brandy der große R'n'B- und Medienstar.
Aber schon vor dieser Medienschlacht hat sie eine straighte Erfolgskarriere hinter sich: Am 11. Februar 1979 wird Brandy Bayana Norwood in McComb, Montana geboren. Ihre ersten Gesangserfahrungen macht sie mit zarten zwei Jahren im Kirchenchor in Southhaven, Mississippi.
Ihr Vater singt zu Hause viel und gut und wird zu Brandys Inspiration, bei ihm schaut sie sich einige Gesangstechniken ab. Als sie dann zum ersten Mal Whitney Houston singen hört läuft sie zu ihrem Vater und sagt "Ich finde, ich singe ein bisschen wie sie, ich möchte eine Sängerin wie sie werden."
Als sie vier ist, zieht ihre Familie nach Carson, Kalifornien. Dort beginnt sie 1990 auch an Gesangswettbewerben teilzunehmen und auf Wohltätigkeitsveranstaltungen zu singen, nachdem sie lange im Kirchenchor und für sich selbst geübt hat. Gerade mal 14 Jahre alt, wird sie 1993 von einem A&R von Atlantic Records entdeckt. Kurz darauf unterschreibt sie ihren ersten Vertrag.
Endlich kann sie sich ihren langjährigen Traum erfüllen, eine eigene CD aufzufnehmen. 1994 kommt "Brandy" auf den Markt. Bei Atlantic merkt man schnell, dass es sich hier um einen goldenen Fang handelt: Das Album erreicht in nur zwei Monaten den Goldstatus, später wird daraus Tripel-Platin, was bedeutet, dass "Brandy" sich mehr als drei Millionen Mal verkauft. Etliche Award-Nominierungen folgen sowie ein Duett mit Lenny Kravitz und ein Videodreh mir Boyz II Men.
Es werden nicht ihre letzten Erfolge gewesen sein. Ihr zweites Album "Never Say Never" verkauft sich ca. 14 Millionen Mal und wird gleich für mehrere Grammys nominiert. Für besagte Single mit Monica holt sie 1999 den Grammy und die Ray J-Kollabo beim Cover des Phil Collins-Superhits "Another Day In Paradise" macht sie unumstößlich weltberühmt.
Neben ihrer erfolgreichen Sängerinnen-Karriere verdient Brandy auch mit Schauspielern ihr Geld: Schon 1993 hat sie eine Rolle in der ABC-TV Comedy-Serie "Thea", seit 1996 spielt sie die Hauptrolle in der Serie "Moesha". Den Höhepunkt ihrer schaupielerischen Karriere stellt sicher die Disney-Fernsehproduktion von "Cinderella" als Musical dar. Ausgerechnet ihr größtes Vorbild Whitney Houston besteht darauf, dass Brandy eine Rolle in diesem Film bekommt. Der Film, in dem außer ihr Whoopie Goldberg und Whitney Houston mitspielen, wurde 1997 erstmals im Fernsehen gezeigt. Ihre erste größere Rolle in einem Kino-Blockbuster hat die Sängerin 1998 in "Ich weiß immer noch, was du letzten Sommer getan hast".
Privat läuft es danach nicht mehr so rund. Kurz nach der Jahrtausendwende trennt sie sich von Lebenspartner und Produzent Rodney Jerkins. Aus der Liaison ging ein gemeinsames Kind hervor. Musikalisch schmiegt sie sich fortan an Timbaland (Jay-Z und Missy Elliott, ihre Welterfolge aus den 1990ern wiederholen sich jedoch nicht.
Brandy hat zwischenzeitlich ohnehin andere, wichtigere Ebenen des Lebens entdeckt: Sie gründet die "Norwoods Kids Foundation", die es sozial benachteiligten Kindern und Jugendlichen ermöglichen soll, sich durch künstlerische Tätigkeiten auszudrücken. "Ich merke, dass ich alles erreicht habe, wovon ich immer geträumt habe. Und auf dem Weg dorthin habe ich unheimlich viel gelernt." Trotz der Veränderungen hat sie ihre alten Werte nicht aufgegeben: "Ich werde auf dem Boden bleiben, mich weiterbewegen und an Gott glauben."

Images:
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Name: Amerie
SortName: Amerie
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Overview:
Amerie Rogers, professionell bekannt als Amerie, ist ein koreanisch-afroamerikanischer internationaler R & B-Star. Ameriie hat vier Alben veröffentlicht. Ihr 2002er Debütalbum "All I Have" wurde von Kritikern hoch gelobt, ebenso wie ihr 2. Album "Touch". 2005 kehrte Ameriie mit ihrer vierten Single „1 Thing“ in die Musikszene zurück, die als Titelsong für den Will Smith-Film „Hitch“ verwendet wurde. "1 Thing" erreichte in verschiedenen internationalen Märkten, darunter den USA, Großbritannien und anderen Ländern der Welt, die Spitze der Charts. Es brachte ihr eine Grammy-Nominierung für die beste weibliche R & B-Gesangsleistung ein (das Album „Touch“ wurde auch für den Grammy „Bestes zeitgenössisches R & B-Album“ nominiert). Das Album verkaufte sich weltweit schätzungsweise 800.000 Mal und wurde in den USA mit Gold und in Großbritannien mit Silber ausgezeichnet. Ihr drittes Album "Weil ich es liebe" wurde in Großbritannien, Europa und Asien veröffentlicht. Die Single "Take Control" wurde veröffentlicht und war international erfolgreich. Die zweite Single „Gotta Work“ schnitt in den Charts nicht so gut ab, obwohl sie auf britischen und europäischen Musikvideokanälen viel Airplay erhielt. Das Album hat insgesamt 310.000 Exemplare weltweit verkauft und ist ihr am meisten gefeiertes Album. Ende 2007 wurde berichtet, dass Ameriie ihr Label Columbia Records verlassen und bei der Island Def Jam Music Group unterschrieben hatte und derzeit an ihrem nächsten Studioalbum arbeitet, das von Bryan Michael Cox ausführend produziert wurde.

