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Many people have criticized Paz for his use of homophobic lyrics in his music, but he claims that he is not homophobic and instead claims that these references are from his ignorant days on the streets, “I think the homophobia things is really just taken out of context from people in certain parts of the country or the world, with me, that was some (stuff) you said on the street. Like ‘Oh, dude is a (homosexual)’… it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with homosexuality. It was just some ignorant street (stuff), know what I mean?”<ref>[ http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/news/2007/08/vinnie-paz-on-politics-and-homosexuality “Vinnie Paz on Politics and HomoSexuality”], ‘’[[Hip-Hop Linguistics]]’’</ref>
Many people have criticized Paz for his use of homophobic lyrics in his music, but he claims that he is not homophobic and instead claims that these references are from his ignorant days on the streets, “I think the homophobia things is really just taken out of context from people in certain parts of the country or the world, with me, that was some (stuff) you said on the street. Like ‘Oh, dude is a (homosexual)’… it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with homosexuality. It was just some ignorant street (stuff), know what I mean?”<ref>[ http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/news/2007/08/vinnie-paz-on-politics-and-homosexuality “Vinnie Paz on Politics and HomoSexuality”], ‘’[[Hip-Hop Linguistics]]’’</ref>
===Politics===
===Politics===
Paz is very outspoken about his distaste from former [[President George W. Bush]], and blames all of the United States problems on the countries administration. In an interview with Hip-Hop Linguistics, Paz stated “I think the logical move is for Hilary (Clinton) to run with [[Barack Obama]] as a running mate, I think them competing is sort of counterproductive.” He also went on to say “A monkey would be better than what we have now. When you have the worst president in the history of your country, there’s really nowhere to go but up” in reference to President Bush.<ref>[ http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/news/2007/08/vinnie-paz-on-politics-and-homosexuality “Vinnie Paz on Politics and HomoSexuality”], ‘’[[Hip-Hop Linguistics]]’’</ref>
Paz is very outspoken about his distaste from former [[President George W. Bush]], and blames all of the United States problems on the country's administration. In an interview with Hip-Hop Linguistics, Paz stated “I think the logical move is for Hilary (Clinton) to run with [[Barack Obama]] as a running mate, I think them competing is sort of counterproductive.” He also went on to say “A monkey would be better than what we have now. When you have the worst president in the history of your country, there’s really nowhere to go but up” in reference to President Bush.<ref>[ http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/news/2007/08/vinnie-paz-on-politics-and-homosexuality “Vinnie Paz on Politics and HomoSexuality”], ‘’[[Hip-Hop Linguistics]]’’</ref>


===Music Industry===
===Music Industry===

Revision as of 18:30, 11 October 2012

For the boxer, see Vinny Paz.
Vinnie Paz
File:Vinnie-Paz.jpg
Vinnie Paz performing in 2009
Background information
Birth nameVincenzo Luvineri
Also known asIkon the Verbal Hologram, Odrama Vin Laden, Pazmanian Damien, Pazmanian the Verbal Hologram, Pazmanian the Emperor, Louie Doggs, Vinnie P, The Pazmanian Devil, Pazienza, Frank Vinatra, Vin Jong Ill, Rumplestiltsvin, Mahmoud AhmaVinejad, Vin Laden, Box Cutta Pazzie
Born (1977-10-05) October 5, 1977 (age 46)
Agrigento, Sicily, Italy
GenresHip Hop, Political Hip Hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, Producer
Years active1990–present
LabelsEnemy Soil
Websitewww.jmthiphop.com/

Vincenzo Luvineri (born October 5, 1977), better known as Vinnie Paz (formerly known as Ikon the Verbal Hologram), is an Italian-American rapper and the lyricist behind the Philadelphia underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks. He is also the frontman of the hip hop supergroup Army of the Pharaohs.

