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Memphis Bleek

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Memphis Bleek
Memphis Bleek (front) in 2001 with Beanie Sigel
Memphis Bleek (front) in 2001 with Beanie Sigel
Background information
Birth nameMalik Deshawn Cox
Born (1978-06-23) June 23, 1978 (age 46)
New York City, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • hype man
Years active1996–present
Labels
Formerly ofCrooklyn Dodgers
Children2

Malik Deshawn Cox[1] (born June 23, 1978),[2] known by his stage name Memphis Bleek, is an American rapper who was a protégé of fellow New York rapper Jay-Z.[3] Cox started his own labels: Get Low Records in 1998, and Warehouse Music Group in 2016. He has released four albums, the first two certified Gold.

Music career

Memphis Bleek was one of the first artists signed to Roc-A-Fella, as a protégé of Jay-Z. He grew up in Brooklyn's Marcy Projects, located in Bedford–Stuyvesant, the same neighborhood as Jay-Z. He appears on the Jay-Z albums: Reasonable Doubt, Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life, Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, and The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse.[4] Bleek's first official appearance was "Coming of Age" from Reasonable Doubt. After the huge success of Hard Knock Life and the exposure of the Roc-A-Fella camp, (a Memphis Bleek track off the aforementioned Jay-Z album, "It's Alright", actually charted on Billboard), the label released Memphis Bleek's debut album, Coming of Age. The album was the week's Hot Shot Debut on the Billboard 200, peaking at #7 with 118,000 units sold in its first week.[5] The name "Memphis", which the rapper explained paid homage to pimps, was an acronym for "Making Easy Money, Pimping Hoes In Style" while "Bleek" had been a childhood nickname, given to him by his younger sister.[6] He has released three more albums since his debut, The Understanding, M.A.D.E., and 534 (Out of the three, The Understanding was certified Gold by the RIAA). In between the release of The Understanding and M.A.D.E., he took a three-year hiatus, in which time he took care of his older brother, who was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident.[7] There are three significant notes to take away from the album 534, which was named after the building number of the housing project, where he and Jay-Z grew up. First, it was the debut release from the "new" Roc-A-Fella, referring to Jay-Z becoming President of Def Jam.[8] It also contains the first official Def Jam recording by label mate turned international star, Rihanna, who featured on the song "The One". And lastly, this album marks the time in which Jay-Z released his first song since beginning his brief "retirement" in late 2003. The song was called "Dear Summer", in reference to what Jay called the time of the year when he would drop a classic album or single every year for eight straight years, and how he had to metaphorically leave "her", Summer.[9]

Memphis Bleek's highest charting single was "Is That Yo Chick", featuring Missy Elliott and Jay-Z, which peaked at #7 on the Hot Rap Singles Billboard Chart, and only one of two songs by the artist to crack the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #68, and the only track to appear on one of his solo albums. The other single being "It's Alright", appearing on the Hard Knock Life album by Jay-Z, peaking at #61 on the Billboard Hot 100.[10] He has had countless collaborations with fellow hip-hop artists such as DMX, Ja Rule, T.I., and Trick Daddy, with many of the features coming with other Roc-A-Fella artists, including Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Cam'ron, Amil, Young Gunz, and of course Jay-Z.

In fall 2005, Memphis Bleek told MTV that he was recording an album called The Process, that he would describe as a make or break album, saying "I want to do an album that's through the roof, I want to do a classic album. I feel that if this album I'm not recording is a classic, I'm not even gonna put it out. I have to do it bigger than anybody has ever done it. I have to make a good record this time, not just talking-junk records."[11][12] The rapper has worked on the album since 2005 and during that time frame he would release the songs "Hustla", "Get Ya Money Off" and "Let It Off". During this time, he would also leave Roc-A-Fella after Jay-Z told him he could run his own company and had the proper distribution deals to do so.[13] He found a new home in 2009 when he signed to Mass Appeal Entertainment.[14]

In the summer of 2010, he backed Jay-Z on stage, during a performance at the Swedish festival Peace&Love.

On April 10, 2012, Memphis Bleek, working with The Liberty Music Group, re-released "The Movement". The release went on to garnish over 125,000 Downloads.[15]

On June 6, 2012, Memphis Bleek, working again with The Liberty Music Group, released "Kush Vol. 2". The release went on to garnish over 59,000 Downloads and get a 3/5 Review from XXL Writer Adam Fleischer.[16]

On March 21, 2014, Memphis Bleek released "The Movement 2" as a mixtape for free download.[17]

Personal life

On December 13, 2014, Cox married longtime girlfriend, Ashley Coombs, in an evening ceremony at The Merion in Cinnaminson, New Jersey, in which Jay-Z was in attendance.[18] In July 2018, Cox announced the birth of their first child, a daughter.[19] Cox also has a son, born in June 2002.[20] Cox is the cousin of fellow Brooklyn rapper Sean Price.[21]