Images:
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Name: Verse Simmonds
SortName: Verse Simmonds
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Overview:
Verse Simmonds was born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Virgin Islands. Coming up in the streets was an unfortunate circumstance and many nights going to bed hungry, his only solace was writing music. As a teenager Verse relocated to Florida where he met Shama Joseph, someone with a familiar background who also shared the same love for music. The two decided to form a production/songwriting team "The Jugganauts". Their production style was so unique they quickly scored a job producing an independent LP in Los Angeles. While there, they caught the attention of Genuine Music Group ( a singer/songwriter/artist management company) the team was offered their first major production assignment for an 18 year old female hip-hop artist AK Sent.  Although his focus has been on producing and songwriting for others, VERSE'S passion to perform his own original music has always been something he's wanted to accomplish. Under the guidance of Ray Daniels of Raydar Management ( A&R for Interscope) Mark Barnes of Cloud 9 Group VERSE'S dreams of being the "feature" has come into focus. Laced with an artillery of hits as well as his vast knowledge of the mechanics of music production, landing a major deal with Super Producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins/Interscope is only one piece of the kaliedoscope. This dynamic artist facets of creativity, delivery, and killer songwriting skills, VERSE is bringin his sound to the masses, which is a welcoming breath of fresh air to all who listens.


Name: Check The Resume
SortName: Check The Resume
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Name: The Drought Is Over
SortName: Drought Is Over
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Name: The Drought Is Over 4
SortName: Drought Is Over 4
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Name: Mick Boogie
SortName: Mick Boogie
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Name: 1988
SortName: 1988
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Name: Fashawn
SortName: Fashawn
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Overview:
Santiago Leyva (born October 19, 1988), known by his stage name Fashawn, is an American hip hop recording artist from Fresno, California. He first gained major attention after releasing his debut album Boy Meets World in 2009, which was produced entirely by Exile. The album received critical acclaim and landed him on the cover of XXL Magazine's Top 10 Freshmen issue in 2010. Since then, Fashawn has collaborated with other artists and producers such as Nas, J. Cole, Wiz Khalifa, Evidence, Murs, Aloe Blacc, Blu, The Alchemist, and 9th Wonder. In 2014, Fashawn performed the entrance theme to WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley's rematch against Manny Pacquiao.
On June 9, 2014, Fashawn signed to Nas' new label Mass Appeal Records. After years of anticipation, Fashawn released his second studio album The Ecology on February 24, 2015. It ranked among the top 10 most downloaded albums on the iTunes Hip-Hop Chart during its first week of release. Since then, songs from The Ecology have been featured in various forms of popular media.

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Name: The Knux
SortName: Knux
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Overview:
The Knux are a American alternative hip hop duo composed of brothers Kentrell "Krispy" Lindsey and Alvin "Joey" Lindsey. Both brothers are multi-instrumentalists, who sing, rap as well as produce. Their music contains elements of rock, electronic and pop music. The Knux are well known for their intense live shows; in 2009, they were invited to perform at almost every major music festival in North America . They have also toured with a slew of diverse artist spanning various genres including Common, Q-Tip, Nas, The Roots, Shwayze, Lupe Fiasco, DJ AM, Travis Barker and DJ Cobra among other renowned artists. The duo currently reside in Koreatown, Los Angeles, California.

They released their debut album, Remind Me in 3 Days... on October 28, 2008. They released their follow-up Eraser on September 27, 2011.

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Name: The Cool Kids
SortName: Cool Kids
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Overview:
The Cool Kids are a hip hop duo based in Chicago, Illinois consisting of Antoine “Sir Michael Rocks” Reed and Evan “Chuck Inglish” Ingersoll (originally from Mount Clemens, MI). They are signed to the independent Chocolate Industries via their own label C.A.K.E. Recordings. After meeting in 2005, and releasing three mixtapes onto the internet through their MySpace page, they released their debut EP The Bake Sale in 2008.

The members of The Cool Kids met in 2005 when Reed found a beat on the internet that Ingersoll had produced. The two met to discuss terms of the beat’s sale, and eventually ended up recording for two hours. They were inspired by hip hop in the 1980s and artists like Eric B. & Rakim. Ingersoll began promoting the new duo’s material, and it was eventually booked by Josh Young of Flosstradamus for a DJ performance. At this performance (in a venue called Town Hall Pub), the duo met the electronic musician Diplo who offered to release a mixtape of their unreleased tracks titled Totally Flossed Out on his label Mad Decent, though it was eventually released on C.A.K.E. Recordings. They also received an offer from the DJ A-Trak to sign to his fool’s gold label, which they did, but only for one single.

Up until recently, all material had been released solely on the band’s MySpace page—their recording contract came after performances at the CMJ Music Festival and Pitchfork Music Festival, on July 15, 2007. Eventually, The Cool Kids signed to Chocolate Industries, another independent label, which had previously been the label of rapper Lady Sovereign. Ingersoll has been the producer for tracks released thus far, but both work in rapping and production.

They have been and currently are on tour, opening for M.I.A. One of the duo’s singles, Black Mags, is featured in a late 2007 Rhapsody TV commercial, along with Sara Bareilles. In the same year, the group collaborated with Lil’ Wayne and DJ Benzi through the internet on a track entitled Gettin’ It, which will reportedly appear on the DJ’s future album “Get Right.” The band has been featured in the video game “NBA Live 08” with the song 88, and they have been featured in the video game “NBA 2K9 with the song 2K Pennies, and in the episode “The First Cut Is the Deepest” from HBO’s TV series Entourage with the song I Rock. They were listed in Rolling Stone’s Ten Artists to Watch in 2008.

Their debut LP, When Fish Ride Bicycles, was released on July 12, 2011.