Biography

Paz was born in Sicily, Italy, where he lived for a short time before moving with his family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally taking the pseudonym of Ikon the Verbal Hologram, he later changed his name to Vinnie Paz, after the Rhode Island boxer Vinny Pazienza. Paz originally started rapping with fellow Jedi Mind Tricks member Stoupe in his basement. Paz is known for his raw and gritty lyrical delivery. He is also known for his extensive use of studio punch-ins, seldom recording a verse in one take. His lyrics frequently contain references to religion, war, politics, mythology, conspiracy theories, and the paranormal. His more recent albums such as Servants in Heaven Kings in Hell show a more obvious approach to politics and world issues. This gritty style of Paz became apparent with the release of Violent by Design, and has become progressively more defined since its release. Vinnie Paz has a number of aliases, including Ikon the Verbal Hologram, Louie Doggs, Vinnie P, The Pazmanian Devil, Ikon The Python, Pazienza, and Vin Laden. Raised Catholic, Vinnie Paz is now a Muslim, which plays a major role in much of his lyrics, often controversially, as on Heavenly Divine, where he rapped "I'm with Allah 'cause he chose me, I broke into The Vatican, strangled The Pope with his rosary."[1] Vinnie is also a heavy metal fan, and occasionally uses song titles and band names in JMT tracks and lyrics. Paz started occasionally writing articles for the website maxboxing.com in 2011.[2]

Ventures

Jedi Mind Tricks

Main Articles: Jedi Mind Tricks Paz formed Jedi Mind Tricks with high school friend Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind, a producer and DJ also from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1993. They released their first EP in 1996 called Amber Probe through the Label Superegular Records, which featured three original tracks, two remixes and one instrumental all produced by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. Jedi Mind Tricks’ first official album came out 4 years later in 1997 called The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness, “The Psycho-Social” for short. The album originally sold 1000 vinyl copies through Superegular Records, but was re-released in 2003 to combine for 25,000 sales. The album focuses mostly on astronomy, history and physics. Jedi Mind Tricks added two new members DJ Kwestion from Philadelphia in 1997, and Jus Allah from Camden, New Jersey in 1999. They went on to record seven studio albums with sales totaling over 250,000 in the US and 450,000 worldwide (only some including Jus Allah and DJ Kwestion). They also recorded fourteen EPs/singles. The group has collaborated with many other mostly underground east coast rappers including GZA, Kool G Rap, 7L & Esoteric, Sean Price, Ras Kass, Canibus, Percee P, Killah Priest, Immortal Technique, Virtuoso, Louis Logic, R.A. the Rugged Man, Tragedy Khadafi, and Ill Bill. After a falling out with Babygrande Records, the group created their own record label called Enemy Soil. They produce for artists such as Reef the Lost Cauze, Dutch, and Army of the Pharaohs. Jedi Mind Tricks released its most recent album titled Violence Begets Violence in 2011.

Heavy Metal Kings

Heavy Metal Kings started as a single called “Heavy Metal Kings,” by Jedi Mind Tricks featuring Ill Bill. Paz then recruited the Non Phixion and La Coka Nostra member Ill Bill to form the group Heavy Metal Kings and release an album with the same name as the group on April 5, 2011. The duo raps with the same ferocious battle rap style that they had in their previous solo and group albums. The duo is set to release a second album in 2013.


Army of the Pharaohs

Paz formed Army of the Pharaohs, an underground East Coast hip hop group featuring himself, Apathy, Celph Titled, Chief Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric, Planetary & Crypt the Warchild (Outerspace), King Syze, Faez One, Jus Allah, Doap Nixon, Reef the Lost Cauze, Demoz, Block Mccloud, and Des Devious, although not every artist is on every track.

Solo Albums

Vinnie released his debut solo album Season of the Assassin on June 21, 2010, which peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard rap charts. The album featured guest appearances from Paul Wall, Ill Bill, Clipse among others.

Vinnie is currently working on his sophomore solo album God of the Serengeti, which is set to feature production from DJ Premier, The Alchemist, Da Beatminerz, The Beatnuts, C-Lance, among others.[3][4] It is scheduled to be released October 2012.[5] On June 21st, Paz released the first official video off the album, for the single "Cheesesteaks" [6]

Beliefs

Sexuality in Lyrics

Many people have criticized Paz for his use of homophobic lyrics in his music, but he claims that he is not homophobic and instead claims that these references are from his ignorant days on the streets, “I think the homophobia things is really just taken out of context from people in certain parts of the country or the world, with me, that was some (stuff) you said on the street. Like ‘Oh, dude is a (homosexual)’… it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with homosexuality. It was just some ignorant street (stuff), know what I mean?”[7]