Other ventures

Warehouse Music Group

Warehouse Music Group
Founded2016
FounderMalik Cox
Distributor(s)Roc Nation
GenreHip hop
Country of originUnited States
LocationNew York City

Getting the approval of Jay-Z in 2015, Memphis Bleek started his own label, as CEO and founder of Warehouse Music Group.[22] The debut release from the label was Memphis Bleek's single "So Different" featuring Manolo Rose, which created a big buzz for the label.[23][24] On July 28, 2016, Memphis Bleek made the announcement of signing Manolo Rose and Casanova.[25][26] In 2017, Manolo Rose released "Ball Drop"[27] and "Pink Fur".[28] That same year, Casanova released three big singles: "Don't Run",[29] "Go Best Friend"[30] and "Left, Right" featuring Chris Brown and Fabolous.[31]

Films

In 2002, Memphis Bleek starred in State Property as "Blizz". That same year, he was also in Paper Soldiers. He's had cameos in Backstage and Fade to Black as well.

Video games

Memphis Bleek is a playable character in the video game Def Jam: Fight for NY.

Discography

Main article: Memphis Bleek discography
Studio albums

References

  1. ^ "Everyday". warnerchappell.com. Warner Music Group. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  2. ^ Wilson, Elliott (November 4, 1998). "Memphis Bleek: Get Shorty". Vibe. p. 58.
  3. ^ Memphis Bleek. allmusic.com
  4. ^ Jay-Z Album Discography | CDNow. Amazon.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2013.
  5. ^ The Boy are back Atop the Top 200. Billboard.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2013.
  6. ^ "Bleek, Memphis | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  7. ^ M.A.D.E. in America. Billboard. Retrieved on January 26, 2013.
  8. ^ Memphis Bleek Brings It All Back Home. Billboard.com. Retrieved on January 26, 2013.
  9. ^ Reid, Shaheem. (May 10, 2005) 'Retired' Jay-Z Releasing New Track Via Memphis Bleek LP. Mtv.com. Retrieved on 2013-01-26.
  10. ^ Artist Chart History – Memphis Bleek | Billboard
  11. ^ "Jay-Z's Most Loyal Soldier, Memphis Bleek, Finally Has His Own Desk". mtv.com.
  12. ^ Reid, Shaheem. (September 20, 2005) Memphis Bleek Helps Jay-Z Prepare For War – News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News. Mtv.com. Retrieved on 2013-01-26.
  13. ^ Kuperstein, Slava (March 20, 2009). "Memphis Bleek Talks Leaving Roc-A-Fella". HipHopDX.com. Retrieved August 21, 2008.
  14. ^ "Memphis Bleek – The Process (Album Cover) | HipHop-N-More". Hiphop-n-more.com. December 30, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  15. ^ "Memphis Bleek - The Movement". DatPiff. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  16. ^ "Memphis Bleek, Kush Vol. 2". Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  17. ^ "Memphis Bleek The Movement 2". OrangeMixtapes.Com. March 21, 2014. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  18. ^ "Memphis Bleek Gets Married in New Jersey, Jay Z Attends". theboombox.com.
  19. ^ "Memphis Bleek Announces Birth of His New Daughter". thesource.com. July 11, 2018.
  20. ^ @memphisbleek (June 10, 2011). "happy bday to my son..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Ahmed, Insanul. "Quote of The Day: Sean Price and Memphis Bleek Are Cousins". complex.com. Complex Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
  22. ^ Louie, King (February 21, 2017). "Memphis Bleek On The Rocafella Breakup, Gassing Jay Z & Nas Beef & Being Warehouse Music Group CEO [VIDEO]". Hot 97. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  23. ^ "New Music: Memphis Bleek x Manolo Rose "So Different"". Rap Radar. January 8, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  24. ^ "Memphis Bleek & Manolo Rose Drop "So Different"". Insomniac Magazine. January 8, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  25. ^ "Rap Radar Podcast: Memphis Bleek, Manolo Rose, & Casanova". Rap Radar. July 28, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  26. ^ "Memphis Bleek Talks Jay Z Giving Him A Label To Sign Manolo Rose & Casanova". AllHipHop. February 21, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2017.
  27. ^ C.M, Emmanuel. "Manolo Rose Throws a Wild Party in "Ball Drop" Video". XXL. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  28. ^ "New Music: Manolo Rose "Pink Fur" (Prod. By Childish Major)". Missinfo. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  29. ^ "Buzzing Brooklyn Rapper Casanova Says "Don't Run" In New Video". AllHipHop. June 10, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  30. ^ "Casanova - "Go Bestfriend"". Thisis50. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  31. ^ Wza, Tat (October 27, 2017). "NEW MUSIC: Casanova Ft. Chris Brown & Fabolous - Left Right [AUDIO]". Hot 97. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
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