Images:
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Name: Chip Tha Ripper
SortName: Chip Tha Ripper
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Name: Pacific Division
SortName: Pacific Division
PresentationUniqueKey: 4042ac30e65a440eaa63d3032bfc8281
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=885169|MusicBrainzArtist=d85161aa-0a2c-46bb-952f-a386979d808c
Images:
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Name: Donnis
SortName: Donnis
PresentationUniqueKey: bc1a2a7410ef406ead96adaa3504c234
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=1144288|MusicBrainzArtist=648dca8f-45a8-4066-9998-f97dd63e739f|AudioDbArtist=115001
Overview:
Ladonnis Decurtis Crump (born June 2, 1984), better known by the stage name Donnis, is an American rapper based in Atlanta, Georgia. He released his debut mixtape, Diary of an ATL Brave, in 2009, and signed to Atlantic Records in 2010.

Images:
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Name: Solesides Greatest Bumps
SortName: Solesides Greatest Bumps
PresentationUniqueKey: 0baa7a77f8fa468ca87003c02adb723d
ProviderIds: MusicBrainzAlbum=0a1a9c21-8eeb-38ab-aa5b-471403b5826f|DiscogsRelease=49167
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Name: Latyrx
SortName: Latyrx
PresentationUniqueKey: 402ef5d78e9e43ff8dfa3ec84e07087b
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=6136|MusicBrainzArtist=eadbf3fe-2d88-47da-97e4-cfcd9a1a7d10|AudioDbArtist=133039
Overview:
Latyrx is a hip-hop group comprised of MCs Lateef The Truth Speaker and Lyrics Born.    The two first showed off their skills with the 1993 release of "Send Them". In 1996, their track, fittingly named "Latyrx", debuted via Solesides.  The song featured both MCs rapping with their own unique styles over the same beat with both raps being layered on top of each other and played simultaneously to create a cacophony of rhythm and style unlike anything before it.  In 1997, The Album debuted.  It was a mixture of solo tracks from each, with a few tracks featuring both.  Chief Xcel, part of the Quannum Projects and Blackalicious, was featured on two of the tracks.  The album got great reviews for being adventurous and creative. The Album was followed by "The Muzrapper's Mix" in 1998, which had tracks including the legendary Latyrx song, "Lady Don't Tek No".  Shortly after, Solesides Collective was transformed into the current "Quannum Projects".     Lyrics Born and Lateef have since gone on to do their own projects.  Lyrics Born has released several solo albums while Lateef has worked with many artists including Mos Def and Fatboy Slim.  The two have joined forces a few times such as for the song "The Last Trumpet" on Lyrics Born's debut album, "Later That Day" and the song "8 Point Agenda" found on Lyrics Born's mix tape, The Lyrics Born Variety Show: Season One.  While the promise of a Latyrx reunion is inevitable, the actual realization of a new album by these two MCs remains up in the air as both continue to expand their horizons respectively with their own solo careers.

Images:
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Name: Alice Smith
SortName: Alice Smith
PresentationUniqueKey: 0c2e9c0c4d5b4576b84fc7be98954fc2
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=634740|MusicBrainzArtist=94144800-e903-4b08-ab7a-e1927e1d9361|AudioDbArtist=127084
Overview:
Alice Smith is a NYC-based singer, who uses elements from a wide range of musical styles, such as pop, rock, rnb and soul.  Her debut album, "For Lovers, Dreamers & Me", sets Rock & Pop music along a vocal landscape that evokes influences from a broad spectrum of artists such as, Patti LaBelle, Nina Simone, Fiona Apple, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, and Billie Holiday. It's a happy marriage of her bluesy, soulful vocals balanced by mid-tempo grooves.

Images:
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Name: Human League
SortName: Human League
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ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=24230|MusicBrainzArtist=7adaabfb-acfb-47bc-8c7c-59471c2f0db8|AudioDbArtist=112494
Overview:
The Human League ist eine britische New-Wave-Band, die vor allem durch ihren Hit Don’t You Want Me im Winter 1981/1982 bekannt wurde. Sie zählt zu den Wegbereitern der elektronischen Popmusik.

Images:
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Name: Soft Cell
SortName: Soft Cell
PresentationUniqueKey: 841840adcd0142efb6b8c1322edcf85d
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=12196|MusicBrainzArtist=7fb50287-029d-47cc-825a-235ca28024b2|AudioDbArtist=112427
Overview:
Soft Cell ist ein britisches Synthie-Pop-Duo, das 1979 in Leeds gegründet und 1981 mit dem Song Tainted Love bekannt wurde. Es besteht aus Marc Almond (Gesang) und David Ball (Keyboards). 

Die erste musikalische Produktion des Duos war eine EP mit dem Titel Mutant Moments; David Balls Mutter finanzierte sie mit einem Darlehen. Die EP und die frühen Auftritte von Soft Cell zogen die Aufmerksamkeit einiger Labels auf sich – darunter auch Mute Records und Some Bizzare Records, die sich der neuen Bewegung von Synthesizermusik verschrieben hatten.

Der nächste Titel (The Girl with the Patent Leather Face) wurde neben Songs von den damals noch unbekannten Depeche Mode, The The und Blancmange Bestandteil der Kompilation Some Bizzare Album. Die beiden ersten Soft-Cell-Singles A Man Can Get Lost und Memorabilia wurden von Daniel Miller produziert und auf Phonogram Records veröffentlicht. Soft Cell landete mit Memorabilia einen Clubhit, blieb aber weitgehend unbekannt.

Phonogram Records zeigte sich unzufrieden über den ausbleibenden Erfolg und gab Soft Cell noch eine Chance, eine Single mit Charterfolg zu produzieren. Das Duo entschied sich für eine Coverversion des 1964er Songs Tainted Love, der im Original von Gloria Jones gesungen wurde. Der Titel erreichte in 17 Ländern Platz 1 der Hitparade. Im Heimatland gelang es Soft Cell, im folgenden Jahr weitere vier Singles – Bedsitter, Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, Torch und What – in den Top 5 zu platzieren.

Nach der Veröffentlichung von drei Alben trennten sich Anfang 1984 ihre Wege. Während Marc Almond solo weitermachte, war Dave Ball neben seiner Arbeit als Produzent und Remixer in Bands und Projekten wie 'Other People', 'English Boy on the Loveranch', 'Jack the Tab' und 'The Grid' involviert.

