Saukrates
| Saukrates | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Karl Amani Wailoo |
| Also known as | Big Sox |
| Born | March 6, 1978 |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Canadian hip hop, R&B |
| Occupations | Producer, rapper, singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Capitol Hill Music |
| Associated acts | Redman, Gilla House, Big Black Lincoln, Nelly Furtado |
Karl Amani Wailoo[1] (born March 6, 1978), better known by his stage name Saukrates (
/ˈsɒkrətiːz/; "Socrates"), is a Canadian rapper, singer, and record producer of Guyanese descent. He is the co-founder of Capitol Hill Music, and lead singer of hip-hop/R&B group Big Black Lincoln. He is also a member of Redman's Gilla House collective.
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[edit] Career
In 1994, his first track was titled "Still Caught Up", which earned a nomination for Best Rap Recording at the 1996 Juno Awards. He was also nominated for another Juno of the same award in 2000 for "Money or Love". In 2001, Saukrates produced the track "Uh-Huh" for Redman's Malpractice album, and appeared on a track called "Enjoy Da Ride". He also did a track called "Fine Line" for the soundtrack to Method Man and Redman's How High movie. In 2002, Saukrates teamed up with fellow Canadian producer Agile from BrassMunk to produce the track "Heaven", for Nas' album God's Son, which featured Jully Black.
Canadian hip hop artists have had a hard time getting established south of the border, and Saukrates is no exception. In 1996, he was signed to Warner Bros. Records. Unfortunately for Saukrates, Warner dropped him in 1998,[2] which was one year before his debut album The Underground Tapes was released on Capitol Hill. By the year 2000, Saukrates reached another big deal with Def Jam and Gilla House Records (owned by Redman).[3] Eventually, Saukrates was dropped by Def Jam because he was no longer considered a priority, however he remained with Gilla House. He appears on two tracks of Redman's latest album Red Gone Wild, released in March 2007.
He completed a second album, Bad Addiction, in 2004, but has faced difficulty securing widespread release on a major label. In the meantime he has produced material for Big Black Lincoln and R&B singer Andreena Mill.[4]
[edit] Work with Nelly Furtado
On November 19, 2006, he performed "Promiscuous" with Nelly Furtado at halftime show of the 94th Grey Cup (the CFL championship game). Two days later, Saukrates beat-boxed during her performance of "Say It Right" at the 2006 American Music Awards in Los Angeles. On February 23, 2007, he appeared on the daytime drama One Life to Live with Furtado, performing "Promiscuous".
Saukrates also toured with Furtado on her Get Loose Tour, as a percussionist, backing vocalist and supporting act.
[edit] 2009–present: Season One
In 2009, Saukrates collaborated with Method Man & Redman on the single "A-Yo", from their album Blackout! 2.
Saukrates collaborated with k-os and Nelly Furtado on the single "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman", from k-os' album Yes!. Originally, the track was a collaboration between Saukrates and Nelly Furtado entitled "On The Run".
In 2012, Saukrates will release his much delayed second studio album, Season One. The first single, "Drop It Down" featuring Redman, was released on iTunes July 26. "Megaman" was released as the second single in October.
[edit] Personal life
He has a son with Mos Def's ex-wife, Alana Wyatt-Smith.[5]
[edit] Discography
- Brick House (1997)
- The Underground Tapes (1999)
[edit] Commercials
Since 2008, Saukrates has done narration for Toronto Blue Jays commercials and documentaries.[6] In 2011, he made the song "Say I" for a Nike commercial, featuring NHL player P. K. Subban.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Wailoo Karl Amani ASCAP. Accessed on January 4, 2010.
- ^ "Sauks Takes Philosophy Elsewhere". Rolling Stone, February 10, 1999.
- ^ Saukrates Signs to Def Jam. Eye Weekly.
- ^ "Border Block - Canadian Hip Hop vs. America". cbc.ca, March 22, 2005.
- ^ Infantry, Ashante (June 29, 2008). "Scenes from a hip-hop marriage". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/article/451241. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
- ^ The Season: 08 Jays Sportsnet.ca. Accessed on December 28, 2011.