Politics

Paz is very outspoken about his distaste from former President George W. Bush, and blames all of the United States problems on the country's administration. In an interview with Hip-Hop Linguistics, Paz stated “I think the logical move is for Hilary (Clinton) to run with Barack Obama as a running mate, I think them competing is sort of counterproductive.” He also went on to say “A monkey would be better than what we have now. When you have the worst president in the history of your country, there’s really nowhere to go but up” in reference to President Bush.[8]

Music Industry

Following a falling out with Babygrande records, Vinnie Paz and the rest of Jedi Mind Tricks founded their own record label called Enemy Soil. Paz has long been outspoken about record labels taking most of the money from sales for themselves, and wishes for more rappers to be independent from labels. [9]

Religion

Vinnie was raised a Roman Catholic just like the majority of the people in southern Philadelphia. Although his family practiced Catholocism, Vinnie always felt disconnected from the religion. In high school, a good friend of his was Muslim, and he frequented this friend’s household. This particular friend’s father began teaching Paz about the Qu'ran. As an adult he gradually converted to Sunni Islam and currently still is a Muslim. In an interview with Jason Goss, Paz stated; "Growing up yeah, I'm Italian and from Philly, so obviously my family is Roman Catholic. Religion and spirituality are a strange thing, ya know? Most people just grow up and accept the propaganda that their parents pushed on them. Christian families produce Christian kids, Jewish families produce Jewish kids, and so on. Not many people break that mold. I just never felt any connection with Catholicism, or Christianity in general. I spent a lot of time in high school at my homeboy Arif's crib, and he came from a Muslim family. I learned a lot there from his family and I got interested in Islam through them." [10]

Conspiracy Theories

Jedi Mind Tricks and specifically Vinnie Paz are known for rapping about many different conspiracy theories. Most are chronicled in Paz’s song “End of Days” from his first solo album. The song features speech clips from famous conspiracy theorist David Icke. In this particular song, Paz raps about mostly conspiracy theories within the United States government. For instance he mentions that the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers was an inside job. He also introduces listeners to a place in California called Bohemian Grove, where world leaders other influential men meet to discuss things that for the most part remain a mystery. Most of these conspiracy theories stem from the beliefs of a New World Order and the Illuminati.[11]


Discography

Solo albums

Collaboration albums

Mixtapes and EPs

  • Pazmanian Devil (2005)
  • The Sound and the Fury (2006)
  • Before the Assassin (2010)
  • Prayer for The Assassin (2010)
  • The Priest of Bloodshed (2012)

Jedi Mind Tricks

Main article: Jedi Mind Tricks § Discography

Army of the Pharaohs

Main article: Army of the Pharaohs § Discography

References

  1. ^ Gloss, Jason. Philly should have been its own state. Philaflava. Accessed June 13, 2008.
  2. ^ "Ritual and Reflections of Battle"
  3. ^ Horowitz, Steven (2011-05-03). "Vinnie Paz Taps DJ Premier, Alchemist For Sophomore LP | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  4. ^ "Music - 411 Music Interview: Jedi Mind Tricks". 411mania.com. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  5. ^ "Twitter / vinnie_paz: God of the Serengeti coming". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  6. ^ "Vinnie Paz "Cheesesteaks"". YouTube. 2012-06-21. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  7. ^ [ http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/news/2007/08/vinnie-paz-on-politics-and-homosexuality “Vinnie Paz on Politics and HomoSexuality”], ‘’Hip-Hop Linguistics’’
  8. ^ [ http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com/news/2007/08/vinnie-paz-on-politics-and-homosexuality “Vinnie Paz on Politics and HomoSexuality”], ‘’Hip-Hop Linguistics’’
  9. ^ “Jedi Mind Tricks”, ‘’Lyrics Freak’’
  10. ^ "Vinnie Paz Interview [PhilaFlava]". Retrieved 2012-10-09.
  11. ^ "End of Days Lyrics"
  12. ^ Paine, Jake (2012-09-04). "Vinnie Paz "God Of The Serengeti" Tracklist, Production Credits & Cover Art | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  13. ^ "HHUG Interviews C-Lance - Violence Begets Violence - Hip Hop Underground". Hiphopug.com. Retrieved 2012-09-23.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vinnie Paz.

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