1989 gab es wieder eine erste Zusammenarbeit der beiden, als 'The Grid' die Single Waifs & Strays von Marc Almond remixten. Zudem erfolgten 1991 weitere Mitarbeiten an Marc Almonds Album Tenement Symphony.

Seit 1998 schrieben und arbeiteten Almond und Ball an neuen Songs, was in einigen Konzerten 2001 in London gipfelte. Im April 2002 folgten die Veröffentlichung des Albums Very Best Of… mit zwei neuen Tracks und eine Europa-Tournee. Im Herbst 2002 erschien das Album Cruelty without Beauty und es fand eine weitere Tournee statt.

Bis 2004 tourten Soft Cell weiter, danach trennten sich die Wege erneut. Auf Marc Almonds offizieller Website war einige Jahre später in einem Interview zu lesen, es gebe keine weiteren Soft-Cell-Konzerte, weil dies für ihn einen Rückschritt bedeuten würde.

2019 äußerte sich Marc Almond erstmals ausgiebig zum hoch umstrittenen Video zu Sex Dwarf aus dem Jahr 1981. Das vom Regisseur Tim Pope produzierte Video hätte aus seiner Sicht nie an die Öffentlichkeit geraten dürfen und habe der Band sehr geschadet. Für die Grenzüberschreitungen entschuldigte er sich.

Im Juli 2021 kündigte Soft Cell für Frühling 2022 ein neues Studioalbum an, welches Happiness Not Included heißen soll.
(Wikipedia)

Images:
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Name: Adam Ant
SortName: Adam Ant
PresentationUniqueKey: 87ce1c599b9245eca0388b49746406a6
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=671330|MusicBrainzArtist=e188a520-9cb7-4f73-a3d7-2f70c6538e92|AudioDbArtist=115769
Overview:
Adam Ant ist der Künstlername von Stuart Leslie Goddard (* 3. November 1954 in London), des Leadsängers der in den 1980er Jahren erfolgreichen Punk- und später New-Romantic-Band Adam & the Ants.

Die Band formierte sich 1977 und bestand neben Goddard aus Lester Square (Gitarre), Andy Warren (Bass) und Paul Flanagan (Schlagzeug). Die Besetzung wechselte jedoch bis zur Aufnahme des ersten Albums 1979 mehrfach. Der frühere Produzent der Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren, stieß im Oktober 1979 auf die Band, deren Erfolge jedoch bis dato nur mäßig waren. McLaren verpflichtete die damaligen Ants-Mitglieder Matthew Ashman (Gitarre), Leigh Gorman (Bass) und David Barbarossa (Schlagzeug) für die neue Band Bow Wow Wow. Goddard formierte danach abermals neue Ants, nun bestehend aus Marco Pirroni (Gitarre), Kevin Mooney (Bass) und den beiden Schlagzeugern Terry Lee Miall und Merrick, bürgerlich Chris Hughes. Für das Album Prince Charming stieg dann noch Gary Tibbs von Roxy Music mit ein.

Seit 1982 erschienen die Platten nur noch unter dem Namen Adam Ant (ein Klang-Wortspiel mit dem englischen adamant – ‚steinhart‘, ‚felsenfest‘), wobei auf der LP Strip Phil Collins für die Singleauskopplungen Strip und Puss’n Boots sowohl Schlagzeug spielte als auch die Lieder produzierte.

1985 trat Ant mit dem Lied Vive le Rock bei Live Aid auf, unterbrach jedoch anschließend für mehrere Jahre seine musikalische Karriere. Erst seit 1990 folgen in längeren Abständen wieder neue Veröffentlichungen.

Seine größten Hits hatte er in der ersten Hälfte der 1980er Jahre mit Antmusic, Stand and Deliver, Dog Eat Dog, Prince Charming, Ant Rap und Goody Two Shoes.

Seit Mitte der 1980er versuchte er sich verstärkt als Schauspieler, sowohl in Spielfilmen (unter anderem Nomads, Cold Steel, Trust Me) und Fernsehserien (darunter Sledge Hammer, Ausgerechnet Alaska, Nikita) als auch auf der Bühne (Funeral Games, Entertaining Mr. Sloane), seine einzige Hauptrolle hatte er in der Vampir-Komödie Love Bites.

Pläne für eine 1980er-Tribute-Tour mussten im Jahr 2002 aufgegeben werden, da Adam Ant an der Bipolaren Störung leidet. Im Jahre 2003 nahm er eine neue Version seines Hits Stand and Deliver auf, mit geändertem Text, unter dem Titel Save the Gorilla. Dieser und einige weitere Songs, die zugunsten des Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund auf einer Maxi-CD erscheinen sollten, wurden (aufgrund Einspruchs des Mitkomponisten Marco Pirroni sowie der Plattenfirma) nie offiziell veröffentlicht.

Am 24. September 2007 stand Adam im Rahmen der Präsentation seiner Autobiografie Stand and Deliver in Bloomsbury (England) das erste Mal seit fast 12 Jahren wieder auf einer Bühne. Begleitet von seinem langjährigen Freund Dave Pash, einem klassischen Gitarristen, spielte er akustische Versionen eigener Stücke sowie Coverversionen und las Teile aus seiner Biografie. Adam verließ die Bühne nach mehreren Zugaben mit dem Versprechen, es werde „mehr von Adam Ant“ geben. Von diesem Auftritt erschien Ende 2008 unter dem Namen Live at the Bloomsbury ein Mitschnitt auf CD, der nur online erhältlich ist.[1]

Viele Musiker nennen Adam Ant als Einfluss, z. B. Elastica, Gene, Nine Inch Nails, Client, Robbie Williams, Kaiser Chiefs und Marilyn Manson.

Images:
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Name: Killing Joke
SortName: Killing Joke
PresentationUniqueKey: e8d9bccc8eff4b3387f0d8d0fb3f8406
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=13408|MusicBrainzArtist=f5aca88c-e3c1-4bc2-af33-68a9a9f7b56a|AudioDbArtist=113209
Overview:
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979. Founding members Jaz Coleman (vocals, keyboards) and Geordie Walker (guitars) have been the only constant members.
A key influence on industrial rock, their early music was described by critics Stephen Thomas Erlewine and John Dougan as "quasi-metal ... dancing to a tune of doom and gloom", which gradually evolved over the years, incorporating elements of electronic music, synthpop, gothic rock, and alternative rock, though always emphasising Coleman's "savagely strident vocals".
Finding modest commercial success, Killing Joke have influenced many later bands and artists, such as Nirvana, Ministry, Amen, Lamb of God, Nine Inch Nails, Porcupine Tree, Napalm Death, Behemoth, Amebix, Big Black, Slipknot, Opeth, Murderdolls, Godflesh, Scorn, Hole/Courtney Love, Dead by April, Marilyn Manson, Tool, Prong, Metallica, Primus, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Faith No More, Nick Harper, Blacklist, Shihad, Pitchshifter, Das Oath, Rammstein, and Korn, all of whom have at some point cited some debt of gratitude to Killing Joke.

Images:
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Name: A Flock of Seagulls
SortName: Flock of Seagulls
PresentationUniqueKey: 137fe472a4ee49c4943db8dddbf23b1f
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=10390|MusicBrainzArtist=aaa436da-b331-4e58-a0fd-3d64d090c120|AudioDbArtist=115102
Overview:
A Flock of Seagulls ist eine britische New-Wave-Band, die 1979 in Liverpool unter dem Namen Tontrix gegründet wurde. Die größten Hits in Deutschland waren I Ran (1982), Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You) (1983) und The More You Live, The More You Love (1984).
1979–1981: Die Gründungsphase
A Flock of Seagulls wurden um Mike Score und dessen Bruder Ali im Jahre 1979 in Liverpool formiert. Mike Score, ein gelernter Friseur, spielte Keyboard und Gitarre und sang. Sein Bruder Ali bediente das Schlagzeug, und ein befreundeter Friseur, Frank Maudsley, übernahm den Bass. Zwischenzeitlich spielte Mark Edmondson am Schlagzeug, dessen Freund Paul Reynolds dann im Alter von 17 Jahren zu der Band stieß, nachdem Gitarrist Willie Woo die Band mitten während einer Serie geplanter Auftritte unangekündigt verlassen hatte. Die Band schrieb weiter Songs und tourte durch Clubs auf der Suche nach einem Plattenvertrag. Schließlich veröffentlichten sie im Frühjahr 1981 ihre Debüt-EP Modern Love Is Automatic / Telecommunication. Während die EP es nicht in die Charts schaffte, wurde der Titelsong Telecommunication ein Untergrundhit in den New-Wave-Clubs.

1981–1984: Die Erfolge
Ende 1981 unterschrieb die Band einen Vertrag beim großen Label Jive Records, und ihr Debütalbum A Flock of Seagulls erschien im Frühling 1982. I Ran (So Far Away) wurde als erste Single ausgekoppelt. MTV fand Gefallen an dem Video, welches lange Einstellungen von Mike Score mit seiner extravaganten Frisur enthielt. Durch die große Präsenz auf MTV kletterte die Single im Sommer 1982 in die US-amerikanischen Top Ten und riss das Album mit sich in die Charts. In Großbritannien schaffte es I Ran zwar nicht einmal in die Top 40, aber noch im selben Jahr erreichte Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You), die erste Vorab-Auskopplung vom zweiten Album Listen, dort Platz 10. Im Jahr 1983 wurde Listen und weitere Singles daraus veröffentlicht, allesamt mit moderatem Erfolg. Auch das 1984 erschienene, dritte Album The Story of a Young Heart war moderat erfolgreich ohne aber die große Hit-Single hervorzubringen. Die höchste Platzierung erreichte noch die erste Single The More You Live, the More You Love (Platz 26 in Großbritannien).

1984–1986: Der Zerfall
Nach dem Album verließ Reynolds die Band und wurde durch Gary Steadman ersetzt; außerdem stieß Keyboarder Chris Chryssaphis dazu. Die neue Formation veröffentlichte 1986 das poppigere Album Dream Come True, welches nicht mehr an die alten Erfolge anknüpfen konnte. Kurz danach zerfiel die Band.

1989 bis heute
1989 formierte Mike Score eine neue Band unter dem Namen A Flock of Seagulls und ging seitdem immer wieder mit wechselnder Besetzung auf Tour.

1995 wurde ein neues Album namens The Light at the End of the World veröffentlicht.

Im November 2003 traten A Flock Of Seagulls in Originalbesetzung (Mike und Ali Score, Paul Reynolds und Frank Maudsley) beim Musiksender VH1 im Rahmen der Serie Bands Reunited auf. Im September 2004 gaben die vier erneut einige Konzerte in den Vereinigten Staaten, gingen danach aber sofort wieder eigene Wege.

Seit 2005 geht Mike Score wieder mit neuer Besetzung auf Tour. Im September 2009 gab die Formation unter anderem fünf Konzerte in Deutschland, auf denen neben einigen neuen Songs vor allem die alten Hits gespielt wurden.

Images:
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Name: Deacon Blue
SortName: Deacon Blue
PresentationUniqueKey: 6fd20f27ed1844c4a5c3085081331784
ProviderIds: DiscogsArtist=61406|MusicBrainzArtist=1d46cb3a-8071-45ba-855e-74e3cff20974|AudioDbArtist=116399
Overview:
Deacon Blue are a Scottish pop band formed in Glasgow during 1985. Their name was taken from the title of the Steely Dan song "Deacon Blues".The current line-up of the band consists of vocalists Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh, keyboard player James Prime and drummer Dougie Vipond.

The band released their debut album, Raintown on 1 May 1987 in the United Kingdom. Their second studio album, When The World Knows Your Name (1989) topped the UK Album Charts for two weeks, and included "Real Gone Kid" which became their first UK top ten single. After releasing further albums in 1991 and 1993, they split up in 1994. Five years later, the band held a reunion gig and this led to a new album, Walking Back Home, with the band now working on a part-time basis; they continue to release new albums, their latest being in September 2012.

Images:
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Name: The Romantics
SortName: Romantics
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Overview:
The Romantics is an American new wave band from Detroit, Michigan, formed in 1977. The band adopted the name "The Romantics" because they formed on Valentine's Day, 1977. The Romantics achieved popularity in the United States, Canada, parts of Asia, Australia, Europe, and Latin America during the first half of the 1980s on the strength of the band's songs and music videos. They were influenced by 1950s American rock and roll and 1960s American garage rock as well as British Invasion music.
The Romantics were considered the second wave of punk rock from Detroit, following in the footsteps of such well-known area bands as MC5, Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, and The Stooges. The Romantics play a more power pop/pop rock-oriented variation of punk rock known as pop punk. The band is also commonly classified into the categories of "post-punk" and "new wave" by pop music historians.

Images:
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Name: Romeo Void
SortName: Romeo Void
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Overview:
Romeo Void was an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. The band primarily consisted of saxophonist Benjamin Bossi, vocalist Debora Iyall, guitarist Peter Woods, and bassist Frank Zincavage. The band went through four drummers, starting with Jay Derrah and ending with Aaron Smith. The band released three albums, It's a Condition, Benefactor and Instincts, along with one EP. They are best known for the songs "Never Say Never" and "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)"; the latter became a Top 40 pop single. 
The band was started at the San Francisco Art Institute by Iyall and Zincavage. They released a single on the recently formed 415 Records before recording their debut album, which has been deemed a "masterpiece of American post-punk". The success of their second release, a 4-song EP, Never Say Never resulted in a distribution deal with Columbia Records. The band continued to release music and tour until they broke up in 1985. The members have reunited briefly over the years. Iyall has continued to pursue music as a side project. The band's music was generally associated with the new wave and post-punk movements of the early 1980s, but also experimented with danceable song structures and a saxophonist. Iyall garnered acclaim as a skilled lyricist who explored themes like sexuality and alienation from a female perspective with "dark intelligence" and "searing imagery". 

1979: Formation:
Romeo Void formed at the San Francisco Art Institute in February 1979. Vocalist Debora Iyall occasionally visited the Bay Area to see Patti Smith perform. She decided to pursue an art education after reading a fortune cookie. "It was in the late '70s at the Indochina Friendship Booth at the annual Fourth of July streetfair in Eureka, California," she said. "I got a fortune cookie that said 'Art is your fate, don't debate.' That next January, I was enrolled in an art school in San Francisco." She began frequenting the Mabuhay Gardens, a popular nightclub, to see local alternative rock groups like The Nuns, the Mutants, Crime, and the Avengers. She also formed the Mummers and Poppers, a punk parody band that covered 1960s tunes with guitarist Peter Woods, an English Major at SF State and drummer Jay Derrah, . Iyall was originally hesitant to perform because she was overweight: "After seeing Patti Smith, I still had it in my mind that you had to be skinny to be up there on stage, but after going to the Mabuhay ... you just do whatever you want, be whoever you want, just make it happen." 
Bassist Frank Zincavage met Iyall at the SF Art Institute; the two hit it off and discussed putting a band together. They formed one with Woods and Derrah a few weeks later, drawing inspiration from the "burgeoning local punk and post-punk scenes". Iyall recruited Woods because she enjoyed playing with him in the Mommers and Poppers. "It seemed only natural that we invite Peter Woods to join us ... He played clean and was a natural on rhythm guitar." Romeo Void officially formed on Valentine's Day in 1979. According to Iyall, the name Romeo Void referred to "a lack of romance" and came to mind after they saw a local magazine with the headline "Why single women can't get laid in San Francisco." The band practiced in Iyall's flat in Mission District. It was decided that the group would embrace punk ideals despite the possibility that they become associated with the new wave movement. "Even though I was going to the Mabuhay Gardens so much, I also had criticisms: Everyone was leaning against the wall wearing black," Iyall said. "I guess we were considered new wave, but for me Romeo Void was a reaction against the regimentation of everyone having to be bleached blond and everything being about despair and no future, when I thought the do-it-yourself thing should encompass all the different kinds of emotions, and all the different colors. ... I was proud of being American Indian, so I purposely never bleached my hair blond." 

1980-1982: It's a Condition, Benefactors, and mainstream success:
The band became busy playing shows at clubs and warehouses around San Francisco, and quickly became popular. Saxophonist Benjamin Bossi was added to the lineup as an "accident" when Iyall met him while he worked in a deli. The group released their first single, "White Sweater", which consisted of the title track and a cover of Danish musician Jørgen Ingmann's popular instrumental composition "Apache", in February 1981 on a recently founded local label called 415 Records. They worked on the recording of their debut album, It's a Condition, with producer David Kahne. Before recording began, Derrah left the band and was replaced by John "Stench" Hanes, who had previously played with Pearl Harbor and the Explosions. Romeo Void's debut was critically acclaimed upon its release through 415 in July 1981, and introduced Romeo Void's "unique blend of jazz, funk, rock and confrontational poetry".Allmusic writer Stewart Mason later heralded it as one of the "masterpieces of American post-punk". Indie labels were enthusiastic with promotions and the band embarked on several nationwide tours. Eventually Haines left the band, leaving Larry Carter to fill the drummer position. 
The sudden surge in popularity was disorienting to Iyall. "It was frightening: we played a college in Santa Barbara, and there were all these blond people crowding the stage, and I thought 'These are the people who hated me in high school!' When you grow up being 'outside' - because I wasn't white, and I was fat, and always a bit of a free thinker - it was strange. It was like, 'uh-oh, I must be doing something wrong - they like me!'" Highly successful mainstream artists like Ann Wilson and Ric Ocasek were eager to meet the band. Ocasek extended an invitation to collaborate at his Synchro Sound studio in Boston. The recording sessions in Boston resulted in the Never Say Never EP in January 1982. The title track became their best-known song and has remained synonymous with the band ever since. The song was also featured in the 1984 romantic teen drama Reckless (1984 film), which was the debut film of Jennifer Grey starring Aidan Quinn and Daryl Hannah. Additionally, the success of the single directly led to 415 Records signing a deal with Columbia Records, which elevated the indie label's roster to major-label status. Romeo Void released their second album, entitled Benefactor, in November 1982. The album appeared at No. 119 on the Billboard 200.Benefactor was noticeably more commercial sounding than previous endeavors; the music was made more danceable and swearing was removed on the song "Never Say Never". The different approach in the sound resulted in comparisons to Blondie, which Allmusic writer William Ruhlmann suggested was a deliberate attempt by Columbia. Iyall stated that there was more pressure to write sexually laced lyrics for Benefactor: "I do like to be provocative, and I definitely have access to my sexuality, and as a topic I find it ripe, but I wasn't ever going to be a sex-pot diva, so that was kind of odd." She also said there was pressure to produce more singles. 

1983-present: Instincts, break-up, and post-band endeavors:
A third and final album was again helmed by David Kahne, which Allmusic writer Stewart Mason speculated was a "reaction against the more commercial sound of Benefactor. By this time, Carter had been replaced by Aaron Smith.Instincts was released in October 1984, debuted at No. 68 on the Billboard 200, and proved to be the band's best-selling album. It also launched their most successful single, "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)," which broke the Billboard Top 40 and peaked at No. 35. Critical reactions were positive. Despite being the band's most successful effort to date, Columbia pulled the band's promotional support while on a nationwide tour. "The very next town we got to after they made that decision, there wasn't an A&R person there," said Iyall. "There was no local person there, there were no interviews and in-stores arranged as they had been. All that just ground to a halt." The band returned to San Francisco and soon broke up. Constant touring has been cited by Iyall as the primary reason for the break-up. "You get tired of each other, and you get intolerant of being uncomfortable and away from your family and your friends." According to a VH1 reunion episode, the issue of Iyall's weight was the reason for the label dropping them. In 2003, Iyall agreed with this claim: "Howie sold us from 415 to Columbia Records, and they were like 'Who's this fat chick?' They decided that was as far as it was going to get, and pulled their support."Crawdaddy! writer Denise Sullivan stated that the label spoke to Iyall about losing weight, but she subsequently refused. In 2010, Iyall declined to discuss the issue, but added that she may not be taking full responsibility in the matter. 
Iyall released a solo album entitled Strange Language with former band members Bossi and Smith in 1986. Afterward she pursued a career as an art teacher. The band reunited briefly for a live performance in 1993. In 2004 Romeo Void was featured on an episode of VH1's Bands Reunited. Bossi had sustained too much hearing damage over the years and was unable to perform. Iyall has continued to dabble in music related projects and events. "I still like to sing and I still like to perform," she said. In 2003 she was involved in a musical project called Knife in Water. She began collaborating with Peter Dunne, who was known as Peter Bilt when he played guitar for Pearl Harbor and the Explosions. Iyall and Dunne performed at a support benefit for Crawdaddy! founder Paul Williams in June 2009, and performed at a concert honoring 415 Records later that September. They released an album entitled Stay Strong in 2010. 

Music:
Romeo Void has generally been classified as a new wave or post-punk band. Some critics have noted dance elements in the music. According to Stewart Mason, writing for Allmusic, "The band's muscular blend of Joy Division's atmospherics and the Gang of Four's rattling momentum, with Benjamin Bossi's splattering free jazz saxophone coloring everything, made Romeo Void one of the strongest of the American post-punk bands. The St. Petersburg Times wrote that they "had no trouble creating a signature sound for themselves with a scratchy guitar, soulful sax, and tight, precise drums."The New York Times stated that they sounded like "an art-school band, with its textural complexity and touches of jazz and funk" Saxophone player Benjamin Bossi has been observed as the ingredient that "set the band apart" and showed a "talent for both improvisation and arrangement." Alan Niester, writing for The Globe and Mail, said that he weaved "in and out ... like a snake charmer" and reminded him of Andy Mackay, a saxophonist that played with Roxy Music. 
Liam Lacey, also writing for The Globe and Mail, described Iyall's voice as "sultry and sexy", while Mason called it "powerful". Her style has sometimes been compared to Chrissie Hynde, vocalist for the Pretenders. Richard Harrington of The Washington Post acknowledged the similarity, but also noted the influence of other singers in "Never Say Never" where Iyall mixed the "aggressive bitchiness of Hynde, the coy confrontational tactics of Patty Donahue of the Waitresses and the slack sensuality of Debbie Harry of the earliest Blondie." Iyall used to find the comparison annoying, but eventually warmed to it: "When people said I sounded like her, I'd say, 'Oh yeah, thanks a lot.' But this year, I've fallen in love with Learning To Crawl so now I don't care if people want to make comparisons." After a live show in 1982, Niester contended that she was the weakest part of the group and had the "vocal range of an automobile horn".Billboard writer Kathy Gillis wrote after a concert two years later that Iyall exhibited a "dramatic range that, while not extreme in either direction, was touching." 
Patti Smith had a great influence on Iyall. "She was someone who was both a rock singer and a poet," she said. "She combined things I was interested in. Plus, she wasn't a trumped-up sex symbol. She was herself on stage. That appealed to me. It looked like something I could do. You didn't have to look like all the other singers." Iyall was highly critical of the music of the day and found inspiration in other mediums. "I hate rock and roll right now. It's turned into some new kind of stupid religion... I'd rather listen to Billie Holiday, maybe Tom Waits. Actually, I'll admit I like The Bangles - they have a great sound. But I'd just as soon read novels or paint pictures as listen to music. I love language - plain speech, used in an enigmatic, subliminal way; I'm not much tied to the literal." 

Lyrics:
Iyall was observed by Mother Jones to be among a new group of female fronted rock bands that displayed a "tough, wry, street-wise, and cynical" attitude and sought to redefine the role of women in rock music. She developed a sizable following for her writing that covered topics like "frustrated desire and sexually motivated rage" from a female perspective. Critics praised her lyrics for their "searing imagery", "seething poetics", and "dark intelligence" "My approach was always that I had something to say, I had a point of view," Iyall said, commenting on her outspokeness. "I remember seeing Penelope from the Avengers at the Mabuhay Gardens and thinking, I can do that. I have something to say." 
Romeo Void's best known song is "Never Say Never", which contains the famous line "I might like you better if we slept together." Allmusic writer Heather Phares has argued that Iyall's "teasing, existential musings ... predated and predicted the aloof yet frank sexuality of early- and mid-'90s artists such as Elastica and Liz Phair". Phares concluded that the song was "a subversive, influential classic" and "one of new wave's most distinctive and innovative moments. " The song has been covered by many artists, among them are Queens of the Stone Age and Amanda Blank. The song "A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)", their highest-charting single, was reportedly written as a response to Michael Jackson's hit song "Billie Jean", but can also be seen as a tribute to women who have experienced traumatizing events. Iyall also wrote songs that touched on themes like social alienation ("Undercover Kept") and generation gaps ("Chinatown").

Images:
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Name: Japan
SortName: Japan
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Overview:
Japan war eine britische Post-Punk- und Synthie-Pop-Band.

Japan wurden 1974 in Lewisham, London von den Schulfreunden David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Richard Barbieri, Steve Jansen und Rob Dean gegründet. Die Band löste sich Ende 1982 nach den Aufnahmen für die Doppel-LP Oil On Canvas auf. 1991 vereinigte sie sich ohne Rob Dean wieder und veröffentlichte ein Album unter dem Namen Rain Tree Crow. 
(Wikipedia)

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Name: The Danse Society
SortName: Danse Society
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Overview:
The Danse Society are a post punk group from Barnsley, England, active from 1980. The original line-up included Steve Rawlings (voice), Paul Nash (guitar), Lyndon Scarfe (keyboards), Tim Wright (bass) and Paul Gilmartin (drums). Lyndon Scarfe was replaced by David Whitaker (formally of band Music for Pleasure) after the Heaven is Waiting Album.

In 1980, they recorded and released their first 7" single, "Clock," on their own newly-formed record label, Society Records. The Seduction was their first independent album released on Society Records in 1982, a six-track album containing the live favourites "Godsend", "Ambition" and "Danse Move" as well as the atmospheric classic "In Heaven Everything is Fine". They recorded several Radio 1 sessions including a released John Peel session 'Woman's Own" and "Were So Happy" and topped the Independent Charts with the single "Somewhere".

Their most well known album, Heaven is Waiting, was released in December, 1983 by Arista. The album contained the singles "Wake Up" and "Heaven is Waiting" and a cover of The Rolling Stones song, "2000 light years from home", released in 1984 as a 12" single and as a limited edition double single. They released two further singles under Arista "Say it Again' and "Hold On". In 1986, after releasing their final album "Looking Through" back on their own label again, the band split from Rawlings and the other band members left to form Johnny In The Clouds. 
Rawlings later reappeared in 1987 as Society with the single, "Saturn Girl". After 1987, Rawlings continued to pursue his path in music in America with Meridian Dream.

At the end of 2009, former members Paul Nash, Paul Gilmartin and David Whitaker met up for the first time in 24 years and decided to reform the band with the initial agreement of Steve Rawlings also re-joining the band. Over the next 9 months instrumental tracks were recorded and Steve briefly met the band in the UK in Oct 2010 but returned to America after recording just one vocal track. Plans changed when after that initial meeting, the band lost contact with Steve.

In January 2011 founder of Blooding Mask vocalist Maethelyiah joined the band and recorded vocals on all 13 tracks and the official news was revealed in May 2011. Since then the album Change of Skin has been refined and mixed and was released in July 2011.

2 official video clips were produced ("Revelation" and "God Cry") and a new one for the track "Vatican" is in the making.

A new EP is soon to be released.
2012 will see the The Danse Society back on stage again for new live shows.

Images:
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Name: Psychedelic Furs
SortName: Psychedelic Furs
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Overview:
The Psychedelic Furs are an English post-punk/New Wave band founded in 1977. Led by singer Richard Butler and his brother Tim on bass guitar, the Psychedelic Furs are one of the many acts spawned from the British post-punk scene. Their music went through several phases, from an initially austere art rock sound, later touching on new wave and hard rock.

They scored several hits in their early career, but were launched to international attention in 1986 when the film director John Hughes used their song "Pretty in Pink" for his movie of the same name. A newly recorded version of the song became the Psychedlic Furs' biggest hit to that time. "Heartbreak Beat", from their 1987 album Midnight to Midnight, was the Furs' biggest Top 40 entry in the US.

The Psychedelic Furs went on hiatus in 1991, and the Butler brothers formed a new band called Love Spit Love. The Psychedelic Furs later regrouped in 2001 and continue to perform around the world.

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Name: The Stranglers
SortName: Stranglers
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Overview:
The Stranglers are an English punk rock music group.
Scoring some 23 UK top 40 singles and 17 UK top 40 albums to date in a career spanning four decades, the Stranglers are the longest-surviving and most "continuously successful" band to have originated in the UK punk scene of the mid to late 1970s. Beginning life as the Guildford Stranglers on 11 September 1974 in Guildford, Surrey, they originally built a following within the mid-1970s pub rock scene. While their aggressive, no-compromise attitude identified them as one of the instigators of the UK punk rock scene that followed, their idiosyncratic approach rarely followed any single musical genre and the group went on to explore a variety of musical styles, from New Wave, art rock and gothic rock through to the sophisticated pop of some of their 1980s output.
They had major mainstream success with their single "Golden Brown". Their other hits include "No More Heroes", "Peaches", "Always the Sun" and "Skin Deep".
The Stranglers' early sound was driven by Jean-Jacques Burnel's melodic bass, but also gave prominence to Dave Greenfield's keyboards at a time when the instrument was seen as unfashionable. Their early music was also characterised by the growling vocals and sometimes misanthropic lyrics of both Jean-Jacques Burnel and Hugh Cornwell. Over time, their output gradually grew more refined and sophisticated. Summing up their contribution to popular music, critic Dave Thompson later wrote: "From bad-mannered yobs to purveyors of supreme pop delicacies, the group was responsible for music that may have been ugly and might have been crude – but it was never, ever boring.

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